- Thread starter Matem?tico
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I wish someone had warned me about living in the DR ...
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One thing that got to me after a while was craving American foods that I would hardly ever have in the US. You end up looking for something simply because it's American and when you can't find it, you go on a mission to find out if you can even get it in the DR. It's the little things that bug you like that. You see Brits get all misty eyed when they talk about parsnips or mushy peas. Spices and condiments are often hard to come by. Even the black pepper in the DR is awful~ it's like dust.
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But it is easy to get good pepper- imported, or local non-ground. One just has to learn to use research skills. It's part of the challenge of living here.
That's why it's the little things that are so irksome. Going to another town or doing research for an inverter or battery is one thing, but pepper? Not really worth a trip to POP or Santiago from Sosua. I'll simply bring a disposable shaker or two from the US for about a buck each, along with a dozen other spices. I like my Old Bay..
I agree that improvising solutions is "part of the fun," but there are things you can't help taking for granted. When I was in Japan, I used a Kim Chi mix to make myself beef tamales. Masa Harina was available, but chili powder wasn't. Never found chili powder(or Masa) in Sosua come to think of it. Brown and serve sausage(AKA "cat turds") only made me crave Jimmy Dean sausage in natural casings and REAL maple syrup.
When I got to craving pizza, I ended up making bruschetta instead~ fresh basil is cheap to make pesto and the plum tomatoes are usually excellent. That, some crappy locally made French bread and some parmesan made for some good eats hitting all the bases for pizza. But on my next trip, I'll be bringing my own pizza stone as well. You adapt with what's on hand and then work to a better solution when you can get the materials you want.
When I got to craving pizza, I ended up making bruschetta instead~ fresh basil is cheap to make pesto and the plum tomatoes are usually excellent. That, some crappy locally made French bread and some parmesan made for some good eats hitting all the bases for pizza. But on my next trip, I'll be bringing my own pizza stone as well. You adapt with what's on hand and then work to a better solution when you can get the materials you want.
Well....
Positive - Negative is far too simple for a country which is so complex...
Entonces, for me the DR is not another country. IT IS ANOTHER PLANET. IN ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM.
And basicly, it is what you make of it.
My main concern is the driving. If a foreign gets involved in a traffic accident, It can get very bad...
For the rest, everything is great for me even if it cant be paradise 24/7
BTW, dark scorpion and friends, why the fuc. are you still in the DR?
Positive - Negative is far too simple for a country which is so complex...
Entonces, for me the DR is not another country. IT IS ANOTHER PLANET. IN ANOTHER SOLAR SYSTEM.
And basicly, it is what you make of it.
My main concern is the driving. If a foreign gets involved in a traffic accident, It can get very bad...
For the rest, everything is great for me even if it cant be paradise 24/7
BTW, dark scorpion and friends, why the fuc. are you still in the DR?
Would not happen in Canada...
Do your grocery, come back with the delivery truck and ask the driver to stop at pharmacy and wait for you... "No problem mi amor" was the answer... I still LOVE the D.R. after 2.5 years here....
Mauricio
I don't know how long you have been here but I expect #2, #4 and #6 will change and will actually be added to your "positives" list. The reason is as your Spanish gets better you will start understanding the nuances of conversation and also will have the chance to partake in many pleasant conversations with people you meet. I expect the rice and beens will grow on you at some point and just to make sure visit a nice restaurant and order some as it could be your wife isn't seasoning them quite right. My wife didn't learn how to cook well until after we were married. Finally, regarding the developed world, keep reading the news and watching the consequences of your friends and family eating fake food and you will quit missing the "developed" world.
Paz.The up side of that is the excitement of the arrival in the market of something new. When Vlasic pickles arrived I ate them for a week. I bought Sara Lee coffee cakes .. until I realized that they tasted stale..How can a frozen cake taste stale? And there are more and more "old friends" arriving.
My biggest regret is that I didn't work more on my Spanish. I'm always one or two words or sentences short of being able to explain or ask something.
I regret not building a house with a large parking area. The one I have barely fits my Santa Fe and I have to move it every morning to make room for secure parking for the teacher motorcycles.
I regret not buying more property within Jarabacoa proper when the property was less dear ( starts at 3500 peso per square metre now).
Not many other regrets. As I sit here on the computer I'm listening to our cleaning girl sing. Amazing voice, and she's very cute as well. Earning money to go to Dental school. Comes from a great family of hard working people that make the best roast pork in town.
Just had a visit from the JW's, Philippine-American (woman) and Canadian man. Had a great conversation, only about 30 seconds of it about religion. Strangely, most of our problem children at the school are JW's. Not sure if there's a connection there or not.
I also regret not bringing my good golf clubs and shoes, although getting out to golf is a challenge. I never realized early retirement was so busy.
I regret not building a house with a large parking area. The one I have barely fits my Santa Fe and I have to move it every morning to make room for secure parking for the teacher motorcycles.
I regret not buying more property within Jarabacoa proper when the property was less dear ( starts at 3500 peso per square metre now).
Not many other regrets. As I sit here on the computer I'm listening to our cleaning girl sing. Amazing voice, and she's very cute as well. Earning money to go to Dental school. Comes from a great family of hard working people that make the best roast pork in town.
Just had a visit from the JW's, Philippine-American (woman) and Canadian man. Had a great conversation, only about 30 seconds of it about religion. Strangely, most of our problem children at the school are JW's. Not sure if there's a connection there or not.
I also regret not bringing my good golf clubs and shoes, although getting out to golf is a challenge. I never realized early retirement was so busy.
In total I have been living here for 8 years and a bit. My Spanish is fluent. There are hardly any nuances I won't grab. It's better than my English. The last time I didn't understand a Dominican (it was at a client) I asked a Dominican girl who attended me at the place what he said, that I didn't understand anything. She told me: I don't know either. I never understand him when he speaks.Mauricio
I don't know how long you have been here but I expect #2, #4 and #6 will change and will actually be added to your "positives" list. The reason is as your Spanish gets better you will start understanding the nuances of conversation and also will have the chance to partake in many pleasant conversations with people you meet. I expect the rice and beens will grow on you at some point and just to make sure visit a nice restaurant and order some as it could be your wife isn't seasoning them quite right. My wife didn't learn how to cook well until after we were married. Finally, regarding the developed world, keep reading the news and watching the consequences of your friends and family eating fake food and you will quit missing the "developed" world.
The selfishness is just something that's present, at least in Santo Domingo. Santiago might be different.
The food. I've always been picky with food. I didn't like rice and beans in 2000, I still don't like it in 2014. I do eat it, it just isn't something I enjoy eating.
The developed world...the problem is that SD has the worst of both.
I've never lived in the capital but I hear Santiago is much nicer. I'm not saying that everyone is nice here but generally speaking the majority of the people I encounter respect the protocols of polite conversation. I also expect the "gringo factor" is more of an issue in the capital and there is little you can do to resolve that unfortunately.
Chip is right. Most complaints seem to come from folks who are living in Santo Domingo (which can be a bit overwhelming) and Sosua (which is an otherwise very pleasant beach town still struggling with an out-of-control red light scene).
But one seldom hears of complaints from people living in other areas like Las Terrenas, Cabrera, Santiago or the Cibao Valley in general, Jarabacoa, Punta Cana, and the numerous other areas.
DR can be very, very pleasant.
But one seldom hears of complaints from people living in other areas like Las Terrenas, Cabrera, Santiago or the Cibao Valley in general, Jarabacoa, Punta Cana, and the numerous other areas.
DR can be very, very pleasant.
I also have learned that I can pass as a Dominican or half Dominican in appearance at times which helps a lot to diminish the "gringo factor". Here are a couple of pictures with friends of mine in Santiago that I could pass as a cousin.
Speaking of the "gringo factor", that is somewhat a negative perception of gringos (except Christian missionaries) that I have become aware of over time. In fact, not too long ago I went to the grand opening of the Icono Tower here in Santiago with a friend and we were talking with a couple at our table and when the guy asked where I was from I stated "soy gringo" which ended the conversation to say the least. Granted, I generally don't hang out with the "elitists" so I hadn't been aware of this perception before. Nonetheless, I've decided to limit using the term gringo as it could hurt my networking.
Speaking of the "gringo factor", that is somewhat a negative perception of gringos (except Christian missionaries) that I have become aware of over time. In fact, not too long ago I went to the grand opening of the Icono Tower here in Santiago with a friend and we were talking with a couple at our table and when the guy asked where I was from I stated "soy gringo" which ended the conversation to say the least. Granted, I generally don't hang out with the "elitists" so I hadn't been aware of this perception before. Nonetheless, I've decided to limit using the term gringo as it could hurt my networking.
Christian Missionaries are the ones I run from!
You do look like you can pass for a dominican, lucky you! What I would do to blend in somedays!
You do look like you can pass for a dominican, lucky you! What I would do to blend in somedays!
He asked you a straight question, you gave him a flip answer. He was well aware you are a gringo, Chip.
Despite your best and most futile efforts, you'll never assimilate. Math Man has a far better chance than you because he's at least ethnically Dominican, but he'll still have his work cut out for him.
They appreciate your efforts, I'm sure. Be happy with that, and keep it moving. :glasses:
Despite your best and most futile efforts, you'll never assimilate. Math Man has a far better chance than you because he's at least ethnically Dominican, but he'll still have his work cut out for him.
They appreciate your efforts, I'm sure. Be happy with that, and keep it moving. :glasses:
With all due respect not all Dominicans are sure where I am from, some think I'm Dominican or half Dominican. As my accent has gotten better so has my perception from Dominicans changed. Granted, this generally only works in the Cibao region. In fact, just yesterday I was talking with the owner of a print shop who is as equally white as me and he starts talking like a boricua so I reciprocated.
I "CAME" for the "FOOD"!
Best "PUSSY" I EVER ATE!!!!!!
Plentiful and CHEAP too!
"god" is punishing chip, by making him a stranger in a Strange Land!
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Best "PUSSY" I EVER ATE!!!!!!
Plentiful and CHEAP too!
"god" is punishing chip, by making him a stranger in a Strange Land!
CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
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