Mid aged Gringos in Sousu

Broward said:

Whats the attraction in Sosua?

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Yes that's a question I've asked a few times as well :laugh: If you're asking residents (I'm one but not in Sosua) most residents have their own lives, their own circle of friends, their own favourite restaurants etc and life doesn't necessarily revolve around tourist bars in the 'town' itself. Most residents probably live slightly outside of the town - there are quite a few residential developments the other side of the highway and on the way to Cabarete.

By asking this question, I take it you have not been here very long. Are you living here or just visiting? Also do you have your own transportation? In order to see what the area offers other then puta buffet, one can travel not far outside of Sosua in the evening to enjoy the Dominican way of social life. Also, there are a few Sosua bars that mainly cater to expats living here, IE: Jolly Rodgers, Checkpoint,and Britannia, to name a few. It really depends on what you are looking for!

Hang around enough, get to some of the local ex-pats and you find lota of things to do, fishing, casino nights, local card games, road trips, etc.etc.etc.

things to do

tell me more about local card games!

Sosua is many different things to different people.

If you're going to be around for awhile you have to discover your own niche. Rocky's is generally used as meeting place, a place to touch base and coordinate activities, not so much to hang out in all night, although there are the occasional parties etc.

You don't have to look too far to find a casino. Just follow the signs, or ask someone at Rocky's or any other bar.

Again, Sosua is only going to be what you make of it. It's small and manageable enough for me, and it has more to offer than night life and putas. In fact, my favorite part of the day is morning, when you actually hear yourself think.

I just walk around and clear my head, perhaps take a few photos or write. For others, there are plenty of divers around and diving spots, and plenty of golfers and golf courses within driving distance. There are people who frequent the beach, and those who stay by the pool.

There are many possibilities, but don't expect to be spoon fed, you will have to make an effort. If you can't find something that interests you, you aren't serious about finding it.

catcherintherye said:

There are many possibilities, but don't expect to be spoon fed, you will have to make an effort. If you can't find something that interests you, you aren't serious about finding it.

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Excellent point and leads me on to suggest that displaying winsome characteristics also helps . 'Winsome' will vary depending on the eye of the beholder of course. For example, I tend to reach out to new expats when I get a sense that they really want to help out here in the DR. I'm not rude to those who don't (honest! :cheeky but if it is a question of devoting time to people, there are only so many hours in the day. I'll fall over backwards to help someone who is helping others - that's my 'selection criteria', if you like & yes I'm being brutally honest. So, one way of meeting other expats is to get involved in a helping activity and social friendships often stem from a mutual interest. In fact some of the nicest people are so busy doing things that you would hardly ever bump into them in the watering holes.

Lambada said:

most residents have their own lives, their own circle of friends, their own favourite restaurants etc and life doesn't necessarily revolve around tourist bars in the 'town' itself. Most residents probably live slightly outside of the town

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Your 100% correct Lambada.

I'm a mid age gringo....

who will be on the north coast again this fall, and I very much want to see the "real" sosua, cabarete, etc. We would love to meet other expats who have lived there a while, but we would also love to see the "real" DR. How does one go about that? The only plan I have so far is to meet with the folks at Children International in Santiago at which time I will be able to meet the child I plan to sponsor and possibly visit with that child's family. Any other ideas? We met a few expats on our last visit....one has a boat in POP and has offered to let us rent it during our time there, and the other is a physician at one of the resorts in Sosua. Also, I would love to know more about card games! We love playing Texas Hold 'Em and would prefer to play in private games instead of at a casino. Any more info on that would be appreciated.

sparky11867 said:

who will be on the north coast again this fall, and I very much want to see the "real" sosua, cabarete, etc. We would love to meet other expats who have lived there a while, but we would also love to see the "real" DR. How does one go about that? The only plan I have so far is to meet with the folks at Children International in Santiago at which time I will be able to meet the child I plan to sponsor and possibly visit with that child's family. Any other ideas? We met a few expats on our last visit....one has a boat in POP and has offered to let us rent it during our time there, and the other is a physician at one of the resorts in Sosua. Also, I would love to know more about card games! We love playing Texas Hold 'Em and would prefer to play in private games instead of at a casino. Any more info on that would be appreciated.

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"Real Sosua" is nothing but quiet, relaxed, stress-free everyday life. You won`t be able to get in in a week stay here. You need to live. At least six-seven months a year, for several years.

"Real Sosua" is not like Louvre in Paris, or Prado in Madrid or Coliseum in Rome. Nobody can "show" it to you. It is a very different mentality.

I like AK74's explanation, but I would be a little more conservstive on the time frame. It might take a little less time than AK74 believes, but it certainly is the entire experience that defines Sosua.

Also, I think different people would walk away from Sosua with different feelings about the place. It is a personal interpretation of the experience, which varies depending upon the perspective of those doing the experiencing.