So, in about 5 days I will be moving to San Pedro from New York. I wanted to say hi to people who might be living there and active on this forum. I will be staying until approximately July and will be volunteering with NPH.org. I am hoping that I will find people to show me around and help me to find my way. I have never been to the Dominican Republic and am excited about this next part of my life. I'm a 22 year old male on his year off before medical school.
- Thread starter brsboarder
- Start date
San Pedro de Macoris First Time Traveller
wow did you pick my least favorite city(that I know of so far ) in the DR.
I got lost trying to look for a shortcut to the coast road to get me to Juan Dolio coming from some where on the other side of SPDM.... the route just kept shrinking and shrinking then the lamps posts stopped and it was pitch black.. and I stayed on theis road that eventually was less than the width of my vehicle!! and I was within 2 feet of peopels door steps on BOTH sides of the car!!! and they all were staring at me like I was doing something REALLY stupid.....man was it dark there!!!
there was NO turning around..I would have to back up in thedark a mile or so!!
eventually we saw street lights again way up ahead and finally popped out onto a paved road...
I was till lost...paid a gas station owner 300 pesos and followed him to Juan Dolio.. ha ha
have fun!! and good luck
bad bob
I got lost trying to look for a shortcut to the coast road to get me to Juan Dolio coming from some where on the other side of SPDM.... the route just kept shrinking and shrinking then the lamps posts stopped and it was pitch black.. and I stayed on theis road that eventually was less than the width of my vehicle!! and I was within 2 feet of peopels door steps on BOTH sides of the car!!! and they all were staring at me like I was doing something REALLY stupid.....man was it dark there!!!
there was NO turning around..I would have to back up in thedark a mile or so!!
eventually we saw street lights again way up ahead and finally popped out onto a paved road...
I was till lost...paid a gas station owner 300 pesos and followed him to Juan Dolio.. ha ha
have fun!! and good luck
bad bob
Next time try to use a Highway from San Pedro to get to Juan Dolio ( wide enough for 2 cars ) :laugh:
yeah stevie wonder...you are at least a day late and for sure a dollar short!!:bunny::bunny::bunny: ha ha ha ha
god didnt put me on the highway... you have to get there yourself!! ha ha ha
funny about that highway we almost bought the farm the next night on that BIG 2 lane highway when we ran right up the behind of a monster truck blowing a huge black cloud of exhaust and sporting no lights whats so ever , in the pitch black night( no street lights!) who was doing about 15MPH
bad bob
I like San Pedro and I am sure you will be fine. There are board members who live there, and those like me that live just down the road in Juan Dolio. When you get in and get settled in feel free to pm me and we'll help you 'find your way'!!!
Welcome
Matilda
Welcome
Matilda
Welcome! Like yourself, I am from NY. My wife, myself and our family also live in San Pedro de Macoris. We love it there! I also know some of the staff from NPH. They're great, and that organizations does a wonderful job in the DR. If you have any questions while there, the staff from NPH can help. Also, Matilda and MommC, in Juan Dolio, are very nice and are extremely helpful.
I only go to San Pedro de Macoris to go to the supermarket. I live in Juan Dolio.
I always leave San Pedro very quickly. It is very dirty and a lot of criminality.
I always leave San Pedro very quickly. It is very dirty and a lot of criminality.
Tranquilo!!!!
B-Don't let these people freak you out!!
And everyone else...STOP PICKING ON MY INTERN!! THIS GUY ISN'T BUYING A HOUSE IN SPM; HE'S VOLUNTEERING AT THE NPH ORPHANAGE for a 6 month stint or so. Yes, I AM sounding like Mama Bear because I've taken responsibility for him unofficially and officially. I was out of internet contact over the holidays (in the US--ironically I have better wifi HERE.) Otherwise I would have seen this post before it went haywire (an expression only REALLY known to those who have used hay baled with wire.)
Geez, everyone gets ALL over me when I point out the negative things about the supposedly lush Juan Dolio but when we get someone who actually WANTS to experience what REAL public health work is like, you POUNCE on them.
B-go read your PMs and your private email.
I'm headed out to NPH now to meet the international med team.
Paz y salud,
Chris:bunny::bunny::bunny:
B-Don't let these people freak you out!!
And everyone else...STOP PICKING ON MY INTERN!! THIS GUY ISN'T BUYING A HOUSE IN SPM; HE'S VOLUNTEERING AT THE NPH ORPHANAGE for a 6 month stint or so. Yes, I AM sounding like Mama Bear because I've taken responsibility for him unofficially and officially. I was out of internet contact over the holidays (in the US--ironically I have better wifi HERE.) Otherwise I would have seen this post before it went haywire (an expression only REALLY known to those who have used hay baled with wire.)
Geez, everyone gets ALL over me when I point out the negative things about the supposedly lush Juan Dolio but when we get someone who actually WANTS to experience what REAL public health work is like, you POUNCE on them.
B-go read your PMs and your private email.
I'm headed out to NPH now to meet the international med team.
Paz y salud,
Chris:bunny::bunny::bunny:
Help from the experienced who CARE about the DR
One more thing...how about those who DO actually care to improve this country post some helpful suggestions to this newcomer? His father has been here multiple times for work, but not stayed in the more primitive conditions of fluctuating electric and water. For the most part, this intern will be safely within the 400 acre NPH compound OUTSIDE of SPM in Ramon Santana or with my family in Juan Dolio (in Metro--which while it has its share of problems is NOT a batay!)
One more thing...how about those who DO actually care to improve this country post some helpful suggestions to this newcomer? His father has been here multiple times for work, but not stayed in the more primitive conditions of fluctuating electric and water. For the most part, this intern will be safely within the 400 acre NPH compound OUTSIDE of SPM in Ramon Santana or with my family in Juan Dolio (in Metro--which while it has its share of problems is NOT a batay!)
well one persons real life CAN ACTUALLY be 180 degrees from another persons experiences...doesnt make either one false!
one person goes someplace and has the time of their life another goes and gets robbed and stabbed at the same place...both events are true...but the people who had a great time cant tell the guy who got robbed to stop posting negative stuff!!!!!!!!!
some people run into problems..and I am not talking about the people who ALWAYS post negative crap no matter what...I am talking about real events and experiences..
both sides have to learn to accept that what happened to them doesnt always happen to everyone else.
bob
glass half full/empty
Bob: I've known people to have those things happen in Puerta Plata, Semana, Punta Cana, Juan Dolio and the Cap; PLUS, I had a gun held to my head in West LA, USA and a knife held to my 6 mo old's throat at 3 PM on Santa Monica Blvd in W. LA, USA, but not once did I experience these things while growing up in NY (except in my own home and that is a whole other ball of wax).
COULD YOU THINK OF A BETTER PLACE TO REALLY EXPERIENCE WHAT TRUE PUBLIC HEALTH WORK IS THAN AN ORPHANAGE IN SPM? We deal with: AMEOBA, DENGUE, GRIPE, RINGWORM, PINWORM, and then all the normal stuff internists/fps do in the US. He's trying to get HANDS-ON, down and dirty experience. I'm not sending this guy out into the batays at night (or even during the day for that matter without me and my personal posse.) He will KNOW if this is what he wants to do after his time here. Or, he'll know that he needs a more structured, predictable environment. Some of us thrive working under adverse conditions (and yes, I admit I grumble about my overpriced rent in Metro with its issues); however, I NEVER leave the orphanage thinking that I could have spent my time better anywhere else. Until I stop feeling that way or something really awful happens, I'll continue to freely give my services and offer to train others.
Here's the thing, I've been pick pocketed and had my fair share of SSSSSTs and sanky pankies thrown at me in SPM city but it isn't all city--there are many rural areas. The NPH orphanage is in Ramon Santana (think of bypassing SPM going from the Cap to La Romana and there's a tiny little sign pointing into a cane field.)
?Paz y salud!:bunny::bunny::bunny:
Bob: I've known people to have those things happen in Puerta Plata, Semana, Punta Cana, Juan Dolio and the Cap; PLUS, I had a gun held to my head in West LA, USA and a knife held to my 6 mo old's throat at 3 PM on Santa Monica Blvd in W. LA, USA, but not once did I experience these things while growing up in NY (except in my own home and that is a whole other ball of wax).
COULD YOU THINK OF A BETTER PLACE TO REALLY EXPERIENCE WHAT TRUE PUBLIC HEALTH WORK IS THAN AN ORPHANAGE IN SPM? We deal with: AMEOBA, DENGUE, GRIPE, RINGWORM, PINWORM, and then all the normal stuff internists/fps do in the US. He's trying to get HANDS-ON, down and dirty experience. I'm not sending this guy out into the batays at night (or even during the day for that matter without me and my personal posse.) He will KNOW if this is what he wants to do after his time here. Or, he'll know that he needs a more structured, predictable environment. Some of us thrive working under adverse conditions (and yes, I admit I grumble about my overpriced rent in Metro with its issues); however, I NEVER leave the orphanage thinking that I could have spent my time better anywhere else. Until I stop feeling that way or something really awful happens, I'll continue to freely give my services and offer to train others.
Here's the thing, I've been pick pocketed and had my fair share of SSSSSTs and sanky pankies thrown at me in SPM city but it isn't all city--there are many rural areas. The NPH orphanage is in Ramon Santana (think of bypassing SPM going from the Cap to La Romana and there's a tiny little sign pointing into a cane field.)
?Paz y salud!:bunny::bunny::bunny:
Yo tambien....
It makes you wonder why so many San Pedro born, multimillonaire ball players still reside there.....Ummmmmm.
Granted, some parts are not great.....Just like many parts of the DR.
Have I seen MUUUUUUUCH worse....Of course I have!!.
Ever visited Guachupita or Jarro Sucio in La Capital?.
I take ANY part of San Pedro, any day of the week!.
I like San Pedro also.....My brother lives there and I don't know if there are 2 San Pedros but the San Pedro he lives at and showed me a few times is a very nice San Pedro.
It makes you wonder why so many San Pedro born, multimillonaire ball players still reside there.....Ummmmmm.
Granted, some parts are not great.....Just like many parts of the DR.
Have I seen MUUUUUUUCH worse....Of course I have!!.
Ever visited Guachupita or Jarro Sucio in La Capital?.
I take ANY part of San Pedro, any day of the week!.
Once again, Matilda "the sage wise one" adds a useful comment (thanks for offering to help this student--you are always so kind to newcomers.)
Miguel: Actually there ARE two--SP de Macoris (which is where the ball players AND this orphanage both are and this debate IS about) and SP de San Francisco! That is neither here nor there. This poster IS coming and soon and he needs everyone's suggestions.
He'll return to the US to go to med school and will forever be changed from his time here. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE HIM esp those going into medicine in the US.
Miguel: Actually there ARE two--SP de Macoris (which is where the ball players AND this orphanage both are and this debate IS about) and SP de San Francisco! That is neither here nor there. This poster IS coming and soon and he needs everyone's suggestions.
He'll return to the US to go to med school and will forever be changed from his time here. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE HIM esp those going into medicine in the US.
hey DrChrisHe: I never addressed the NPH orphanage in any of my replies!!
so I certainly never said anything negative. heck i never said i was a victim of anything but getting lost and getting a little worried about where i was going to end up.
But others have said they had some issues with the CITY...i dont think anyone ever mentioned anythign negative about the NPH orphanage either!
so i dont know where your idea someone is putting down the work being done there or trying to convince anyone they should nto be helping out.
I say good luck to your friend and I will joinall those who are happy to see him volunteer to help out!
the world is full of places that could use great people like him...and i am sure there are many in SPDM who will appreciate him alot.
I think like all of the larger cities in the DR there are pockets of more troublesome areas compared to those that are pleasant to live in.
Again remember that i never mentioned anything negative about the organization you work for...ok?
good luckl I hope you guys do a good job
bad bob
so I certainly never said anything negative. heck i never said i was a victim of anything but getting lost and getting a little worried about where i was going to end up.
But others have said they had some issues with the CITY...i dont think anyone ever mentioned anythign negative about the NPH orphanage either!
so i dont know where your idea someone is putting down the work being done there or trying to convince anyone they should nto be helping out.
I say good luck to your friend and I will joinall those who are happy to see him volunteer to help out!
the world is full of places that could use great people like him...and i am sure there are many in SPDM who will appreciate him alot.
I think like all of the larger cities in the DR there are pockets of more troublesome areas compared to those that are pleasant to live in.
Again remember that i never mentioned anything negative about the organization you work for...ok?
good luckl I hope you guys do a good job
bad bob
I THINK you might be a little confused...
unless I AM MISTAKEN..there is a San FRANICISCO De Macoris and a San PEDRO de Macoris. many miles apart.
but I doubt there is a "San Pedro de San Francisco"
bob
Lo se'
Listen, bottom line is that this kid WILLLLLLLL be fine.....He is NOT going to the worse place in the universe and even if he were, he will NEVER forget his experiences there!!.
My son still says that volunteering to help people in poor countries (and when I say poor, I mean POOOOOOOOOOOOOORR) has been the best experience of his life.
Yes, we need much more people like the OP.
I guarantee that he will never forget his experience there....AND will always be very vocal about it....All in a happy way.
I, for one, thank him!.
I have been to both places, San Pedro De Macoris and San Francisco De Macoris....I even know a few people in San Pedro, one who lives in Calle Teleto Vargas.
Listen, bottom line is that this kid WILLLLLLLL be fine.....He is NOT going to the worse place in the universe and even if he were, he will NEVER forget his experiences there!!.
My son still says that volunteering to help people in poor countries (and when I say poor, I mean POOOOOOOOOOOOOORR) has been the best experience of his life.
Yes, we need much more people like the OP.
I guarantee that he will never forget his experience there....AND will always be very vocal about it....All in a happy way.
I, for one, thank him!.
My daughter and I visited the NPH orphanage yesterday and I can personally say that I was amazed by the work they are doing there, it is like a small community (very secure), well organized: 15 houses for the kids, 3 houses for the volunteers, school, playgrounds and soon a clinic. Juanitita had taken some of her toys and books to give out to the kids in one of the house we visited; we were greeted with big hugs, humongous smiles and cute songs. The kids are well educated, happy and very well taken care, the house had one room with bunk beds for the boys (8) and another for the girls (8) and beds for the tias (3 ladies who care for the kids). Each kid is assigned a task around the house so it is kept very clean and in order. They have special visitor’s days when we can go and visit the kids and the tia was also telling me that some of the things they are missing are undergarments and socks for the kids. I guess that is one of the last thing we think of when making donations.
Maybe we could have an “undergarment” recollecting day?!!
NPH International - Caring for orphans and abandoned children
Maybe we could have an “undergarment” recollecting day?!!
NPH International - Caring for orphans and abandoned children