News from the Border

[mountainannie]

Actually, Nan- if you have not been to Elias Pina and San Juan de Maguana? I would certainly recommend a trip up there. San Juan de Maguana is a lovely town - in a high mountain valley.--- I suspect almost WINTER up there now! And then the crossing into Belladaire - I think I had a car that time? although certainly I traveled a lot on the back of conchos.

Belladaire is a quite beautiful old city - it used to be Haiti's "front door" - and is honestly lovely and charming. I walked around the market there with a Haitian translator (helped that he was a strapping 30yr old! But had to keep reminding HIM that I was the ONE that was In Charge...since I was paying HIM - which seemed a concept hard for him...)

There was a lovely hotel on the road there that had a swimming pool... quite charming... I used to go up for vacations.

Wonderful clear country air.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC/HAITI: Border Market Embodies Inequalities

Elizabeth Eames Roebling*

www.ipsnews.net

For those who might not know - that article was written by me... InterPressService covers the global south and does not cover breaking news but rather focuses on development, the environment and women's issues. Their HQ is in the UN building in NY. They have a substantial global team of translators. My articles have been translated into 5 languages - which is a HUGE source of pride for me.

It was a DREAM job for a journalist. My editor in NY took almost every story that I pitched to her and was brilliant at smoothing out any defects in grammar and adding any needed information.

I did learn that it is the EDITOR who writes the headline - NOT the reporter-- which trained me to be diligent in reading beyond the headlines in any story.

I now have a permanent photo press pass issued from their UN office! Which delights me.

For those who are interested in global issues - IPS is a well respected news source. http://www.ipsnews.net

 

[bob saunders]

For those who might not know - that article was written by me... InterPressService covers the global south and does not cover breaking news but rather focuses on development, the environment and women's issues. Their HQ is in the UN building in NY. They have a substantial global team of translators. My articles have been translated into 5 languages - which is a HUGE source of pride for me.

It was a DREAM job for a journalist. My editor in NY took almost every story that I pitched to her and was brilliant at smoothing out any defects in grammar and adding any needed information.

I did learn that it is the EDITOR who writes the headline - NOT the reporter-- which trained me to be diligent in reading beyond the headlines in any story.

I now have a permanent photo press pass issued from their UN office! Which delights me.

For those who are interested in global issues - IPS is a well respected news source. http://www.ipsnews.net

What I take from your article is that customs officials from both countries are equally abusive.

 

[mountainannie]

What I take from your article is that customs officials from both countries are equally abusive.

Indeed

 

[mountainannie]

For those who have not been to the Northwest? https://dr1.com/forums/threads/mont...new-el-morro-trail-and-super-8-hotels.400199/

Monticristi is a charming little town... And El Moro is spectacular - although the beach is dramatic in a very different way than all the others I have seen.. (well, each beach is different, I know) .. There were a couple of spectacular fresh fish restaurants when I was there. It is not to far from Dajabon. Go. Visit. Spend money. Help the economy on the Dominican side of the border.! https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism...ti_Province_Dominican_Republic-Vacations.html

 

[mountainannie]

Manzanillo - did not have ANY hotels when I was there,,

So these improvements will make a BIG difference in the border economy,,,

..."President Abinader attended the start of construction of the first of two Super 8 Hotel that will go up in Montecristi and Manzanillo, in the northwesternmost area. Each of the hotels will have meeting rooms, gardens, gyms, swimming pools, restaurants, and bars. These would be the first chain hotels to operate in the northwestern-most province.

Speaking for the Super 8 Hotel investors, Jaime Santana Bonetti, said the constructions will contribute to position Montecristi as a tourist destination.

The new hotels are going up at a time when the Manzanillo port will be expanded and modernized, a major power plant will be installed, and a shipyard will be built. These works are expected to be completed in 2023. Manzanillo is the country’s port that is the closest to the United States and northern shipping routes..."

From DR1 news - link above

 

[JD Jones]

I think this is all Manzanillo needs to really take off. I can't wait to see what happens..

 

[mountainannie]

I think this is all Manzanillo needs to really take off. I can't wait to see what happens..

I loved that town1 There was ONE restaurant, as I remember... And the mouth of the Massacre was a beautiful beach -- you can swim across the river there.. which I did... it is VERY clean there -- the water, I mean..

It used to be a BIG port - clearly,... and you are right that it will be fantastic..

SUPER8 motels here are owned by Wyndham which is an AWESOME hotel chain... I stayed in one - really the standard sort cheap on the outside but AMAZING inside the rooms.. BIG addition to the DR market!