Sosua Reports

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto;1239915]Yes, I have seen the pre-fab concrete blocks in pictures. I wonder if there is a place where one can get to see photos of the house / apartments from the outside and the neighborhood as well as pictures of the rooms including the bathrooms. Personally for me, that would be interesting learning.[/QUOTE]No bathroom pics but I am sure you can just imagine, not a pretty sight. I have been to many of the poorer barrios in both the DR and Colombia and it is a sobering experience every single visit.

[QUOTE=John from NJ;1239602]How did you get to Los 27 Charcos Damajagua? Did you have a car? I would like to visit the falls on my next trip. They sound cool.[/QUOTE]You don't need a car or taxi. Just catch the Santiago publico from La Javilla (in Puerto Plata) or the La Javilla Tours bus (also from La Javilla) and they will drop you off at the turning. It's about two miles past Imbert on the Santiago road. Cost you less than 50 pesos one way. Then it is quarter-mile walk to the pay kiosk. Don't go if there has been much heavy rain lately.

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto;1239915]Yes, I have seen the pre-fab concrete blocks in pictures. I wonder if there is a place where one can get to see photos of the house / apartments from the outside and the neighborhood as well as pictures of the rooms including the bathrooms. Personally for me, that would be interesting learning.[/QUOTE]Concrete block apartments pretty much the same as the interior of cheap hotels in Sosua. Floors are always concrete or tile, never carpet or wood. Bathrooms as per cheap hotels. In the campo, you can see a lot of homes that probably are not much different from the time of Columbus. Timber frame buildings with half cut timber and shingles made of half cut brushwood with the bark still on. Kitchen in a separate buiding (in case of fire) with a dirt floor, natural lighting, and a clay woodburning cook top. A pile of plantains in one corner, and a few chickens and cats walking around. A couple of big knives or choppers in the kitchen, and a couple of big caldera to cook in. Outdoor toilets in outhouse with deep pits with deepo vertical pits under bench with circular opening to sit on. Rainwater collect from gutters and stored in barrel on roof for showering and bathing. More water available from river, spring, or well on demand. Basic electrical supply with wires twisted together at joins and running along exposed beams. Rooms divided by wooden partitions about 6 feet high (big fire risk). Candles in use when electric supply is cut off (often).

Mosquito screens on bedroom window openings, but insects can enter via "ventilation" cracks in outer walls.

In other words, this is what residents of the US would call "camping".

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1239929]No bathroom pics but I am sure you can just imagine, not a pretty sight. I have been to many of the poorer barrios in both the DR and Colombia and it is a sobering experience every single visit.[/QUOTE]Your first picture is on Google images and is attributed to Nancy Pinsonneault. Let them know that she has laid claim to your picture.

[quote=frannie;1239806]am i right in thinking that those who complain have never experienced carrying 5-gallon buckets of water from the pump or the spring uphill on their head to the house in 90 degree weather.[/quote]these children aged maybe 7 to 8 have to carry these heavy five-gallon containers for up to 15 minutes (with rests) up a very steep, narrow, crumbling and slippery path. i had trouble going up and down and i was carrying nothing heavier than a camera. and they have to do it two three times a day, every day. that's why they don't waste water flushing just for a [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord134][CodeWord134][/url]. this was haiti but no doubt we could take similar pics many places in the dr.

[QUOTE=Charles Pooter;1239969]These children aged maybe 7 to 8 have to carry these heavy five-gallon containers for up to 15 minutes (with rests) up a very steep, narrow, crumbling and slippery path.[/QUOTE]Thanks Charles Pooter, Frannie and Manizales.grateful for you time! I do not feel so good, looking at these pictures. It is all the more surprising to see the huts and tenement buildings when, the pitch of selling properties in the D. R show fancy houses / aprtments replete with alluring swimming pools or azure ocean views. The contrast could not be starker.

[quote=charles pooter;1239969]these children aged maybe 7 to 8 have to carry these heavy five-gallon containers for up to 15 minutes (with rests) up a very steep, narrow, crumbling and slippery path. i had trouble going up and down and i was carrying nothing heavier than a camera. and they have to do it two three times a day, every day. that's why they don't waste water flushing just for a [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord134][CodeWord134][/url]. this was haiti but no doubt we could take similar pics many places in the dr.[/quote]yes, i have similar photos from haiti. gives them good posture, though. you don't hear haitian mothers saying "now sit up straight, little jean-paul, or you will end up like the hunchback of notre dame."

actually, i lived for some years in bermuda, which has a higher standard of living than the us in most respects, and most people there didn't flush [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord134][CodeWord134][/url] in homes, because everyone was dependent on rain water. in the us, because of water shortages and droughts, they have come up with an ingenious work around. to save water on flushing toilets, they make each flush about half a gallon only and in public washrooms you can hardly get your hands wet to wash them. the beauty of this system is that you often have to flush the toilet two or three times, because there isn't enough water to clear it. but the small flushes make us feel that we are conserving, and that is what is important.

[QUOTE=Tempoecorto;1239999]Thanks Charles Pooter, Frannie and Manizales.grateful for you time! I do not feel so good, looking at these pictures. It is all the more surprising to see the huts and tenement buildings when, the pitch of selling properties in the D. R show fancy houses / aprtments replete with alluring swimming pools or azure ocean views. The contrast could not be starker.[/QUOTE]The contrast is quite stark and requires a certain amount of tack and patience. I took a non-pro gf to a resort. I told her she could bring her son and cousin. Otherwise, her mother would have objected. When they arrived, they just stood in the lobby in awe. After escorting them to the apartment, they HAD to have a tour. So, we had a tour. The relatives were impressed by the bathroom and hot water. I had to buy swimming trunks for all, as they would have entered the pool in their shorts and t-shirts. You simply don't do this at a resort. The key was handling this in a tactful manner as not to embarrass the girl and her people. A pro with her client looked at them funny at first, but I ignored it. After awhile, one said if was nice of me to bring them.

I don't suggest the neighborhood trip to most. Most North Americans lack the tact to visit a non-pro at her house and interact with her family. You are a rock star, though. If you go, give a discreet tip to the mother for the food. Sometimes they feel they must stuff you, and you know that's their food for a week.

[quote=charles pooter;1239969]these children aged maybe 7 to 8 have to carry these heavy five-gallon containers for up to 15 minutes (with rests) up a very steep, narrow, crumbling and slippery path. i had trouble going up and down and i was carrying nothing heavier than a camera. and they have to do it two three times a day, every day. that's why they don't waste water flushing just for a [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord134][CodeWord134][/url]. this was haiti but no doubt we could take similar pics many places in the dr.[/quote]its sad how these children are exploited. they are sent by relatives or other families from remote villages to the city so they can attend school and help out with house chores but are just used as slaves (as shown on cnn).

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qqr7amrsjkq[/url]

[QUOTE=Professor 1; 1240019]The contrast is quite stark and requires a certain amount of tack and patience.

I don't suggest the neighborhood trip to most. Most North Americans lack the tact to visit a non-pro at her house and interact with her family. You are a rock star, though. If you go, give a discreet tip to the mother for the food. Sometimes they feel they must stuff you, and you know that's their food for a week.[/QUOTE]Thank you Professor 1, for your story and the pointer. Personally, coming from where I do, exchanging thoughts with quite a few people on this board has been interesting for me in more senses than one. In addition to broadening my horizon. I appreciate it as much as the tips on what to do or not, pursuing our avowed hobby.

[QUOTE=Lugalzaggizi;1239912]At this point I have to censure the rest of the story, so as not to infringe on the urbanity and propriety of ISG members.[/QUOTE]By all means please continue with your story. You took a paddle to the back of the nuts then what?

[QUOTE=Kman1; 1240058]Its sad how these children are exploited. They are sent by relatives or other families from remote villages to the city so they can attend school and help out with house chores but are just used as slaves (as shown on CNN).

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qqR7aMrsjKQ[/url][/QUOTE]Wow, my "no-flush" comment has generated so much discussion regarding their poverty and difficulty. I do admit that I used my gringo standards to judge them. I stand majorly corrected.

[quote=hillbilly69;1240220]by all means please continue with your story. you took a paddle to the back of the nuts then what?[/quote]please continue, did you take a family sized presidente in the bum, or did she rep001 on you?

inquiring minds are ready for the next scene!

[quote=buscemi; 1240234]please continue, did you take a family sized presidente in the bum, or did she rep001 on you?

inquiring minds are ready for the next scene![/quote]you kidding or are you a masochist, lol? i am crouching in pain reading what in my mind's eye was a hit on my balls. no more! please! in hindsight, perhaps there should be a separate thread for the afficionados of all arcane form of pleasure. so whoever chooses to read up, can do so. i am just too straight for this stuff.