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I think about how much of an uproar there has been about the cost of gas in the United States. As gas prices continue to rise above $4.00 people complain and groan. Here in the Dominican Republic gas is running just over $6.00 a gallon. Add to that the this is a developing country and there is not money for food to feed ones family making this high price for gas magnified. Even if someone is blessed enough to have a job, they need to find a way to get there and being able to afford a car, let alone gas is a challenge.

Then add that resources such as electricity, water, and gas are not always available. Electricity everywhere goes out periodically throughout a given day and could be out for hours, public water is not always available and has not worked for several days in a few of the places I have visited while here in the DR. Buckets were filled while there was water hoping it would last until the water returned. Gas also is not always available. The other day here in Hato Mayor word spread that there was no more gas and people scrambled to the last remaining station that had gas to fill up their vehicles not sure when more would arrive.

Things are much different here and complaining about $4.00+ gas prices in first world country seems trivial when compared to the challenges other people face all over the world. How we take for granted a light that turns on when the switch is flipped or being able to drive to work each day. Next time you get in your car or fill up the tank think of the person walking to work in the Caribbean heat of the Dominican Republic because he cannot afford gas let alone a car and taking public transportation is a choice between a ride to work or a meal that day.