Urgent??'s

K

K. Merit

Guest
Hi this is Kenneth Merritt.. and had I some questions I am hoping you
could answer or at least point us in the right
direction... I am planning to marry Elizabeth
in her HOME country of Dominican Republic on February
23, 2002 and was wondering if I exchanged dollars to
pesos here in the U.S. from Nashville, TN; before I
went down there would I benefit from the exchange of
17 pesos to the dollar when paying for those God awful
hotel prices... I have an unusal situation because I
notice the cost of the wedding was not that much but
the hotel costs in US dollars are too high.. but if I
were to pay in pesos would I be allowed to do that or
would Elizabeth be allowed to do that in her home
country... because of immigration laws and paperwork
we could be in her country for as many as 90 to 120
days and her family has no room for me to stay with
them at this time because of all the other family
members in the home and I dont want to leave her there
but if I pay in US dollars it would cost me in the
neighborhood of $18,000 to $35,000 dollars in US
dollars and that is just WRONG!! but if it is in Pesos
then it would be around $2,250 and that is just
perfect! Is Casa Del Mar near Santo Domingo? Do the
Spanish Natives there use ATM cards to withdraw
pesos..I had heard if I try to exchange pesos there I
would not get the correct rate. Right now my Fiance is
in serious economic jeopardy. I have recently lost
all phone contact with her and she doesnt have a phone
in her home with her family, but the expenses listed
above would make it nearly impossible for me to rescue
her and her family out of that impoverished situation
unless I get some serious info on how to successfully
marry her at a reasonable cost and use that extra
money to enable me to live up to my Spousal duties and
Spiritual/Moral Convictions to make sure Elizabeth and
her family are well cared for ..pls send any info you
can ..Sincerely Kenneth Merritt
 
A

A REALIST

Guest
CERTAINLY A PRE-XMAS JOKE!!!

Selected hotel is about $300.00 USD per day.......where the hell you going to stay at prices like that. You can get small, clean hotel rooms for $40.00 usd per day (+ or -)

Spanish natives......You mean Dominicans??? Spanish natives you find in Spain. Although Dominicans speak Spanish.

Have you ever been to the Dominican Republic???? EVER????

You are about to get the screwing of a life time and I don't mean your wedding night.

This is bound to be a joke because NO ONE and I mean No One can be this naive (read:dumb).
 
M

mkohn

Guest
Ken,
First, you might be quoted a price in pesos, and another in US dollars. Take a calculator. Do the math. Things are not that expensive - even in the busy season.
We used an ATM in Santiago with our Visa card. And got pesos. Our bank did the conversion and charged us the customary $1.50 to send the money.
If you deal with the hotels, you will get a better price than if you call the 800 number.
Where are you going in the DR?
I'm sure there are knowlegeable people on this board who are in your fiancee's area.
mk
 
K

K. Merit

Guest
I need to be in a hotel close to Santo Domingo such as The hotel Santo Domingo which posts rates at over $230 a nite but I have been getting different answers from even Hispanics at my church. When you used the atm's Mkohn did you get the 17 pesos to a dollar rate with your visa card. I know it can cost as much as a 1 dollar per min for cell phone calls to the U.S. do you have info on how you would call in and out of Santo Domingo without it costing an arm and a leg. Most Dominicans when I call the 800 numbers etc are quoting US prices only with no budging whatsoever. But most people may not have to think about this too much in depth because they are only staying 4 or five days..etc. I might need 120 to 150 days with this war on terrorism and immigration restrictions that are sure to come.
 
P

Pasola Joe!

Guest
Ken babeee! this is your lucky day I just saw Elizabeth at the Codetel and I think she was trying to call you,oh yeah she had a couple of gringo types with her but I think they were only trying to help her use the phones.By the way that pair of $tiletto heel$ and the $hort $kirt she was wearing...did you buy them for her? nice taste! She also said to tell you that the gringos had a job for her that would help pay for the wedding so don't worry about changing dollars to pesos,they said they may have a job for mom and the sisters too.As for the $18-$35000 to stay a few months in the DR? yeah... just bring it what the hell,be sure though that you show them darn hotel owners that money first to show them you mean business.Well good luck and I hope this helps.

PJ
 
&

"The Tourist Watcher"

Guest
This must be a joke! But I will give you some advice in case this is a true story. Forget about the damn wedding and stay home. You are not good for this lady and frankly if her and her family lost phone service, chances are they have no electricity, no water, no jobs, sick family members, live-in family bums and about twenty people living under the same roof. Be prepared to support the entire family and buy them a case of beer a day. How do you figure that $35,000 equals $2200 pesos? My friend $35,000 dollars is a fortune here and if you show up with that much money in your pocket you might end up like a Taliban soldier in Konduz on Sunday afternoon. $2200 pesos will buy you two days at a resort tops. Buddy you need serious help. Stay home!
 
L

Loren

Guest
live-in family bums

I know this dude in San Pedro who sold his mom's iron to buy some beer.
 
&

"The Tourist Watcher"

Guest
Re: live-in family bums

The last 10 girls I have asked out have asked me for money for some family problem! One of them was daring enough to ask me within an hour of talking.Single life has its drawbacks. But I have learned now how to barter, if you know what I mean. So an inexperienced guy like ken Merritt has his work cut out for him with Isabella and her homeless crew.I really feel sorry for the dude.
 
L

Loren

Guest
Re: live-in family bums

That one babe I told you about asked me to de-worm her kids. I did it cause it was pretty gross and a "direct" form of charity. She lived in Villa Francisca. Her kids had these turd worms. They crawl into your feet and then come out through your lungs.
 
&

"The Tourist Watcher"

Guest
Re: live-in family bums

Loren: You should have fed the worms to that "mother of the year"just for bringing in kids to life under those conditions.
 
G

Gerd

Guest
Re: Some facts

Doesn't it make you wonder that your girlfriend, who apparently comes from a poor family, is only willing to stay in 5-star places with you?
You can easily rent decent appartments for a couple of hundred Dollars/month anywhere in Santo Domingo!

Drawing cash at ATM is no problem and the rate is okay! Think about why this person is giving you such crap and wants you to bring a bag full of cash?
No clue?

Marrying doesn't cost a lot of money (US$200 approximately), but in your case you'd better tink it over.

You can stay as long as you want with your Tourist Visa. The worst thing that happens if you stay too long is that you have to pay US10 or 15 when leaving the country.

None of the things you plan to do is really a problem or costly, unless you rely on people you want to make things difficult for you and make you pay.
Anyone who contested here has realized this and let's hope you'll realize it too, before it's too late.

If you need to come: Bring very little money. ATM works.
Tell'em you have no money, your mother is sick and you have to pay for an operation.....
See how the whole gang reacts.....
 
H

hillbilly

Guest
Looks like you took a pasting, kid....Please read

What has happened, Mr. Merritt, is that you seem to have fallen for the "trap", as our experience has shown.
I think you would be best advised to take a deep breath and look at the situation as a whole.
1) Your love does not have a job, and think of where it was you met her.
2) Nor is she educated to even your level. She cannot read or write to a 5th grade level. Newspaper headlines are hard work.
3) She put out for you quite easily because she was in "love' with you. You paid for the room and probably paid to take her from where you met her.
4) Her entire family lives with her family. None of them have ever qualified for a visa to the USA, and none have steady jobs.
5) They have no phone nor RD$50 pesos to buy a phone card, available in any "bodega" in the entire country.
6) You know neither the language nor the country.
7) You are thinking of getting married in her house??!! By whom? The local "kipe" salesman? Would you even recognize a legally binding document if you saw it in Spanish?
8) You say you have to stay for 150 days for what? So she can get a resident's visa? buddy, you don't have to stay here for that. but you had better be prepared to take on her entire family up there in Nashville, because that is what is going to go down, for sure.
9) If you can answer any of these important points in a positive manner, then maybe, just maybe you have something. But try this: Ask her to try for an American Tourist Visa. You will then be asked to shell out perhaps US$400 for "diligencias" (read- errands) and that will be cheap. No passport, not even a legal birth certicicate, I'll bet.
You can see there this is leading and why we, a generalization, are so shocked at your innocence. Please, please think this thru!

HB
 
K

Kim

Guest
Ken,

I've read all the messages that everyone has posted and I really think you should take heed and listen to what they are saying. These messages are from people who live there. I would really take a long hard look at your situation and be honest with yourself. Would you be acting like this with a woman in your own country.......come on. Your putting alot on the line here.

I am from London, England and I have read and asked various questions on this board. People who respond and leave messages try to help and tell you how things really are. I have gained alot of information and advice and made a few contacts who have been very helpful and who I know I can ask any questions that I may have about the DR. Please listen to what evryone is saying and the fact is EVERYONE is saying the same thing. Think about what you are doing...

I hope you take some of the advice givem. Good Luck and I hope things work out for you either way.
 
J

Jumday

Guest
Moron of the year award!!

Why is it that I think you met her through an introduction service or on the street?

Do yourself a favor...stay home and don't travel anymore (if you even have in the past?).

Regards
 
K

Kenneth

Guest
Re: naaaahh.........its got to be a joke!

YEAH ..YOU GUYS WHO WERE INSULTING OF ELIZABETH AND ME JUST TRYING TO GET A FEW HONEST QUESTIONS ANSWERED ARE REALLY THE FILTH OF THE EARTH!!.. FOR YOUR INFO I COULD LEAVE THE US AND GO TO CURACAO AND LIVE PERMANENTLY TO LIVE AND CARE FOR HER BY HER PERSONAL INVITATION AND NEVER COME BACK TO THE STATES TO SUCH INSULTING CORRUPTED VILE AND IMMORAL PEOPLE SUCH AS YOURSELVES AND WE WOULD LIVE HAPPY EVER AFTER. IF IT IS TOO COMPLICATED TO BRING HER HERE THEN, SHE HAS INVITED ME TO STAY WITH HER AND BE HAPPY DOWN THERE...AND WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE WE WILL MAKE IT. GOD HAS GIVEN ME PROVISION TO RETIRE AT 29YRS OF AGE WITH ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT HER AND HER FAMILY ON MY OWN VOLUNTARY BASIS ..SHE HAS NEVER ASKED FOR A DIME BUT I GAVE OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF MY OWN HEART AND SHE DIDNT ASK TO STAY IN A FIVE STAR HOTEL...I WANT THE BEST FOR HER AND I INTEND TO GIVE HER JUST THAT ...SHE JUST GOT HER PLACE BROKEN INTO WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK AND IT KILLS ME NOT TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE THERE FOR HER.. SHE IS A 25 YR OLD CHRISTIAN VIRGIN AND I AM A 29 YR OLD CHRISTIAN VIRGIN AND ALL THE PROSTITUTE INSULTS AND ILLITERATE INSULTS OBVIOUSLY COME FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOTHING ELSE BETTER TO DO..OR THE BRAINS TO ANSWER AN HONEST QUESTION. THE ONES THAT ARE GETTING SCREWED IN LIFE ARE THE ONES WHO OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO MORALS IN THE WAY THEY ARE RESPONDING TO THESE QUESTIONS. BUT I BET YOUR ADVICE WOULD BE TO SHACK UP WITH SOMEONE FOR UPTEEN MONTHS OR YRS AND MAYBE GOD WILL BLESS THAT HUH?? AND WHEN THE YEAR JAN. 20, 2013 ARRIVES YOU ARE GOING TO HEAR THE NAMES KENNETH AND ELIZABETH AGAIN IN A MIGHTY WAY THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. SOME PEOPLE IN THE CONDITIONS THAT ELIZA LIVE IN ARE THE MOST KIND HEARTED CHRISTIAN PEOPLE ON EARTH..DID THAT EVER CROSS YOUR MIND THAT GOD COULD BE SENDING ME TO HELP THEM AND HELP ME OVERCOME A TREMENDOUS SPIRITUAL PROBLEM OF LONLINESS. IT OUGHT TO INSPIRE YOU THAT I WAS WILLING TO HAVE THE FAITH IN GOD TO OVERCOME A $35,000 MOUNTAIN OBSTACLE TO HELP SOMEONE IN CHRIST..BUT IN DUE TIME BELIEVE IT OR NOT I WILL HAVE THAT KIND OF FINANCIAL RESOURCE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND EVEN MORE THAN THAT COME SEPT OF NEXT YR.. BUT IT TOOK TEN YRS OF FAITH AND DILIGENCE IN THE WORD OF GOD TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO IT IS I AM TO MARRY AND THE FACT THAT SHE COMES FROM A POOR NATION DOESNT MEAN SHE HAS ALTERIOR MOTIVES AND IT DOESNT MEAN THAT GOD DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO SUSTAIN SOMEONE FAR AWAY JUST FOR ME.. I JUST QUIT MY JOB AS OF THE END OF NEXT WEEK AND WILL NEVER HAVE TO WORK FOR SOMEONE ELSE AGAIN UNLESS IT IS MY CHOOSING FROM NOW OWN. WHY DONT YOU LISTEN TO SOME OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE MISSED THE MARK MORALLY AND SEE WHERE THEY HAVE ENDED UP WITH A COUSIN OF MINE IN JAIL FOR FATHERING 7 KIDS BY 5 DIFFERENT WOMEN AND DOESNT WORK TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT.. MAYBE YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TALK WITH THE GIRL NEXT DOOR OR SHACK UP WITH SOMEONE BEFORE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU CAN MARRY THEM OR MEET THEM IN A BAR OR BETTER YET A STRIP JOINT... ALL OF WHICH HAVE A 85 % FAILURE RATE ACCORDING TO STATISTICS ...YEAH THAT WILL LAST AFTER ALL SHE IS RIGHT THERE WHERE YOU CAN SEE HER TAKES NO FAITH IN GOD AT ALL TO SEE THAT ONE THRU TO THE DIVORCE COURTS...SO EVERYTHING WILL BE ALRIGHT AS LONG AS YOU CAN SEE HER. ALL THE WHILE YOU ARE TRUSTING IN FAITH IN THE DEVILS WAY OF RECEIVING YOUR BLESSING...BUT GOD'S WISDOM HAS GUIDED ME NOT TO FALL IN THE TEMPTATIONS THAT SO MANY OTHERS HAVE AND BY LIVING BY HIS WORD HE HAS LED ME TO ELIZABETH...WHOSE NAME MEANS CONSECRATED TO GOD OR GOD'S OATH OF LOVE...HOW DO I KNOW...I HAVE A BETTER QUESTION HOW DO YOU KNOW O YE OF NO FAITH AND FULL OF FEAR AND CORRUPTION..