General Info

I've had expensive cologne and a pair of leather Gucci sandals stolen at POP when departing for Miami. What I did was blame myself because I got caught slipping. I don't take expensive cologne to the DR anymore now. I put my shoes in different bags so they won't get the match to the pair. We just make adjustments and move on. The porters move fast and assume you want their services, but expirience has taught me to move faster and say" No thanks".

The vendors and salesmen working us in the DR are a challenge to me to ignore them. They want you to stop so they can run their pitch. You don't have to play this game. Its not like they are going to tackle you and force you to buy something. Put your walkman headphones on and nod your head to the music, this really pisses them off but so what. They beg, smile, even insult your momma but who cares, you don't play the game they a running. If they let me come to their island and fuck their beautiful women for next to nothing, they have the right to atleast TRY to sell me something. But I can always say no and move on.

As far as the threats you are issuing, thats not cool bro. You asked for info before your trip and the guys helped you and wished you good luck, now you want to get Gangsta, not cool bro. The "Monkey" comment was very low and could get you in a very bad situation in the future if repeated. My advise would be to drop that word from your language when insulting someone.

Respectfully your, Gogo.

I have ben travelling to Santo Domingo since 1998. Airport was very different, no a / c, no "walk of shame exit", no control of people working there. There was a lot of guys outside ready to take your bags from your hand as soon as you enter the taxi or pick up area. It happened to me once, they took my bags I gave one dollar to the guy. Next trip I do not let the guys take my suitcase and politely tell them no thanks I can handle them. I learn from my experiences to do not let the things I do not like to occur again. I have learned all the things I need to make my trip a painless experience. Do not let anything or anybody spoil your vacation. A vacation hour will be costing to you from $10 to $50 or more per hour (if you divide all expenses of your trip between the hours of your stay) so always manage to avoid things going out of control.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline;1294585]Please give them $2 worth of bananas, they will thank you. No, sorry don't do that, it will affect the dominican peso to dollar exchange rate.[/QUOTE]Sunset Strip is a little naive thinking he can get away with shit with the taxi airport mafia, just ask this dude.

[url]http://dominicanwatchdog.org/dominican_news/page-German_tourist_killed_in_Puerto_Plata_airport[/url]

[QUOTE=Frannie;1294569]Checking bags for contraband items is standard. I have had stuff taken too, like toothpaste or nail clippers. Now this business of calling them monkeys-have you tried this play out in other countries or in the US and found it successful?[/QUOTE]Couple of years back, I was at Gatwick, flying to Toulouse, France. I had just landed at Heathrow from Boston and had to take the bus to Gatwick. Not having any sleep, I was irritated and then the agents took away some stuff from my toiletries pouch, that sailed through US customs without a glitch just a few hours before, which incensed me. The short story is that I was not able to win it, unless I was willing to take the train across the channel to get to France.

I find the security screening a nuisance that varies continuously from country to country,especially in EU, where it is done by a wing of the Police. One time, even in the DR, a screener, just before boarding an US bound plane, wanted to to remove something from my toiletries bag and on calling a supervisor, it was fixed. Frankly, I find the US to be the easiest, even though I do not like so much Govt. Power to keep me "safe" and make Dick Cheney and the Blackwater dude Rich!

[QUOTE=Frannie;]it was just that you reminded us of ourselves when we were young and dumb.[/QUOTE]Whos to say that with age that automatically constitutes a higher intelligence, I know a number of old timers 60plus who have been as naive as the first day I met them as a young whipper snapper. Jejeje LOL

[blue]Greetings Everyone,

I recently cleaned up this thread by deleting a number of reports focused on racial issues.

This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of any author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race or racism in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

This cleanup process is not perfect, and it's possible that I may have inadvertently deleted a few otherwise legitimate posts. If you find that your own report was also deleted, please don't take it personally.

Thanks,

Jackson[/blue]

Search it out!

The dominicans I know and call friends are not beggars nor liars. I do not frequent the tourist areas anymore, may apt is located in a lower middle class area. Most of my neighbors are poor (but prideful) , for neighborly things like helping me with a package I do not give nor am expected to give. I do hire neighbors for odd jobs (I hate painting) and pay them accordingly.

My landlord and his family are now very close friends, I am always invited down for a drink (almost daily) , beer is flowing freely and I never have to come out of my pocket. His friends have become my friends and they are the same. They are what I would consider middle class and treat me like family. I've been living in this apartment for 1 1/2 years now and have found extremely gracious, friendly warm people. In NJ / NY, Since I was a child living with my parents have I had neighbors like this.

In the tourist areas I feel tourists get a bad image of the dominicans, this is where a lot of disposable income is entering into the DR. So we get to see the lowest of the low in terms of hustling, begging, etc. Also, if you look at the P4P sex scene (which is what we are here for) , in the USA it is much more seedy, full of scam artists. I've not had, what I would consider, any real problems. But with that said, any experience monger knows, the girl is out to get as much money as she can and we all need to be watchful.

[QUOTE=Manizales911; 1294354]SS, you totally missed the point, you are in THEIR FUCKING COUNTRY amigo, you play by THEIR rules in a third world country. The complaint to the USA embassy is a joke, the porters are laughing at your gringo ass.

Whether you like it or not,"this ain't Kansas Toto".[/QUOTE]Spot on, Man911. Take off your guns, SS; ain't nothin' but a bunch of poor people trying to make a living. Give or don't give, up to you, but don't have a stroke over this trivial shit, dude. Far too many good things to appreciate to get upset over trivial shit like this.

[QUOTE=Sidney;1295099]Search it out![/QUOTE]I estimate the cost of acquisition to be $2, 000 to $3, 000!

[QUOTE=Sidney;1295738]I estimate the cost of acquisition to be $2, 000 to $3, 000![/QUOTE]Temporary residency which is good for a year, paid an honest lawyer who speaks english about $1000. Led me by the hand thru the Bureau of Migration and then to another office. The 2nd stage is a residency card and a little less money, but when I go to renew after two years next March, I will go to a Bureau of Migration office here in Santiago and the cost will be about 3000pesos, I think. Won't need a lawyer. Residency is good to have for a drivers license, health insurance, and to show Dominicans I am living here in good faith. BUT. I'll always be a gringo.

Hey, with what you have you can work legally?

Peace,

Bbl

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1295764]Temporary residency which is good for a year, paid an honest lawyer who speaks english about $1000. Led me by the hand thru the Bureau of Migration and then to another office. The 2nd stage is a residency card and a little less money, but when I go to renew after two years next March, I will go to a Bureau of Migration office here in Santiago and the cost will be about 3000pesos, I think. Won't need a lawyer. Residency is good to have for a drivers license, health insurance, and to show Dominicans I am living here in good faith. BUT. I'll always be a gringo.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Cagep1967; 1295309]The dominicans I know and call friends are not beggars nor liars. I do not frequent the tourist areas anymore, may apt is located in a lower middle class area. Most of my neighbors are poor (but prideful) , for neighborly things like helping me with a package I do not give nor am expected to give. I do hire neighbors for odd jobs (I hate painting) and pay them accordingly.

My landlord and his family are now very close friends, I am always invited down for a drink (almost daily) , beer is flowing freely and I never have to come out of my pocket. His friends have become my friends and they are the same. They are what I would consider middle class and treat me like family. I've been living in this apartment for 1 1/2 years now and have found extremely gracious, friendly warm people. In NJ / NY, Since I was a child living with my parents have I had neighbors like this.

In the tourist areas I feel tourists get a bad image of the dominicans, this is where a lot of disposable income is entering into the DR. So we get to see the lowest of the low in terms of hustling, begging, etc. Also, if you look at the P4P sex scene (which is what we are here for) , in the USA it is much more seedy, full of scam artists. I've not had, what I would consider, any real problems. But with that said, any experience monger knows, the girl is out to get as much money as she can and we all need to be watchful.[/QUOTE]I must agree. When I visit friends in Santo Domingo Este, I always encounter good folks who have helped me with directions when lost, and directed me to the store, and so on. I have not encountered the negative aspects when outside the Zona Colonial or tourist areas. I should clarify this and say the Dominicans are no worse than other groups, including North Americans who usurp the term American. That is another story. Good and not so good people exist everywhere. Also, when shopping, I have had several cashiers return money to me because I misunderstood the amount and paid too much. Folks need to travel outside the tourist areas, meet real people, and enjoy the country.

[QUOTE=Blk Big Bootyluv;1295920]Hey, with what you have you can work legally?[/QUOTE]Yes, you can legally work with residency, as in anywhere else in the world. I believe that the dr1 dot com site provides some information.

[QUOTE=Riky Rapido;1295764]Temporary residency which is good for a year, paid an honest lawyer who speaks english about $1000. Led me by the hand thru the Bureau of Migration and then to another office. The 2nd stage is a residency card and a little less money, but when I go to renew after two years next March, I will go to a Bureau of Migration office here in Santiago and the cost will be about 3000pesos, I think. Won't need a lawyer. Residency is good to have for a drivers license, health insurance, and to show Dominicans I am living here in good faith. BUT. I'll always be a gringo.[/QUOTE]You paid the lawyer $1000 US or RD? Can you PM me his info?