Sosua Petite Dominican Chick
First time in the DR. Plenty of options on the streets, hanging around the disco club, saw a chick near new garden where there were less people and we were negotiating a price. She started to grab the crotch and twirling around for me to see. And I decided to go for it. Took her to the crib, she took a shower by herself and didn't let me in. Started off with a CBJ, made sure to show the kids some love as well. Then she turned around for some RCG but I smelled something funky. It wasn't too bad but there was a small stench. Pounded away and blasted in the raincoat.
Trade some of your USA common sense for Travel Wisdom
[QUOTE=Xpartan;2359860]You're right about zero credibility. A "rich" American tourist is always a target, and I know that, however:
We went to eat first. I didn't know where we would be eating, so brought one card and a little cash, just in case.
The passport card. I always carry it on me when abroad. It's better to lose that than an actual passport. Maybe you're right, and it's not necessary in Sosua, I don't know.
Cash? It was less than $40. I don't know, you need to have some money on you, I guess.
I don't know. Everyone has their own security method. I always carry a wallet in my pants though, after my childhood buddy who later became a semi-career criminal showed me how they casually "beat" the wallet out of a jacket. I presume the same method would work on a shirt pocket, too.[/QUOTE]Of course you brought the debit card for just in case you needed money while out. That was common sense that you were taught from where you are from. Same as me. But look what happened to it? It got stolen. So now how would you get money from THAT card, if you actually needed money from the ATM? Especially it being a Charles Schwab fee less card. How did that work out for you? Not good, right? Your common sense approach is understood, but it did not help.
What would travel wisdom do? Travel wisdom would have went to the ATM way before there was a need to go out. Travel wisdom would have got the money, and took the card back to a secure place (safe).. As for your passport card, there are several places in Sosua that can make a color laminated copy of any document you have. And shrink it down to credit card size, if you need. I have several color laminated copies of my USA DL, My USA passport (1st and 2nd page same size of my passport and a wallet size version like a passport card). Ive done the same in the Philippines with that DL, ACR-I card etc.
I drive my car in the DR with my USA DL copy. If stopped, I show them my DL copy. When I buy stuff in the DR and they ask for ID, I show them my DL copy. When I get money for exchange from Caribe Express, I use my passport copy. That is enough for them. In the DR copies of documents are widely accepted. So let's change your scenario. You go to the ATM way before you need to go out, and get enough money for the day / night. You put the card back in your safe. You have your laminated copy of your passport card or passport full size copy. Now you go out and get pickpocketed. You still have your original documents locked up, and all they got was some money, and your laminated copies of stuff you have back ups of. No need to cancel a debit card they never got. You still have the card to get more money.
What I'm saying to you is something many guys can do to minimize their risk of losing shit to foul play. Nothing can be done for a guy that takes unnecessary risk, or is too lazy or tired to lock his stuff up.
Now where to go for the laminated copies? I like the Computer Copy center that is located in a business behind Baileys restaurant. They do a good job and the copies are cheap. You can get several copies of your documents laminated in color and it might be less than 250 pesos for the whole job (always ask the price). I would recommend getting at least 4 copies of each.