On of the advantages of Semana Santa is if you have to go a Medical clinic for a doctors appointment. Yesterday we had to go Union Medico in Santiago. Almost no waiting to see specialists or get tests done.
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how to survive semana santa
Agreed. SS is very different from US Independence Day celebrations. Same can be said of our July 01st Canada Day celebrations. Very low key compared to SS in the DR. My province was the last to join Canada in 1949. We became part of Canada on April Fools day.(seriously). We have mixed emotions pro and con on the day. I'm guessing the reason Canada Day is celebrated in a low key way is due to the mix of our population base. The majority of our population lack the passion of the DR residents. Its also hard to be passionate when your freezing your butt off for a large part of the year. LOL
I'm guessing it's a generational thing. The older generations still adhere to the religious aspects of Easter, Xmas, etc. The new generation is simply not interested. The only need their convenient faith for births, marriages, and deaths. Beyond that they don't fill the pews or the collection plates. Happening in a lot of countries, not just the DR.
Other values are falling by the wayside too. We were taught respect for people in uniform, elderly people,family members, the law, etc. Not as important to the new generation. The Young Offenders Act in Canada opened up a can of legal worms. Kids in school knew more about their rights then the school subjects. The education system changed as a result of it. No failures. Kids passed on from grade to grade to the point where they were semiliterate by the time they started university if they were lucky enough to get in.
Semana Santa---Holy Week----just and indication of where our world is headed. Grew up when religion and values meant something. Spring Break in the United States is the closest thing to Semana Santa however SPring break is students, young people partying till they drop....if you are over 25/30 you are not welcome on the beaches for Spring break and you stay away, here Semana Santa is a FAMILY adventure....young and old alike. Spent one day on the beach last Semana Santa on the Saturday...was actually calm as it was midday and everyone was just waking up from the earlier in the day celebrations.
We went on a family outing to the beach yesterday. They said they wanted to head back before 5 to avoid drunk drivers. Playa Macao. Nice beach, could use more vendors. Might work for kite boarders.
if your body is in need of a good clear-out, try the Dominican Easter delicacy. Habichuelas con dulce. Stewed beans mashed to a pulp, mixed with Carnation milk and loads of sugar. Add some little button sized cookies for something to chew on.
It's gross I tell you, but Dominicans love it. One spoonful and a few hours later you'll be generating enough natural gas to power a Santo Domingo taxi for a day.
Gimme a chocolate egg any day.
It's gross I tell you, but Dominicans love it. One spoonful and a few hours later you'll be generating enough natural gas to power a Santo Domingo taxi for a day.
Gimme a chocolate egg any day.
Do I know the holiday is over in Santo Domingo??? My Friday night, Saturday and up to now Sunday has been very peaceful indeed.
Yep the noise is back...and my ex campo neighbors are arguing at the top of their voices or perhaps at normal voice levels for the campo.
Need another business trip to Nevis and Barbuda!
Yep the noise is back...and my ex campo neighbors are arguing at the top of their voices or perhaps at normal voice levels for the campo.
Need another business trip to Nevis and Barbuda!
No longer in enforced professional contact with the public, I stayed at home from Thursday till tonight. Ate a lot of Rice Krispies and polenta. Because that was what was in the cupboard. Only ventured forth to walk the dog (who was traumatized by the "liveliness" on Pedro Clisante, but not for nothing is his nickname "Woofy Allen"). Easter week is a tough time for Jews, and once again, managed not to be raped by Cossacks. I'd call that a success.
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I was shocked this year. Santo Domingo was packed. Even on Good Friday most places were serving drinks. Two different placea told me that not as many people went to the campo this year. I still don't understand how most bars/restaurants served drinks all day on Good Friday. I thought it was a law.
Law, schmlaw. Where there's a will there's a way. My only issue is as a non-Christian, why does it apply to me? But then I remember that I am a guest by choice in this country, so however they work it, I comply. I loaded up the larder prior to the ban and did what I wanted (which was to drink wine on the holy Sabbath of my people---and then some) in the privacy of my own home. I would probably not be comf hitting a cooler at the back door of the colmado. And they would probably only have Carlo Rossi, anyway.
I enjoyed Semana Santa this year. Santo Domingo was empty, so getting around was a breeze, no traffic on Kennedy, yeah!!!
Went to a party on the beach in Boca one day, and Juan Dolio the next day. Only traffic problem was leaving late from the beach, still not too bad. Those small yellow speed bumps do work; I saw a car almost hit a guy walking into the highway who was drunk or just wasn't paying attention. If the car was going at a normal speed it would not have been able to slow down in time.
Went to a party on the beach in Boca one day, and Juan Dolio the next day. Only traffic problem was leaving late from the beach, still not too bad. Those small yellow speed bumps do work; I saw a car almost hit a guy walking into the highway who was drunk or just wasn't paying attention. If the car was going at a normal speed it would not have been able to slow down in time.
Traveled from SD to PC and was pleasantly surprised how organized the volunteers and authorities were.
Roads well patrolled by AMET and MOPC.
Toll booths had volunteers handing out insect repellent, list of emergency contact numbers and first aid kits.
Macao beach with life guards and plenty of police, even the General in charge of the emergency services with patrolling the beach in uniform.
My hats off to all of them, not having been in DR for semana santa in decades, a lot has changed.
My two cents...
Roads well patrolled by AMET and MOPC.
Toll booths had volunteers handing out insect repellent, list of emergency contact numbers and first aid kits.
Macao beach with life guards and plenty of police, even the General in charge of the emergency services with patrolling the beach in uniform.
My hats off to all of them, not having been in DR for semana santa in decades, a lot has changed.
My two cents...