Sosua Reports

I have bought weed from total strangers in: México, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Colombia (it is legal there though) , Argentina, Perú, Thailand, Spain, Portugal, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada (as well as my native US where I can now do so legally). I only do it "on the spot," meaning if they don't have it with them I don't go anywhere or wait around or anything. Then I leave immediately and don't return to that general area for a couple of days at least. I have never had a problem.

Yet.

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1234083]Then I leave immediately and don't return to that general area for a couple of days at least.[/QUOTE]That precaution might not work so well in Sosua where 95% of our posters spend 95% of their time within an area the size of a soccer pitch where most of the sex and drugs action is concentrated,

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1234065]Sir Charles, no disrespect intended but I think the reason you haven't been offered any drugs is because of your age.[/QUOTE]Of course you are right that is a consequence of my "profile", of which age is the most important element, but I am sure I could greatly enhance the chances of my being offered illegal substances, even at my advanced age, by dressing and behaving like a total dickhead.

[QUOTE=Dickhead;1234083]I only do it "on the spot," meaning if they don't have it with them I don't go anywhere or wait around or anything.[/QUOTE]Good advice if it works out that way. Most times it takes a minute or two of uncomfortable wait time or having to come back in 20 minutes.

In regards to the countries you mentioned I agree minus Thailand and Colombia. Smoking in Thailand would scare the shit out of me. When I first went to Colombia kids were smoking out in the public parks with a police officer present. The next time I went back they were playing a cat and mouse game with the cops who did rounds every 15 minutes. IMHO Colombia is a grey area due to the american influence with the drug war. IMHO I would say YES and NO but don't get caught. There have been marches in Medellin rallying against the repealing of the consumo law. It was unclear to me what the laws really are. As a gringo I wouldn't push it.

Peru is a buzzkill in many ways. Available but in general not accepted by mainstream culture as in Mexico. Even chicas will gawk at you with bulging eyes when you admit to it. I had a VERY close call once in Lima. Had to flush gemstones! I just couldn't take the risk and my instincts gave me red flags all over the place.

The DR is a MAJOR buzzkill. Who wouldn't give a nut to chill out on a nice beach or in the mountains appreciating the beauty of this earth with a cool buzz. The culture in the DR is way too conservative for it. Forget the motoconcho guys or the hip hop want to be's. The majority of the country frowns upon ANY drug. Herion / Marijuana are all the same in countries like these.

I'd hate to see a fellow monger go down without knowing the dire consequences some countries impose on drug users. If anything always buy small as annoying as it might be.

I had a puta who I was with for the second time buy for me. The weed was fine. She picked up from a friend. The quality I am not an expert. However a nice buzz with a sexy chica can be great. My only problem was I was so paranoid I almost did not enjoy myself. I was surprised at how many chicas did not smoke. Here almost all do.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp; 1234097]Good advice if it works out that way. Most times it takes a minute or two of uncomfortable wait time or having to come back in 20 minutes.

In regards to the countries you mentioned I agree minus Thailand and Colombia. Smoking in Thailand would scare the shit out of me. When I first went to Colombia kids were smoking out in the public parks with a police officer present. The next time I went back they were playing a cat and mouse game with the cops who did rounds every 15 minutes. IMHO Colombia is a grey area due to the american influence with the drug war. IMHO I would say YES and NO but don't get caught. There have been marches in Medellin rallying against the repealing of the consumo law. It was unclear to me what the laws really are. As a gringo I wouldn't push it.

Peru is a buzzkill in many ways. Available but in general not accepted by mainstream culture as in Mexico. Even chicas will gawk at you with bulging eyes when you admit to it. I had a VERY close call once in Lima. Had to flush gemstones! I just couldn't take the risk and my instincts gave me red flags all over the place.

The DR is a MAJOR buzzkill. Who wouldn't give a nut to chill out on a nice beach or in the mountains appreciating the beauty of this earth with a cool buzz. The culture in the DR is way too conservative for it. Forget the motoconcho guys or the hip hop want to be's. The majority of the country frowns upon ANY drug. Herion / Marijuana are all the same in countries like these.

I'd hate to see a fellow monger go down without knowing the dire consequences some countries impose on drug users. If anything always buy small as annoying as it might be.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1233955]Professor, please expound on your comment about new bills, I'm not sure what difference it makes new vs. Old.[/QUOTE]In many countries, like Costa Rica, Mexico, and Guatemala, banks and exchange houses will not take torn or damaged bills. Even a slight rip can be fatal. This could be a problem if you only have large bills. So, as Lonely Planet suggests in a few of its series, I only travel with new, undamaged bills. I tell my bank what I need about a week in advance, and how I want it split. When I arrive, the bank has new, clean bills for me. I do not know if the DR is as strict, but many countries are.

[QUOTE=OldKool;1234100]I had a puta who I was with for the second time buy for me. The weed was fine. She picked up from a friend. The quality I am not an expert. However a nice buzz with a sexy chica can be great. My only problem was I was so paranoid I almost did not enjoy myself. I was surprised at how many chicas did not smoke. Here almost all do.[/QUOTE]Good point.

In many ways DR is very conservative. As a foreigner DO NOT get caught with drugs. Drug users are considered to be the lowest of the low here. Marijuana is looked at worse than Coke.

Just don't do it. Not worth it.

[QUOTE=JimJames; 1234038]This is my first trip to DR, so this will be a fact finding trip. I am taking it that "large Bills" means $100's or $50's (US Dollars). What would be better? I have read the forum and I am still a little unclear on the best place to exchange Dollars to Pecos. I will be staying at BB in Puerto Plata for a few days then I might go to Sosua for the remainder of my stay. Should I exchange them at BB or go to a bank?

Thank you,

JJ[/QUOTE]When I went to BB's I was told (by the vets in the Puerto Plata forum) to exchange my dollars at Jenny's Supermarket as they have a better exchange rate than you will find at BB's. While on the way to BB's from the airport I asked the driver to stop at Jenny's (probably pronounced "Henny's" in Spanish, but they should know it in English) , and you go into a secure room at the back of the store and do the exchange. When I needed to exchange more dollars for pesos I just walked to Jenny's (BB's is in a secure residence, so you'll be fine. If concerned just as a monger to walk with you) to exchange more. We got lost but everyone in the neighborhood helped us find where we needed to go. Check with the guys in the Puerto Plata forum to make sure that Jenny's is still in play.

As far as Sosua, I mostly use the ATM's, but sometimes they do not work or run out of money towards the weekend. If you still have dollars I always use the Cambio (exchange house) in between El Flow and the clothing store. BUT I would only go there between morning and afternoon when the older gentleman is there. I would not go there at night as other Senior mongers have posted that the young guy there at night will try to rip you off, even going as far as handing you fake bills. Supposedly there is also a guy from the beach who can meet you at your hotel if you have a large amount of money to exchange, and many mongers on this site can vouch for his credibility. Check back a few pages on this forum to find out the guy's name and contact number. I have never exchanged money with the guys in the street, so can't comment there. You can also take your passport into the bank and stand in line to do a transfer from your checking account at Banco Popular, but the line was so long that I did not bother with it. I have also exchanged money at the Western Union that is on the way to Sosua from the airport, but I would may sure that you had "New Bills" because one monger reported that they ripped him off by saying that one of his $100 bills was a fake and that they were keeping it to further investigate, LOL.

I like to use OANDA's currency converter: [url]http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter[/url]

But all you have to do to know how much you should receive back when exchanging dollars is to take the exchange rate and multiply it by the amount of dollars you are exchanging. This will tell you how many pesos you should receive back:

ex. $100USD x 38.00DOP = $3,800 DOP (Dominican Pesos)

If you wanted to know something like how much short time (ST) sex with a chica should cost you in Dollars:

1500DOP/38.00DOP = $40.00

Most of the times the people you are exchanging with will have a calculator and will show you the amount you are receiving back, but it wouldn't hurt to have your own pocket calculator so that you can see for yourself what you should expect to receive back. ALWAYS ask them what exchange rate they are giving you. It should be anywhere between 36-38. Someone else who has been there recently maybe can comment on this.

[QUOTE=SavePros321; 1234128]When I went to BB's I was told (by the vets in the Puerto Plata forum) to exchange my dollars at Jenny's Supermarket as they have a better exchange rate than you will find at BB's. While on the way to BB's from the airport I asked the driver to stop at Jenny's (probably pronounced "Henny's" in Spanish, but they should know it in English) , and you go into a secure room at the back of the store and do the exchange. When I needed to exchange more dollars for pesos I just walked to Jenny's (BB's is in a secure residence, so you'll be fine. If concerned just as a monger to walk with you) to exchange more. We got lost but everyone in the neighborhood helped us find where we needed to go. Check with the guys in the Puerto Plata forum to make sure that Jenny's is still in play.

As far as Sosua, I mostly use the ATM's, but sometimes they do not work or run out of money towards the weekend. If you still have dollars I always use the Cambio (exchange house) in between El Flow and the clothing store. BUT I would only go there between morning and afternoon when the older gentleman is there. I would not go there at night as other Senior mongers have posted that the young guy there at night will try to rip you off, even going as far as handing you fake bills. Supposedly there is also a guy from the beach who can meet you at your hotel if you have a large amount of money to exchange, and many mongers on this site can vouch for his credibility. Check back a few pages on this forum to find out the guy's name and contact number. I have never exchanged money with the guys in the street, so can't comment there. You can also take your passport into the bank and stand in line to do a transfer from your checking account at Banco Popular, but the line was so long that I did not bother with it. I have also exchanged money at the Western Union that is on the way to Sosua from the airport, but I would may sure that you had "New Bills" because one monger reported that they ripped him off by saying that one of his $100 bills was a fake and that they were keeping it to further investigate, LOL.

I like to use OANDA's currency converter:

[url]http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter[/url]

But all you have to do to know how much you should receive back when exchanging dollars is to take the exchange rate and multiply it by the amount of dollars you are exchanging. This will tell you how many pesos you should receive back:

Ex. $100USD x 38. 00DOP = $3, 800 DOP (Dominican Pesos)

If you wanted to know something like how much short time (ST) sex with a chica should cost you in Dollars:

1500DOP / 38.00DOP = $40.00.

Most of the times the people you are exchanging with will have a calculator and will show you the amount you are receiving back, but it wouldn't hurt to have your own pocket calculator so that you can see for yourself what you should expect to receive back. ALWAYS ask them what exchange rate they are giving you. It should be anywhere between 36-38. Someone else who has been there recently maybe can comment on this.[/QUOTE]Thank you for the detailed reply. I just received room confirmation at BB. I asked them and they say they can exchange Dollars me at the rate of 38 / dollar. The site you recommended has a current rate of 38. 4903. If I exchange $2000 the difference in the two rates would be about $25. I think $25 would be a small amount to pay for the convenience.

[QUOTE=Artisttyp;1234097]The DR is a MAJOR buzzkill. Who wouldn't give a nut to chill out on a nice beach or in the mountains appreciating the beauty of this earth with a cool buzz?[/QUOTE]Quite a few people. You should try going to the beach sometime without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It may feel a bit strange at first, but after a while it can grow on you.

Has anyone stayed at Casa Valeria or rockys? How do these hotels compare to the new garden? Is Rocky's located on the same street as NG?

Places to stay in Sosua, I am a big fan of Villa California.

[QUOTE=Grandnash84;1234312]Has anyone stayed at Casa Valeria or rockys? How do these hotels compare to the new garden? Is Rocky's located on the same street as NG?[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Drlawyer; 1234105]Good point.

In many ways DR is very conservative. As a foreigner DO NOT get caught with drugs. Drug users are considered to be the lowest of the low here. Marijuana is looked at worse than Coke.

Just don't do it. Not worth it.[/QUOTE]I never had a problem finding some smokes in the streets of Sosua. I don't purchase from anyone though, I have a few connects that I trust down there that always get me what I need. The key is not to be disrespectful, nothing in public and not around the hotel staff when they are around. I usually stay at Sosua Bay and they have to know I smoke, but have never had a problem. I make sure to take care of first. BTW whenever I bring a chica back to the room they see the weed and act like they wouldn't touch but once I pass it to them most of them smoke like champs. And nothing beats getting a chica to hang with you all day because you have weed, weed.

[QUOTE=Frannie;1234303]Quite a few people. You should try going to the beach sometime without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It may feel a bit strange at first, but after a while it can grow on you.[/QUOTE]

There is more discussion here on weed and booze than at AA. LOL.
I enjoy a drink but isn't a woman (or a harem- for some) inebriating enough and a lot headier? Add then a nice beach, blue water, full stomach and a beer to go with it. Where else is paradise? But then I am just an old fashioned male!

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto; 1234377]There is more discussion here on weed and booze than at AA. LOL.

I enjoy a drink but isn't a woman (or a harem- for some) inebriating enough and a lot headier? Add then a nice beach, blue water, full stomach and a beer to go with it. Where else is paradise? But then I am just an old fashioned male![/QUOTE]Right. The whole point of the DR is that it is a place you can go where (like many countries) it is legal to pay for sex, unlike the US where you could be entrapped or arrested for doing so. It seems rather contrarian, to say the least, to go the the DR for legal sex and then spend your time there using illegal drugs which could lead to you being entrapped and arrested. Obviously you can get away with paying for sex in the US or using illegal drugs in the DR most of the time, but the consequences of getting on the wrong side of the law in either case can be very severe, and if you have a responsible job or official position, for example in government, education, social services, law enforcement, you might even end up jobless and unemployable, especially if you miss work time while detained overseas.