I don't remember much about the flight from IND - MIA, 5:00am came early so I slept most of the way although the plane was totally full. AA flight 275 MIA - LRM was another story. As always I enjoyed flying AA and the crew of 7 had little trouble managing the requests of all 14 passengers aboard. Thats right 14 passengers on a S80.
You can tell it is the off season not only by the number of passengers but that atatude of the Dominican customs agent. Sure we all had to pay our $10USD(only) to enter the country, however, select Americans were called to the visa desk and told that they would not have to fill out visa forms for another $10. I was one of the lucky ones. On departing the terminal not one of my bags were checked. I had brought $2,200 in auto parts for my friend and had expected a long delay
My friend Raphael picked me up and within 10min. we were in the heart of Central Romano. The smell of unregulated pollution from the cane factory mixed with 2 cycle exhaust is unforgettable. Raphie had rented a car for me from a local citizen, not that unusual here, at $1,400RDP per day. It is a 1999 Toyota Camery, clean, with great A/C, for 70,000mi it runs great and is all that I need to get around in. My insurance company sees no problem with this and says I am fully covered.
Next stop Popular bank to get some cash. Current exchange rated using my ATM, 48.7 to 1. From the bank it was off to my favorite watering hole, Ramons. It was there that you could see how much the tourist business means to this city. Ramon has completely remodeled his bar and turned the bulk of floor space into a gift shop. Gone are the hoards of women who hustled drinks and favors from patrons. Gone is the loud music. What is the world coming to?
After 3 El Presidenties we were off to my hotel. Hotel Olympo is just east of the central business district. It is very clean and has a nice restaurant. My room #220, which I always request is a large 2 room suite with a king size bed, great A/C, rif.. and plenty of hot water for showers. Total cost $1,300RDP per night.
Most of the local business people I have talked to say that things are fairly normal here for this time of year. Gas prices are still on the incline but food and other items have seem to be stable. For most locals it is the same-osame-o here.
Friday night the total power was cut to the city from 10:28p to 8:30a, last night no power from 7:28p to 9:00am today. That means hot sleeping for those with out back up power as the night tome temps hover around 80.
I will update this report from time to time during my visit.
Charlie
You can tell it is the off season not only by the number of passengers but that atatude of the Dominican customs agent. Sure we all had to pay our $10USD(only) to enter the country, however, select Americans were called to the visa desk and told that they would not have to fill out visa forms for another $10. I was one of the lucky ones. On departing the terminal not one of my bags were checked. I had brought $2,200 in auto parts for my friend and had expected a long delay
My friend Raphael picked me up and within 10min. we were in the heart of Central Romano. The smell of unregulated pollution from the cane factory mixed with 2 cycle exhaust is unforgettable. Raphie had rented a car for me from a local citizen, not that unusual here, at $1,400RDP per day. It is a 1999 Toyota Camery, clean, with great A/C, for 70,000mi it runs great and is all that I need to get around in. My insurance company sees no problem with this and says I am fully covered.
Next stop Popular bank to get some cash. Current exchange rated using my ATM, 48.7 to 1. From the bank it was off to my favorite watering hole, Ramons. It was there that you could see how much the tourist business means to this city. Ramon has completely remodeled his bar and turned the bulk of floor space into a gift shop. Gone are the hoards of women who hustled drinks and favors from patrons. Gone is the loud music. What is the world coming to?
After 3 El Presidenties we were off to my hotel. Hotel Olympo is just east of the central business district. It is very clean and has a nice restaurant. My room #220, which I always request is a large 2 room suite with a king size bed, great A/C, rif.. and plenty of hot water for showers. Total cost $1,300RDP per night.
Most of the local business people I have talked to say that things are fairly normal here for this time of year. Gas prices are still on the incline but food and other items have seem to be stable. For most locals it is the same-osame-o here.
Friday night the total power was cut to the city from 10:28p to 8:30a, last night no power from 7:28p to 9:00am today. That means hot sleeping for those with out back up power as the night tome temps hover around 80.
I will update this report from time to time during my visit.
Charlie