Santo Domingo

[Tempoecorto]

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

You are quite right. We are product of our experiences. I was not trying to upbraid anyone and I apologize to you if my comments came across that way. The fact is that where there are no guns around, as in most countries, the police have time to think instead of reacting, being dictated by fear. Yes, DR, by that account is quite safe, to my experience.

[Camaro1257]

Understood. Point taken.

Having a friend with a place to park in SD is a great option. At your gated parking where you stay at (the apartment)? Were you still checked in as a guest to the apartment when you flew out? Or were you checked out, and you took a chance in leaving it there, until you returned? Also thanks for the pricing info for the airport. 1000 pesos a day can definitely add up, especially for anyone who really needs a long term parking rate.

Many of the Airbnb apartments have gated secured complexes. The owners sometimes have 2 or more parking spaces and are willing to let you leave your car in the parking lot. Depending on the owner he might want a return visit to his apartment, he might want a small fee, or he might do it for gratis. The time I used one of the Airbnb apartments they had extra space so I didn't pay anything, of course I had to assume liability for any damages to my vehicle.

[Wrx2005]

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

LE training or none, what you observed could be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers. The key is "unsuspecting". I thought about that possibility as well, when I ran into those rope / string holders. And like you, got past it without panicking or jamming on the gas. LOL.

Individuals assuming every string / rope scenario is comprised of regular folks soliciting donations, are the perfect targets.

Because as soon as they see a rope up, stopping motorists, they are likely going to assume it's only donation time again. In the history of the DR nobody ever got robbed by a phony traffic stop?.

My other observation is the safety of the individuals running up to and along side of vehicles, and those holding the rope. You don't want any of them to slip and fall under someones wheel or get dragged if the rope gets caught up while individuals are holding it.

[Wrx2005]

All of the aforementioned concerns are legitimate. I have probably spent more money in total flying out of SDQ between gas, lodging, food and chicas, however in my case my objective has been to break the North Coast monotony and possibly build a South Coast network.

Understood. Point taken.

In the past I have used different options for my vehicle, once I used the gated parking at one of the apartments I stayed at, I have also used a friends gating parking who lives in Santo Domingo and finally I used the parking at Las Americas. Parking at Las Americas for long term is not desirable because they have no long term parking rates like we are accustomed to in the United States they charge 1000 pesos a day which obviously adds up. One thing I will give them credit for is their parking lot security is pretty tight, I was thoroughly impressed.

Having a friend with a place to park in SD is a great option. At your gated parking where you stay at (the apartment)? Were you still checked in as a guest to the apartment when you flew out? Or were you checked out, and you took a chance in leaving it there, until you returned? Also thanks for the pricing info for the airport. 1000 pesos a day can definitely add up, especially for anyone who really needs a long term parking rate.

[Camaro1257]

Hey Camaro. I feel likewise about these high ass airfares to and from POP. And they do not seem to be coming back down as fast as they used to later on in the year. I have used public transportation (Caribe Tours and Cibao Transporte) to get to STI. Flew out and back to STI. Using SDQ to go back and forth is even cheaper. It's just the effort, time, added potential risk of problems on the road, and the total expense between the north coast and SDQ can be an issue.

Staying in SD a day or two, and make it a mini excursion may make it easier and enjoyable. But still I wonder will it be worth it for me? When part of the reason for flying out and in SDQ was to save money from expensive POP? By the time I pay for any public transport, gas for my vehicle / rental, hotel in SD, I would think that my savings would have been mostly consumed?

In this report you mentioned driving around in SD, driving back to Puerto Plata. And you flew out of SDQ to head back to the US. So did you drive your personal vehicle OR rental to and from the north coast to SD, and then fly out of SDQ? If it was your vehicle, where did you park it, how long did you park it there, and the cost? If it was a rental, which company and how much did that cost you?

All of the aforementioned concerns are legitimate. I have probably spent more money in total flying out of SDQ between gas, lodging, food and chicas, however in my case my objective has been to break the North Coast monotony and possibly build a South Coast network.

In the past I have used different options for my vehicle, once I used the gated parking at one of the apartments I stayed at, I have also used a friends gating parking who lives in Santo Domingo and finally I used the parking at Las Americas. Parking at Las Americas for long term is not desirable because they have no long term parking rates like we are accustomed to in the United States they charge 1000 pesos a day which obviously adds up. One thing I will give them credit for is their parking lot security is pretty tight, I was thoroughly impressed.

[Camaro1257]

I'm talking about the JP2 out near the airport. It is 1.5 hours faster to get to Puerto Plata than going up DR1 through Santiago.

I wish Google would have directed me to that route.

[Camaro1257]

I came across that plenty of times on my way to Santiago from Sosua, using the mountain road, and umpteen times elsewhere. Never did it occur to me that this was a robbery plan and it was kids, almost always, doing the deed. If one does not stop, they automatically lower the cord as they do not want it ripped. Cause or no cause (Parkinson's photo), it is their way of raising a bit of money and has never been a concern for a non law enforcement mind like mine. Thank god for my third world upbringing where police do not over-react with guns, over thinking things.

It is natural to respond and think according to how we are trained and what we have learned from life experience. In my case had I not responded training earlier in my LE career I might not be retired now. As for this situation my senses were heightened because I did not know where I was. It is good to know that the practice is common and generally not a cause for concern.

[Tempoecorto]

My LE mind kicked in and I thought that would be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers of their money or their vehicles and I considered myself to be fortunate.

I came across that plenty of times on my way to Santiago from Sosua, using the mountain road, and umpteen times elsewhere. Never did it occur to me that this was a robbery plan and it was kids, almost always, doing the deed. If one does not stop, they automatically lower the cord as they do not want it ripped. Cause or no cause (Parkinson's photo), it is their way of raising a bit of money and has never been a concern for a non law enforcement mind like mine. Thank god for my third world upbringing where police do not over-react with guns, over thinking things.

[Charles Pooter]

Is Russia second world?

There is no "Second World".

Reminds me of the United Kingdom rail system I grew up with. For about eighty years until 1956 there was no "Second Class" travel, just "First" and "Third".

[Frannie]

Hell no. I have been to Russia. There are more SUVs and luxury automobiles there than you can shake a stick at. And the place is expensive as all get out.

The terms first world, second world, and third world have nothing to do with what sort of vehicles are in use or how expensive things are. Originally first world meant the developed western democracies or Europe, North America, plus places like Australia, and second world the developed nations in the communist eastern block under the domination of Russia. Everywhere else was third world or "non-aligned".

However since the fall of the iron curtain, the term "second world" has had no real meaning. First world countries are those that have developed infrastructure, health services, law enforcement, a functional court system, water, sewerage, stable government and currencies, third world countries are those that are, euphemistically, developing, or supposedly on a pathway to first world status.

[Wrx2005]

Beginning my excursion.

Airfare from Las Americas (SDQ) to Atlanta is sometimes $300.00 less than from Gregorio Luperon (POP) so recently I have been departing from Santo Domingo to return to the United States. I got an apartment off airbnb at Villa Marabella on the Malecon with a decent view. This was the second time I got the same apartment and I enjoyed my stay.

This trip I hooked up with one of my semi pros she is a cool person and the sex was decent but she was in a rush because of her child care situation so I didn't enjoy the session as much as I could have. The next day I cruised the Malecon and found some street meat. She had a banging body but her face wasn't anything to brag about. I met her on Avenida Indepencia & Avenida Pasture. She started at 2500 pesos and settled for 1500 pesos. When we arrived at the apartment she demanded the money up front. I started putting my clothes back on and she relented. BBBJ and sex were pretty decent in fact I gave her 2000 pesos I was satisfied. The next day I headed back to the States.

Back in the Dominican Republic.

My visit to the United States was very productive and I accomplished all of my goals. While I was there I continued to work Facebook and caught some interesting fish. I left a very dry United States only to return to a very wet Dominican Republic. I am grateful for Ms. Google giving me directions throughout my travels without her I would truly be lost.

Traffic was horrendous in downtown Santo Domingo as usual I was on the main highway out of the city which was at a stand still so Ms. Google directs me off the highway for an incredible journey. First there are many major intersections that do not have traffic signals which makes navigating those intersections a nightmare. After making it through several intersections with no traffic signals I was lead to the detour which was blocked by AMET. Now I am lost somewhere in Santo Domingo and I have no idea where I am. WTF?

As I am driving through a barrio that seriously looked like bombed out Bagdad I saw a string across the road that was lowered to let a vehicle ahead of me pass. As I moved forward the string was lifted to block the road and someone approached my drivers side window with a cup in hand soliciting money I could not understand what he was saying nor did I let down the window and kept inching toward the string blocking the road after which it was lowered and I continued on my way. My LE mind kicked in and I thought that would be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers of their money or their vehicles and I considered myself to be fortunate.

I made it back to Puerto Plata safely even though at times due to the heavy rain I could not see 10 feet in front of me. I arrived with the thought I enjoy the liberty I have travelling throughout the Island however I may take a look at Carribe Tours again for some of my travel going forward.

Hey Camaro. I feel likewise about these high ass airfares to and from POP. And they do not seem to be coming back down as fast as they used to later on in the year. I have used public transportation (Caribe Tours and Cibao Transporte) to get to STI. Flew out and back to STI. Using SDQ to go back and forth is even cheaper. It's just the effort, time, added potential risk of problems on the road, and the total expense between the north coast and SDQ can be an issue.

Staying in SD a day or two, and make it a mini excursion may make it easier and enjoyable. But still I wonder will it be worth it for me? When part of the reason for flying out and in SDQ was to save money from expensive POP? By the time I pay for any public transport, gas for my vehicle / rental, hotel in SD, I would think that my savings would have been mostly consumed?

In this report you mentioned driving around in SD, driving back to Puerto Plata. And you flew out of SDQ to head back to the US. So did you drive your personal vehicle OR rental to and from the north coast to SD, and then fly out of SDQ? If it was your vehicle, where did you park it, how long did you park it there, and the cost? If it was a rental, which company and how much did that cost you?

[Mr Enternational]

I was on the main highway out of the city I don't recall the name and traffic was at a stand still so I simply followed the instructions of Google, however the GPS had no way of knowing the AMET detour.

I'm talking about the JP2 out near the airport. It is 1.5 hours faster to get to Puerto Plata than going up DR1 through Santiago.

[Parkinsons]

As I am driving through a barrio that seriously looked like bombed out Bagdad I saw a string across the road that was lowered to let a vehicle ahead of me pass. As I moved forward the string was lifted to block the road and someone approached my drivers side window with a cup in hand soliciting money I could not understand what he was saying nor did I let down the window and kept inching toward the string blocking the road after which it was lowered and I continued on my way. My LE mind kicked in and I thought that would be an excellent way to rob unsuspecting travelers of their money or their vehicles and I considered myself to be fortunate.

I'm sure this can be very disconcerting, especially in a bad neighborhood, looking very much like the proverbial highway robbery. I did read about description of this local practice, on a travelogue on DR1. Excerpt in the screenshots attached. Notice the girls holding the ropes and the signs explaining their causes.

[Camaro1257]

Why didn't you take the toll road?

I was on the main highway out of the city I don't recall the name and traffic was at a stand still so I simply followed the instructions of Google, however the GPS had no way of knowing the AMET detour.

[Mr Enternational]

I made it back to Puerto Plata safely even though at times due to the heavy rain I could not see 10 feet in front of me. I arrived with the thought I enjoy the liberty I have travelling throughout the Island however I may take a look at Carribe Tours again for some of my travel going forward.

Why didn't you take the toll road?