Finally slept a full night in my own bed after being lost in "the Zone" for the past five days.
Rolled in on Friday afternoon to Hotel Mercure, no problems with the internet booking I'd made; and the front desk was more than accomodating to adding my DR galpal to the res so she could enjoy her stay as well....without questions or stopping to leave ID. (We made a copy that the hotel attached to my papers, she was a registered guest and treated as such....the hotel knows "the difference".)
Hit Mason de Bari for an excellent meal (thanks to the DR1s for all your suggestions) and then walked the streets for a while.
I was in town on business, so my days were pretty well booked with meetings. The hotel Mercure proved to be a fine location to meet for coffee and talk. The hotel and restaurant staff were on target with every request I made.
Many times I walked away from my streetside table/office without paying only to return later to find my waiter and settle my bill....and TIP them for the service. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. As I've said in many posts, that is my MO in the DR and it did not fail me this time.
As a matter of fact, the hotel staff iced the cooler full of bottled water and Presidentes I kept in my room (the mini bar is a tease, needs more beer...), they hunted me down to make sure I got my phone calls when I was on the property, and dare I say, while the room was small...it was spotless.......$63 a night including taxes and a solid breakfast buffet for two, everyday.
Visited Mason de Luis right across the street from Mercure and the owners son remembered me from a previous trip (he loves his Tio Pyratt) My GP and I were treated to a great dinner and the following day an excellent lunch there. (Mero frito....lo mejor!)
Spent two afternoons walking and photographing the ZC, and relaxing at the Cafeteria on Conde. I was well received there by Alfonso who also remembered me from my previous adventures and as well, he shared time telling stories of how he fared with DEAN and the rains...
My GP and I treated clients to TWO great meals in La Atarazana, one at Angelinas(?) a pizza place and another at Meson La Quintana. The latter proved to be too much food to eat and very affordably priced (for those who are budget minded-affordable is under $60US for two including drinks and a tip) She had the Meson waitress box up the leftovers with plastic forks and extra bread and asked me to give the meal to someone on the street we knew who was looking for one.....her kindness sealed a deal on a nice contract for me....
The following evening we did "sushi" at a place that offered two for one drinks....which proved to be my undoing....Mi DR mami no les gusta la pyratta cuando el tome mucho Brugal....ja ja ja
The hotel had free entertainment, an impromptu comedy show made up of a cast of "characters"......... "gringos" haggling as they tried to make "love connections" early in the evenings with ladies far beyond their league.
In one instance, we witnessed a lady show up with an overnight bag, apparantly on a pre-booked date....she left because her date would not pay the agreed rate. (El cheapo gringo) Later that night, the same guy found love again, yet was waylaid trying to convince the night clerk and hotel security to allow him to bring in the hood rat who had a "copy of her cedula".....ah yes, LOVE Dominican Style.
It was wonderful to see my friends, and make the biz connections I've been working so hard to establish....and to realize that my mantra of treating people how I like to be treated works....even in the DR.....I'll be back again soon.....long before I run out of coffee.......I brought back 10 pounds with me this time!
Rolled in on Friday afternoon to Hotel Mercure, no problems with the internet booking I'd made; and the front desk was more than accomodating to adding my DR galpal to the res so she could enjoy her stay as well....without questions or stopping to leave ID. (We made a copy that the hotel attached to my papers, she was a registered guest and treated as such....the hotel knows "the difference".)
Hit Mason de Bari for an excellent meal (thanks to the DR1s for all your suggestions) and then walked the streets for a while.
I was in town on business, so my days were pretty well booked with meetings. The hotel Mercure proved to be a fine location to meet for coffee and talk. The hotel and restaurant staff were on target with every request I made.
Many times I walked away from my streetside table/office without paying only to return later to find my waiter and settle my bill....and TIP them for the service. NO QUESTIONS ASKED. As I've said in many posts, that is my MO in the DR and it did not fail me this time.
As a matter of fact, the hotel staff iced the cooler full of bottled water and Presidentes I kept in my room (the mini bar is a tease, needs more beer...), they hunted me down to make sure I got my phone calls when I was on the property, and dare I say, while the room was small...it was spotless.......$63 a night including taxes and a solid breakfast buffet for two, everyday.
Visited Mason de Luis right across the street from Mercure and the owners son remembered me from a previous trip (he loves his Tio Pyratt) My GP and I were treated to a great dinner and the following day an excellent lunch there. (Mero frito....lo mejor!)
Spent two afternoons walking and photographing the ZC, and relaxing at the Cafeteria on Conde. I was well received there by Alfonso who also remembered me from my previous adventures and as well, he shared time telling stories of how he fared with DEAN and the rains...
My GP and I treated clients to TWO great meals in La Atarazana, one at Angelinas(?) a pizza place and another at Meson La Quintana. The latter proved to be too much food to eat and very affordably priced (for those who are budget minded-affordable is under $60US for two including drinks and a tip) She had the Meson waitress box up the leftovers with plastic forks and extra bread and asked me to give the meal to someone on the street we knew who was looking for one.....her kindness sealed a deal on a nice contract for me....
The following evening we did "sushi" at a place that offered two for one drinks....which proved to be my undoing....Mi DR mami no les gusta la pyratta cuando el tome mucho Brugal....ja ja ja
The hotel had free entertainment, an impromptu comedy show made up of a cast of "characters"......... "gringos" haggling as they tried to make "love connections" early in the evenings with ladies far beyond their league.
In one instance, we witnessed a lady show up with an overnight bag, apparantly on a pre-booked date....she left because her date would not pay the agreed rate. (El cheapo gringo) Later that night, the same guy found love again, yet was waylaid trying to convince the night clerk and hotel security to allow him to bring in the hood rat who had a "copy of her cedula".....ah yes, LOVE Dominican Style.
It was wonderful to see my friends, and make the biz connections I've been working so hard to establish....and to realize that my mantra of treating people how I like to be treated works....even in the DR.....I'll be back again soon.....long before I run out of coffee.......I brought back 10 pounds with me this time!