Sosua Reports

The out of port excursions that people take when on cruises are not that popular. The majority of the people stay on board the ship or just stay in port. The ship is where the party is. On big ships I have rarely seen more than 20 people leave the port for an excursion. And I have been to far more interesting places than this. Plus after they pay the cruise line for the excursion people hardly spend anything on these excursions. So Sosua is going to clean-up the town and get rid of the usual tourists so about once every three weeks a group of probably less than 20 people can come and tour the town for a few hours and spend virtually nothing. Somebody there must be stupid because this can't work. It's going to be interesting to see how soon they find this out.

I'm not sure if much will change.

What about the caribbean cruises that stop in Curacao and Aruba? Prostitution is legal there. I'm not seeing Campo and the bars in San Nicholas closing down for the families onboard Carnival.

I'm sure sooner or later the bus that drives through Sosua will figure out an alternative way to avoid exposing it's classy clientele to the horrendous sight of all the bars being packed full of chicas at 12 PM. Oh wait.

[QUOTE=Bimmy6;1720827]The out of port excursions that people take when on cruises are not that popular. The majority of the people stay on board the ship or just stay in port. The ship is where the party is. On big ships I have rarely seen more than 20 people leave the port for an excursion. And I have been to far more interesting places than this. Plus after they pay the cruise line for the excursion people hardly spend anything on these excursions. So Sosua is going to clean-up the town and get rid of the usual tourists so about once every three weeks a group of probably less than 20 people can come and tour the town for a few hours and spend virtually nothing. Somebody there must be stupid because this can't work. It's going to be interesting to see how soon they find this out.[/QUOTE]You make great points. I think you have to figure in that this a new destination that will make people curious. These ships have 2,000 passengers so even if 10 percent take the excursions that's 200 people leaving the ship. I'm sure they will have to pre-pay also which will make people more inclined to go, also the prices are very reasonable. My guess is it's all test program and only the popular excursions will survive.

All we can do now is wait on the reviews. Let's see if the Dominicans will fuck this one up also.

I'm trying to put together an app that predicts when "This is going to ruin Sosua, mark my words" is going to happen again. It appears that it occurs approximately every 10 weeks, or any time an ex-pat or tourist is deported or arrested. Are there any other type of events that cause people to run in circles and cry "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! I need as much data as possible, so I can accurately predict when nothing at all will change, regardless of the widespread panic.

Mongering never messed up the tourist scene in Amsterdam. I have seen hoards of tourists (couples and families) touring the red light district there. In April, 1992 I saw a shitload of tourists applaud a John who entered a third floor room where blonde twins were on display.

What is going to happen in Sosua is the tour guide is going to say to his charges as if they are on a safari "Look over there, there is one predator that is ready to pounce. Look, there's the quarry. See how the beast gets ready to attack. Off she goes with her prey fully in her grasp. That one did not get away".

[QUOTE=MrGogo;1720848]You make great points. I think you have to figure in that this a new destination that will make people curious. These ships have 2000 passengers so even if 10 percent take the excursions that's 200 people leaving the ship. I'm sure they will have to pre-pay also which will make people more inclined to go, also the prices are very reasonable. My guess is it's all test program and only the popular excursions will survive.

All we can do now is wait on the reviews. Let's see if the Dominicans will fuck this one up also.[/QUOTE]Tripadvisors and sites like that will knock that percentage way down. Once the first group of people do the Sosua excursions and post their experience online. Those excursions will goto zero.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;1721060]I'm trying to put together an app that predicts when "This is going to ruin Sosua, mark my words" is going to happen again. It appears that it occurs approximately every 10 weeks, or any time an ex-pat or tourist is deported or arrested. Are there any other type of events that cause people to run in circles and cry "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! I need as much data as possible, so I can accurately predict when nothing at all will change, regardless of the widespread panic.[/QUOTE]Are you planning to return? It didn't seem like you developed any interest in the place based on your reports. They were pretty dour.

[QUOTE=JjBee62;1721060]I'm trying to put together an app that predicts when "This is going to ruin Sosua, mark my words" is going to happen again. It appears that it occurs approximately every 10 weeks, or any time an ex-pat or tourist is deported or arrested. Are there any other type of events that cause people to run in circles and cry "The sky is falling! The sky is falling! I need as much data as possible, so I can accurately predict when nothing at all will change, regardless of the widespread panic.[/QUOTE]While you are at it, maybe you can do one for Global Warming too!

Seems some folks are not happy unless they see doom around every corner.

[QUOTE=Rahsta;1721135]Tripadvisors and sites like that will knock that percentage way down. Once the first group of people do the Sosua excursions and post their experience online. Those excursions will goto zero.[/QUOTE]The first time they use a restaurant banio, they'll be suing Carnival for lack of hygiene and mental distress, LOL.

[URL]http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/saskatchewan/richard-dale-johnston-sentenced-for-defrauding-federated-co-op-of-800k-1.3076063[/URL]

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1721247][URL]http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/saskatchewan/richard-dale-johnston-sentenced-for-defrauding-federated-co-op-of-800k-1.3076063[/URL][/QUOTE]Two years and nine months left to serve in his three years sentence plus restitucion. Too lenient for someone who steals US 800,000 plus.

I hope this piece of flotsam doesn't land in the DR again.

[QUOTE=Turgid;1721083]Mongering never messed up the tourist scene in Amsterdam. I have seen hoards of tourists (couples and families) touring the red light district there. In April, 1992 I saw a shitload of tourists applaud a John who entered a third floor room where blonde twins were on display.

What is going to happen in Sosua is the tour guide is going to say to his charges as if they are on a safari "Look over there, there is one predator that is ready to pounce. Look, there's the quarry. See how the beast gets ready to attack. Off she goes with her prey fully in her grasp. That one did not get away".[/QUOTE]You can't compare the situation Amsterdam with Sosua. Amsterdam was a great tourist city before the RLD and it takes pride in being a city on the edge. This is where modern democracy began. They have an awesome history and can get away with anything they want to. They actually advertise the RLD in regular tourist ads. That's their image and they are proud of it and they don't care what anyone says about it. It's a tourist attraction even for people who do not intend to participate. But the city is know for many other things.

Sosua is the exact opposite. Except for the fascinating story about how the village began it is only known for one thing and we all know what that is. There are people who are not proud of that. Unlike Amsterdam where people wear the secularism on their sleeve Sosua has a religious community. I think that's unfortunate. I personally wish everyone was like the people in Amsterdam but that city has always been ahead of it's time.

[QUOTE=Manizales911;1721247][URL]http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/canada/saskatchewan/richard-dale-johnston-sentenced-for-defrauding-federated-co-op-of-800k-1.3076063[/URL][/QUOTE]He will have to sell a lot of ribs to get that 800 GS up.

[QUOTE=SavePros321;1721140]Are you planning to return? It didn't seem like you developed any interest in the place based on your reports. They were pretty dour.[/QUOTE]That's a good question. I wouldn't mind returning to Sosua, but it's not at the top of my list of priorities. Maybe in a few years after I change my mindset. The place puts me in mind of a Toronto strip club.

I'm a big fan of a good strip club and I've been in some great ones. The best part for me was what wasn't available. It used to be (in better economic times), that to get anywhere in a decent club, you needed a whole lot of money, charm or patience. I never had the money, so had to rely on the other two. During my peak years I did better than most, dated several dancers, ended up as friends with several more, and I could always count on getting extra mileage at a club.

A few years ago I decided to give the Toronto, actually Mississauga, clubs a try. Everyone told me I would love them, they were much better than US clubs. With the size of Toronto, I figured a well-reviewed club would be stocked with plenty of 9's and 10's, with a good mix of white, Asian and Persian girls. Plus, the rules are much more relaxed, so I expected something on par with the Cabaret Royale in Dallas.

The best looking dancer in the place was a weak 7, most were 5's and 6's. There was no art to it, every dancer was just looking to get you upstairs, give a quick CBJ, and get to the next customer. I haven't felt any desire to return.

Granted, the average in Sosua is better looking, and there are plenty of very attractive women available, but the whole process is too soulless. There's no finesse, no charm. It's a great place if you're looking for lots of cheap and easy girls. There are some very good women available, who are worth the trip, but listening to "Mi amor" 500 times while looking for one of the gems gets old.

Copacabana Bar Lounge Sosua.

Last night I made my rounds with a couple other mongers. Rumbas was unusually light for a Friday night. Merengue had a really nice crowd and a very good vibe. Classicos was entirely too crowded and very hot, it was definitely a safety hazard and I did not stay very long because I would not want to be caught inside during an emergency.

After One was on and poppin also, there were some Hatian chicas that put on a great show as well as a Dominicana that salsaed solo so well I seriously thought about taking her solo based on her dancing skills.

After One let out a group of us went to Copacabana Lounge around the corner from Infinity Blue condominiums. Copacabana Lounge is the premier after hours spot in Sosua and is open way past dawn when the sun comes up and the roosters start crowing. It is an outdoor venue with a bar and seating outside the bar under a straw roof.

There were a dozen chicas seated and a few who came and went. In the crowd there may have been 1 "8" in the venue it was definitely slim pickings. The restaurant served wings, hamburgers and light food all for less than 300 pesos. I had the sanchocho which was ok but the rice obviously had been sitting out all day because it was hard and sticky.

I enjoyed hanging with the fellas but I could pass on the food and the talent over all was mediocre at best. As in all things YMMV depending on the day of the week ect.