Onions/Carrots said:
I want to emphasize this part of your post. I wish there were a Republica del Cibao. The only thing we have in common with those capitalenos are the displaced cibaenos living there due to economic difficulties. The East, well we have nothing to do with them. They might as well annex themselves to Zimbabwe or Uganda. Personally, the East is an embarrassment to myself. It always comes out in the news. What a humiliation!
Not just that, but MOST of the tourist visit the EAST and then judge the entire country by what they see there!
Heck, not even the Puerto Plata coast resembles the real DR (ie. Cibao valley) although it does a much better job than either Juan Dolio, Bayahibe, and certainly better than plastic Punta Cana.
But, once you see how disgusting the effect of mass tourism has been in some towns in those regions, it's better to leave the Cibao with little to no tourist!
You are not the only one dreaming of a Republica del Cibao. The capital has never liked the Cibao too much anyway. Can you believe that the only reason Santiago has an international airport was because Santiago business leaders cooperated into creating one? Santiago had been asking for an appropriate airport for decades and did Santo Domingo comply? Nope!
Oh, but Puerto Plata got one courtesy of the capital.... the biggest insult to the Cibao!
60% of all Dominicans live in the Cibao and half the economy of the country is in the Cibao as well. The DR can't survive without the Cibao, but the Cibao can survive without the rest of the country.
Think about it, the Cibao has the Puerto Plata port and the old Sanchez port. Two airports (POP and STI). A manufacturing base, an extensive agricultural base, and a growing service sector. It has a clear identity, food, music, etc. Santiago serves as the commercial entrepot for the entire northern part of the country, with every comfort available for those who can afford it. The towns are relatively pleasant and prosperous with lots of businesses and a middle class.
What do we need the rest of the county for? He he he
Actually, I like the capital. It's an exciting city, but the rest of the south and east I could care less.
My heart belongs in the Cibao.
-NALs