I have just returned from a night out in Cabarete, where it seems that the powers that be have imposed some draconian new rules as of tonight. I stand to be corrected and proved wrong, but this is what I have been told by people who work in bars here.
1. No un-accompanied girls in bars.
2. The "Billiard" bars on the main street have to close at midnight. Actually I don't mind this one as the early hours karaoke was horrible - but it will clearly drive these bars out of business, which is a shame because they are very popular with many gringos like me. I can say that these bars were indeed closed at midnight tonight.
3. Girls must wear long trousers - no shorts or short skirts/dresses. Clearly this will be discrimination as it will only apply to Dominicans/Haitians and tourist girls will not be subjected to this Taliban-like interference in their personal lives.
Next week, my guess is burkas to be worn by all non-tourists.
The locals are already complaining about the "gringo" in Puerto Plata who is about to ruin their livelihoods. as it seems the Ministry of Tourism guy who is making these edicts is not Dominican, but Italian, so I am told.
Tonight, there were plenty of attractive Dominican/Haitian girls walking about on the beach, so it seems that for all the family tourists who may be offended after midnight not much has changed - yet.
1. No un-accompanied girls in bars.
2. The "Billiard" bars on the main street have to close at midnight. Actually I don't mind this one as the early hours karaoke was horrible - but it will clearly drive these bars out of business, which is a shame because they are very popular with many gringos like me. I can say that these bars were indeed closed at midnight tonight.
3. Girls must wear long trousers - no shorts or short skirts/dresses. Clearly this will be discrimination as it will only apply to Dominicans/Haitians and tourist girls will not be subjected to this Taliban-like interference in their personal lives.
Next week, my guess is burkas to be worn by all non-tourists.
The locals are already complaining about the "gringo" in Puerto Plata who is about to ruin their livelihoods. as it seems the Ministry of Tourism guy who is making these edicts is not Dominican, but Italian, so I am told.
Tonight, there were plenty of attractive Dominican/Haitian girls walking about on the beach, so it seems that for all the family tourists who may be offended after midnight not much has changed - yet.