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CanadianGurl

New member
Mar 21, 2006
43
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Hey Everyone,

I have been reading this post and have even tried to search for the answers to these questions. I will be moving to SD for 7 weeks this summer. I have all the arrangments for living, working, and airport taken care of, here is what I am trying to figure out:

1.) I need to ship or bring some teaching materials in addition to my personal luggage. What is the most cost efficient way to do this, my materials need to get there for July 3rd.?

2.) In terms of personal belongings, is there anything that I might forget to bring that I should remember. I have read about contact solutions...medicines....sunscreens...all being expensive, is there any other personal items I need to bring.

3.) I am not sure about a telephone in my apartment yet. If there is not a phone line, what is the best way for me to establish a 7 week phone. I do have a "Canadian cell phone.

4.) I am in the process of training for a National running team. Therefore, I need to train everyday. I have read about the Olympic Center a bit, and have found a few ads for the Gold's Gym.
Does the public have access to the Olympic Center?
Does anyone know if there are "stability balls" in these facilities?
Does anyone know if you can purchase "Whey protein power?" If so is it expensive?
Is anyone aware of a "running club" or "track team" in SD"?

5.) What is the best way for me to deal with the money situation. Should I convert CDN to US and then when I get to DR convert to Pesos?

I know this is ALOT of questions, but I tried to be specific enough so hopefully someone will be able to answer some of them. Thank you so much for this forum, it has been my priority EVERYDAY since I made the travel decision. I am not sure if there is such a thing in other countries, but there should be. I even read this to my Canadian students (well some of it..hahahaa) just to educate them a bit on the DR culture.

Hope to hear from someone? soon.

Thank You

P.S. My hotmail (MSN contact) is t_daniels1330@hotmail.com, if this would be easier for anyone, I am online most of the day.
 

Ken

Platinum
Jan 1, 2002
13,884
495
83
Protein powder of various types is available in the DR. When you go to a gym, there will be people there who will recommend the best place to buy it.

You can pick up a cheap cell phone here from Orange or Verizon and use pay as you go cards like about 80% of the Dominicans do. Another possibility is to bring your own phone and see if you can get it set up to use here. If it is GSM, see Orange, if CDMA, see Verizon.

You get a better exchange rate for US$ than for Cdn$
 

CanadianGurl

New member
Mar 21, 2006
43
0
0
Thank you Ken...sorry Anna C, being new to this forum, I looked for posts in the last day and it didn't come up, so I didn't see it....
 

canadian bob

Bronze
Jan 16, 2002
641
0
0
91
Hi! We use our debit card to withdraw pesos. No prob. Bring US$ Travellers Checks for backup. Only change enough for a few days, or to get started.
Be sure to explain to your bank that you will be using your debit card in this manner. Also, keep the TC numbers completely secure/away from the T Checks. Good luck. Canadian Bob.
 

Chris

Gold
Oct 21, 2002
7,951
28
0
www.caribbetech.com
For shipping teaching materials, this is expensive. If you are on a budget, perhaps you can minimize this, or arrange with your airline to ship excess baggage.

Perhaps some of the Santo Domingo posters could help out with the questions about training and facilities.
 

CanadianGurl

New member
Mar 21, 2006
43
0
0
Hi,

Thanks so much for all of the replys, about the TC ..

Please bare with me...as this is really my first travel experience to a country other than US or Canada, ...so I am trying to make sense of everything from pesos........to toilet seats.

Ok...money,....how should I have my TC's made up here in Canada? For how much?.... I also have credit cards....would it be better for me to use them? I am bit concerned about using cards because a friend of mine just got home from PP, and used her credit card somewhere in the Caberete area, and she just got a statement which had three flight tickets booked within the DR on her card that were not hers. I am not sure how this is even possible, but whatever, it happened, and I'd like not to offer such trips to strangers if possible. However, I normally pay with my credit card for everything, and then it all comes on one bill...so this would be more convenient for me.

Thanks for your time
 

canadian bob

Bronze
Jan 16, 2002
641
0
0
91
Hi! get the American Express Trav. Checks in $100.00US denominations. These Checks are easy to change into Pesos in banks or Money exchange houses, NEVER on the "street". Read DR1 "Stickies" on life in the D Republic. Canadian Bob.