undefinedundefinedundefined
Just arrived back to Santo Domingo (where I currently live) from a visit with my U.S.A. family at Sun Village in Puerto Plata.
When we first arrived we had a conversation with some very nice Canadians who immediately warned us of problems with illness. Three were ill and one had to have i.v. fluids for dehydration from vomiting so much!
Guess what?
The following day my party began getting sick. There were a total of 9 of us on holiday and each and everyone got sick.
It is comical because the hotel had a welcome meeting and the first thing they said was some would get sick but it was not their fault! It was not the ice as their ice was purified! They said it was the fault of the guests, eating and drinking, and exercising in the sun, etc.
This charade went on and on and it was so apparent they were on the defensive. And right they should be. They definitely have a problem with sanitation and what I suspect is an epidemic of food borne illness. I am an M.D. but I am not an epidimiologist and I know this is not normal nor usual. I suggested a public health specialist be brought in from CDC but was quickly and quietly ignored.
They reemphasized that we were just not used to the D.R. and I politely informed them that four of us have lived here for ten years! How long does it take to get used to the island, the climate and the food???
I am wondering the sanitary condition underwhich the food is prepared and I also notice the cold food is not kept cold and the hot food is not kept hot.
And while I am giving a poor rating or no rating to Sun Village let me say that every morning for five days we were awakened at 8:00 a.m. by the maid wanting to know how many people were in the room!!!!! They don't know how many people are registered in the rooms!!!! Then 8 hours later the room would be cleaned and some time in between the service fridge would be filled again. My room the A/C did not work and it took all day and three visits from a worker before I finally demanded a room with functioning a/c. The room I was changed to ....was previously occupied and not cleaned!!!!! Had to get another room. Another move!
Four grandchildren ages 15, 16,17, were denied admission WITH US to the disco. There was nothing for them to do. A kiddie disco that was for young children, that closed when the sun went down almost. No entertainment for teenagers.
Security was less than adequate as it seemed people could come and go with impunity. I did not feel comfortable with this.
However, no problems.
And ripping off the tourists was the local past time. A medium size bottle of Pepto Bismol was $12.00 USD. Taxi fare to Caribe Tours Station $15.00 USD (compared to 7 Pesos for either publico or gua gua).
To put this in perspective, we vacationed with the family in Bavaro/Punta Cana last year and had a grand time with absolutely no problems with the locals or the food.
Grandma always said....say something nice....well the nice thing was the treatment by the employees....super friendly and helpful and always with a smile.
And finally what really left a bad taste in my mouth was the treatment of one of my family who is black. He was the only one that was ever asked to show his identification braclet to enter restaurants, bars or pool areas. Even in company of many of our new found Canadian friends...they thought this most strange and I resented it.
I might add more if and when I think of it.
To all my friends on DR-1.....HI again from DOC (ECH) he is alive and well.
Just arrived back to Santo Domingo (where I currently live) from a visit with my U.S.A. family at Sun Village in Puerto Plata.
When we first arrived we had a conversation with some very nice Canadians who immediately warned us of problems with illness. Three were ill and one had to have i.v. fluids for dehydration from vomiting so much!
Guess what?
The following day my party began getting sick. There were a total of 9 of us on holiday and each and everyone got sick.
It is comical because the hotel had a welcome meeting and the first thing they said was some would get sick but it was not their fault! It was not the ice as their ice was purified! They said it was the fault of the guests, eating and drinking, and exercising in the sun, etc.
This charade went on and on and it was so apparent they were on the defensive. And right they should be. They definitely have a problem with sanitation and what I suspect is an epidemic of food borne illness. I am an M.D. but I am not an epidimiologist and I know this is not normal nor usual. I suggested a public health specialist be brought in from CDC but was quickly and quietly ignored.
They reemphasized that we were just not used to the D.R. and I politely informed them that four of us have lived here for ten years! How long does it take to get used to the island, the climate and the food???
I am wondering the sanitary condition underwhich the food is prepared and I also notice the cold food is not kept cold and the hot food is not kept hot.
And while I am giving a poor rating or no rating to Sun Village let me say that every morning for five days we were awakened at 8:00 a.m. by the maid wanting to know how many people were in the room!!!!! They don't know how many people are registered in the rooms!!!! Then 8 hours later the room would be cleaned and some time in between the service fridge would be filled again. My room the A/C did not work and it took all day and three visits from a worker before I finally demanded a room with functioning a/c. The room I was changed to ....was previously occupied and not cleaned!!!!! Had to get another room. Another move!
Four grandchildren ages 15, 16,17, were denied admission WITH US to the disco. There was nothing for them to do. A kiddie disco that was for young children, that closed when the sun went down almost. No entertainment for teenagers.
Security was less than adequate as it seemed people could come and go with impunity. I did not feel comfortable with this.
However, no problems.
And ripping off the tourists was the local past time. A medium size bottle of Pepto Bismol was $12.00 USD. Taxi fare to Caribe Tours Station $15.00 USD (compared to 7 Pesos for either publico or gua gua).
To put this in perspective, we vacationed with the family in Bavaro/Punta Cana last year and had a grand time with absolutely no problems with the locals or the food.
Grandma always said....say something nice....well the nice thing was the treatment by the employees....super friendly and helpful and always with a smile.
And finally what really left a bad taste in my mouth was the treatment of one of my family who is black. He was the only one that was ever asked to show his identification braclet to enter restaurants, bars or pool areas. Even in company of many of our new found Canadian friends...they thought this most strange and I resented it.
I might add more if and when I think of it.
To all my friends on DR-1.....HI again from DOC (ECH) he is alive and well.