When you land in Santo Domingo have $10 American currency available immediately to purchase a tourist entry visa / permit.

It will most likely be hot and humid, get through baggage claim and then everybody together go through the Customs exit and if you are in a big group you may be let through without a large amount of scrutiny or checking over. 

Load up the bus or van and get ready for the ride of your life into the barrio.  You will drive along the interstate for awhile which is right on the beautiful caribbean sea.  You will see waves pounding on the rocks and  people driving very erratically.

It wil be very clear you are entering a poor country by the unfinished homes and litter and abandoned stripped cars everywhere.

Garbage buring in piles wafts into your nostrils, dogs running here and there, chickens running everywhere.  Beautiful palm trees and tropical foliage is all around you.  It is a tropical caribbean paradise.  Soon you will be bouncing down the rutted pothole filled streets of Hainamosa.