Truly Appreciated, Charles!
I do not know if you got the drift but I really love the idea of getting the "real" taste and feel of the place, right from the get go. More so as it is smack in the middle of the day. I am absolutely going to try the little adventure you suggested and the walk will do me good after the airplane. Rain is the only dampener. Literally and otherwise.
Sorry to hear about sleeping on the beach. I earlier in the year, was in Goa, India. There are beach shacks with restaurant / bars all around and I stayed out at night, pissed-drunk and all alone, looking at the waves breaking, with nary an incident!
Tant Pis, comment dit on, en Francais!
For the Delphi of Puerto Plata ahem, DR
Ahead of my trip, I have been trying to get in touch with potentials (of PP) online and I have come across some interesting things plus my goof-ups that I wanted to check with you. Last night, it was madhouse, as I was trying to field two chats, and that in Spanish.
1. Three of the four women are in some university or other. One is in Santiago (one hour away by bus) the other two. Elsewhere. I did not catch the name.
2. The first one told me she does not need to go every day.
3. The other two apparently are not continuing with their Med school. At least for now (one is working in a salon. Could not figure out if it is a hair salon or what, another helps with a garment store). When I asked what they studied, anatomy etc, they were rather non-committal which was surprising for me. A serious student, I would like to think would have more than that to say. At least I did, in my time but I was a "stupid" nerd.
4. They all grilled me a lot about my personal status etc. One especially grilled me as to why I want to see her? Because of language, I had also screwed up. One older woman asked me (eres casado o soltero). I as an idiot, was using google translate, and soltero was translated as "maiden" (not bachelor). So I thought she is telling me of her status. That she is a maiden and wrote "ok". Little did I understand she was quizzing me and after my bungled answer, she left in a huff. Too bad!
5. They all wanted to know which hotel I was staying and this was a challenge for me and so I dodged around. I am not even sure if they can be brought to BB if I wanted to or it would be a serious affront. I seriously will have to figure this one of location.
Overall, I am somewhat confused about the pedigree of these so-called online people. One actually wrote some English and I think she does speak some. The other two at Med school were I thought iffy in terms of their intellectual curiosity. I wonder if these are as much of gold-diggers as the much maligned working women in Sosua or they were hedging their bets, like all would.
Your reflections invited.
Thanks.