Hey there.
Went to the DR for the first time about 5 years ago...and go back any chance I can get. I kinda stumbled on the DR when trying to plan a trip to PR. The PR trip was becoming way to expensive for my budget (120 us for a really crappy hotel)...and a friend of mine recommended the DR...he had been there twice and commented on how much fun he had.
My first trip was my first carib experience. I kinda went to check out some of the hot guys....but soon found myself intoxicated by the culture and the island. I am half latino myself...and loved the fact that I had to actually use the language...and by the time I left I was thinking and dreaming and spanish. Although I am hardly fluent....I DO really like practicing the language...and when I am here in nyc and am in a latino restaurant or store...I try to use the language to the best of my ability.
Just today...i ate my breakfast totally en espanol with my waitress...and when my apt was broken into i pretty much speak espanol with my super.
So.....i think even though my original intent in traveling to the dr was kind of shallow (looking for cute guys)....i have come back with so much knowledge and experience about my own 1/2 latino side, and i continue to explore and travel more and more around the island (ok...i still check out some of the cute guys too
but its just so much more to me. The beaches, the city, traveling in a guagua, snorkeling....(i want to check out the mountains).
In the meantime tho...i live in nyc (actually jersey city....just across the river). Work as a graphic designer for a major wall street firm (it pays the bills), and i have been seeing a closeted Dominican man for the past 1.5 yrs. Reading the many threads here has actually helped me maintaining my "friendship" with this man. I have just noticed certain cultural differences between us...and having this site and being able to travel to the DR....i sorta "get" him.
Sigh...my only problem is that i have the lack of resources to actually LIVE in the DR. Im not sure if i would want to spend the rest of my life there...but would really love the opportunity to spend more than 2 weeks there a year. When i FINALY win the Lottery....i would love to spend about a year or so there...teach english and computers skills......and of COURSE ...check out the hot guys