nope, Canadian Military has a different rank system than the US. We aren't fliers.
- Thread starter NanSanPedro
- Start date
U.S. citizen became a victim of Dominican official when trying to cross into Haiti
Let's start by saying that I have zero idea how and where this incident occured.
Years back, I used to go from time to time to the big market days in Dajabon.
Twice a week ( there again, I have no idea, relying solely on my memory ) they used to open the border wide ( and I DO NOT KNOW if it still is the case ) and Haitians would flow into the DR to sell/buy stuff.
Now, in our collective minds, one could imagine border booths, and officers checking documents and so on.
Forget that.
The border is a bridge--- literally.
Haitians would flow both ways..... A sea of humans, if you will.
No controls. Or at least just random ones, they would pull a single guy out and take him to the adjacent DGM/ Customs/ Military big ass building on the DR side of the bridge.
Anyhow I wandered to the DR side of the bridge, just doing " touristy" stuff. Looking, taking pics, etc......
I asked 3 DR military dudes, who were at the DR side of the bridge if I could cross onto the bridge to snap some pics, and they told me to knock myself out.
Keep in mind I didn't cross into Haiti, I probably went halfway across the bridge, among dozens and dozens of Haitians going back and forth, constantly.
When I turned back--- so towards the DR side of the bridge --- a DGM agent zeroed in on me, and basically accused me of entering the DR illegally.
I didn't have my passport on me, only my DR cedula ( if I remember correctly) .
The 3 soldiers told the DGM guy I had gone to take pictures literally 5 mm ago.
A colleague of the DGM guy told him he had seen me a few minutes ago.
A bunch of bystanders-- dominicans-- backed me up.
But noped, me the blue eyed blond dude, as white as an aspirin tablet, was trying to enter the DR illegally... 🤔🤔🤔🤔.
It ended in the office of the Boss/supervisor in the DGM building.
And while she told me that technically I should of had my passport with me ( it was in my car ), she, in nicer words, told the DGM guy to stop being a dik.
So, I have no idea if there is more to this story, or not. However if the border is still as freely open, as crowded and as chaotic as the pre-covid era days, I can just imagine something like this happening.
The Difference in YOUR case being that you acted Politely, professionally, and did not try to Play any " do you know who I am Privilege card" ..
Or it could have ended very differently for you as well.
just a guess though
IMHO, These types of encounters are very similar to the ones you see on Planes, where someone wants to show their Ass, and think they can argue their way into getting what they want . " let me talk to the Captain" .... sorry, he already made his Decision, and its Final
It never ends well for them .
The only black men with US citizenship that can speak and understand Haitian Creole are either Haitians or of direct Haitian descent. Very few any other and those usually have years with a Haitian girlfriend/wife.
Even among Dominicans of all type, hardly a few know Creole and Dominicans are the Haitians closest neighbors. That is everything that needs to be known.
the only language that is more useless than Afrikaans is Creole. I wish I could unlearn it.
Why pray tell is it odd. I was forced to learn the language. It was in response to Mr Nals referencing the mysterious creole language. Yes, I have indicated in other threads that one of the main obstacles in the advancement of Haiti as a participant with the rest of the world is language or lack of.
I know a few languages, and wish I could learn a lot more. I've never though of knowing a language as regrettable.
I also attempt to refrain from using slang in both English and Spanish as well as industry jargon.It is however difficult especially here. After many years I do use the "buenas" as a greeting.
