M
Mr.Mark
Guest
When people from this forum I'm starting to talk to ask me about what's so great about my country, what is it that defines us, what makes the DR unique and so on, I recurrently recall a peculiar observation I've made. This post is not about the Dominican geography, our beaches, our climate and/or our economy (though obviously all these have a strong correlation with what I'm about to point out).
The DR, as paradoxical and absurd as it may seem, is the land of comfort. What makes the DR stand out amongst other touristic destinations -some of which could be more exotic and even richer- is the fact that the DR is a place that you can call home. It's not just that comparatevily this is a peaceful country and criminality rates are relatively low. Hey! I even have the hypothesis that there are people who haven't known what a home is until they have come to the DR. Sure, there's the coge-lucha downsides of living here (which is what may make seem paradoxical the main point of this post): inefficient bureacracy both in public and in private institutions, lack of opportunities for young people (a reality I'm suffering in the realms of the professional, the academical and other aspects); but there are other good points about living here that, I think if your earn just enough money, more than compensate the downsides.
Dominicans -collectively as people- is what I want to examine. This does not always occur, but the same Dominicans that captivate you because of their friendliness, their know-how-to-treat-you-right and their great sense of humour are the ones who, to name just one thing, throw garbage in the street without any qualm. And I say this because it kind of nerves me up when Dominicans as a whole are angelized. Open your eyes, people: this is not as great as it looks and there are negative aspects about the Dominican culture, aspects that unless we stop acting based on which are going to doom the DR to become something creepy.
Now... to the observation I've made. The reason why I say this is the land of comfort is because here you can get things easily -and no, I'm not talking about sex-. In what other country in the world you'll find figures such as the Colmado Delivery Boy or the Jardinero Ambulante (Mobile Gardener). What about the cocotero that offers you coconut water in the middle of the traffic jam and peddlers of other goods and articles?
Think about the Colmado Delivery. That's what I call quality of life. Do you know what it is to be in your home, already with comfy clothes and not wanting to get out for any reason when you realize that there's no water to drink, that there's no bread, that you've ran out of toilet paper? Imagine: you'd have to put some clothes on, get in the car and head off to somewhere under the risk of being shot or that they assault you or both? Colmado Delivery is a very representative figure about how life is in the DR.
P.S.: It's nice living here and not nice at the same time. I have to acknowledge Dino Bonao (blogworkorange.blogspot.com) for opening my eyes regarding the Colmado Delivery.
The DR, as paradoxical and absurd as it may seem, is the land of comfort. What makes the DR stand out amongst other touristic destinations -some of which could be more exotic and even richer- is the fact that the DR is a place that you can call home. It's not just that comparatevily this is a peaceful country and criminality rates are relatively low. Hey! I even have the hypothesis that there are people who haven't known what a home is until they have come to the DR. Sure, there's the coge-lucha downsides of living here (which is what may make seem paradoxical the main point of this post): inefficient bureacracy both in public and in private institutions, lack of opportunities for young people (a reality I'm suffering in the realms of the professional, the academical and other aspects); but there are other good points about living here that, I think if your earn just enough money, more than compensate the downsides.
Dominicans -collectively as people- is what I want to examine. This does not always occur, but the same Dominicans that captivate you because of their friendliness, their know-how-to-treat-you-right and their great sense of humour are the ones who, to name just one thing, throw garbage in the street without any qualm. And I say this because it kind of nerves me up when Dominicans as a whole are angelized. Open your eyes, people: this is not as great as it looks and there are negative aspects about the Dominican culture, aspects that unless we stop acting based on which are going to doom the DR to become something creepy.
Now... to the observation I've made. The reason why I say this is the land of comfort is because here you can get things easily -and no, I'm not talking about sex-. In what other country in the world you'll find figures such as the Colmado Delivery Boy or the Jardinero Ambulante (Mobile Gardener). What about the cocotero that offers you coconut water in the middle of the traffic jam and peddlers of other goods and articles?
Think about the Colmado Delivery. That's what I call quality of life. Do you know what it is to be in your home, already with comfy clothes and not wanting to get out for any reason when you realize that there's no water to drink, that there's no bread, that you've ran out of toilet paper? Imagine: you'd have to put some clothes on, get in the car and head off to somewhere under the risk of being shot or that they assault you or both? Colmado Delivery is a very representative figure about how life is in the DR.
P.S.: It's nice living here and not nice at the same time. I have to acknowledge Dino Bonao (blogworkorange.blogspot.com) for opening my eyes regarding the Colmado Delivery.
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