On Tuesday afternoon we met 'under the big tree' in the Parque Colon to explore the 500-year-old colonial zone. SST'ers demonstrated their public transportation savvy by arriving punctually for our lunch at the Hotel del Conde right on the park.

The Spanish architecture of the Colonial Zone is lovely. Much of it is built with limestone containing millions-of-years-old pink coral rocks. We toured the oldest church in the 'new world'; frolicked in Fortelza Ozama; created an human SST sculpture; dodged pigeons and their droppings in the ruins of the oldest hospital in the 'new world'; and enjoyed an ice cream treat.

Thanks to David M. for taking the great photos!

Tomorrow morning we are leaving before 8am to begin our first overnight field trip. We'll spend one night on the coast in Rio San Juan and two nights outside of Jarabacoa. Si Dios Quiere. Look for the next posting in the middle of next week.