A Year Ago Today?

[tht]

I have to say congrats to CB for doing very well, but there?s one thing I can?t understand..

Missed the DR every trip back to the states...except for the food.

I can?t think of any country where the seafood is better than here.

 

[cobraboy]

I have to say congrats to CB for doing very well, but there?s one thing I can?t understand..



I can?t think of any country where the seafood is better than here.

I hope you're kidding! That, or opinions definitely vary!

 

[tht]

I hope you're kidding!

No, not kidding!

 

[bob saunders]

I have to say congrats to CB for doing very well, but there?s one thing I can?t understand..



I can?t think of any country where the seafood is better than here.

You have little experience with seafood then. The west Coast of Canada, and the east coast of Canada, New Zealand, Chile, the Philippines....etc all beat the DR for seafood.

 

[tht]

You have little experience with seafood then. The west Coast of Canada, and the east coast of Canada, New Zealand, Chile, the Philippines....etc all beat the DR for seafood.

I guess it depends on how it?s cooked then.

 

[rice&beans]

I'm a little bias here as I live right outside of Boston. Seafood is ok...(pretty good) in the DR....and I've had it plenty of times. Hey, whatever floats your boat, but no comparison, IMO........

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5562205860/" title="International-Boston-Seafood-Show by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5056/5562205860_450da1419b_m.jpg" width="153" height="200" alt="International-Boston-Seafood-Show" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5562198068/" title="two_cooked_lobsters by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5562198068_b9348b3ab7.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="two_cooked_lobsters" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5562196070/" title="Scallops 1 by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5562196070_ac2291425b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Scallops 1" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51418611@N05/5562199928/" title="SteamerClam by bocachica64, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5292/5562199928_f8b24b8716.jpg" width="340" height="236" alt="SteamerClam" /></a>

The Steeeeema dunked in butta.....

Whoa!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bob saunders]

I guess it depends on how it?s cooked then.

I think it is more to do with the atmoshere when you are in the DR. Music, booze and being relaxed can make the food taste better.

 

[tht]

I think it is more to do with the atmoshere when you are in the DR. Music, booze and being relaxed can make the food taste better.

I like the local seafood because I?m drunk! Is that what you?re saying?

I?m not familiar with the seafood i Jarabacoa but here on the south coast it?s decent, a number of really good restaurants in the neighborhood. A meal will set you back 1000 to 1200 pesos.

Done! Over and out!!

 

[cobraboy]

A meal will set you back 1000 to 1200 pesos.

Ahhhh!

Gotcha!

Imported seafood!

 

[tht]

Ahhhh!

Gotcha!

Imported seafood!

LOL.. no, local, professionals in the kitchen. Thanks for not kicking my a$$.

Now I?m leaving. Promise!!

 

[MikeFisher]

Fantastic Post, Robert,
glad to hear it works out great.

but One Total Disagreement:
I settled down on the Isle after a good 6 Years in the USA,

and I like the Food on the Island much over the Stuff offered up there.

to all the Rest:
2 Thumbs Up.

Gyus,
Imported Seafood????

Yes,
I know that almost all stuff on the AI Buffets is imported,
but who Live's Here and buys Imported Seafood is in my Opinion completely Nuts.

the Island provide's Fresh and Top Quality Seafood all around and for great Rates,
for Locals/Residents the Imported Seafood is a NO-Case.

Mike

 

[jrjrth]

I wrap it in a wet towel, put it in the top of the fridge (not the freezer) for about 8 - 10 days, change the towel every 2-3 days . Some american friends thought I brought it from the U.S. couldn't believe it was bought in the campo.

Speaking of bringing in beef from the US...is this possible or will I get stopped from bringing in at the airport??

 

[cobraboy]

It's been just over four years now. Change is coming more slowly now, but I expected that.

I'm in "cruise control" living mode now. We stay pretty close to home when not on tour.

I've got 22,000 motersickeling miles under my belt now. I KNOW these roads. Well, many, between Jarabacoa and Samana and Pedernales.

MotoCaribe had a great tour season this year, out 4th. We have one more tour left and already have three, possibly four groups buying whole tours for next year. And there just ~may~ be a monster announcement in September.:classic:

Dominican tax laws are just plain screwy. You have to pay every month...even if you have no revenues. Go figure. Mea Culpa, but no penalties...

We met some outstanding folks this year, really solid citizens and people of honor, on DR1. Those are rare. You know who you are.

I haven't played golf since I broke my shoulder when I hit that damn goat. And now it seems that I have a torn rotator cuff because it hurts when I swing a club or lift weights. Not so sure it's worth having surgery, but it's on the list. Growing old ain't fer sissies.

Blue Orb has carved out a niche fixing broken and neglected websites, and setting up forums. You'd be surprised how many websites are set up and the developer just drops off the planet.

Football is becoming more fun, especially since my "home" team cleaned house.

Pork chops are the new beef. AND Price Smart now has baby back ribs. The occasional marinated imported churrasco cures the Cow Jones.

Coffee here is still spectacular. Love it. Hooked. If y'all want some, I ship it around the country by CT.

The roads of the DR are vastly improved. The road between LT and El Catay and from El Rio to Jarabacoa are spectacular.

Businesses everywhere are struggling. I feel sorry for a lot of Dominicans. Remittances are drying up.

Toby, Jackie and Perla are fine and happily a little...well..."big boned." The cats, Marco and Cali, run the house...from on high. The menagerie has their daily routines.

I'm in the middle of a cosmic, cool project I've shared with some DR1ers. So far so good, launch is in sight.

Technology, software and photoshop are now a part of daily life. Didn't think it ever would be. One never know the twists and turns of life's road.

I used to think cell service in the DR was good. I now think it sucks. Same with Codetel.

For some reason I've lost my taste for beer and rum. Go figure. If I drink, it's a fruit punch or pina colada at a resort while on tour.

Alida is terrific. She's quite the diligent, efficient researcher and administrator. I don't know how I'd make it here without her. We've been together 8 years now.

We had more avocados that we could possibly eat this year. It got to a point where friends, family and neighbors didn't want anymore. I guess it'll be two years for the next crop.

Dominicans who used to hang around wanting something gringo don't hang around anymore. Win.

Still hate Santo Domingo. Rats. Cage.

A new fun spectator sport is watching the sankies/animation guys hit on tourist chicks. I think we spend too much time in resorts.

I heard some of my favorite grad school professors passed away. Very sad. Emails just stopped and now I know why.

I can't help but to slow down when passing mountainfrog/Don P hidden driveway in LT.

I was very sad when the sqauter villages and houses were razed on the small road going back to Boca del Diablo. I know it's necessary, but still sad.

I think we should plan a "DR1 Night of Las Aguilas" this coming season. You know, meet for an early dinner and take in a game as a group. Anybody interested? If we plan far enough in advance-like the day the schedule comes out-I'll bet some out-of-towners would fly in.

Still love Jarabacoa. No regrets for setting up base here.

My Spanish is improving, but still hard. I still understand more than I can speak. I wonder if there will ever be a breakthrough. I somehow doubt it. But it DOES sound slower when I hear it. That's progress...

The Codetel innerweb connection has been much better. That new fiber cable made a big difference.

Still don't miss television. In fact, when we have access, we miss it even less.

It's been a while, but Mom CB is coming to stay for three months! Looking forward to it. I love my Mom, even though I'd like to put her on "invisible" occasionally. But love the fact she's still here...

I downloaded every episode of Gilligan's Island. Alida laughs out loud at every episode. I tried to explain Dobie Gillis and Life of Riley to no avail. She's prescious.

I feel like I'm here forever. It's weird. I really don't miss living in the states. I'm sure what I'd do without an inverter, and having to flip switches for hot water and water pressure.

We'll see how Year Five work out...

So far, so good.

Onward and upward.

 

[frank12]

OMG...wow, this was both funny and an exceptionally keen eye for everyday dominican details!

Loved it!!

Good observations!

Frank

?at approximately 2:40pm, Spirit Airlines dropped me off in Santo Domingo on a one way ticket from Tampa.

I have now lived in the Dominican Republic for one year. In retrospect, it should have been many more years because I should have done this long ago.

There have been many people in the DR that have been indispensable in my transition, many from here on DR1: Luis, Chip, Grahame and Ginny, Michael, George, Marcel, Andy, Marco, Ted, Aftab, Billy, Robert, Earl, Lindsay, Joel and Norbert just to name a very few. Many non-DR1ers, especially Dominicans, have also been enormously helpful, too. I value each and every one.

I want to especially thank mi esposa Alida and her large, wonderful family. Without their love and understanding the last year would have been infinitely more difficult.

Like many who had only visited the DR, I?ve learned that being on vacation did not prepare me for daily life here. Only living here can do that. Even the most experienced traveler to the DR, and I considered myself one, just cannot know.

I thought I?d offer some things I?ve learned the last year to give insight to what it?s been like the last year:

-When a Dominican smiles at you, it doesn?t mean he agrees with your words or behavior. It?s just a smile, that?s all. Don?t interpret into thinking it?s something it?s not. Conversely, a Dominican raising his voice doesn?t mean he?s angry.

-Never, ever underestimate the ability or resourcefulness of a Dominican. They could build a space shuttle out of cement, rebar and used moto parts if they wanted to.

-If it?s labor-intensive, it?s much less expensive than in the states; if it is material intensive, it?s much more expensive than the states.

-You will be the same person here as you were at home. The environment doesn?t change your basic person. You can?t run away from yourself even if you wanted to.

-Business in the Dominican Republic is much harder than in the states on many levels. Don?t compete with Dominicans on their turf in business. They will win, and you won?t know what hit you. Import your revenue, and become a customer of other Dominican businesses.

-Expect nothing, and you won?t be disappointed.

-The tourist areas are to the rest of the DR as Daytona Beach is to Kansas or Idaho. No comparison.

-There are many more conservative Middle Class Dominicans with strong ethics and morals than most tourists and many ex-pays would realize. Or want to realize.

-Oregano is life. Or so it seems. It?s on everything. Wouldn?t surprise me if it?s on the Cardinal?s mass wafers?

--The least dependable people on Dominican soil tend to be ex-pats. A broke ex-pat can be one conniving SOB.

-Never assume your personal safety or the security of your possessions. It is possible to protect yourself and secure your belongings. You just have to do it yourself, and tell no one what you did or how you did it.

-Living with 10% of your stuff is imminently doable. It?s amazing how few possessions happiness requires.

-Dominican street dogs proves Darwin was right. The dumb ones never get to reproduce.

-If you think you?re a good golfer, invite an experienced caddy to play a round with you. A caddy that was assigned to me in the JGC Christmas member-caddy Tourney shot 5 under par for 9 holes with my old set of cheapie clubs?and complained about his game. Humbling, indeed.

-Dogs enhance a good life. Toby, my 1 y.o. Great Dane that came from Lindsey?s pack, and Perla, the little white street dog puppy that wandered in one day and won the Doggie Lottery, make us laugh every day.

-I?d rather eat modeling clay than a boiled platano. But I?ll kill for platanos maduros fritos. What a difference fructose makes.

-If Spanish was mathematics or physics, I?d be fully fluent. My brain needs better wiring for language. It?s a continuous struggle to improve.

-Dominican beef sucks.

-Life is MUCH less expensive at under 700kwh per month.

-Styrofoam containers have more of a negative impact on life in the DR than Drug Lords do.

-Sour Orange is excellent in iced tea.

-Most Dominicans are polite enough to hear criticism of their country and how much better where you came from is than their country, but they really don?t want to hear from you.

-It costs $US0.15 per mile less to operate my SUV on propane than on gasoline. That is a savings of almost $US30 per tank.

-The best way to truly experience the DR is on a motorcycle.

-If I had to describe the DR in one word, it would be ?loud?.

-Alcohol sales may stop at 12 or 2am, but the noise doesn?t.

-The fatter your wallet, the more handsome and charming young Dominicanas think you are.

-Nature is working full-time to reclaim the island. That is why the roads are never complete.

-That mob thinks they are standing in line.

-Pedro Santana keeps my music mojo intact.

-If Milton had been Dominican, Mayes would occupy their own level of hell.

-Dominican politics and elections are better than most spectator sports.

-Seriously. Don?t drink the water. Ever.

-Starbucks has nothing on Monte Alto coffee.



That?s my short list, just off the top of my head. I?d be interested in what others have learned living in the DR.

 

[frank12]

HAHA..another great post and keen observations for detals. I was just in Boca de Diablo, near Las Galeras a couple of weeks ago and was wondering about the Granite Quarry they got there along the side of the road on the left as your heading into Boca de Diablo? Is that Granite, marble, what?

Well, one thing for sure CB, if you get bored in your old age, you could certainly write an entertaining book about this island. You got a fantastic eye for details and you're marvelously witty with your lyrical writing.

I'll buy the first copy of your book!

Love Frank

It's been just over four years now. Change is coming more slowly now, but I expected that.

I'm in "cruise control" living mode now. We stay pretty close to home when not on tour.

I've got 22,000 motersickeling miles under my belt now. I KNOW these roads. Well, many, between Jarabacoa and Samana and Pedernales.

MotoCaribe had a great tour season this year, out 4th. We have one more tour left and already have three, possibly four groups buying whole tours for next year. And there just ~may~ be a monster announcement in September.:classic:

Dominican tax laws are just plain screwy. You have to pay every month...even if you have no revenues. Go figure. Mea Culpa, but no penalties...

We met some outstanding folks this year, really solid citizens and people of honor, on DR1. Those are rare. You know who you are.

I haven't played golf since I broke my shoulder when I hit that damn goat. And now it seems that I have a torn rotator cuff because it hurts when I swing a club or lift weights. Not so sure it's worth having surgery, but it's on the list. Growing old ain't fer sissies.

Blue Orb has carved out a niche fixing broken and neglected websites, and setting up forums. You'd be surprised how many websites are set up and the developer just drops off the planet.

Football is becoming more fun, especially since my "home" team cleaned house.

Pork chops are the new beef. AND Price Smart now has baby back ribs. The occasional marinated imported churrasco cures the Cow Jones.

Coffee here is still spectacular. Love it. Hooked. If y'all want some, I ship it around the country by CT.

The roads of the DR are vastly improved. The road between LT and El Catay and from El Rio to Jarabacoa are spectacular.

Businesses everywhere are struggling. I feel sorry for a lot of Dominicans. Remittances are drying up.

Toby, Jackie and Perla are fine and happily a little...well..."big boned." The cats, Marco and Cali, run the house...from on high. The menagerie has their daily routines.

I'm in the middle of a cosmic, cool project I've shared with some DR1ers. So far so good, launch is in sight.

Technology, software and photoshop are now a part of daily life. Didn't think it ever would be. One never know the twists and turns of life's road.

I used to think cell service in the DR was good. I now think it sucks. Same with Codetel.

For some reason I've lost my taste for beer and rum. Go figure. If I drink, it's a fruit punch or pina colada at a resort while on tour.

Alida is terrific. She's quite the diligent, efficient researcher and administrator. I don't know how I'd make it here without her. We've been together 8 years now.

We had more avocados that we could possibly eat this year. It got to a point where friends, family and neighbors didn't want anymore. I guess it'll be two years for the next crop.

Dominicans who used to hang around wanting something gringo don't hang around anymore. Win.

Still hate Santo Domingo. Rats. Cage.

A new fun spectator sport is watching the sankies/animation guys hit on tourist chicks. I think we spend too much time in resorts.

I heard some of my favorite grad school professors passed away. Very sad. Emails just stopped and now I know why.

I can't help but to slow down when passing mountainfrog/Don P hidden driveway in LT.

I was very sad when the sqauter villages and houses were razed on the small road going back to Boca del Diablo. I know it's necessary, but still sad.

I think we should plan a "DR1 Night of Las Aguilas" this coming season. You know, meet for an early dinner and take in a game as a group. Anybody interested? If we plan far enough in advance-like the day the schedule comes out-I'll bet some out-of-towners would fly in.

Still love Jarabacoa. No regrets for setting up base here.

My Spanish is improving, but still hard. I still understand more than I can speak. I wonder if there will ever be a breakthrough. I somehow doubt it. But it DOES sound slower when I hear it. That's progress...

The Codetel innerweb connection has been much better. That new fiber cable made a big difference.

Still don't miss television. In fact, when we have access, we miss it even less.

It's been a while, but Mom CB is coming to stay for three months! Looking forward to it. I love my Mom, even though I'd like to put her on "invisible" occasionally. But love the fact she's still here...

I downloaded every episode of Gilligan's Island. Alida laughs out loud at every episode. I tried to explain Dobie Gillis and Life of Riley to no avail. She's prescious.

I feel like I'm here forever. It's weird. I really don't miss living in the states. I'm sure what I'd do without an inverter, and having to flip switches for hot water and water pressure.

We'll see how Year Five work out...

So far, so good.

Onward and upward.

 

[Givadogahome]

Who brought E's:bunny: to the party:cheeky:

 

[cobraboy]

I was just in Boca de Diablo, near Las Galeras a couple of weeks ago and was wondering about the Granite Quarry they got there along the side of the road on the left as your heading into Boca de Diablo? Is that Granite, marble, what?

Love Frank

That's marble. Go in and watch them work. Fascinating.

They have a big tank of water on top of the hill. They pump water up so gravity feeds it onto the huge cutting blades they use.

 

[cobraboy]

5 years...and my 15,000th DR1 posts. Two milestones.

This is the longest I've ever posted on a forum.

This last year was interesting in that it was rather normal.

I live here now. I don't live in the states. When I visit the states it's a little foreign. The drivers are so weird. They stop at stop signs. They stay in their lane. They wait patiently. I have to restrain myself from going Dominican. And the only reason I don't is because, unlike here, I know I'd get caught.

Alida is more than terrific. The woman is a saint. Her family is amazing. I don't what I did to deserve them, but I should do it again. 9 years. Seems like 2 weeks. She makes me smile.

We had to move. I posted a thread about it. Didn't want to move, but the landlord sold the house...without telling us; it was a struggle getting our deposit back and Alida got ****ED, so unlike her. You don't want her ****ed, there can be a LOT of venom in that small frame. The deposit was refunded. We found a place-I posted a thread about it today-and it's better than before. We'll like it, but the older I get the less I want to pick up and move. But we now have a pool, a real garage-complete with electric door-to store the bikes. AND it's in one of the best and quietest neighborhoods in town.

MotoCaribe had a fine year, and the next looks even more promising. We made a major magazine, Motorcyclist, and several major motorcycle web sites.

Mom CB is struggling with the turmoil surrounding her Chinese drywall problem in the home we built for her and couldn't make it down last year, and now will get a new knee. Hopefully in August/September the old gal will be back.

Still hate Santo Domingo.There are officially more cars than road there now. In fact, Santiago has become MUCH more crowded on the roads the last year. I'm beginning to not enjoy going there.

Blue Orb has a big project, over 120 sports websites, we're building. It's taken more time than we thought. But we're slugging through them. We still take new clients but have become pickier.

Jarabacoa is a great place to live. There is building everywhere. I wonder how long it can last. And even the grocers have much wider selections. We don't have to come down the hill nearly as much as we used to.

The animals are great. Looks like Toby's toe is finally coming around after the third surgery. I'm sure he's more tired of it than we are, but he takes the visits and stays at the vet like a champ.

Great year for coffee. We found out that her family grows ...and I'm not kidding...about the BEST coffee on the island and maybe most of the world. Some DR1ers have enjoyed it, and I've enjoyed sharing our stash. But next season is an unknown because of the coffee rust...which is ALL over the island.

I got my resident visa and wait any day now for the trip to the Capital to get my cedula. Legal. It was time.

We saw every episode of Twilight Zone and Lost in Space this year. We're through Octopussy on the 24 Bond/007 movies. Great fun. I love Q. He's cranky but fun.

I met some cosmic people here this year, both expats and Dominicans. Doing business with some. There may be a huge announcement before years' end.

I crashed. I don't know what I'd have done differently. Slowed down to take an angular exit to the scenic overlook off the road above Playa San Rafael in the SW, maybe 15mph, pretty slow, hit some gravel in the shadow of a speed bump and went down. My head and right shoulder hit the curb hard. I can't use my helmet again and my shoulder was sprained...but my riding gear saved me. If it hadn't been for the curb the drop would just be embarrassing "off" and no big deal. But there WAS a curb. No big deal, part of the adventure. Sh!t happens. Wear gear.

Pedro Santana still helps keep my music mojo.

I had some college and pro coaches pass away this year. I wish I could have made a couple of funerals. Two were very instrumental in my success, and I'll be eternally grateful for their wisdom, coaching and mentorship. I couldn't have done it without them. I guess at 61 I'm at the age where people I know come to the end of the ride. I just hope they squeezed in one more adventure before they punched their last ticket.

Life is good. Peace prevails. My alert status in "happy." But I still play whack-a-mole.

Looking forward to Year 6. I can't believe it's been this long.

 

[keepcoming]

A lifes journey well said...

 

[bronzeallspice]

CB, You need to write a book.