My Journey To Dominican Republic Without ‘Visa’

by Oluwafemi Oyewale (Nigeria)

A leap into the unknown Dominican Republic

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“ Sorry, you can’t board the aircraft until we verify your travelling itinerary and visa”. That was the terse words I heard as my friends and I missed our flight from Brazil to Dominican Republic in 2017 for a three weeks planned tours. The whole story began when internationally acclaimed Nigerian Prophet TB Joshua who is the founder of Synagogue Church Of All Nations included me as a professional media personalities to accompany him on a two day crusade to the Caribbean under the exclusive invite of their president. Thus, we decided I should spend three weeks to tour the Caribbean . Nigeria is not on the list of the country who are issued visas on arrivals. So, I was shocked when I was given just a formal letter signed by their president inviting me as part of the Clergy's guest to their country. No Visa on my passport! We booked South African Airline and our first stop over was South Africa. Being a regular visitor to Nelson Mandela’s country home I quickly took a tour round before connecting the flight to my next stop over which was Brazil. When I arrived at Brazil, I took a walk round the airport since that’s my second time of visiting the country. My first was while going to Paraguay. When the time came for me to connect my flight, the immigration officers denied me entrance aboard the plane saying i don’t have a visa stamped on my passport and that the official letter from the president bearing his personal signature needed to be verified. Consequently, I missed the flight. I was shocked and surprised but I kept calm. Remember, to every glory is a story to tell. After two or three hours, officials of the airlines came apologizing that the presidency has confirmed the validity of my letter of invites. Thus, they booked me and my team in the airport at the hotel and served us dinner while awaiting the next available flight.. The amazing thing was that we booked for economy class but I was shocked when the next flight was called for we were ushered into business class to compensate for the hitches. Of a truth, that was my first time of boarding a business class. Thus, I arrived Dominican Republican like a very important personality . Although I have been privileged to travel to several countries like South Africa, Israel, Paraguay, Brazil amongst others, Dominican Republic remains my favorite spot. The Caribbean is the best spot for a tourist who is looking for deserves rest and relaxation. My hotel was opposite the Beach and the cool breeze soothed and calmed my nerves. The indigenes are warm and friendly and took me round the city. At the hotel, their is constant stream of entertainments for those who enjoys highlife. Instrumentalists came around to entertain guests while we unwind. Aside that, the historic places visited is awe inspiring. Strangely, I heard that Igbo tribes from my Country in Nigeria known as Biafra had a a spot in their. Some of them are settlers and I visited the historic church and interviewed some people too. Also, the country speaks of peace. I mingled with people from different nationals where we exchanged ideas and learnt one another’s stories and cultures. One of the major things I learnt about Dominican Republic is that it’s one of the most visited Southern American Countries. And my conclusion about the country is that the future holds out for those who believes in the beauty of their dreams and that to every glory is a story to tell. Aside visiting the tourist places by my guides in the day time, night life is also an exciting part of this small but beautiful country. Aside the different clubs they have , they have several strip joints where most tourists visit to unwind . Remember, ,all works and no play makes jack a dull boy. Oh! least I forget, Dominican Republicans are very religious too. The promised purpose of my visit was for the two days crusade organized for TB Joshua. I was shocked as the whole stadium was filled up even before the commencement of the event by 4pm. The passion and vigor I witnessed during the crusade proved to me beyond measure that they are incurably religious .