coming to DR after 18 years... HELP!

I understand why you would be nervous about going back......

but what part of the country will you be going to? ?

.....but fine jewelry I wouldnt wear in public, it also depends where you are visiting, is it a barrio, or will you be visiting better off folks where you will be driven around? If you are going to be driving yourself or be in open public places don't wear jewlery, I never do.

shorts and carribean clothes only for the beach and pool.

For other events you should dress neatly and appropriate for the ocassion.

Most young women in the DR wear jeans and a tank top, no shorts for everyday activities but of course skirts and dresses are appropriate.

I hope someone from San Francisco comes on and helps you with this, I am from the otherside of the country not familiar with your area.

One thing I tell you is be prepare to pay when you go out with family and friends.

M.A.R. said:

One thing I tell you is be prepare to pay when you go out with family and friends.

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Maybe not, there is a lot of money in SFM, and for some strange reason many speak English!

YoYa said:

about the fine jewelry i would much rather not take, but you know how some people are, they feel i have to come and "show all my success",
maybe i will leave the jewelry at home when i go out.

thanks again!

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Welcome to DR1 and welcome home for Christmas!

I've been living in Puerto Plata since the year after you left San Francisco and yes there have been huge changes and amounts of building/developments in some parts of the north coast during that time. I don't know about your particular barrio in SFM but one of the changes which has impacted is the advent of drugs, sadly. There were NONE on the street back in 1990 when I first visited and none when I moved here in 1992 and now...........they are common. So inevitably there is crime as a result (both turf wars between puntos and users needing to steal to get their next fix). I would strongly suggest you leave the expensive jewellery back in the US or wherever you are travelling from. It is Xmas & crime rate goes up around this time, as you know.

Just because the family wants to show you off, doesn't mean you have to collude with their wish to show your possessions off. You could explain that you're concerned about their safety too. It might be thought that if you brought the jewellery with you, you would be leaving it behind and that could put the family at risk of a robbery after you have left.

If this is your first time driving here for 18 years, we now have transport police called AMET - don't think they were so much in evidence 18 years ago, if they existed at all then. Have copies of your driving licence and don't hand the original over if pulled over. Some AMET are ok & others can be.........autocratic . Of course you have the benefit of being able to conduct the whole conversation in fluent English whilst understanding what they're saying in Spanish without necessarily letting on that you speak a word of Spanish. It can work to your advantage. Just don't let other family members blow it for you :cheeky:.

Have a wonderful Xmas!

Maybe you shouldn't drive yourself, do rent the car but have a relative or someone you trust, drive you.

Good advice, you must have a family member or friend of the family to drive you! Just make sure they are on the rental contract as authorized drivers or your insurance will NOT cover you.

Enjoy your visit.

I think I would have played down the success story before arriving, one doesnt want to pay for everything does one.

YoYa said:

LOL LOL i havent said anything to them about "success", they just "assume" because I was adopted and live in dusseldort so even if i play it down, i know i will be paying

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Yeah but don't spoil them, que no abusen.

YoYa said:

pobrecitos! i understand, i remember how it was. everyone begging for clothes, asking for money, etc. i dont know if things are still like that. i am only going by what i remember as a child. i am not going to treat a whole bunch of perfect strangers... just a few family members.

there may be some upset people but hey, i am no santa claus!

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you seem to have it all together, have fun. also pay attention to princess about the car rental, and having the other driver on the rental contract!

YoYa said:

and live in dusseldort

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Even better! You can knock AMET's socks off in German. Much more effective than English for being totally not understood (other than in tourist areas). Make it as guttural as possible if you're wanting to impress as a foreigner.

And do get some videos..............