wow,
I for one welcome anything to the colonial zone that will help bring business to the area, which might add jobs and attract people and maybe convice the government that there is some value in maintaining the area and cleaning the streets. The area where the Hard Rock is has been a comercial area for a very long time, so i don't think the culture will suffer any more than if there were still a gift shop in the location. The residents rising property values will hopefully encourage them to maintain their buildings in the colonial zone, many of which are in disrepair, to preserve the area for those who wander around admiring them and pondering the area's history. This may also serve to bring more tourists and residents to the area who in turn might frequent the other "quaint shops" and restaurants with all their culturally appealing qualities, many of which are closing or in danger of closing due to the lack of business in the area. Those of you who appreciate or admire them should, rather than only commenting here or criticizing new businesses, should frequent them to insure their continued existence.
For those who don't know, there are Hard Rock Cafe's in wonderful cities throughout the world. I would guess that there are more outside the USA than in, but i am not sure. Certainly, there are many that have become part of the local culture in many different countries. I don't think they have ruined those cultures, not do i think they will ruin the Dominican Culture. They also always try to embrace some of the culture of their host country, which has I am sure been one of the secrets to their success.
For Onions and Carrots, if you are the same one who used to continually argue both sides of any point on the old board...Seems like you spent alot of time and alot of that inherited Mao produce money in the U.S., taking advantage of the schools and job opportunities and enjoying all the things the U.S. had to offer only to criticize capitalism and the "ugly American Model". You for one did not have to leave your farm, im sure you would have eaten well your whole life without the benefit of what the U.S. had to offer. Sorry you wasted all those years of your life "bored" in the U.S., but i'm sure we could have survived without you. Oh yea, you also could have spent your time in your own country trying to make things better here through politics, investing or developing Dominican businesses and thereby helping your own country maintain its identity. Well, didn't choose that either. Maybe you would not have had to go to Miami if they had a Hard Rock Cafe in the Cibao.
Rich