As perhaps the elder/eldest non-Dominican-born resident poster here, allow me to let my nearly 40 years of experience come into play. Bear with me.
Jay, you have received a wealth of information and fair advice. Do come here. BUT, for God's sake go slow. Get a feel for the place, as Bush Baby so astutely suggested. Take a look-see at prospects. Keep your options open.
Jay, you asked if AZB's invite to someone he had never met to spend a week end with him was very generous. It certainly was, but we seem to do that rather regularly here. It might be the DR that instills us with this familiarity, I don't know.
I do know that most of the people will give you the tattered shirt off of their backs if you need it more than they do.
Yes, I was most disappointed at JohnS' remarks as to why this was not the place for him. I have to agree that he did not really "see" the DR. That is probably the reason. His girlfriend, apparently a professional person with an active practice, was not able to show him all that he needed to see. I would imagine that the social origins of this lady were also not to JohnS' level either.
Remember that JohnS is a Swede. A very rigid society, with one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Perhaps they want too much from the world, I do not know....
Someone once posted here that if your "favorite" partner (a) did not have a US Visa; (b) did not have a bank account with an amount of money equal to your own(in RD$, not US$, to be fair); (c) had never traveled out of Santo Domingo, and (d) did not have a credit card, than this was not a person for you to spend your life with. I agree, almost entirely, since I have to accept the possibilities of an exception to this generality.
I often wonder what are these husbands doing for a living in Canada?
Marc, in a comment on the size of the DR, mentioned that his grandfather's homestead was as big as this country. Nice thought, but far from true. We are talking about 48,000 sq. km or about 18, 500 sq miles. New Hampshire and West Virginia
are comparable. Not huge, but large enough. It seems that few have hit upon the fact that there is enormous variety to be found here.
One of the ladies mentioned how difficult high humidity and high heat are to endure, day after day-better than freezing feet, but a difficulty. Having lived in San Juan, PR for some time, I certainly agree! But you can go just a few kilometers out of Santo Domingo and enjoy some fresher climes in the little hills nearby. Or, if you really want a change, go up to Constanza for a weekend. Something even more different?; go to Montecristi or Perdenales or Neiba, where there is a semi-arid desert climate.
Hey this is getting long and boring!. Let me finish by saying to one and all: Sure, come to the DR. But take your time. Explore. Get to know people. Do not take rash decisions, motivated by sex, lust or love....or climate for that matter.
And friend JayUK, listen mate, there is a saying: "Mi casa es su casa!" A lot of people kid about this, but when someone here in the DR says this, it means you have passed into an inner circle, and you really can go there at most any time and you will recieve what they have to offer.
Another saying, heard everyday at meal times (at least at my house) Buen provecho! (Good eating +/-) Said when someone comes into the dining area. It is always answered by: A buen tiempo! (You are just in time-to eat!!) And you can sit at the table and there will be food for you....even if someone in the house goes without! (this is an extreme example, certainly not to happen in my house.)
So, show up mate, you got some beer and food here...learn the ropes and then do your thing..
As for licenses? Few, but ask Eddy or AndyB
HB
Jay, you have received a wealth of information and fair advice. Do come here. BUT, for God's sake go slow. Get a feel for the place, as Bush Baby so astutely suggested. Take a look-see at prospects. Keep your options open.
Jay, you asked if AZB's invite to someone he had never met to spend a week end with him was very generous. It certainly was, but we seem to do that rather regularly here. It might be the DR that instills us with this familiarity, I don't know.
I do know that most of the people will give you the tattered shirt off of their backs if you need it more than they do.
Yes, I was most disappointed at JohnS' remarks as to why this was not the place for him. I have to agree that he did not really "see" the DR. That is probably the reason. His girlfriend, apparently a professional person with an active practice, was not able to show him all that he needed to see. I would imagine that the social origins of this lady were also not to JohnS' level either.
Remember that JohnS is a Swede. A very rigid society, with one of the highest suicide rates in the world. Perhaps they want too much from the world, I do not know....
Someone once posted here that if your "favorite" partner (a) did not have a US Visa; (b) did not have a bank account with an amount of money equal to your own(in RD$, not US$, to be fair); (c) had never traveled out of Santo Domingo, and (d) did not have a credit card, than this was not a person for you to spend your life with. I agree, almost entirely, since I have to accept the possibilities of an exception to this generality.
I often wonder what are these husbands doing for a living in Canada?
Marc, in a comment on the size of the DR, mentioned that his grandfather's homestead was as big as this country. Nice thought, but far from true. We are talking about 48,000 sq. km or about 18, 500 sq miles. New Hampshire and West Virginia
are comparable. Not huge, but large enough. It seems that few have hit upon the fact that there is enormous variety to be found here.
One of the ladies mentioned how difficult high humidity and high heat are to endure, day after day-better than freezing feet, but a difficulty. Having lived in San Juan, PR for some time, I certainly agree! But you can go just a few kilometers out of Santo Domingo and enjoy some fresher climes in the little hills nearby. Or, if you really want a change, go up to Constanza for a weekend. Something even more different?; go to Montecristi or Perdenales or Neiba, where there is a semi-arid desert climate.
Hey this is getting long and boring!. Let me finish by saying to one and all: Sure, come to the DR. But take your time. Explore. Get to know people. Do not take rash decisions, motivated by sex, lust or love....or climate for that matter.
And friend JayUK, listen mate, there is a saying: "Mi casa es su casa!" A lot of people kid about this, but when someone here in the DR says this, it means you have passed into an inner circle, and you really can go there at most any time and you will recieve what they have to offer.
Another saying, heard everyday at meal times (at least at my house) Buen provecho! (Good eating +/-) Said when someone comes into the dining area. It is always answered by: A buen tiempo! (You are just in time-to eat!!) And you can sit at the table and there will be food for you....even if someone in the house goes without! (this is an extreme example, certainly not to happen in my house.)
So, show up mate, you got some beer and food here...learn the ropes and then do your thing..
As for licenses? Few, but ask Eddy or AndyB
HB
_