My situation is a little different because I visit the DR four to five times a year conducting business since 2008. My first trip was in 2006. Each visit is basically two, sometimes three weeks, then I return home. My last trip was the longest - three months. This was obviously the longest of my visits and the only things that perturbed me were the barking dogs and the incessant noise of motoconchos.
It's not like the dogs weren't barking all along or the motoconchos weren't plying their trade : maybe I was too busy to notice them on my short trips. However, I was cognizant of these inconveniences on the three month stint.
My personality is that of an individual who tries to think positive and often dons a smile. I told myself that the dogs were like a symphonic orchestra of hounds bellowing an incoherent cadenza from nightfall till dawn. The only time the orchestra was interrupted was due to rain. Of course before I went to bed I prayed for rain; a lot of rain!
.
The conchos and the men scouring for junk items - sorry I forgot to mention about these men previously. They both were bothersome : I just learned and adapted to this noise intrusion. What I did was to inject a jazz or blues cd into the player and turned it up loud. This did the trick and I was oblivious to all the happenings in the street.
Everyone has their idea of what comfort is. What is comfortable to some, is a challenge, or even burdensome, for others. We make sacrifices for family, friends, relationships, job, vacation, school, church, etc.
To vent, I guess, is normal and healthy. To praise, is also healthy. If one could find that equilibrium, I believe life could be a little more improved.
I happen to like the DR despite obvious shortcomings. I've surrounded myself with a few friends who have enriched my knowledge of the country and it's lifestyle. My view isn't that of a tourist because I believe that I have surpassed that threshold some years ago. I, sometimes, read the constant complains and wonder if I'm living on the same island.
Everyone's experience is different, and individually, we bring certain determinant factors into the equation which could influence either positively, or negatively a perceived or real situation.
Don't worry, be happy!
