Why do the lights even go out at all?
[QUOTE=Prtyr2;2502645]Even in the 24/7 zones the electric will go out.[/QUOTE]It is a crying shame that on a island with solar, wind and wave energy available that the lights ever go off at all.
[QUOTE=Prtyr2;2502645]Most "Torres" in these zones have a planta though. I have modems, computers, routers, switches, cable box, Apple TV etc all hooked up to UPS. When power goes out, I lose lights for maybe a minute or two, but the UPS keeps me online.[/QUOTE]For those who do not live in the "nose in the air at a angle they risk drowning in the rain" or those of who do not live in building with full plantas. We get by with inverters, generators and just toughing it out in the dark. My full sin wave inverter had a alarm that let me know the power was out. My refurbished modified sin wave inverter doesn't make a sound but you can hear the sound of the fans running when the power goes out. But, it is a beast! Of course with inverters you need batteries. Batteries need to be maintained and replaced over the years. But it is better than sitting in the dark.
Doesn't make it any more palatable that I have to build a back up system to function day to day not just in emergency situations. One of the things I hate the most about living in Republica Dominicana is the lack of basic infrastructure. I will not comment on why I feel this is. But the phrase: "All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing" applies here.
1200 DOP a week for food is what I said
I cannot speak for [B]StrawHat[/B] but I have always known (even though others challenged me) that 1200 DOP a week as a weekly food budget (4800 DOP a week) was enough for a [I]Dominican[/I] family to get by on. I did not say it was enough for eating everyday in a restaurant like one of the off islanders living here for a week like a millionaire. Individuals reading my posts need to remember I actually live here. For quite a few years now. Not to many others posting regularly can say this. And not many my many detractors can actually say that either.
I personally doubt that any family can get along entirely and take care of all their household needs with just 1200 DOP a week covering all basic necessities. Nacional as others have noted is a high end supermarket. Locals shop there. Those who have more money than average and access to transportation. I shop there when I am close. You can find a lot of imported items that are more specialized. You usually do not find Nacional's located in less affluent areas. Nor do you find tennis clubs with 250,000 DOP initial memberships in less affluent area. But one exists. I ball on a budget here so I did not join.
How do they get by and cover all basic needs? There is a lot sharing that goes on. Some go without. There may be more than one income earner in the household. If a chica lives alone she may have another income source she is not disclosing to you (think: Western Union Novio). But I find it most interesting that people have chosen to concentrate on food. I also pointed out that you can get your dick sucked and fuck for 1200 DOP. So think about that! One hour of work can feed your family for a week here in Republica Dominicana. Never in my entire life of working did I every have a job that paid like that. I have had some good paying jobs in my day!
People are always telling stories here about chicas lying. A chica once met me and sucked and fucked me for 1500 DOP. She told me that she needed diapers for her child. We did the deed (fully documented in another part of the forum). I dropped her off at the pick up spot. Waited a minute and then decided that I need a few things out of the grocery store. As I was entering the store who did I see leaving. My lovely blonde hottie. She held up her bag displaying the big package of Pampers she had bought. Smiled and gave me a high five as we passed each other.