BEHIND THE LENS
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BY RAFAELLA GRISOLIA DE MOYA
Tell us a little about yourself and your relationship with the Dominican Republic. What brought you here, and what does this place mean to you?
I’m Raffaella. I was born in Santo Domingo, but at a very young age we moved to La Romana, and that’s where I grew up. My parents still had offices and connections in the city, so we were always a bit in between both sides. The highway and “road trips” were always part of “home.”
In the past four years, after spending some time in Barcelona, I returned to the DR. Home.
Luckily, my work allowed me to move around the island, and what I thought would be one or two years working in the Dominican Republic turned into four years “road tripping” between the east and north coasts of the island. I always carried my camera and tried to document a bit of it.
From your perspective and your images, what attracts and captures you about a city?
I feel my eye is unobtrusive.
I like photographing people in natural environments or landscapes in motion, always in a sort of “hidden lens” way. I think that in the Dominican Republic this is quite interesting because you never come across a boring landscape. Even the contrast of colorful concrete facades evokes some sort of visual excitement!
What has been your best discovery on this trip?
The various urban development projects in towns and cities… I love them. The result of all those Dominicans who have returned from abroad, looking for design solutions. One example that I loved was Cristo Park.
If you had to pick your favorite thing about the Dominican Republic, what would it be?
Uf… I think few things feel as good as eating fried fish with a cold Presidente after a full morning on the beach.
What is the most special and unique thing about the Dominican Republic that you haven’t seen anywhere else?
Without a doubt, the people. The sea, the food, the music —it goes without saying—, but above all, the people in the DR: the creative, helpful, kind, and happy Dominican.
Any typical Dominican word or expression that you love?
KLK — I’d describe it as a colloquial greeting, without distinction of social class or age, understood by everyone.
Where to eat in the Dominican Republic?
El Mesón de Bari, now Lucía in the Colonial Zone — incredible Dominican food. I spent a large part of my life at the Mesón; you could say I grew up eating their dulce de leche “quinceañero”.
If you’re on the road, it’s impossible not to buy a kipe and a catibía from Shish Kabab, and don’t even get me started on the muhammara… Delicious!
When traveling to the Dominican Republic, don’t miss…
A trip to the north along the road to Samaná and Las Terrenas — the “Autopista Juan Pablo II” — which crosses through the middle of Los Haitises National Park, incredibly beautiful.
Stopping at any “colmado” and being treated like family, being offered a little rice and a beer “vestida de novia”… nothing compares.
And, of course, a dip in the Caribbean Sea.
What does the Dominican Republic smell like?
The sea and greenery.
Where to see the best sunset?
Playa Aserradero, in Las Galeras, or on a December day, I’d say over the sea in La Romana.
What does the Dominican Republic taste like?
Casabe, avocado, and salt.
What can’t be missing before visiting the Dominican Republic?
Travel list DR:
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- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Coconut oil
- A book
- Sunglasses
- A car
If the Dominican Republic had a soundtrack, what would it be?
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- Y Qué – Martox & Lena Dardelet
- Caribe – Michel Camilo
What does beauty mean to you?
Beauty is something that is everywhere, sometimes in a detail: how the sunlight hits a bird-of-paradiseflower… or the smile of two compadres sitting on plastic chairs at a “colmado.” Beauty is everywhere, and usually it’s easy to capture if you pay attention.
