So, there I was minding my own business driving from the capital to Puerto Plata on Friday night. A police search stopped me about 10pm outside of SD. Usual questions about pistols etc.. OK...for those here long enough, we all know what this is about, this time of year.
The Gun
I opened the glove box and gave him the gun which was separated from the magazine as per the 'rules'. He checked over my licences which also allow me to carry and then said that it was illegal to carry bullets in the cartridges and asked me to hold out my hand. He slowly and deliberately emptied the cartridge in my hand and put the pistol in his pocket and said I would have to go to the police station in the morning to collect it. Like bollocks would I.
The Car
Next my driving licence. I gave him my international license from the US. No valid here!!! Might have to take the car in as well until it could all be sorted out. So, I pulled out my DR Driving license and gave it to him. Next...registration. I pulled out the metricula and insurance.
At this point the Lt. looked very frustrated and still had my gun.
The Beer
Next point, the open bottle of beer between my legs. The bastard had me. Of course, the usual if I could help him out he may be able to help me blah, blah, blah. Of course, at this time of night, countless motorbikes are passing and swerving all of the place with bottles of brugal in their hand. Not to forget the 'tigre' vehicles with countless ladies in the front / back & top with cases of Presidente being shares out, all shouting word of encouragement.
Word of warning, if you don't want to pay a propina and are a foreigner. Make sure you are squeaky clean. It sounds bizarre, but Dominican friends quite happily pay all the time and pass over 100 or 200 pesos regularly, but I just can't bring myself to do it on the highway.
What has this country come to? Where no self-respecting citizen can take a leisurely drive without the worry of sipping a cold beer on a long, lonely highway. Time to start looking for another island?
The Gun
I opened the glove box and gave him the gun which was separated from the magazine as per the 'rules'. He checked over my licences which also allow me to carry and then said that it was illegal to carry bullets in the cartridges and asked me to hold out my hand. He slowly and deliberately emptied the cartridge in my hand and put the pistol in his pocket and said I would have to go to the police station in the morning to collect it. Like bollocks would I.
The Car
Next my driving licence. I gave him my international license from the US. No valid here!!! Might have to take the car in as well until it could all be sorted out. So, I pulled out my DR Driving license and gave it to him. Next...registration. I pulled out the metricula and insurance.
At this point the Lt. looked very frustrated and still had my gun.
The Beer
Next point, the open bottle of beer between my legs. The bastard had me. Of course, the usual if I could help him out he may be able to help me blah, blah, blah. Of course, at this time of night, countless motorbikes are passing and swerving all of the place with bottles of brugal in their hand. Not to forget the 'tigre' vehicles with countless ladies in the front / back & top with cases of Presidente being shares out, all shouting word of encouragement.
Word of warning, if you don't want to pay a propina and are a foreigner. Make sure you are squeaky clean. It sounds bizarre, but Dominican friends quite happily pay all the time and pass over 100 or 200 pesos regularly, but I just can't bring myself to do it on the highway.
What has this country come to? Where no self-respecting citizen can take a leisurely drive without the worry of sipping a cold beer on a long, lonely highway. Time to start looking for another island?