I may assume we are discussing La Sirena on Puerto Plata's Malecon (?).
I like it, but then, I don't. Yes, at first glance, it gives one a little 1st world moment. But then, the typical 3rd worldish failures, some consistently overpriced item, "accidental" miscalculations (always to the clients disadvantage) and the tendency of trying to take clients for stupid, like hand selected apples @ 39Pesos/Lb but a 3Lbs bag with less desirable ones for 129 Pesos (do the math... they are definitely NOT PriceSmart -multipacks are often tend to be more expensive than buying detail or several smaller portions at Sirena!) paired with the unloading of China's worst in toys, clothing and home goods... Then, there are the big "OFFERTA" booths and stands... but no price or it's more expensive than ever before.
Well, it's a sudden awakening... we're back in "paradise". :cheeky:
What really gets me fuming is that Dominicans don't seem to know Dominicans at all. The planing and architectural firm who designed this monster, has done similar work before. They are local (SD) and well respected. Could they not have foreseen that, given their fellow folks innate inability to refrain from obstructing vital passages for the sake to be "primero" or "ma' comodo", it would be unwise (to put it diplomatically) to allow the entry and exit vehicular drive ways to pass in front of the main entry to the store? :tired:
Did they not know, that in the DR there is a phenomenon called MotoConcho and that they have a tendency to claim territorial rights and thus need to be be setup in a planned manner so they would not have to be fought off like flies from poop every minute the store is open?
They had asked me, I could have told them... and I was only living here around a year by the time the started clearing out that lot.
Anyways... when I compare it to what I had seen in second and third class cities in Ecuador over 15 years ago... having La Sirena in Puerto Plata may be intended to suggest we are now gente too, but indeed, we're still lagging behind.
But then, I have to confess, that for some reason, yes, my shopping has shifted in a great part to La Sirena. But I still try to give the other two (Tropical and J. Luis) some of my local business.
... J-D.