After PanAms, what?

Probably not the best forum for this discussion

But I got the feeling the other day that a lot of people are holding back until after the games and all the visitors leave.

Then all hell will break loose.

Just the street talking. Four dead, not all tied to the protests.

HB

What am I in for?

I don't know what the best forum is either, but this issue needs to be addressed.
Especially when comments like those come from a respected member and DR1 icon.
I am returning to the DR a couple days after the closing ceremonies. I have traveled extensively throughout the DR and have never felt any " fear", but that was several years ago. I was there when there were strikes, hurricanes and civil unrest, but always felt safe. I have been reading( lurking) DR1 since the old forum and felt that I was still in touch. I have been a little apprehensive of what I might find when I returned, but was still looking to fulfill my dream of "wintering" in paradise after retirement. I also am able,after some time to judge the personalities here who offer advice. Hilbilly's comments are always judged to be credible,at the least. Any other posters who are able to offer information as to "street talk" in Sto Dgo. and info as to who may be targeted to be added to the "list of the dead", will be greatly appreciated. Hillbilly, can you clarify or add to your post.

Criss, Golo,PIB others in Sto Dgo do I:

1.cash in my ticket and stay home?
2.buy a gun upon my arrival,and let everyone see it?
3.hire two tigres to follow me around, while I look at condos play in the casinos?
4. buy travel insurance with a casket transport provision, and take my chances.

I just want to take care of my buisness,look at some condos,play some cards, eat some mondongo and enjoy some of the other Dominican specialties. I spent alot of time in the past dodging bullets, I try to avoid it whenever possible.


thanks,

Empty stadiums now, big bills and later empty stadiums growing weeds and not used thats what is after the Pan Am games!

And by the way who will be paying the bills, new licence plates, tax on gasoline and booze ??? what other new tax incentive will Hippo spring on the Dominican populace is unknown.

You will pay big time like we did in Canada with the last 2 Olympics (Montreal & Calgary) and no the upcoming games in Vancouver.

Two real things in life death and taxes...........

no response???

As of this time 117 views of this post and only one response, am I missing something?

Is this all a joke?

Is no one else concerned about "all hell breaking loose" or more people dying.


please fill me in.


Thanks

Hi Ruffino!!

I can never forget that name because one of my great great greats, was Justo Rufino...

The energy crisis is very serious. There is no getting around it. I am now preparing for a long blackout tonight since we have been pretty good during the day. This is the pessimism that is eroding the country. The distributors cannot collect enough money to pay the producers and the government doesn't pay anyone, apparently. Understand that the eroding value of the peso has been a major cause of this. A 67% loss in purchasing power not only makes the electrical situation untenatable, but is hurting those least able to "manage": the poor.

The power companies (just here in the North) collect about RD$450 million a month and that was US$22.5 million dollars last year. Now, it is US$12.9 million and the energy prices are the same. A year ago they could pay for the electricity, Now they can't. The energy producers can't operate without dollars and they are only getting 1/2 of what they are supposed to.

In the barrios, exasperation is the word. They feel totally helpless and without any recourse except public demonstrations.
It has been, historically, the only thing the governmnet seems to listen to. With the games and the Dominican triumphs, I get the feeling that the people are not going to air their linen in public, but one the visitors go, things will get hotter.

As far as your coming for a vacation. please do not hesitate. The resort areas are far from the madding crowd and I am sure that you are not about to take up arms against the government. So don't worry.

By the middle of September things will be calmer, I am sure.

HB

I want to echo what Hillbilly is saying. People are frustrated and demonstrations are just about the only way they have, to make themselves heard. Demonstrations are usually peaceful, however with a 'mob mentality' it is hard to predict whether they will stay peaceful.

Demonstrations usually take place far from tourist areas - I live in a tourist town and the local dominicans don't even know that the games are on at the moment let alone having any knowledge about any demonstrations. If these happen, they happen quite off the beaten track.

This forum is also for many of us expats a place to let off steam and to keep in touch with one another. So, we sometimes 'demonstrate' a total lack of awareness that anyone else but our group is reading our mail. Many of us have close ties with Dominican people and many folks here have Dominican families, so, we are not that far removed from what is happening politically --- Stuff that is very far removed from tourists and vacationers.

Come on down and have a good time.

Hilbilly,

Thanks for the reply, I am at least vaguely aware of the root causes as well as the instant causes of the frustration and anger of the Dominican People. I remember when the govt. first began to expect the poor people to pay for electricity and what a problem that was. I also was around when there was "unrest" because there was no refined sugar for the people and the country was exporting to the world. I have been in the barrios when the tires were burning, without having any problems. I was mainly interested in having your and samiam's post put into perspective so that I, and others, would not be surprised. A few "public demonstrations" in the barrios of the big cities is nothing to be concerned with, I agree. It is common and nothing to cause a change of plans. Though I don't stay at a "resort" or confine myself to "resort areas" I know how to avoid the hot spots. Still, I hope those who cannot escape those areas survive, when" all hell breaks loose", and some good will come from the public display of dissatisfaction by the good people of the Dominican Republic.
You are correct to assume that I have no intention to take up arms or even voice an opposing opinion against the government, but I want the freedom to enjoy the best that the DR has to offer in the time I have available without having to be wrapped in kevlar.

PS. As to your response to my other post, I was not trying to imply that you "preach" in these forums or to judge you. I don't know you , but I was trying to show you the respect given to you by those that do.

Thanks

I'm "cool" Ruffino

I get the idea that you know a lot more about this place then you are letting on. You have what we call "gumption" ....

BTW, no offense taken....

HB