- Thread starter melphis
- Start date
2018 Semana Santa Death Pool
gre:
I was away last week and the beginning of this week. No driving on my moto during that time. Came home, didn't go anywhere, same the next day as it rained. Finally went out yesterday, the dogs were most concerned about where there next meal was coming from so they pretty much insisted I deal with that pronto.
Maybe it's just my perception being off a bit from not driving for a week but it seemed to me that the level of idiocy on the roads was a little elevated. Could be from the excitement of people getting off work early for the holidays. With nothing much to do I figured I watch for the carnage. As with auto racing season, Samana Santa is as good a time as any to catch a decent crash if that floats your boat. I figure I am in a prime location. In front of my place is a relatively long straight stretch of hwy 5 with a good bend at each end. This section is conducive for excessive speeds, passing on corners, creating extra lanes of traffic and of course stopping in the middle of the road just for the hell of it.
Every time I lean against the gate post to wait for the carnage to begin, the honking starts. I am convinced many drivers think me to be asleep and if they don't startle me into wakefulness, I am liable to sleepwalk in front of them at the most inopportune time. Those that don't honk, pull over and stop, expecting me to either climb aboard or get lost. Apparently, a gringo standing anywhere near a roadway is a clear indication that said gringo needs to be transported somewhere else usually at a cost.
I absolutely love the display of civic duty by the 2-up PN on their motos. Without fail they all turn around and come over to wish me a good day, ensure I am not suffering from heat stroke and offer to lighten my load by a few hundred pesos. I am not entirely sure what gives these public servants the impression I am worthy of their attention seeing as when you need them (not that that happens very often) they are nowhere to be found. Oh well, I smile and tell them I appreciate the good work they are doing and ask if they would mind going to the store up the road to get me a cerveza fria. At about this point, they usually get a call about a gringo in distress elsewhere and are off to demonstrate more Dominican goodwill.
It's amazing how much commotion a single gringo can cause just by hanging out at the side of a road scratching their a$$. I think later today I am going to up my game a little bit and wear socks with my sandals. I am determined to inch the numbers closer to my selected guess. If this doesn't produce the desired results, on Saturday I'll be naked - I'll have to be careful. I could very well bring about a result that exceeds my guess quite quickly if I do not pay close attention.
Maybe it's just my perception being off a bit from not driving for a week but it seemed to me that the level of idiocy on the roads was a little elevated. Could be from the excitement of people getting off work early for the holidays. With nothing much to do I figured I watch for the carnage. As with auto racing season, Samana Santa is as good a time as any to catch a decent crash if that floats your boat. I figure I am in a prime location. In front of my place is a relatively long straight stretch of hwy 5 with a good bend at each end. This section is conducive for excessive speeds, passing on corners, creating extra lanes of traffic and of course stopping in the middle of the road just for the hell of it.
Every time I lean against the gate post to wait for the carnage to begin, the honking starts. I am convinced many drivers think me to be asleep and if they don't startle me into wakefulness, I am liable to sleepwalk in front of them at the most inopportune time. Those that don't honk, pull over and stop, expecting me to either climb aboard or get lost. Apparently, a gringo standing anywhere near a roadway is a clear indication that said gringo needs to be transported somewhere else usually at a cost.
I absolutely love the display of civic duty by the 2-up PN on their motos. Without fail they all turn around and come over to wish me a good day, ensure I am not suffering from heat stroke and offer to lighten my load by a few hundred pesos. I am not entirely sure what gives these public servants the impression I am worthy of their attention seeing as when you need them (not that that happens very often) they are nowhere to be found. Oh well, I smile and tell them I appreciate the good work they are doing and ask if they would mind going to the store up the road to get me a cerveza fria. At about this point, they usually get a call about a gringo in distress elsewhere and are off to demonstrate more Dominican goodwill.
It's amazing how much commotion a single gringo can cause just by hanging out at the side of a road scratching their a$$. I think later today I am going to up my game a little bit and wear socks with my sandals. I am determined to inch the numbers closer to my selected guess. If this doesn't produce the desired results, on Saturday I'll be naked - I'll have to be careful. I could very well bring about a result that exceeds my guess quite quickly if I do not pay close attention.
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Very sad!
since you guys start it lets start betting in how many kids are going to die in the next school shooting.
since you guys start it lets start betting in how many kids are going to die in the next school shooting.
Too hard to guess that one because there are too many variables. At least with vehicle grill drills, the laws of physics are fairly consistent with predicable outcomes.
I have buried several friends lately due to highway accidents; the pain is still there. Everytime I pass by my friends empty house I get a lump in my throat... yes all avoidable and most just plain neglegence.
The more drinking and drug use the higher the accident statistics.
Call me a 'Woos'' but I cannot in all conscience bet on a number.
Here in N.S. we have our own trials with highway deaths and recently a good friend fell asleep and totaled his car... he also attended his own funeral!
You all have a happy Easter and I do hope one of the statics are not of your friends or Family.
My Esposa will not drive this week because it is too dangerous ; Thank God, I can put that one to rest.
My hope is ''0''.
Russell
The more drinking and drug use the higher the accident statistics.
Call me a 'Woos'' but I cannot in all conscience bet on a number.
Here in N.S. we have our own trials with highway deaths and recently a good friend fell asleep and totaled his car... he also attended his own funeral!
You all have a happy Easter and I do hope one of the statics are not of your friends or Family.
My Esposa will not drive this week because it is too dangerous ; Thank God, I can put that one to rest.
My hope is ''0''.
Russell
Condolences for your recent losses Russell. I choose to see the yearly pool not as a ghoulish side game but as a way to remind people that driving is one of the most dangerous things you routinely choose to do. It is especially important to regularly point out that this country consistently ranks high on the list of the most dangerous countries in which to drive. Even more so around national holidays.
In the end, the pool is just food for thought and a chance to reflect on those who gambled and lost.
In the end, the pool is just food for thought and a chance to reflect on those who gambled and lost.
Me thinks standing on the side of the road, here, at this time, begs to become a statistic on dr1........
Now I have to modify my bet from 98 642 to 98 643.....
I wish for world peace, no deaths, and billions of dollars. Not much chance any of that will happen either.
the results are in: 30.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-permitidos-y-13-en-zonas-vedadas-XB9535101
of course diario libre counted 39, just to show how crooked official statistics are:
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...s-39-muertes-en-cifras-preliminares-MC9532349
this year, no poster got the number right. better luck next time.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...os-permitidos-y-13-en-zonas-vedadas-XB9535101
of course diario libre counted 39, just to show how crooked official statistics are:
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...s-39-muertes-en-cifras-preliminares-MC9532349
this year, no poster got the number right. better luck next time.