>>>Victor : Whatever it's shortcomings may be to our Gringo eyes, I would hate to see any part of the DR become a little USA or Canada or EU. If that's what you want, go to an AI.<<<
I don't quite agree. Actually the DR would certainly be better off being part of the USA or Europe. There would be more stability in exchange rates, better infrastructure, a more solid banking system, better regulations. Just imagine if the peso come down to 10 pesos for $1 in the next years, I wonder if you'll still have the same opinion...how many expatriates would be able to live here? Being independant as its advantages but being part of a bigger region is a very good thing as well. This is why you see so many small countries joining the EU. Because they understood it would be of great benefit.
>>>Carina : Maybe Gsupa, you haven?t found what you are looking for in DR, and want it to change instead of you? The way you describe here, or in other posts " that you want more gringos in Sosua", says maybe that you don?t want to be a part of the local DR...<<<
It's not true, I have many dominican friends and I enjoy speaking spanish and living in the DR. However I do also enjoy the company of other expatriates, don't you? Yes I do want more gringos in Sosua, this would be very good for the local economy.
>>>Snuffy : The local economy is fine. The people get by. The country is slow. People have time to say hello to a stranger. I like that. Hopefully this will never become a Cancun or anything near it.<<<
The local economy will be much better off with new expatriates here.You say that "the people get by", it's simply not true, there's a lot of poverty here. There are many people here who would love to get a good paying job, everyday I must be talking to dominicans more than you. Electricity would be paid, the roads would be cleaner and certainly in better conditions. As for this statement that the North Coast will never become Cancun, I doubt it could grow that big but it looks like the current trend, at least on the North coast, is more construction of villas and gated communities.
>>>windeguy : My wife and I have a standing joke, "After you have been here 3 or 4 years you will understand.".. I am maybe half way there. It's true -It will take an expat at least that long to begin to understand the differences between the DR and North America or Europe. Longer if you don't learn Spanish and stay in isolated expat enclaves.<<<
Your wife is right. Time is needed to better understand a country and its culture. Some people can stay 50 years in a country and never try to change a thing. Others see what could be changed in a country in just a few months. In my opinion, change is good, this is the only sure way to grow and learn new things.
>>>buseouno : Most of us living here are integrated into the local population and economy in one way or another without being intrusive and I'm sure that's the way most of us like it, those who want a mini US, Can. or Europe should not consider living here.<<<
If I understand your logic well, a dominican york, who by the way has 2 cultures, could not live here and will be seen as intrusive ? I don't quite see the logic in your thinking. by the way, in some way, the DR is already "part" of the US and Europe, who's paying the debt now ? Maybe, you should actually thank the Club of Paris for giving an helping hand to the country.
As for charity I think much more could be done here as well, and as far as I know more money to help out the local economy, churches and schools would not be a bad thing. Now if this money come from other expatriates, would you have something against this ? Nice to live in the Caribbean, enjoy, but when you have some time, try to think objectively what would be best for the betterment of the country. Not for you only, for the everyday dominican. Think!
Again, I don't expect you to agree with me. After all, what's the purpose of a message board if we can't discuss and debate ? I welcome your comments and criticisms