Sosua Reports

[QUOTE=Mr Gogo;1550758]Nonsense! If someones purpose is to be associated with class they wouldn't be in Sosua at all.[/QUOTE]No class! Yep, that would be me!

Damn I wish I was classy just by eating a fucking hotdog!

[QUOTE=Tomjackin; 1550969]No class! Yep, that would be me!

Damn I wish I was classy just by eating a fucking hotdog![/QUOTE]Some people would say that because we share great sex / friendship with the same woman that we are classless. But that's cool because we will have some great stories to tell over our next beers. It's about the adventure, and as long as you have mutual respect who cares about class. BTW I don't eat pork LOL.

[QUOTE=Frannie;1550858]Perhaps we can slice it down the center and wash it down with some Pilsner.[/QUOTE]Perhaps, but once you get a glance of my Wiener Schnitzel, I seriously doubt you will be willing to share it with anyone!:D

The Italian restaurant next to The British pub is an excellent Italian restaurant I found out last night. I went there around 9.30 PM, after dropping off a female on the way back to Pto Pta. I had bruschetta with tomato, basil and mozzarella as starters, a leafy salad with pungent arugula, tomato, onion and romaine lettuce and to top off, a plate of home made tagliatelle in a cream sauce with mushrooms and Italian sausage, washed down with mezzo litro de vino rosso. I finished it with an espresso which again was very good. The bill was 1070 pesos which might be considered high by local standard for a single meal but to me, it was worth it outside of flying to Italy. Speaking of it, the Schnitzel meal at the Austrian place the night before was priced similarly. Marco the owner, is from Bologna, nice guy. He even lent me his glasses as I forgot them at my place. I would have tried the fish or the meat as the main course but did not have room anymore. Heartily recommend the place to anyone who enjoys Italian food. I thought it is way better than elefante rosso which is located almost across. I shared the table (because I was eating alone at a place that could sit six) with a Greek guy and a Danish woman and the conversation was excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed the solo night as I chomped on my cigar (180 pesos) bought at the German cigar store on my way out of town for the night. As I was strolling along back to my car. Several women wanted to strike conversation. I thought one was nice with a sense of humor and after exchanging several sentences, she concluded I was a " Chileno". Made me crack up, a dark skinned Indian for a (mostly white) Chilean! The schools are doing a good job.

[QUOTE=Tomjackin;1550983]Perhaps, but once you get a glance of my Wiener Schnitzel, I seriously doubt you will be willing to share it with anyone!:D[/QUOTE]I am not that much of a foodie, but I did have an excellent German sausage with curry sauce and French bread last night at Hotel Don Andres restaurant.

[QUOTE=Phuquer;1549484]WRX2005, I will eat my words and respond because I feel your post makes some valid points and deserves a response.[/quote]Thanks for responding.

[quote]You want to dissect every comment I post that you don't agree with, you can't seem to understand why I advise what I advise, and you seem to be surprised when I reply with what appears to you as sarcasm after you continually dissect my posts.[/quote]I see you don't have a clear understanding on my end. When I 1st responded to you, I asked you a few specific questions. At that point I wasnt dissecting your post. And I don't recall claiming I disagreed with you. When did you start thinking that I disagreed with you? I was asking for more feedback, to get more understanding from you. How could I agree or diasgree if I don't know exactly what you mean? When I mentioned sarcasm, your comment about letting others be targets, presupposes a negative characteristic you assigned to those who walk around with those items. It sure wasnt meant to be a positive.

This is how it went down, I asked you:

"1) Exactly what do you mean by not rubbing your so called wealth in their faces? When you mentioned you don't dress fancy, don't wear expensive watches, don't use expensive phones, don't wear big gold chains, don't use your ipad outside of your hotel, and don't pay for beers with $2000 peso notes. 2) Were those supposed to be examples of how you don't rub wealth "in their faces"? 3) If so, what is your reasoning for deciding you should do that? 4) Is this from preconceived ideas of how you feel enough dominicans think / feel? Or did you have some sort of experience to make you feel the need to make those adjustments? Or was it from advice you received from friends or forums like this? What is it?"

Thats 4 specific questions. Now when you responded to me, you didn't quote me so at 1st I didn't know you were talking to me. 2ndly, you did not give me the feedback I asked. My 1st question is asking what do you mean by rubbing wealth in ones face? You didn't give me an answer to that question. To be sure, I asked if the examples you gave were examples of rubbing wealth in ones face? Again no answer. I asked, if so what was your reasoning for deciding to do that, again no answer? I asked if you have preconceived ideas of how enough dominicans think or feel? Again no answer. I asked if it came from advice from friends or forums like this? Again no answer. What you did give me, was you off on a tangent telling me about a waitress looking at your iphone, and your ex wife and brother in law. And then finishing up by telling me this is how you operate. I read that info, and I'm like, what the hell does that have to do with rubbing ones wealth in ones face, and your perception of how enough dominicans think or feel about you having an ipad, iphone or paying with a $2000 note. You couldn't grasp the specifics of what I was asking you?

Your response :

[url]http://www.internationalsexguide.info/forum/showthread.php?2227-Sosua-Reports&p=1548606&viewfull=1#post1548606[/url]

So here we are now, you claiming I was dissecting your posts and disagreeing with you. Since you didn't give me the feedback I asked from the very beginning, you left me no choice but to respond to what you posted even though it didn't have jack to do with what I asked. I even advised you later that you didn't answer what I initially asked, to show you how we got off track. And you didn't even pick that up. You seemed to take it all as an attack. Whereas we wouldn't even be here if you would have read the questions the way I wrote it, and just responded to them. It seems you were on the defensive from the very beginning. So before you start down the wrong path of thinking I have something against you or your posts, try to re evaluate what you thought and felt when you read my 1st response to you. And why you couldn't or wouldn't answer what I asked? What really happened there?

And for the record, I enjoyed much of what you posted earlier even though I may not have emphasized it. I have posted a lot of trip report info myself, and it doesn't always garner acknowledgement. But I do know people are reading what we all post. So if you think I don't equally appreciate your input, you need to know you would be mistaken. Message boards is a venue where it's easy to be misunderstood. And as you can see, even asking for feedback it can be taken as an attack and a negative, rather than an attempt to engage someone in discussing / debating / understanding differing perspectives.

I will address the rest in a separate post.

[QUOTE=Phuquer;1549484]My advice and perspective is based on my experiences, things I have seen, and common sense that I have acquired over the years. I don't know what other perspective I can give you or anyone else besides what I have seen and experienced.[/quote]The perspective I was asking of you was how you think enough dominicans feel and think in regards to yourself or other mongers. In this case, the belief that exposing an iphone, ipad or paying with a $2000 note means one is rubbing their wealth in dominicans faces. What is your perspective on how dominicans generally think or feel or how are they affected by wealth being rubbed in their faces? Thats the perspective you can give. That is one of the questions I asked. When you advised people that they should use their gadgets etc (rub wealth in their faces) only when they feel comfortable, that suggests that the original need for caution or concern is brought about by ones own insecurity. And your need to make that adjustment (hiding or not bring those things) and then advise others to do the same is a personal issue, which doesn't necessarily mean dominicans are an intrinsic threat to you / mongers just because they don't have those things.

Thats why I brought out that many folks new or vets are obviously quite comfortable having those things out in public, and they may not have a problem paying for a beer with a $2000 note. So overall I wanted to know what your belief is about how dominicans feel or think when they see mongers with those items out in public or paying for a beer with a $2000 note. Those answers would be an interesting look. But it could expose something you don't want to reveal, which may be why you didn't answer the question in the 1st place, and turned most of my input into nothing more than dissection and disagreement.

[QUOTE=Phuquer;1549484]Yet when Mr. E posted that he gives the cashier his wallet and tells her to take what he owes her you make no comment.[/quote]If I had a question, I would have asked for more feedback. I did not have a question. Besides what do I need to comment on? I already knew who would respond and the manner in which they would do it.

[quote]I appreciate your posts. I feel they are intelligent, well written, and usually full of information.[/quote]Likewise I appreciate yours as well. I wish you would lighten up a little bit just because I might ask you to explain something you wrote. Personally, I appreciate those who ask me to explain a perspective, rather than assuming wrongly, and not wanting or caring if they get it right. If you've been following this forum, you know the individuals I have had to deal with in that regard.

[quote]I don't know what you have against my posts, but believe me, all I am trying to do is help the new guys.[/quote]And I guess you'll never know, because I do not have anything against your posts. A differing perspective or giving my take on your perspective does not mean I have anything against your posts.

[quote]Perhaps you should be encouraging that instead of attacking it.[/QUOTE]I am encouraging folks to exercise better reading comprehension before rushing to judgment or misunderstanding. And also not to take asking for more feedback as an attack. What good is my encouragement if some folks won't embrace it? Moreover, if they see my encouragement for better communications and understanding as nothing more than an attack, what more can I do? It takes at least two to make it work. I will try to handle my end.

I want to post a trip report, but I'm sure it will get buried by all these childless arguments.

Perhaps another day; the Sosua "reports" thread once again goes to shit.

Hello fellow mongers,

I'm looking to book a trip to the DR for May 29 for my graduation / birthday gift to myself LOL I have read a lot of post but still need help with a few questions 1 I know no Spanish what so ever how can I quickly learn some and is it nessesary or should I just rely on Google translate and 2 a lot of the pic I see of are slim chicks does Sosua have thick chicks when I say thick I mean giant thighs and giant asses LOL or should I look into going somewhere else any advice is appreciated and thanks also any body else a trip for that time let me know so we can link up.

I'm willing to bet there are many guys here who have taken advantage of the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES ). If not here is some info for ya. As a member you are entitled to use the DIY Global Entry kiosks in the customs area. While most folks after an international flight are gathering on the long lines in customs, a GE member can go straight to one of the short lines where they have several kiosks. You scan your passport, get a photo snapped and verify your fingerprints instantly. In addition, you don't have to fill out the PAPER declaration form that they give you on the plane when returning from an international flight. That declaration info is completed on the kiosk machine. Most major airports participate in the program. The cost is $100 and your enrollment is good for 5yrs.

In addition, a member of Global Entry, also entitles you to participate in the TSA pre-screening program. If you are a GE member you may not have to go for an interview at the TSA PS office, and won't have to pay any additional money. The $100 you paid for the GOES system covers you for the TSA pre screen. What is TSA pre-screen? You ever go to your airport in the states, and in the departure area you see some individuals directed to a very short line? Maybe you were randomly selected to go. It may have been the TSA pre-screen line. There, you don't have to remove shoes, your laptop from your bag, light jackets / outerwear, or belt. There may be other things they may allow to stay on your person. But the real benefit is you won't be on those long ass lines shuffling along with everybody else, especially behind a family with a bunch of children and a stroller. Your TSA PS line is much much shorter.

This benefit can take some stress off of someone who might be running late for their flight out. Or just a relief not to have to shuffle a few feet at a time until you finally get to be screened. And coming home from a flight. Not to be on a long ass line with multiple flights arriving at the same time? I can do without that. I currently have two international flights I booked with United. I was able to modify both itineraries and add my GE member number in the KNOWN

TRAVELER NUMBER field. Now, when I go to the airport, my boarding pass should have TSA approved. Also, some folks may be able to have their boarding passes on their devices where it can be scanned at the gate.

[quote]Q. If I have already been approved for Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, or if I already have a KTN, do I need to apply for the TSA Pre&10003; ™ application program?

A. Individuals who already have a KTN, including USA citizens who are members of Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI and Canadian citizen members of NEXUS, need not enroll in the TSA Pre&10003; ™ application program.[/QUOTE]When I went to my interview at the GOES office at the airport, they scanned my passport, recorded my DL, and asked me questions about any criminal background. Took a photo, took fingerprints and sent me on my way. Took 10 minutes. My online application already had me pre approved. The interview was just confirming the right person was applying. I recommend going on a Saturday. The terminal was virtually empty.

Any and all questions the answers may be obtained from both websites. The Global Entry and TSA pre screen websites. Anything particular ask me here or PM me.

[QUOTE=Tomjackin; 1551204]I want to post a trip report, but I'm sure it will get buried by all these childless arguments.

Perhaps another day; the Sosua "reports" thread once again goes to shit.[/QUOTE]I wouldn't worry about that trip report. Much of the banter here from time to time, including from you is not a trip report. Now what I am interested in is, did you open a Charles Schwab account like you said you were going to do? If so where did you go or how did you go about enrolling? The research I did gave me the impression Charles Schwab was mostly an investment firm not like a regular bank. I was thinking of TD Bank because they don't charge fees on foreign ATM withdrawals, but recall they require you to maintain a minimum balance of $2500. I could do it, but would rather not tie up that much to make it happen.

[QUOTE=Wrx2005; 1551221]I'm willing to bet there are many guys here who have taken advantage of the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES ). If not here is some info for ya. As a member you are entitled to use the DIY Global Entry kiosks in the customs area. While most folks after an international flight are gathering on the long lines in customs, a GE member can go straight to one of the short lines where they have several kiosks. You scan your passport, get a photo snapped and verify your fingerprints instantly. In addition, you don't have to fill out the PAPER declaration form that they give you on the plane when returning from an international flight. That declaration info is completed on the kiosk machine. Most major airports participate in the program. The cost is $100 and your enrollment is good for 5yrs.

In addition, a member of Global Entry, also entitles you to participate in the TSA pre-screening program. If you are a GE member you may not have to go for an interview at the TSA PS office, and won't have to pay any additional money. The $100 you paid for the GOES system covers you for the TSA pre screen. What is TSA pre-screen? You ever go to your airport in the states, and in the departure area you see some individuals directed to a very short line? Maybe you were randomly selected to go. It may have been the TSA pre-screen line. There, you don't have to remove shoes, your laptop from your bag, light jackets / outerwear, or belt. There may be other things they may allow to stay on your person. But the real benefit is you won't be on those long ass lines shuffling along with everybody else, especially behind a family with a bunch of children and a stroller. Your TSA PS line is much much shorter.

This benefit can take some stress off of someone who might be running late for their flight out. Or just a relief not to have to shuffle a few feet at a time until you finally get to be screened. And coming home from a flight. Not to be on a long ass line with multiple flights arriving at the same time? I can do without that. I currently have two international flights I booked with United. I was able to modify both itineraries and add my GE member number in the KNOWN

TRAVELER NUMBER field. Now, when I go to the airport, my boarding pass should have TSA approved. Also, some folks may be able to have their boarding passes on their devices where it can be scanned at the gate.

When I went to my interview at the GOES office at the airport, they scanned my passport, recorded my DL, and asked me questions about any criminal background. Took a photo, took fingerprints and sent me on my way. Took 10 minutes. My online application already had me pre approved. The interview was just confirming the right person was applying. I recommend going on a Saturday. The terminal was virtually empty.

Any and all questions the answers may be obtained from both websites. The Global Entry and TSA pre screen websites. Anything particular ask me here or PM me.[/QUOTE]As a SENTRI holder for over three years I was automatically enrolled in Global Entry and already had a GOES number. Besides all of the above benefits, you also don't have to wait in line with everyone waiting to have their declaration forms checked. As an example of how much time is saved by having Global Entry, last month I arrived from Puerto Plata at JFK. They had a separate line which was empty directing Global Entry members to the kiosks. Upon issuance of the ticket and after getting my luggage, there was a long line of people waiting to get their declaration forms checked. To the left was a sign for Global Entry members and I was waved thru instead of having to wait in line 10 minutes. Upon transferring to Terminal 5 at JFK for my return flight there was a long line to go thru security. I went to the PSA line which was empty at the time and went thru without waiting and taking my off my shoes, belt, laptop etc. It took my buddy who was on the same flight legs with me 45 minutes to get thru security. I feel the biggest benefit of Global Entry is the TSA pre-screen. It sounds as though getting Global Entry is lot easier to get than SENTRI where you have to bring in your tax returns and sit through a 45 minute interview being asked personal questions.

[QUOTE=Tomjackin; 1551204]I want to post a trip report, but I'm sure it will get buried by all these childless arguments.

Perhaps another day; the Sosua "reports" thread once again goes to shit.[/QUOTE]If you write a trip report people will read it if it is interesting.

[QUOTE=Wrx2005;1551224]I was thinking of TD Bank because they don't charge fees on foreign ATM withdrawals, but recall they require you to maintain a minimum balance of $2500. I could do it, but would rather not tie up that much to make it happen.[/QUOTE]Really?

What exactly could you do with $2500 if it was not "tied up" in a non-interest bearing checking acct?