The Heart and Soul of the Dominican Republic

About the Book

“Heart and Soul of the Dominican Republic” (An American’s View of His New Country) contains twenty-five short articles about the people, the food, the customs, and the culture of the Dominican Republic. The articles were written during Mr. Matthews’ missionary work, and his work as an English teacher and a tourist guide with Americans and Canadians. The book can be used as a traveler’s guide for tourists who would like to know more about the life and struggles of the Dominican people during their excursions outside the resort. The first article, for example, offers ideas and suggestions on how to have a spectacular vacation visiting famous landmarks, majestic mountainous terrain, and recreational areas of the Dominican Republic. The book is a combination of cultural experiences Caribbean folklore, humor, poetry, tourist guide, and recipes of Dominican cuisine. Those planning on visiting the Dominican Republic for pleasure or business will discover “The Heart and Soul of the Dominican Republic” a helpful cultural guide in helping to provide an understanding of the Dominican people and their way of Life.

About the Author

Mr. Matthews was born in Portland, Maine in 1945 and was raised in Eastport, Maine and Berlin, New Hampshire. After serving in the United States Air Force, Mr. Matthews attended Northeastern Christian Junior College in Villanova, Pennsylvania from 1965 to 1967. He graduated from David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1970. He is married to his Dominican sweetheart, Providencia Rijo, who he met in a restaurant in New Hampshire. Robert and Providencia have a daughter, Alexandra, age 26, and three grandchildren, Cherry, Edward, and Michael. He and his wife live at least half the year in their home in the city of Higuey located in southeastern Dominican Republic.

Mr. Matthews has been a minister of the Churches of Christ in the states for more than 25 years , and a missionary to the Dominican Republic from 1999 to 2004. He has published several religious articles and poetry. However; this is his first book written during his mission work and devoted entire to the culture of the Dominican Republic. Robert Matthews has already started on his second edition of his life in the Dominican Republic.