Well, this is my first post from the Dominican Republic. AKA, the first real other country I've ever been too. I don't count Cozumel or Belize since I didn't need a passport...and I don't count Epcot either.

First impressions...the people seem to be nice. They speak Spanish at first go but if I respond in English that I don't understand (or if I talk to me colleagues from work down here in English around others) they just speak English. The Marriott here is very nice, the equal of any I've been in. Maybe even nicer since it's newer.

I was happy to see the American Embassy like one block away. Don't know why, it was just nice to see it. The Vatian Embassy is also close by. Big day for them today.

Meeting the other two guys downstairs at 8:15am tomorrow. They both speak spanish and are very familiar with the DR so they're real godsends. I don't know what I'd do without them.

After breakfast, it's off to the office. Hopefully everything works out nicely and we have a productive day.