Santiago, DR…18 February 2010…Basically, it was a day like all my days, wherever I am, smoking about eight cigars. The difference being, I smoked them in the company of and under the tutelage of experts.

I caught up on my sleep and slept in until 9. Then it was off to La Aurora for my 10:30 AM appointment to interview Guillermo Leon. When I got into the taxi at the Almirante, the driver indicated he knew how to get to La Aurora. This was not so; and he stopped to ask everyone on the road including the dogs! I missed my appointment and returned to the hotel livid.

Joining everyone for lunch at Don Pedro’s, I caught up on the variety of morning activities and spoke with Guillermo about rescheduling our session.

The afternoon was spent in the company of Janny Garcia and Berta Bravo, taking a walk and stopping at a modest size department store, Anthony’s, so the ladies could…what else…shop! We returned to the hotel around 5, stopped in the casino for drinks and bumped into Jonathan Drew and Steve Saka.

Thursday night’s dinner will remain the highlight of all the dinners as it was held at the base of ‘the monument’. This, or, el monumento, is the huge obelisk raised to commemorate the heroes of the revolt against Haitian rule, that created the Dominican Republic.

This is a repeat of last year’s use of the same location with a different and excellent menu and different and excellent entertainment. In addition, there was a silent auction to benefit Haitian Earthquake relief.

Around 10:30 PM we returned to the buses to move on to the after party at one of Santiago’s hottest spots. With great music and an open bar, we remained there until 1:00 AM…I am told. Imbibing of several Brugal Viejo rums, I quickly lost track of time.

Nonetheless, I apparently returned to the Almirante and a good night’s sleep, and arose in time to go to MATASA.

More of that in my report on the events of Friday, 19 February.