First impressions in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Dominican capital boasts some of the oldest colonial structures in the New World.

By MELINA I. DE ROSE

SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

There's something about firsts.

And Santo Domingo, the oldest city of the Americas, boasts many.

In the Dominican capital for the first time, I sat in the courtyard of an apartment complex, listening as the neighbors relayed a long list of must-sees: among them, the first street, military fortress and cathedral of the New World.

Lucky for me, my friend (and Dominican native) Alex knew where to go and what to do. We only had a long weekend, and had been en route to the car when his neighbors' chatter led us to peek in for a quick hello.

Thanks to Columbus & Co., every step here tells a story – one my new friends were only too happy to share. Their pride was palpable. After all, whether you're North, Central or South American, this is where it began for all of us.

Being that I love a good story, I was hooked.

Contact the writer: mderose@SunSentinel.com