Santo Domingo

[Zeos1]

Funny how after years of living here in Republica Dominicana the self appointed ISG Spanish professors posting up in here are still at it correcting my Spanish that I use everyday compared to their Spanish that they are teaching in their college classes. Only the names of the Professors change.

Tarea (job, task, work) When I say to my chicas: "Estoy in calle haciendo tareas" - I am in the street doing work (errands). It may not be grammatically correct or the proper usage of the word according to our Spanish experts. But strangely enough they understand what I mean. And they do not correct me. Only the pedantic (quisquilloso) types posting up in here seem to do that. But it is all good. Like I said before it has been happening for years. It is the difference between being a keyboard warrior and being a "man in the arena" with boots on the ground in the Dominican Republic.

Now someone tell me how the type of people that go to Mr. Grilled has anything to do with the actual observations that I made about social distancing occurring there? Although I appreciated the information. LOL! Now, tell me about the people that go to Hooters and how it relates to the social distancing that occurs there.

Had a business meeting today. We all wore masks. Even though we all knew each other from previous business meetings. Only lowered them to take our juice and coffee. Then we all replaced them. Practiced social distancing as much as was practicable for the room. No one in the business meeting had a problem with my Spanish either. Once again, the real world verses the online world. Big difference. Si o no? (Forgive the punctuation).

In other news, while I was out in the street doing tareas (work) I checked out a store I have not been before and ran across Three Olives Vodka. Only one on the shelf. Bought it! I had not seen it here in Republica Domincana before.

But what the fuck do I know? I just live here.

LOL. Words. Every country uses them differently. I'll take your word for it. Mi tarea.

[Triple Darknes]

As of the last 2 months I have stayed in one apartment for $25 per night, one for $30, and the last for $45 per night. All were very nice and less than 2 minutes walk from the park in the square. I am a tiny bit sad I posted good reviews on the 2 lower priced ones due to they now stay occupied long term. Too good to last.

I stayed in a airbnb in zona colonial and I paid 19 bucks a night. In all things negoitate. Airbnb charges you and the host about 15% as their cut, You can make a Host eat the charge, Or you could stay a few nights and if you like the place cut a side deal, They'll accept a significant cash discount.

Hope this helps.

Trip.

[SubCmdr]

Funny how after years of living here in Republica Dominicana the self appointed ISG Spanish professors posting up in here are still at it correcting my Spanish that I use everyday compared to their Spanish that they are teaching in their college classes. Only the names of the Professors change.

Tarea (job, task, work) When I say to my chicas: "Estoy in calle haciendo tareas" - I am in the street doing work (errands). It may not be grammatically correct or the proper usage of the word according to our Spanish experts. But strangely enough they understand what I mean. And they do not correct me. Only the pedantic (quisquilloso) types posting up in here seem to do that. But it is all good. Like I said before it has been happening for years. It is the difference between being a keyboard warrior and being a "man in the arena" with boots on the ground in the Dominican Republic.

Now someone tell me how the type of people that go to Mr. Grilled has anything to do with the actual observations that I made about social distancing occurring there? Although I appreciated the information. LOL! Now, tell me about the people that go to Hooters and how it relates to the social distancing that occurs there.

Had a business meeting today. We all wore masks. Even though we all knew each other from previous business meetings. Only lowered them to take our juice and coffee. Then we all replaced them. Practiced social distancing as much as was practicable for the room. No one in the business meeting had a problem with my Spanish either. Once again, the real world verses the online world. Big difference. Si o no? (Forgive the punctuation).

In other news, while I was out in the street doing tareas (work) I checked out a store I have not been before and ran across Three Olives Vodka. Only one on the shelf. Bought it! I had not seen it here in Republica Domincana before.

But what the fuck do I know? I just live here.

Mr. Grilled is popular among people who live in marginal barrios but want to project an image of prosperity. Check their Instagram feed if you aren't sure what I mean. In "Dominican" (as distinct from Spanish) it's known as "figuereando".

Speaking of Spanish, in both "Dominican" and Spanish "tarea" means homework / school assignment or a measurement unit for small plots of undeveloped land. "Errands" as in "run errands" would be "diligencias" as in "hacer diligencias".

[Knowledge]

In theory yes, but debt obligations are not honored across the board and neither are labor law obligations such as severance payments. Sometimes debts are settled as kidnap ransom. There is quite a lot that happens beyond the beaches and car wash bars. Another example of the raise prices to make up for lost customers mentality is the idea that they can attract retail customers by maintaining jet engine level music volume at the entrances of stores. It's as if there is a belief the buying public finds that irresistible. It would draw attention except everybody does it, so in the end it's just an annoying background of noise pollution.

At the end. They must pay the bills. Right?

[Darelax]

Dominican business logic is if there is less demand and less customers, raise prices. Hotels and restaurants also do it.

At the end. They must pay the bills. Right?

[Knowledge]

Mr. Grilled is popular among people who live in marginal barrios but want to project an image of prosperity. Check their Instagram feed if you aren't sure what I mean. In "Dominican" (as distinct from Spanish) it's known as "figuereando".

Speaking of Spanish, in both "Dominican" and Spanish "tarea" means homework / school assignment or a measurement unit for small plots of undeveloped land. "Errands" as in "run errands" would be "diligencias" as in "hacer diligencias".

I was out today doing tareas (errands) and drove by a location on Av. Venezuela, in Santo Domingo este. I add that because there were a few veteran posters who did not know Av. Venezuela was in Santo Domingo este. This was a couple of years ago. I hope they have worked out their geography issues at this point.

Name of the place is Mr. Grilled. Now they are a restaurant, bar, car wash. So you can't eat or drink with a mask on. So it is understandable that no one had one on in the place from what I could see. But there was also absolutely no social distancing.

[Sawassdee]

You will find much better deals for price and space if you expand the horizon beyond the two streets away from the Conde, Parque Independencia, and the cathedral plaza. There is a pretty significant tourist premium on airbnb rates in the inner Colonial Zone. It's not a big deal for stays under one month in length but it adds up quickly for longer term stays.

I saw some good longer term deals too. I was visiting Zona Colonial for less than 4 days during both trips. I already had my main apt in Boca Chica. You hit it on the head. If staying a month or more much better deals just outside of touristy spots.

[Knowledge]

You will find much better deals for price and space if you expand the horizon beyond the two streets away from the Conde, Parque Independencia, and the cathedral plaza. There is a pretty significant tourist premium on airbnb rates in the inner Colonial Zone. It's not a big deal for stays under one month in length but it adds up quickly for longer term stays.

As of the last 2 months I have stayed in one apartment for $25 per night, one for $30, and the last for $45 per night. All were very nice and less than 2 minutes walk from the park in the square. I am a tiny bit sad I posted good reviews on the 2 lower priced ones due to they now stay occupied long term. Too good to last.

[Knowledge]

Yeah, I am part of that problem. LOL!

The most active forum right now on ISG is Medellin Colombia.

[Sawassdee]

I am going to stay at a $30 per night apartment in Zona Colonial, ranked 4. 98 out of 5. 00 by guests. I will report and give my opinion, if interested and if the place fits your needs.

As of the last 2 months I have stayed in one apartment for $25 per night, one for $30, and the last for $45 per night. All were very nice and less than 2 minutes walk from the park in the square. I am a tiny bit sad I posted good reviews on the 2 lower priced ones due to they now stay occupied long term. Too good to last.

[Turgid]

There is fuss about Colombia?

The most active forum right now on ISG is Medellin Colombia.

[SubCmdr]

I stay away from crowded bars in the US and the DR.

I was out today doing tareas (errands) and drove by a location on Av. Venezuela, in Santo Domingo este. I add that because there were a few veteran posters who did not know Av. Venezuela was in Santo Domingo este. This was a couple of years ago. I hope they have worked out their geography issues at this point.

Name of the place is Mr. Grilled. Now they are a restaurant, bar, car wash. So you can't eat or drink with a mask on. So it is understandable that no one had one on in the place from what I could see. But there was also absolutely no social distancing.

Even with most of the dining room in open area with a patio you still would not catch me in there. On top of that I can't recommend the food. Block party in mi barro tonight with no one with masks on. Observed from a distance. Was told by my chica visiting who showed up by using a taxi exempt from restrictions that in the barrio they simply play games with the police. Staying close to their homes and partying and when the police show everyone goes into someone's house. They wait until they leave and then go back to partying.

Now, I'm sure someone is going to jump bad up in here and write that I am scared either in the public forum or via PM but personally I am comfortable with each and everyone's opinion of me that is posting up in here. I've been in Republica Dominicana through the entire COVID-19 scare. Boots on the ground reporting when I felt like it. Real info! Not relaying some text I received from girl I fucked while I was here a week.

My objective in the DR is to have fun, relax and return without COVID or an STI. So far so good.

I am glad you had a great trip. You showed everyone that Santo Domingo is only hard in the minds of those who are not big dogs. They can't run with us cause they cannot pee in tall grass.

That being said: When I return to my country of origin my objectives are to complete my business in the minimum time possible, gorge myself on my favorite fast foods (none of my favorites are here), not get COVID-19 and not get killed by the police. Although I worry far more about the police than COVID-19, so far so good.

But what the fuck to I know. I just live here.

[StrawHat]

Yes, I flew out at 5 PM on a full flight.

Glad you had a good time Strawhat. I wonder if crossed paths today at the airport LOL. I noticed few other solo travelers at the airport returning home but not many unlike the pre-COVID days.

I went to the club section in Piantini last Sunday, went to an outdoor club 'Maria' during the day. This place was packed with over 500 young people in mid twenties, all of them in big crowds with bottle service at each table and no face masks at all. No restrictions at the other bar / lounges either. It reminded me of what we hear about the beach parties in Florida that were in the news during this summer. If the health officials don't take things seriously in the DR, this could be another hot zone that could rise at any time. If anyone wants to get in on the action, they should go soon before the lockdowns go in effect next year and take full precautions for yourself while you're down here. Overall, it is still a good place to go for the short timers, but is changing just like everywhere else in the world. Now onto my next adventure to Columbia in Dec with friends, never been there so very excited to see what all the fuss is about.

I stay away from crowded bars in the US and the DR. I stay at the hotel and relax. Pool, terrace bar, cigars, food. But go out for dinner once or twice per trip & go out to buy cigars. I'm not going to hang out at any place that's crowded. My guess is that the number of COVID infected people is higher than reported in the DR but to be fair, I feel the same about the US. I noticed on my way thru customs (on the way in) that the people they picked for the random COVID test looked Dominican. Tourism is over 10% of the DR GDP and the country needs the revenue. My objective in the DR is to have fun, relax and return without COVID or an STI. So far so good.

Strawhat.

[StrawHat]

Let me know how the rental works out. My hope is that the cigar factories open up for visitors so I could visit Santiago and rent a place but I don't see that happening any time soon.

Strawhat.

I am going to stay at a $30 per night apartment in Zona Colonial, ranked 4. 98 out of 5. 00 by guests. I will report and give my opinion, if interested and if the place fits your needs.

[Knowledge]

You know the country well.

Dominican business logic is if there is less demand and less customers, raise prices. Hotels and restaurants also do it.