Yes, it's me. Was debating between UK, Spain and DR.
I chose DR in the end because I thought there would be opportunities for both of us here.
My husband could go back to beign a professional instead of aspiring to beign a second class citizen in Europe. His highest aspirations without speaking good English would have been to be a cleaner at the airport or the likes, after a year or kitchen porter, waiter and packer.
My best aspirations would have been to climb the corporate ladder once again. Not very enticing.
Staying in Europe would have kept me in the main bread winner role. And it kind of sucks.
DR will offer equal opportunities to us both. And maybe I might even aspire to be a local celebrity (wishful thinking).
But yes, the lack of welfare is overwhelming. Even though we came knowing the ins and outs of this country. I am pretty much down to the fact that we live in a **** hole and I just get on with it. But my husband having experienced how a real country can be, is even more disgusted at beign back.
I really would like to know the positives; please tell me what you enjoy about the country, because I have been here for a month and still haven't been able to make a trip to the beach. Caribbean Paradise my arse! This is hell on Earth. Counting my chelitos so we can make a trip to Boca Chica at least once a month. It is sad.
I have read on other threads about how to eat cheaply, and it's so true. The diet is crap, but if you are on a budget it has to be done. Pl?tanos, rice and beans and very low quality meat, for breakkies, lunch and supper. Soda biscuits for in between.
Now I really do understand when my husband insisted he preferred to stay in Spain even if he would never get a job, than come back here. I though he was exagerating or being extremely negative. But no, he was quite literal.
And I am in that process of doubting my decisions: i ruined our lives! OMG. But then I get out my bottle of rum and I relax for about 5 minutes. Drinking is the only way this country is tolerable, I get the whole colamd?n thing now.
We are in Este because the family lives in this area and the brother in law has the only car in the family. But we will move as soon as we have a job somewhere. Or I could pack it all in and go to the UK by September....
To answer about Spain...yes, our life was comfy there. Basically lived on the same budget we will on here but we had excellent public schools, health system, public transport, safety....and one could go on lovely walks in the street and have a beer. Beer here is soooo expensive! geez. But there weren't any opportunities. So we forfeited all the luxuries of a first world socialist country for this crappy hell hole which might offer us the chance of earning money.
Yup, it sounds crazy. I am courageous, yes...and probably not very smart, and very likely a little off my rocker, and incredibly senseless.
Damm....need a shot of rum....luckily all the windows have hierros and I cannot jump....hold on...i can go up to the roof!
Bottoms up!