I know that Jeepetas are a big deal for Dominicans but I never realized just how big.
To start with for those of you who don?t know, a Jeepetta is an SUV. (probably should be spelled ?Yipeta? but I have Jeepeta in my mind and since I don?t consider it a real word I?ll spell it my way, thank you very much.)
Also for those of you who didn?t know (I didn?t) having a Jeepeta is both a very strong status symbol as well as an apparently huge economic milestone for Dominicans as apparently being that much higher up in the drivers seat of a large vehicle symbolizes ?rising above? their former economic difficulties while at the same time allowing them to look down their noses at their fellow countrymen. (Except the ones in bigger Jeepetas)
The impact on our lives is as follows:
My wife as never seemed very appreciative of anything I do for her but in this case she was literally moved to tears. (for several days)
Her family is more excited about this than they are about her pregnancy.
Friends from all over the country have called to congratulate her.
JUST ABOUT EVERY DOMINICAN I KNOW HAS ASKED ME FOR A LOAN.
I swear, it has been about a week and just about 1 person per day has come up and asked to borrow money from me.
What the hell is wrong with people that they see you just spent a huge wad of cash and think ?wow, that guy must have a lot of money, I better ask him for some? instead of ?wow that guy just spent a huge wad of money, I guess its too late to ask him for some?.
If these the same people see robbers fleeing form a bank do they say, ?Ooh! Let?s rob THAT place RIGHT NOW!?
What an insane country.
To start with for those of you who don?t know, a Jeepetta is an SUV. (probably should be spelled ?Yipeta? but I have Jeepeta in my mind and since I don?t consider it a real word I?ll spell it my way, thank you very much.)
Also for those of you who didn?t know (I didn?t) having a Jeepeta is both a very strong status symbol as well as an apparently huge economic milestone for Dominicans as apparently being that much higher up in the drivers seat of a large vehicle symbolizes ?rising above? their former economic difficulties while at the same time allowing them to look down their noses at their fellow countrymen. (Except the ones in bigger Jeepetas)
The impact on our lives is as follows:
My wife as never seemed very appreciative of anything I do for her but in this case she was literally moved to tears. (for several days)
Her family is more excited about this than they are about her pregnancy.
Friends from all over the country have called to congratulate her.
JUST ABOUT EVERY DOMINICAN I KNOW HAS ASKED ME FOR A LOAN.
I swear, it has been about a week and just about 1 person per day has come up and asked to borrow money from me.
What the hell is wrong with people that they see you just spent a huge wad of cash and think ?wow, that guy must have a lot of money, I better ask him for some? instead of ?wow that guy just spent a huge wad of money, I guess its too late to ask him for some?.
If these the same people see robbers fleeing form a bank do they say, ?Ooh! Let?s rob THAT place RIGHT NOW!?
What an insane country.