What to pack for life in the DR

Fiesta Mama

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Jan 28, 2004
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I am moving this summer to live with my fiance (as per my other post) so my question is do you bring a suitcase or a truckload? I'm thinking suitcase? I don't want the hassle (nor the expense) of shipping a ton of stuff. I'm thinking if I bring lots of clothes, shoes and my personal effects that I could not do without, I can buy, find, borrow or share anything else I might need? It seems such a shame to leave all my possessions in Canada but there is no way I can bring them all (and the house I will be living in would not accomodate them all :) )

What am I probably used to that I won't find there?

Also, I wear contacts and want to know if I can purchase them in Puerto Plata or nearby? Are there eye doctors available as well? When I have come in the past I just bring a good supply with me but I will run out eventually and it could get expensive having them shipped from Canada.
 

johne

Silver
Jun 28, 2003
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Bring Two suitcases

Fiesta Mama said:
I am moving this summer to live with my fiance (as per my other post) so my question is do you bring a suitcase or a truckload? I'm thinking suitcase? I don't want the hassle (nor the expense) of shipping a ton of stuff. I'm thinking if I bring lots of clothes, shoes and my personal effects that I could not do without, I can buy, find, borrow or share anything else I might need? It seems such a shame to leave all my possessions in Canada but there is no way I can bring them all (and the house I will be living in would not accomodate them all :) )

What am I probably used to that I won't find there?

Also, I wear contacts and want to know if I can purchase them in Puerto Plata or nearby? Are there eye doctors available as well? When I have come in the past I just bring a good supply with me but I will run out eventually and it could get expensive having them shipped from Canada.[


To make your life very comfortable bring two suitcases. In one, stuff it full of $50 dollar bills. In the other bring your friend Johnny Cash. You won't have a problem in the world.

Enjoy

JOHN
 

mountainfrog

On Vacation!
Dec 8, 2003
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What to bring

Well, didn?t you say that you are ready and willing to lead a simple life in the Dominican campo?
Don?t bother to bring a lot of clothes, you can buy good and cheap clothes from the second-hand-clothes-guagua.
Shoes? One pair of sandals should do. High heels get stuck in the mud. Why not try barefooted, your husband to be will be glad not having to spend his wages on footware.
Contact lenses can be bought here, no problem. On the other hand, it may be an advantage to see things a little bit blurred...
Your two suitcases could so be used to be filled with presents for your new family. Not that it is much expected, but you don?t want to come empty-handed, do you?
M?frog
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
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Come with as much as is permitted on the plane. If there is a particular type of underwear that you prefer, I'd bring a good supply of that. Eye doctors and contacts are available, but having one or two extra pair will give you time to get oriented and determine where you should go for eye care. Keep in mind that generally speaking the specialisits in Santiago are better than in Puerto Plata. It's possible to make the round trip by Caribe Tours bus in one day.

Store the stuff you leave behind with your parents. If the reality proves too different from the dream, you'll need it when you return to Canada. And if it does work out, you can bring more on your future trips. Also, I assume your family and some of your friends will be coming to visit eventually; don't be shy about asking them to bring you things. All expats I know ask friends and family to bring things that are harder to find here than in the US or Canada.

PS: If you like to sleep on good sheets, or dry yourself after a shower with a good towel, or wash your face with a washcloth, you might want to bring some of them if space permits.
 

trt

New member
Feb 3, 2004
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Um, seriously, tampons _ not many brands sold here and those I've found are not good quality.

All of Ken's advice is good. Bring all the luggage you are allowed and remember that international flights get a 70 pound allowance _ stuff 'em full.