Apprehensive About Trip to US

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
Most of the month of July, my wife and I will be in the US. The last time I was there was in 1995, Barbara's last visit was 1996. During the past 10 years we spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Venezuela, and most of the islands of the eastern Caribbean, but we have not been in the US.

The archives on dr1 don't help us with our concerns, but we are hoping some of the posters will. We have a lot of apprehensions.

1. Security is a major concern. We feel very safe in the DR, but we know you can't take security for granted in the US. We see almost daily on the news about drive by shootings, murders and robberies, children carrying knives and guns, and, apparently, most adults are armed, too. We presently don't own a gun; should we try to get one before going to the US? We certainly don't want to be defenseless; if we can't get a gun, what should we do to protect ourselves?

2. Health is another concern. Hopefully we won't get sick while there, but what if we do? Getting sick here doesn't worry us because we have a number of excellent specialists looking after us. If we get sick, we just go to the office for treatment, or in an emergency, call the doctor on the phone. But we know from others this isn't how it works in the US. To see even a general doctor requires a long wait for an appointment, and you may even have to be part of a health group. We don't have any doctors in the US, and we certainly aren't part of a health group. What do we do; go to a hospital emergency room and wait our turn while they treat the accident victims, victims of knifing and shootings, etc.?

3. Is it safe to drink the water, or should we plan on buying bottled water? We don't want to get sick from drinking industrial waste and other chemicals that have polluted many water supplies.

We have other questions and concerns, but these are some of the major ones. Any advice on how to cope with these issues will be appreciated.

We are looking forward to seeing family members, but we are apprehensive about leaving Sosua and going to the US.
 

AtlantaBob

New member
Jan 2, 2002
434
0
0
Good one Ken

Don't forget to get insurance when you rent a car. You don't want to get caught in the stolen-rental-car-scam thingy, and have to pay for a new car! We don't have motoconchos or publicos here to take you from city to city. Good luck. If you get into a jam, give me a call, I can get you a number for a good lawyer (well a lawyer, anyway).
 

Ricardo900

Silver
Jul 12, 2004
3,269
37
48
Ken said:
1. Security is a major concern. We feel very safe in the DR, but we know you can't take security for granted in the US. We see almost daily on the news about drive by shootings, murders and robberies, children carrying knives and guns, and, apparently, most adults are armed, too. We presently don't own a gun; should we try to get one before going to the US? We certainly don't want to be defenseless; if we can't get a gun, what should we do to protect ourselves?

2. Health is another concern. Hopefully we won't get sick while there, but what if we do? Getting sick here doesn't worry us because we have a number of excellent specialists looking after us. If we get sick, we just go to the office for treatment, or in an emergency, call the doctor on the phone. But we know from others this isn't how it works in the US. To see even a general doctor requires a long wait for an appointment, and you may even have to be part of a health group. We don't have any doctors in the US, and we certainly aren't part of a health group. What do we do; go to a hospital emergency room and wait our turn while they treat the accident victims, victims of knifing and shootings, etc.?

3. Is it safe to drink the water, or should we plan on buying bottled water? We don't want to get sick from drinking industrial waste and other chemicals that have polluted many water supplies.

We have other questions and concerns, but these are some of the major ones. Any advice on how to cope with these issues will be appreciated.

We are looking forward to seeing family members, but we are apprehensive about leaving Sosua and going to the US.

1. Security is an issue, depending on what area you are residing and frequenting. Where in the US are you travelling to?? You don't need to carry a weapon, but it won't hurt if your wife carry pepper-spray.

2. Hospitals will not admit certain types of injuries without health care, you should consider purchasing travellers insurance thru the airlines. Some form of health insurance is a must.

3. The water is fine in most parts of the US, but it may contain a high amount of lead. Drink bottle water, everybody else does.

Don't worry enjoy your trip
Where exactly are you travelling to??
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
I see that at least one poster has assumed that I was joking. I expected that, of course, since not all posters have had the same opportunity to experience life as I have outside of the US. I'm sure there was a time when I would have treated a post like mine as a joke. But having lived outside of the US for 20 years, I know the advantages of doing so. I wouldn't give up my US citizenship, but I wouldn't care to go back and live there.

Atlantic Bob raises a good point about the lack of public transportation. I haven't owned a car since leaving the US in 1984 and haven't driven one since 1995. This means that I will be dependent on others to take me around during my stay; not a pleasant prospect after so many years of independence, thanks to the very plentiful public transportation we enjoy in the DR, and that is also available on the islands of the eastern Caribbean and in Venezuela.

Re doctors trained in the US, I know they are good. Most of my doctors here were US trained. The difference is that I can afford to consult them as often as necessary, they are always available to me, and have no objection to my calling them at home, even at night, should this be necessary. I will miss them when I am in the US.

Another thing I worry about is getting medicines in the US; there are some we take on a continuing basis. I hope that I don't have to pay some doctor US$100 to write me a couple of prescriptions for meds that I can walk into any pharmacy here and purchase just so long as I have the money to pay for it.

Ricardo, thanks for your helpful response. I can see you understand my concerns.

We'll be in the Boston area, Chicago area, Schenectady, NY area, and in North Carolina.
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
Another concern in the health area just came to mind. Due to a combination of a health condition and the side effect of a medication I am taking for something else, I get a B12 injection each week. Getting the injection is no problem here; a nurse gives it to me and I pay her RD$50. It was also no problem in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Trinidad, and the other Caribbean islands. There was always a nurse available to give me the shot.

But what do I do in the US? I'm sure, from what I have heard, I can't just go into a doctors office or a hospital and request the shot, then pay US$2 for the service.

I never should have started this thread. It is got me thinking of all the reasons why it would be better for me to cancel my reservations and stay where I am.
 

Ricardo900

Silver
Jul 12, 2004
3,269
37
48
Ken said:
We'll be in the Boston area, Chicago area, Schenectady, NY area, and in North Carolina.
These cities are pretty safe as long as you stay in populated areas.
You will not need a car and there are plenty of taxis in these cities, don't ride the subway unless you know where you are going, especially in NYC & Chicago. Stay in the tourist areas and you'll be fine.

You will need some form of medical coverage, you will not be able to receive prescription drugs without seeing a doctor and seeing a doctor, non-emergency can cost you a couple hundred dollars and emergency room visits, in the Thousands! You can purchase Temporary Health Coverage for 30 days or more, just google it.
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
Ricardo900 said:
These cities are pretty safe as long as you stay in populated areas.
You will not need a car and there are plenty of taxis in these cities, don't ride the subway unless you know where you are going, especially in NYC & Chicago. Stay in the tourist areas and you'll be fine.

You will need some form of medical coverage, you will not be able to receive prescription drugs without seeing a doctor and seeing a doctor, non-emergency can cost you a couple hundred dollars and emergency room visits, in the Thousands! You can purchase Temporary Health Coverage for 30 days or more, just google it.

I'm ok on health insurance, Ricardo, having maintained my Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I know there are taxis, just hope I can afford them. I'm used to paying RD$20 to get to Puerto Plata in a publico, or RD$200 if I pay for all the seats and use the publico like a taxi to get to Puerto Plata from Sosua.

For long distance exploration, I hope, but doubt, I will find good deals on bus travel like I'm used to. We pay Caribe Tours about RD$100 to got to Santiago and RD$210 when we go to Santo Domingo on their comfortable, air conditioned buses.

On meds, guess I had better stock up before leaving. Any problem bringing medications into the US?

As far as identification, I see on travel websites that it is advised to have two government issued IDs. All I've got from the US is a passport. Hope that my cedula or Residency carnet from the DR will be accepted as the second.

One thing I'm not worrying about is language difficulty. We don't expect to be in areas where Chinese is spoken by most, nor where rap is the common language. I figure that English and Spanish will meet most of my needs.
 
Last edited:

MommC

On Vacation!
Mar 2, 2002
4,056
7
0
dr1.com
Re B12 shots.....& meds

Take all meds you will need with you if you don't want to spend $$$to have a DR. write a prescription in the States. Meds should be marked with a prescription (or have your DR Dr. write a short note -to have notarized describing the meds/dosage for you and your wife{separate note for each individual}).
As for the B12 shots you can give them yourself (not hard to do) otherwise you'll need to go to a clinic to have them given. Again a note from your physician giving frequency, amount etc. is advisable.

You will NOT need a weapon in the States (not likely to be allowed in anyways unless you have a permit in advance).

Water is potable however some of it tastes strange because of all the processing & additives to make some of it drinkable. Buy Dasani bottled....tastes great and is definitely better than some tap water.

Say hello to Schenectady for me!

Relax and enjoy your visit! Just use any precautions you would normally use in the DR.
 

AtlantaBob

New member
Jan 2, 2002
434
0
0
But seriously,

Take all the meds with you that you can. Not sure how long you will be up here, but they are a lot more expensive than the cost of a Dr. writing a prescription.

When I came to the States fom the DR after a long absence, I would always get a head cold, mainly, I think, from the air conditioning in the motels. We never had AC in the DR. I'm sure that has changed by now.

Travel by bus and train when you can. Oh, yeah, and don't use the restrooms in the bus station!
 

Escott

Gold
Jan 14, 2002
7,716
6
0
www.escottinsosua.blogspot.com
Ken said:
I'm ok on health insurance, Ricardo, having maintained my Blue Cross Blue Shield.

I know there are taxis, just hope I can afford them. I'm used to paying RD$20 to get to Puerto Plata in a publico, or RD$200 if I pay for all the seats and use the publico like a taxi to get to Puerto Plata from Sosua.

For long distance exploration, I hope, but doubt, I will find good deals on bus travel like I'm used to. We pay Caribe Tours about RD$100 to got to Santiago and RD$210 when we go to Santo Domingo on their comfortable, air conditioned buses.

On meds, guess I had better stock up before leaving. Any problem bringing medications into the US?

As far as identification, I see on travel websites that it is advised to have two government issued IDs. All I've got from the US is a passport. Hope that my cedula or Residency carnet from the DR will be accepted as the second.

One thing I'm not worrying about is language difficulty. We don't expect to be in areas where Chinese is spoken by most, nor where rap is the common language. I figure that English and Spanish will meet most of my needs.
The Co-pay on BS/BC is probably more than Barbara's operation in the DR. You will be fine with your passport and Dominican ID Ken.

You can probably go with out the vitamin shot if you get a double dose before leaving:)

Transportation is expensive in the US compared to the DR. But then you get to travel like a human being instead of cattle in a gua gua.

Sounds like you really don't want to go Ken. I can relate to that, I only travel when I have to.

Brush up on your English and you will be just fine.

Escott
(Big Party at Kens House while he is away folks)
 

stan chapman

New member
Nov 28, 2002
143
0
0
Bottled water.

I see you are into clockwork toys, Ken

A very popular brand of bottled water is Evian. Read backwards, it spells the name of some forum posters. Stan.
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
Then there is the worry about being victim of a terrorism attack, something I don't even think about in Sosua.

Ever since I watched with horror on CNN the planes flying into the World Trade Center, I have been thankful I live in one of the places least likely to be attacked by terrorists. There is nothing in Sosua, or even the Dominican Republic, likely to be of much interest to Bin Laden. No great Satans here.

Since 9/11, I have watched with interest as CNN's talking heads interviewed countless terrorism experts about the likelihood of attack in the US. Though they may disagree on the timing and the method, all agree attacks can be expected. And the fact that Al Queda cells are being closed in even remote locations suggests that even during the week I am in Ashville, NC, that I can't be sure there won't be a suicide bomber in the shopping mall there.

Atlantic Bob's point about getting sick when he goes to the US is also something I've been worried about. My system is accustomed to the health dangers we have here, but now I'm going into a new environment, one my system is unprepared for. Perhaps I should wear a mask like the people in China and Japan do. The change in food and water is also apt to cause problems. Can I obtain Emodium and Lomotil in the US without paying a doctor US$100 or more for a prescription? If not, I'll stock up here.
 

AZB

Platinum
Jan 2, 2002
12,290
519
113
Relax Ken, there is no more terrorist threats in USA anymore. Now that bush has won the 2nd term, the terror alert has gone down. There aren't anymore troops to start a new war so no more terror in USA for now. I have just returned yesterday from NYC and atlanta. No security concerns in american airports. No one is stopping anyone for checkups, no more searching bags to take out hair pins or spare AA size batteries. No one even looks at you. I was not treated like a muslim terrorist. We walked all around mid town manhattan untill 2am without any problems. No one is even thinking of terrorist attack (thanks to american short memory span thinking). No one even remembers the twin towers any more.
Hell, no one even check your tags on your checked in bags in NYC or atlanta airports. You can pick up anyone's bags and walk out. I can bet you one thing, there will be no more terrorist attacks against americans unless USA is prepared to go to war. Just let them finish up the mess in Iraq then you may see another possible attack in USA and that will be certainly be blamed on Iran or Syria. Since there is no money or troops available, thus no more attacks in near future. Get my point?
Now have a safe trip.
AZB

P.S. If you can't stop the thousands of mexicans entering USA on daily basis, then how the hell you are supposed to stop terrorists from entering this country? Now mexicans own atlanta and many other southern cities. I see them even working in chinese and indian restaurants. Mexicans have taken over USA so you all better learn spanish soon.
 

CyaBye3015

Bronze
Jan 8, 2003
1,462
23
0
Ken,

At first, I thought you were kidding too. Over the past 12 years I have traveled extensively for business. The nature of what I do (telecommunications) has taken me to some of the worse areas of some of the worst cities in the US.

I've never owned a gun, nor ever had any problems related to crime.

Now for the main point of my post, at least two of the cities, Chicago and Boston do have extensive mass transit. Also you may want to consider using Amtrak for travel between your destinations.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

Go to the site and look up routes.
 

MaineGirl

The Way Life Should Be...
Jun 23, 2002
1,879
89
0
amity.beane.org
For bottled water I recommend Poland Springs. What it means to be from Maine, and all. In fact for your health and safety I recommend skipping most of your itinerary and heading straight to Maine. You and B. are most welcome. It's safe here. All you need is bug dope.
 

MaryS

New member
Feb 13, 2003
301
0
0
Allergies?

Ken, don't you and Barbara both have a lot of allergies? Whenever I come back home from visiting DR I always have a major allergy attack. This may be something to consider also. Have a good time.... Mary
 

CyaBye3015

Bronze
Jan 8, 2003
1,462
23
0
Escott said:
Gee Amity, I am in New York and I am vedy vedy scared for myself.

Ya Scott, If I had a cute butt like yours and I were in New York, I'd be vedy vedy scared too! :laugh: