As I posted in an earlier reply . . .
And an inconvenience for residents and tourists alike.
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A lot of businesses closed in Sosua
As I posted in an earlier reply . . .
And an inconvenience for residents and tourists alike.
Sosua is what Sosua is. To different people it may be perceived to be different from their perspective than mine. There is nothing in town for me most of the time. I do not do the night life very often, maybe once every couple of months. I am quite content to sit in mi casa and pickle my liver next to my pool that is not filled with rabble-rousers. This way I do not have to contend with the possibility of losing my beer when I go to the bathroom, losing my wallet at anytime, trip over an uneven sidewalk and require stitches.
I maintain a small group of social acquaintances (aka friends) who have demonstrated a minimal level of humanity over time and I ignore the rest. Sosua as a cultural interest, is not for me. The majority of restaurants don't compel me to visit very often and beer in the end is cheaper by the case than by the bottle at a bar. I live on an island but an not an island unto myself so sometimes, need I to socialize and converse face to face.
I am not the least bit interested in the local wildlife. Their attentions are sometimes flattering if I don't over analyse the encounter but for the most part are just an interruption to whatever conversation I am engaged in at the time. It is not super easy to live in Sosua in part due to the lack of goods and services which I need from time to time, but is certainly better than say Gaspar Hernandez (not a poke at Harley) or Rio San Juan. Some may prefer those places and thrive there. I'm not sure I would.
In Sosua I can find accommodation of a size and quality that I prefer for what I am prepared to spend. I am close to the airport and thus far have not had to pay far too much for far too little car. I can make Sosua work as it is today and assume that I can make it work in the future if it stays the same or transforms. I may have to adapt and I am prepared to do so as long I can maintain my lifestyle in relative comfort and with a reasonably degree of security. The latter is in large part dependent on the choices I make. In Sosua these choices are rarely in conflict with my priorities, wants and wishes.
Most of my stresses are a country wide phenomenon and not unique to Sosua. In the end, Sosua meets my needs. I am sure many other places could too. Up to now, I haven't been forced to look for those other places. I remain flexible and ever conscience of the fact that I may not be able to control much in my environment, but I can control which environment I place myself in.
I wouldn't say "critical". Most of us here on DR1 are just questioning if this is a business model that will work. I think every one wishes them luck - I know I do.
As you pointed out, the "not quite done style" is evident everywhere in this country and has everything to do with the style of the people who are unable to follow through for whatever reason. Sosua and Cabarete have had that not quite done feel since I moved here in 2003.
I would also not use the word critical. In my case it is more like questioning the sanity of building a resort for adventurous and athletic people in that particular location. I also wish them the success.
I would find that hard to believe its a reno, as you know Timo, it was renovated about 3/4 of a year ago.
Critical or Questioning . . . Just Semantics . . .
CRITICAL??? . . . QUESTIONING???
I guess it's a matter of semantics, I'm still going with critical, despite the "wish them well" sentiments which I'm sure are sincere.
CRITICAL??? . . . QUESTIONING???
I guess it's a matter of semantics, I'm still going with critical, despite the "wish them well" sentiments which I'm sure are sincere.
I suppose I was being facetious with questioning the sanity of such a venture not being critical.
OK, it was critical. I do wish them well.
Believe me, I was also questioning (critical?) in my original assessment of the project and expressed those sentiments in no uncertain terms to the owner. My "knee-jerk" reaction was naturally skeptical. However, after getting to know the owner, his abilities (including resources and contacts) and how he is very successfully running his current businesses here in Sos?a and elsewhere, I am very optimistic.
Even though I initially questioned certain aspects of the proposed plan, I certainly wasn't critical in the condescending sense that so many here seem to be, obviously excluding you and several others.
Regardless if the project fails miserably or is an overwhelming success, it will probably be more beneficial to Sos?a than just leaving those nine plus buildings sitting there rotting. Only time will tell. And yes, I too, wish them much success!
An interesting conversation.
For the Powers That Be, Sosua must be both an exciting and utterly frustrating conundrum. "Exciting" because there are a few businesses that do well based on the status quo. That's an awful lot of Presidentes being consumed by the Weekend Warriors, after all.
"Frustrated" because so long as the short term model (which has been in place for decades, mind you) remains, there's no chance to go for the higher end consumer.
I imagine they sometimes look down the road at Playa Grande, which has an inferior beach and a tiny, could-be-anywhere town, where they see Aman cleaning up and mansion-fortresses constantly rented out. Then they look the other way towards Puerto Plata, and see the latest cruise ship docking at "Amber Cove"/Maimon and ask themselves, "what are we doing wrong?"
After all, Sosua has wonderful beaches in a beautiful bay, all of which is protected by a reef. It features bluffs and greenery everywhere. And it's surrounded by an actual town, not just business fronts for overpriced trinkets and t-shirts.
With the proper demolition and investment, it really could be something special. Not St. Barts, but not the Mongering Capital of the Caribbean, either. Problem is, how do you convince someone who is making 100 bucks today that he could make 1000 in two years, if they're willing to sacrifice and take out some reno loans?
It doesn't work in the US (where long term investing increasingly means "no more than two calendar quarters," would be surprised if it picked up in Sosua.
There's a big difference between knowing something needs to get done, and having the financial and political will and wherewithall to get it done.
For the Powers That Be, Sosua must be both an exciting and utterly frustrating conundrum. "Exciting" because there are a few businesses that do well based on the status quo. That's an awful lot of Presidentes being consumed by the Weekend Warriors, after all.
"Frustrated" because so long as the short term model (which has been in place for decades, mind you) remains, there's no chance to go for the higher end consumer.
I imagine they sometimes look down the road at Playa Grande, which has an inferior beach and a tiny, could-be-anywhere town, where they see Aman cleaning up and mansion-fortresses constantly rented out. Then they look the other way towards Puerto Plata, and see the latest cruise ship docking at "Amber Cove"/Maimon and ask themselves, "what are we doing wrong?"
After all, Sosua has wonderful beaches in a beautiful bay, all of which is protected by a reef. It features bluffs and greenery everywhere. And it's surrounded by an actual town, not just business fronts for overpriced trinkets and t-shirts.
With the proper demolition and investment, it really could be something special. Not St. Barts, but not the Mongering Capital of the Caribbean, either. Problem is, how do you convince someone who is making 100 bucks today that he could make 1000 in two years, if they're willing to sacrifice and take out some reno loans?
It doesn't work in the US (where long term investing increasingly means "no more than two calendar quarters," would be surprised if it picked up in Sosua.
There's a big difference between knowing something needs to get done, and having the financial and political will and wherewithall to get it done.
All you have to do is get rid of Sosua and you could have your string of AI's and high end hotels. And become just like everywhere else. But to do that you have to buy out the existing businesses and small landowners, or drive them into the ground.
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New sucker.....mmmm I mean owner.
On a separate note, the Sushi place (Yakasomething) next to New York pizza is now closed due to the decline of Sosua. Also for sale or rent is the Lazy Dog location on the corner. Rumour on the street is Rumba will be knocked down and land will be sold.
Yamazato - Sushi lovers will have to head to their place in Cabarete in Ocean Dream Plaza. Likewise with people who want to go to the Lazy Dog which is on Cabarete Beach.
Gentrification as the result of urban renewal - Gentrificaci?n como resultado de la renovaci?n urbana
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