Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

While in the Dominican Republic, we went zip lining.  I had never been before so I had no idea what to expect.

Our trip began with an hour and fifteen minute open air truck ride to the mountains. We drove away from the ocean into dusty, scorching hot villages, through pouring rain and fields full of palm trees and cows. The terrain was rough and our truck eventually turned on a rocky lane and steadily ground up the side of the mountain making the most horrific noise.

Looking back I realize that the truck ride was infinitely more scary then careening through the  jungle canopy, dangling from a cable at fifty-five miles per hour. Its all perspective I guess.  At one point, our truck came to a grinding halt on the side of the mountain. In that moment I believed we would  begin to slide backwards to our deaths. I heard the driver yell something in Spanish so I decided to peer out the side of the roll bars. There were a dozen wild horses in the road surrounding our truck so we waited for them to go around. It was wild and stunning. The rest of the way up the mountain there were children on burros, bananas dangling from trees and more mango than I have seen in my lifetime. I silently thought, “We did not pay enough for this excursion.”

Zip lining was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The safety of my harness made it possible for me throw my arms out wide and unleash the potential of my lungs. I heard my voice reverberate through the tops of the trees, loud and exhilarated. I was not afraid. We did sixteen zips throughout the day.  Some as high as five hundred and fifty  feet and as fast as fifty five miles per hour.  Because it was pouring rain, the guides told us we would be travelling on the cables faster than normal. They showed us how to slow ourselves down. I conveniently forgot. I felt  alive and I was not afraid. It was magnificent.

As we finished our last zip and walked toward the tower where we had begun, we saw pineapple growing next to the path. I have never seen pineapple in its natural state. It looked  strange and out of place  until I realized that it belonged there and I did not. Awesome. There was an entire bush dedicated to creating one pineapple. I will never again grouse at the cost of pineapple. I had no idea.

We finished our excursion enjoying a buffet of fresh coconut, pineapple and watermelon. There were guides to tip and  congratulatory photos to take before  boarding our truck back to the resort.  The ride home wasn’t nearly as scary. You could say it was because I knew what to expect , but I know it was because I was leaving a little bit different than when I had arrived. I had soared through the jungle with lungs wide open and a heart free from fear. Definitely worth the trip.

Here is one of my favorite pineapple recipes. Enjoy. Grilled Pineapple Steaks w/ Fresh Banana Ice Cream

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, Dominican travel, pineapple dessert recipe, pineapple recipe, vegan experience, vegan travel, vegan wannabe, zip line Dominican Republic, zip lining