Santo Domingo

[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.

[Knowledge]

There is fuss about Colombia?

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.

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.

[Knowledge]

The cost of grocery items other than rice, beans, local fruit and meat scraps is absurdly high in the Dominican Republic compared to even 10 years ago. It's gotten worse because of the pandemic but it was already crazy expensive compared to Latin American countries that don't depend as much on tourism and imported goods (Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, etc.). Besides the high cost of imported goods, government corruption is a major cause. An example of this corruption is consumer tax rates of up to 25% but very little evidence of even basic infrastructure and social services investment.

It's not very noticeable to tourists. What you have to spend as a full time resident does not compare well with what you have to spend. And what you get in return. In other Caribbean / Latin America countries. It's a question of quality of life. Noise pollution, unreliable water and electricity supply, and zero customer service unless you spend New York / London / Paris costs at restaurant and other hospitality venues. For those who have traveled a bit a prime example of the customer service gap is noticeable if you approach an employee in a supermarket or hardware store and ask where something can be found. You are lucky if you can get employees to stop using their phones long enough to speak with you, and even luckier if you get a useful response.

I have asked the same in the past, getting similar number $. You have to add to the equation that, like in my country, colmadones also sell on account so you can get food and pay later. According to WU in 2018 Dominican Republic ranked 9th in money transfer received. Although I find most produce cheap, it has been cheaper in the past. For example, since my first visit in 1998 and for a decade a pound of coffee cost the equivalent of $2, now it cost the double. Avocados, plantain, the cost was the equivalent of 5 cents of a dollar in street markets. Now they cost more since they are very popular export items.

[BoricuaOnline]

However my next trip I hope to rent a place for the week instead of the hotel. Then I will buy food and cook with my Chica #1 and find out first hand. Bye Santo Domingo till next trip.

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.

[Remy316]

I ate a steak last night, drank too much wine or just enough I don't remember. Woke up drank a lot of water, then coffee. Sent Chica #2 home, packed and headed to the airport. So I asked my driver who I've used for my three trips what the average monthly spend for food, just food. He thought about it and said 15,000 DOP per month. He said the problem with food prices is that they keep going up. He said staple food products have been increasing in price this year. So, I'm at my gate, ready to go home to rest & recuperate. This may be my last post on food because when I ask I get answers all over the place. My Chica #1 only speaks a little English so perhaps she did not completely understand my question (she answered 1200/ month yes but 1500/ month better). However my next trip I hope to rent a place for the week instead of the hotel. Then I will buy food and cook with my Chica #1 and find out first hand. Bye Santo Domingo till next trip.

Strawhat.

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.

Thus far my two week experience this time has been pleasant, not so great but not so bad either. Mostly due to the ever changing situation in the world nowadays. Some of the chicas were not very forthcoming due to personal reasons this time. I was also multitasking with my work so I did not put enormous effort in meeting lot of women either.

Strawhat, your chica #1 sounds very similar to my date that skipped on me two weeks ago. She's also living with her mother and sister but I don't think she had any entrepreneur desires in her. She's a nursing student, it would be a coincidence if that was the same chic that you got LOL.

Chica #2 showed me a good time, had couple of dates with her, even introduced me to her bro and her friends. And then she got mad cause I refused to give in to her outrageous demands. So that story ended on bittersweet note. This one also has a 10 year visa but I don't think she'll be coming here to stay any time soon for the lack of funds and a gracious sponsor for her to come and live here the way she wants to enjoy it.

Chica #3 got her at the shopping center and introduced by a bilingual friend. She was a semi pro and not making enough from her day job. This one was quite and lot of fun so I took care of her graciously to keep my place when I return in the future.

A couple of notes from my observation: Nov was very different than July-Aug. The curfew is still there but it has been extended into the late evening hours. There are very loose restrictions now compared to few months ago. All businesses are open as usual. I guess the new president is worried about his country slipping farther down during these uncertain economic times. A lot more people had gotten lay offs or lost their jobs permanently. So many people have fallen behind on their rent payments by few months. Basic costs are increasing at all levels and the gap between rich and poor is also widening here in the capital. But the most unusual and alarming thing that I noticed is that people here are out in public in large numbers during the day. They wear the masks but the logic here is as if the mask will prevent them from getting infected at all costs. 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.

[StrawHat]

I ate a steak last night, drank too much wine or just enough I don't remember. Woke up drank a lot of water, then coffee. Sent Chica #2 home, packed and headed to the airport. So I asked my driver who I've used for my three trips what the average monthly spend for food, just food. He thought about it and said 15,000 DOP per month. He said the problem with food prices is that they keep going up. He said staple food products have been increasing in price this year. So, I'm at my gate, ready to go home to rest & recuperate. This may be my last post on food because when I ask I get answers all over the place. My Chica #1 only speaks a little English so perhaps she did not completely understand my question (she answered 1200/ month yes but 1500/ month better). However my next trip I hope to rent a place for the week instead of the hotel. Then I will buy food and cook with my Chica #1 and find out first hand. Bye Santo Domingo till next trip.

Strawhat.

I have been dirt poor in my life not that I'm rich now but I'm ok. In my dirt poor days we ate rice, beans and odd pieces of pork to season the food. We ate greens and green beans so I know what living on the cheap is like. This morning I went to La Sirena to buy some supplies (Chica #2 arrives this morning) and I looked around for food prices. A 10 lb bank of rice was 350 DOP and beans were cheap. The had ham hocks & knuckles on the cheap side of the meat market.

So I posed the question to Chica #2 and she spends 5000 DOP per month on just personal products, she estimates her parents spend about 10,000 DOP per month for food. I presume her family does OK money wise.

My Chica #1 (sent home this morning) is dirt poor but she is industrious and hard working. She will be successful in life because of her situation and drive. She told me this our 3rd meeting that she started making and selling candy out of her home (she lives with her mother and sister) using the money I've given her. And hopes to open a small mart in the future. She never asks me for extras but I give her extras due to her effort. She does not spend her money on many personal items. She has a plan it seems..

[Darelax]

Now take look at the receipt below from Bravo and tell me how much was spent on groceries.

Easy. 480.00.

[SubCmdr]

May be easier to ask, but the information provided is like that old saying coding saying: GIGO (garbage in; garbage out). Does not give you any real idea of how much someone is actually spending on food. Groceries: How was it defined? No controls or definitions on the quick and dirty survey that was posted. Interesting, but non definitive.

Been in a modern grocery store lately in the Dominican Republic? They sell everything from vegetables, personal care items, alcohol, paper items, soap and cleaning supplies. Asking someone how much they spend on groceries and in return they tell you how much they spend at the grocery store gives you no better idea of what someone is spending on food unless you look at the receipt.

Comestibles, Congelados, Embutidos, Higiene and Salud, Lactedos, No Comestibles, Otras Carnes, Vegetales.

Now take look at the receipt below from Bravo and tell me how much was spent on groceries.

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

[StrawHat]

I have been dirt poor in my life not that I'm rich now but I'm ok. In my dirt poor days we ate rice, beans and odd pieces of pork to season the food. We ate greens and green beans so I know what living on the cheap is like. This morning I went to La Sirena to buy some supplies (Chica #2 arrives this morning) and I looked around for food prices. A 10 lb bank of rice was 350 DOP and beans were cheap. The had ham hocks & knuckles on the cheap side of the meat market.

So I posed the question to Chica #2 and she spends 5000 DOP per month on just personal products, she estimates her parents spend about 10,000 DOP per month for food. I presume her family does OK money wise.

My Chica #1 (sent home this morning) is dirt poor but she is industrious and hard working. She will be successful in life because of her situation and drive. She told me this our 3rd meeting that she started making and selling candy out of her home (she lives with her mother and sister) using the money I've given her. And hopes to open a small mart in the future. She never asks me for extras but I give her extras due to her effort. She does not spend her money on many personal items. She has a plan it seems.

Now I like both Chicas but Chica #1 has earned my upmost respect for her industrious nature. People can sometimes lift themselves out of poverty, hard as it may be those with drive and grit find a way. I see a lot of grit and drive in the Dominican people with whom I interact during my 3 brief visits to the DR. Waiters, cleaning ladies, drivers.

I see the sense of entitlement in some of the younger generations back in the USA. I say younger generations because I'm an old fuck LOL. Most immigrants I see in the USA work there ass off in search of a better life. Venezuelans, Cubans, Brazilians, Colombians, etc.

The more I see of this country (DR) the more I like it!

Now I go back to the room for some more relaxation.

Strawhat.

Very interesting! I see this topic is till ongoing. Glad you're having a good time here Strawhat.

I'm curious to know how they manage to get by with 1500 pesos "monthly" budget for food. Most chicas don't live alone, they have atleast one kid and other family members living together. So imo the 1500 would get used up very fast even on basic necessities. Here's why I say that:

I've been here few times mostly for work and some fun, but I'm still a novice compared to other veterans posting on this board. I was at the Nacional supermarket last week and I did do some research just for my curiosity. Although Nacional is high end supermarket, the price of two dozen eggs was high, vegetables and bread alone was going for over 600 to 800. A big sack of rice was not available so I could not check on the price of rice and beans. And the meat section was no less then 400 to 500 for average portions of carne. Milk is only available here as pre-packaged containers with longer shelf life, they don't sell fresh milk anymore since May, and the cost of packaged milk was average, about 300 o 400 pesos for 1 L container. Now most dominicans like to drink lot of sodas and juices, I did not check prices on it but I'm sure it wasn't cheap. Lastly, I went to the hot food section and the food quality was disappointing but it cost me close to 500 for a ravioli, mixed vegetables and coke. I know I was not in the same place where the locals would shop but their prices for similar items can't be that much different wherever they may shop.

Now keep in mind that we're having a discussion on food costs here on the island. I'm sure they have other needs such as toiletries, spices, electric bill, netflix, and more importantly daily transportation. So I'm still curious to learn how they can manage to get by on 1500 monthly budget.

[BoricuaOnline]

Easier to just ask as I did several people. This is how much they said they spend on groceries per month.

I have asked the same in the past, getting similar number $. You have to add to the equation that, like in my country, colmadones also sell on account so you can get food and pay later. According to WU in 2018 Dominican Republic ranked 9th in money transfer received. Although I find most produce cheap, it has been cheaper in the past. For example, since my first visit in 1998 and for a decade a pound of coffee cost the equivalent of $2, now it cost the double. Avocados, plantain, the cost was the equivalent of 5 cents of a dollar in street markets. Now they cost more since they are very popular export items.

[Mr Enternational]

I'm curious to know how they manage to get by with 1500 pesos "monthly" budget for food. Most chicas don't live alone, they have atleast one kid and other family members living together. So imo the 1500 would get used up very fast even on basic necessities.

Easier to just ask as I did several people. This is how much they said they spend on groceries per month.

Exgirlfriend in Salcedo that I have never given 1 peso to 1 daughter and mom: Entre 16.000 y 18.000 por mes.

Random broad #1: En un mes mas o menos de 25 mil pesos.

Random broad #2: Son como 200 dolar.

Random broad #3 1 son: Slo comida ms oh menos, boy al sper mercdos 2 veces al mes, 15, mil pesos ms oh menos

Chick in San Cristobal 1 daughter: Gasto como 130 dolar algo asi por que la pregunta?

Police chick in Santiago 3 sons: Al rededor de 15,000 a que viene esa pregunta.

Newly college graduate 1 son: Ahora la comida est cara aqu, estoy gastando 10,000 por mes

Lawyer Santo Domingo East 1 son: Casi 10,000 pesos mensual.

Doctor chick in Moca no kids parents: Se gasta 15 mil pesos dos veces al mes