1st Trip

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Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
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Hey folks,

Well I?ll be taking my 1st trip to the DR soon (10/6-16) and have been lurking this board (& others) doing some research on events, activities, etc. and I have to say this board seems to have pretty good group of knowledgeable people, some of whom are pretty funny. I?ve fleshed out a bit of my itinerary and was hoping for some suggestions,... ?lil background on myself: I?m 32, SM, college-grad, traveling solo, don?t speak much Spanish, fairly adventurous, not interested in the AI or ultra-budget (cabana) route, interested in events/activities enjoyed by Dominicans that will allow me to meet people from all walks of DR life. I like watersports, clubbing, gambling (hold?em poker & to a lesser extent craps), and I?m interested in learning more about the culture, improving my merenque/bachata/salsa dancing & spoken Spanish and of course, meeting quality people esp. beautiful, college-educated Dominican ladies ;) .

After cut-n-pasting numerous online suggestions, so far I?ve got the following down tentatively:

? Touchdown in SDQ & head to Sosua (cab to Caribe tours, Bus to Sosua, walk-in @ Europa ?) thu : - kick it @ Rocky?s & elsewhere ?
? I?d like to hang out in Santiago fri-sun :- Centro Leon museum, Hold?em @ Gran Almirante , Nightlife(Ahi Bar, ?), others ?
? Head back to the coast (POP, Cabarete, Sabaneta) mon-wed/thu :? Scubadiving, Damajagua falls, Oceanworld, Nightlife(Hemingways, Mangu, Roadway, etc.)
? Head into Santo Domingo thu/fri-sun :- Latin Music Festival, Colonial City, Caving, Nightlife (Tr?o, Montecristo, Bizarro, Fusion Rose), others ?

Suggestions of places to stays in Santiago & Santo Domingo (clean, safe, a/c, in/close to city, $30-$50) as well as potential activites ?
How widely is English spoken in the cities vs the tourist areas and off the beaten path ?
Are there specific areas (in Santiago/SD) that I should be wary of ?
Are there any rally races (WRC type) in DR in general, and if so, any during the time I?m there ?
Prices for some of the activities mentioned ?

Most of the Dominican (& Caribbean for that matter) people I?ve met have been amazingly friendly, so I?m looking forward to having a lot of fun and hopefully making some friends in your country.
 
P

paddy

Silver
Oct 4, 2003
3,682
150
0
Ryghin said:
Hey folks,

Well I?ll be taking my 1st trip to the DR soon (10/6-16) and have been lurking this board (& others) doing some research on events, activities, etc. and I have to say this board seems to have pretty good group of knowledgeable people, some of whom are pretty funny. I?ve fleshed out a bit of my itinerary and was hoping for some suggestions,... ?lil background on myself: I?m 32, SM, college-grad, traveling solo, don?t speak much Spanish, fairly adventurous, not interested in the AI or ultra-budget (cabana) route, interested in events/activities enjoyed by Dominicans that will allow me to meet people from all walks of DR life. I like watersports, clubbing, gambling (hold?em poker & to a lesser extent craps), and I?m interested in learning more about the culture, improving my merenque/bachata/salsa dancing & spoken Spanish and of course, meeting quality people esp. beautiful, college-educated Dominican ladies ;) .

After cut-n-pasting numerous online suggestions, so far I?ve got the following down tentatively:

? Touchdown in SDQ & head to Sosua (cab to Caribe tours, Bus to Sosua, walk-in @ Europa ?) thu : - kick it @ Rocky?s & elsewhere ?
? I?d like to hang out in Santiago fri-sun :- Centro Leon museum, Hold?em @ Gran Almirante , Nightlife(Ahi Bar, ?), others ?
? Head back to the coast (POP, Cabarete, Sabaneta) mon-wed/thu :? Scubadiving, Damajagua falls, Oceanworld, Nightlife(Hemingways, Mangu, Roadway, etc.)
? Head into Santo Domingo thu/fri-sun :- Latin Music Festival, Colonial City, Caving, Nightlife (Tr?o, Montecristo, Bizarro, Fusion Rose), others ?

Suggestions of places to stays in Santiago & Santo Domingo (clean, safe, a/c, in/close to city, $30-$50) as well as potential activites ?
How widely is English spoken in the cities vs the tourist areas and off the beaten path ?
Are there specific areas (in Santiago/SD) that I should be wary of ?
Are there any rally races (WRC type) in DR in general, and if so, any during the time I?m there ?
Prices for some of the activities mentioned ?

Most of the Dominican (& Caribbean for that matter) people I?ve met have been amazingly friendly, so I?m looking forward to having a lot of fun and hopefully making some friends in your country.
Click to expand...
check out the new york shark bar...stall 66..on the beach in sosua..american owned...lots of cops and firemen from the states..mostly new york city ..make this a must see on their trips to the area.
 
R

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
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It will be pretty skimpy surroundings in Santo Domingo at $30 to $50 a night for a hotel. Up the budget, but you don't have to stay at the Jaragua.

People say there is some English spoken , practically other than DR1 people you meet, or bars run by ex-pats you don't hear much if any.

Bad areas are like pornogrpahy - you'll know them when you see them.
 
R

Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
11
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0
paddy said:
check out the new york shark bar...stall 66..on the beach in sosua..american owned...lots of cops and firemen from the states..mostly new york city ..make this a must see on their trips to the area.
Click to expand...

Thanx, I'll be sure to swing by #66,...

ricktoronto said:
It will be pretty skimpy surroundings in Santo Domingo at $30 to $50 a night for a hotel. Up the budget, but you don't have to stay at the Jaragua.

People say there is some English spoken , practically other than DR1 people you meet, or bars run by ex-pats you don't hear much if any.

Bad areas are like pornogrpahy - you'll know them when you see them.
Click to expand...

Gotcha, if the $$ quoted is unreasonable for SD, what price/where do you suggest ? Also, I gather that october is rel. slow, will that benefit me as far as walk-ins go or should I attempt to pre-book ? I'd rather walk-in as it'll allow my plans to stay fluid,...
 
R

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
4,837
0
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Ryghin said:
Thanx, I'll be sure to swing by #66,...



Gotcha, if the $$ quoted is unreasonable for SD, what price/where do you suggest ? Also, I gather that october is rel. slow, will that benefit me as far as walk-ins go or should I attempt to pre-book ? I'd rather walk-in as it'll allow my plans to stay fluid,...
Click to expand...

The Palacio is nice as is the El Conde Penalba. Good locations too on or near the El Conde pedestrian mall. Maybe $70 or so. It is the capital city. $30 would not even work off season in Boca Chica.
 
R

Rocky

Honorificabilitudinitatibus
Apr 4, 2002
13,993
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www.rockysbar.com
Ryghin said:
not interested in the AI or ultra-budget (cabana) route,
Click to expand...
A caba?a, pronounced ca-ba-nya, is not actually budget digs. It is the name of a type of motel that allows you to drive your car into a private garage, so that people can take their girlfriends or misstresses for a short adventure. They generally rent for 4 hour periods, costing an average of $10 US/ 4 hour period.
Ryghin said:
interested in events/activities enjoyed by Dominicans that will allow me to meet people from all walks of DR life. I like watersports, clubbing, gambling (hold?em poker & to a lesser extent craps), and I?m interested in learning more about the culture, improving my merenque/bachata/salsa dancing & spoken Spanish and of course, meeting quality people esp. beautiful, college-educated Dominican ladies.
Click to expand...
It will be difficult to meet college educated ladies, unless you speak the lingo.
Ryghin said:
? Touchdown in SDQ & head to Sosua (cab to Caribe tours, Bus to Sosua, walk-in @ Europa ?) thu : - kick it @ Rocky?s & elsewhere ?
? I?d like to hang out in Santiago fri-sun :- Centro Leon museum, Hold?em @ Gran Almirante , Nightlife(Ahi Bar, ?), others ?
? Head back to the coast (POP, Cabarete, Sabaneta) mon-wed/thu :? Scubadiving, Damajagua falls, Oceanworld, Nightlife(Hemingways, Mangu, Roadway, etc.)
? Head into Santo Domingo thu/fri-sun :- Latin Music Festival, Colonial City
, Caving, Nightlife (Tr?o, Montecristo, Bizarro, Fusion Rose), others ?
Click to expand...
That's a pretty busy schedule. Will you be renting a car?
Ryghin said:
How widely is English spoken in the cities vs the tourist areas and off the beaten path ?
Click to expand...
Very little English is spoken out of the tourist areas.
 
Q

qgrande

Bronze
Jul 27, 2005
805
4
0
Ryghin said:
Thanx, I'll be sure to swing by #66,...



Gotcha, if the $$ quoted is unreasonable for SD, what price/where do you suggest ? Also, I gather that october is rel. slow, will that benefit me as far as walk-ins go or should I attempt to pre-book ? I'd rather walk-in as it'll allow my plans to stay fluid,...
Click to expand...

Well, wether it is unreasonable depends on your expectations. Finding a clean room with a/c for $30-$50 is definitely possible in SD, but it won't be anything fancy. Whether you'd qualify it as basic and simple or below your standards depends on you; some people think everything less than Hilton is a dump. But it's not absolutely necessary to pay $70.
$25-$50 examples:
http://www.domrep.ch/Bamert/Condo-Parque/eIndex.htm
http://www.maisongautreaux.net/
Villa Italia at Av. Independencia
La Casona Dorada at Av. Independencia

But yes, the Palacio will be nicer, and the Jaragua nicer still.
 
D

Dragonfly32837

Bronze
May 31, 2005
1,489
21
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October may be slow season but keep in mind that many people come from all over the Dominican Republic and from other countries to Santo Domingo for the Festival Presidente de Musica Latina.
 
R

ricktoronto

Grande Pollo en Boca Chica
Jan 9, 2002
4,837
0
0
Ryghin said:
Hey folks,

.....don?t speak much Spanish, fairly adventurous, not interested in the AI or ultra-budget (cabana) route,..... and of course, meeting quality people esp. beautiful, college-educated Dominican ladies ;) .
Click to expand...

Ask yourself how someone with just Russian or French would do if dropped into your local area to meet the educated middle-class ladies. I am always amazed at this meet the educated college girls line from people who cannot converse with them. You have a few weeks and should get cracking on some books or tapes.

Didn't see that before but this is a common fallacy that the gringo arrives and the ladies will swoon. Not likely at all. And dating would be impossible and boring with charades.

The cabana point is quite valid posted here for an all day stay they would really add up cost-wise.
 
Hillbilly

Hillbilly

Moderator
Jan 1, 2002
18,948
514
113
Unfortunately, you'll miss the opening of baseball season

In Santiago you ca go to several hotels on your budget.
Colonial
Aloja Sol
Alberto's Suites Aparta-Hotel
Platino

For your interests, try Francifol on Sol street, just below the park.
Also Tribeca and Tops.

Good luck

HB :D:D
 
R

R.Dennis

New member
Apr 1, 2004
148
2
0
44
Meeting Ladies

Ryghin said:
Hey folks,

Well I?ll be taking my 1st trip to the DR soon (10/6-16) and have been lurking this board (& others) doing some research on events, activities, etc. and I have to say this board seems to have pretty good group of knowledgeable people, some of whom are pretty funny. I?ve fleshed out a bit of my itinerary and was hoping for some suggestions,... ?lil background on myself: I?m 32, SM, college-grad, traveling solo, don?t speak much Spanish, fairly adventurous, not interested in the AI or ultra-budget (cabana) route, interested in events/activities enjoyed by Dominicans that will allow me to meet people from all walks of DR life. I like watersports, clubbing, gambling (hold?em poker & to a lesser extent craps), and I?m interested in learning more about the culture, improving my merenque/bachata/salsa dancing & spoken Spanish and of course, meeting quality people esp. beautiful, college-educated Dominican ladies ;) .

After cut-n-pasting numerous online suggestions, so far I?ve got the following down tentatively:

? Touchdown in SDQ & head to Sosua (cab to Caribe tours, Bus to Sosua, walk-in @ Europa ?) thu : - kick it @ Rocky?s & elsewhere ?
? I?d like to hang out in Santiago fri-sun :- Centro Leon museum, Hold?em @ Gran Almirante , Nightlife(Ahi Bar, ?), others ?
? Head back to the coast (POP, Cabarete, Sabaneta) mon-wed/thu :? Scubadiving, Damajagua falls, Oceanworld, Nightlife(Hemingways, Mangu, Roadway, etc.)
? Head into Santo Domingo thu/fri-sun :- Latin Music Festival, Colonial City, Caving, Nightlife (Tr?o, Montecristo, Bizarro, Fusion Rose), others ?

Suggestions of places to stays in Santiago & Santo Domingo (clean, safe, a/c, in/close to city, $30-$50) as well as potential activites ?
How widely is English spoken in the cities vs the tourist areas and off the beaten path ?
Are there specific areas (in Santiago/SD) that I should be wary of ?
Are there any rally races (WRC type) in DR in general, and if so, any during the time I?m there ?
Prices for some of the activities mentioned ?

Most of the Dominican (& Caribbean for that matter) people I?ve met have been amazingly friendly, so I?m looking forward to having a lot of fun and hopefully making some friends in your country.
Click to expand...

Your best bet to meet ladies who even speak a bit of english and mostly spanish in the DR is to check out internet dating sites that DO NOT charge. Do some research on the board or PM me for the sites you should check out. You can meet a wide range from 18-30 who are in college or working towards their degrees in SD, STI and POP nice women from good familes and also beautiful females are all for the taking. However your appearance must be together to get any type of response.
 
R

Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
11
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0
ricktoronto said:
The Palacio is nice as is the El Conde Penalba. Good locations too on or near the El Conde pedestrian mall. Maybe $70 or so. It is the capital city. $30 would not even work off season in Boca Chica.
Click to expand...

Thanx for the suggestions, I'll add these to my list


ricktoronto said:
Ask yourself how someone with just Russian or French would do if dropped into your local area to meet the educated middle-class ladies. I am always amazed at this meet the educated college girls line from people who cannot converse with them. You have a few weeks and should get cracking on some books or tapes.

Didn't see that before but this is a common fallacy that the gringo arrives and the ladies will swoon. Not likely at all. And dating would be impossible and boring with charades.

The cabana point is quite valid posted here for an all day stay they would really add up cost-wise.
Click to expand...

I see your point re "foreigners dropping in", my trip is impromptu (business in Orlando, always wanted to hit the DR, now is as good a time as any) but I have already started the books/CDs route (as well as having a few of my latina friends help out with useful phrases) but know I'll probably only scratch the surface in the time I have left, which led me to sites like this one. Re college-ed, I figure that maybe in addition to having more in common, I might have a better chance with this set with regard to meeting someone that knows multiple languages, english included of course. The education level is not a requirement; I?m comfortable with folks of all types.

Re gringo: If by gringo you mean white, then I am not that, if foreigner, then I suppose I am, though I?m pretty used to people from PR, DR, etc. here in Philly coming up to me and rattling off god-knows-what until I say ?No entiendo espa?ol? . For the record, I?m American, but grew up in Jamaica. Re dating: I typically take things a day at a time and am just interested in having fun, anything further would have to develop naturally,? re swooning, I don?t expect them to swoon any more or less than they already do :devious: .
 
R

Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
11
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0
Rocky said:
A caba?a, pronounced ca-ba-nya, is not actually budget digs. It is the name of a type of motel that allows you to drive your car into a private garage, so that people can take their girlfriends or misstresses for a short adventure. They generally rent for 4 hour periods, costing an average of $10 US/ 4 hour period.
It will be difficult to meet college educated ladies, unless you speak the lingo.
That's a pretty busy schedule. Will you be renting a car?
Very little English is spoken out of the tourist areas.
Click to expand...

Thanx for the cabana info, I got the feeling they ranged from expensive romantic escapes to 'pretty crappy', I was referring originally to the latter.

I listed a number of the things that interested me, nothing is hard and fast so I figure I'll do some and not others and that hopefully new & better things will present themselves,... I'd rather know of more things than I could possibly do, than miss out for lack of preparation,... it will only give me reason to return. I wasn't planning on renting a car & would rather not, but the best-laid plans of mice & men,....

BTW I'm going to try to make your limit game, tournament or ring & what's the buy-in, chip count, rebuys ?
 
R

Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
11
0
0
qgrande said:
Well, wether it is unreasonable depends on your expectations. Finding a clean room with a/c for $30-$50 is definitely possible in SD, but it won't be anything fancy. Whether you'd qualify it as basic and simple or below your standards depends on you; some people think everything less than Hilton is a dump. But it's not absolutely necessary to pay $70.
$25-$50 examples:
http://www.domrep.ch/Bamert/Condo-Parque/eIndex.htm
http://www.maisongautreaux.net/
Villa Italia at Av. Independencia
La Casona Dorada at Av. Independencia

But yes, the Palacio will be nicer, and the Jaragua nicer still.
Click to expand...

Thanx I?ll add this stuff to my list,?. Seems like a spot in the Colonial zone would be close to a lot,?

Hillbilly said:
In Santiago you ca go to several hotels on your budget.
Colonial
Aloja Sol
Alberto's Suites Aparta-Hotel
Platino

For your interests, try Francifol on Sol street, just below the park.
Also Tribeca and Tops.

Good luck

HB :D:D
Click to expand...

Thanx to you HillBilly, I?m not much for baseball, more of a football & soccer man, but I wouldn?t miss a chance to go to a game there,?
 
R

Ryghin

New member
Sep 20, 2005
11
0
0
R.Dennis said:
Your best bet to meet ladies who even speak a bit of english and mostly spanish in the DR is to check out internet dating sites that DO NOT charge. Do some research on the board or PM me for the sites you should check out. You can meet a wide range from 18-30 who are in college or working towards their degrees in SD, STI and POP nice women from good familes and also beautiful females are all for the taking. However your appearance must be together to get any type of response.
Click to expand...

Now this is a good idea, I'll do some searching & also hit you up offline, playboy. Re appearance, i haven't had any complaints yet, mebbe they're just being nice to me ;)
 
H

HOWMAR

Silver
Jan 28, 2004
2,624
2
0
Poker Game

If in Sosua tonight (October 6), stop by Rocky's for our weekly game of Texas Holdum. In addition to the game, some of the local ladies usually stop by to say hello.
 
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