Santo Domingo

[QUOTE=Coolie High]Hey don't forget the smashed up wonder bread that was also inside the carry-on. LOL.......[/QUOTE]
Sorry Coolie I forgot to share this with you.

When buying flight tickets try to always buy from an airline that has a hub in the city closest to you. Now with the airlines merging, Star Alliance, code share and all the other programs this should be easy to do.

In my case Continental airlines has a hub in Newark, NJ (EWR). I joined their frequent flier program years ago. I fly exclusively with Continental. There are a few times when I could fly AA or Jet Blue out of a different departure city but the savings is not worth the hassle of getting to and from the airport.

Stick with one airline, get a CC with mileage rewards with that airline, grocery shop, buy online using that CC and build up points. With Continental once I fly 25,000 miles I become an Elite member............ Well what is the big deal of being Elite? Simple, 24 hrs before departure I get a free upgrade to first class if a seat is available, which it always is.

There are a lot of ways to accumulate points with the airlines. You just need to learn how to get them. Only time I fly coach is when I get a ticket using my points for a freebie ticket.

BTW been in rep dom five days so far and have not seen a drop of rain.

[QUOTE=Bq Ribs]Nay Coolie, you got it all wrong. First you give the store brand bread the squeeze test. If the store brand is soft enough you buy that and save a buck and a half.

I don't have deep pockets full of cash like some guys so I learned ways to save a buck here and there. If I was only doing three or four trips a year I would splurge more. I prefer to penny pinch and make ten trips a year. For the past three years I have not been away from rep dom for any period longer than six weeks.

I follow a few of my basic rules. $50 a night max for a hotel, plato del dia for lunch, stock up the frig, don't rent a car for my entire stay, find chicas outside the casas at 1500 pesos max, instead of drinking at the bars i go to the colmados to hang out.

GBP is the only casa I will go to. 1000 pesos and a phone number to hook up with after work hours.

If I stick to my simple rules at the end of an eight to ten day trip I have saved enough money to buy a plane ticket to return again.

To each his own. Some guys look at the DR as a vacation. They buy new clothes, new sneaks for the trip and spend like there is no tomorrow. I am the opposite. I come to the DR as if I am just returning to visit my second home.

For me it works...............[/QUOTE]Hey you found away to save money and enjoy your self at the same time. Thats all that matters. Hell I wish was down there right now with you. It sure as hell beat the states.

Buscemi was being a funny smart ass and I had to join in but with all seriousness your right that you shouldn't splurge on a broad down there Cus if they think you got money they will try to upsell the price.

I can remember just as clear as day when I first took a broad back to the villa for the first time. She was like ooh you got money and proceeded to upsell more on the price.

[QUOTE=Bq Ribs]Nay Coolie, you got it all wrong. First you give the store brand bread the squeeze test. If the store brand is soft enough you buy that and save a buck and a half.

I don't have deep pockets full of cash like some guys so I learned ways to save a buck here and there. If I was only doing three or four trips a year I would splurge more. I prefer to penny pinch and make ten trips a year. For the past three years I have not been away from rep dom for any period longer than six weeks.

I follow a few of my basic rules. $50 a night max for a hotel, plato del dia for lunch, stock up the frig, don't rent a car for my entire stay, find chicas outside the casas at 1500 pesos max, instead of drinking at the bars i go to the colmados to hang out.

GBP is the only casa I will go to. 1000 pesos and a phone number to hook up with after work hours.

If I stick to my simple rules at the end of an eight to ten day trip I have saved enough money to buy a plane ticket to return again.

To each his own. Some guys look at the DR as a vacation. They buy new clothes, new sneaks for the trip and spend like there is no tomorrow. I am the opposite. I come to the DR as if I am just returning to visit my second home.

For me it works...............[/QUOTE]
Mr. Ribs,
I think, as you say there are two kinds of Mongers. The ones who regard it as a vacation and can justify excess spending but saying hey it's my vacation. I used to be in that catagory when I was a working man. Two or three nice vacations a year with no real regard for the money I spent. ( I always could get plenty of overtime at the job.)
Now I am living on a fixed income and have to be a little more careful on my trips. I seem to be home a month then gone for at least that long. It is no longer a vacation but almost a second home but in different locations. I take it as a task to get top value for my dollars that I spend. Except for my first mongering trip to Costa Rica ( I will not return there) . I have never spent more than $ 50 a night for a room. I also never rent a car and I eat a lot of fruit and buy food at the supermarket.
I have met some real nice guys in my travels and when we go out and try the high end spots I then try to make up the money I spend that night later on . I am a budget monger, but with good friends I throw that out the window and party hard with no regrets. I also have met a few stiffs who are always trying to make sure they do not pay their share of the bill. They seem surprised when I refuse to go out with them the next night.
I am mostly a Colombian traveler, but I am considering a DR trip this Nov. The only problem for me is my airline is Spirit and they to not go to POP. My wingman does not like to take buses so it is a problem getting to Sosua from either SD or Santiago. Of course I could just stay in Boca Chica, but for my money Sosua rules in the DR.

[QUOTE=Vics Picks]Mr. Ribs,

I think, as you say there are two kinds of Mongers. The ones who regard it as a vacation and can justify excess spending but saying hey it's my vacation. I used to be in that catagory when I was a working man. Two or three nice vacations a year with no real regard for the money I spent. (I always could get plenty of overtime at the job.)

Now I am living on a fixed income and have to be a little more careful on my trips. I seem to be home a month then gone for at least that long. It is no longer a vacation but almost a second home but in different locations. I take it as a task to get top value for my dollars that I spend. Except for my first mongering trip to Costa Rica (I will not return there). I have never spent more than $ 50 a night for a room. I also never rent a car and I eat a lot of fruit and buy food at the supermarket.

I have met some real nice guys in my travels and when we go out and try the high end spots I then try to make up the money I spend that night later on. I am a budget monger, but with good friends I throw that out the window and party hard with no regrets. I also have met a few stiffs who are always trying to make sure they do not pay their share of the bill. They seem surprised when I refuse to go out with them the next night.

I am mostly a Colombian traveler, but I am considering a DR trip this Nov. The only problem for me is my airline is Spirit and they to not go to POP. My wingman does not like to take buses so it is a problem getting to Sosua from either SD or Santiago. Of course I could just stay in Boca Chica, but for my money Sosua rules in the DR.[/QUOTE]You make great point's as usual. There is nothing wrong with being a budget conscious traveler, but some guy's are just freeloader's who never give. Once I discover a guy is a freeloader certain rule's apply. Seperate check's, no loan's, and limited contact.

I'm making memorie's for the old folk's home(I want to be that old man that's alway's smiling not the grouchy old man that's mad at everybody because he never did anything), so money doesn't matter as long as I enjoyed myself. A couple year's ago I was going to buy a BMW 650ci, but I said fuck that let's take a few year's and see some shit. That BMW would be paid for by now but I don't think it compare's to my expirience traveling.

One way we differ is that I alway's pay more than 50usd for a room. I have to feel secure because being victimized is not an option.

And good luck with Spirit airline's, they are to gimmicky and classless I will never fly them again.

See you in a couple week's in Medellin. Also I'm looking at Thanksgiving in Sosua.

[QUOTE=Knowledge]Casa de Modelos and the Ensanche La Fe classics (Theresa/Pablitos, etc.) and several places in the Zona Oriental are all waiting for you on Sundays.[/QUOTE]Thanks.

Casa Theresa on Ave Ortega y Gasset, I know and near Casa Theresa is Casa Azul on Ave. Paraguay. Pablitos, I don't know, on what street is Pablitos?

I only found 1 casa de citas in Zona Oriental, the Mansion, which is off of Carretera Mella. I drove around Zona Oriental with two Dominican friends searching for other places. Ejecutivo I believe is east of Avenida Charles de Gaul on the service road of Las Americas highway, I have never been to Ejecutivo.

Any other casas in zona oriental that you can give information about, will be greatly appreciated, thanks.

I was also told there is a somewhat famous place near casa australia, in or near villa agricolas, a runner outside bar 305 was telling me about that place one Saturday afternoon, when I was with Thirdcoast and Greek Niko.

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]For my next trip to SDQ, I may rent an apartment in Zona Colonial and maybe get a short term membership at a gym called Body Shop Athletic in Naco. Supposedly this gym has a good sized pool.
[/QUOTE]

How much is the gym? I need to get my fat ass back in shape. Also, the main girlfriend is living too good a life with me and is getting a little soft, I need to tone her up.

[QUOTE=Cagep1967]How much is the gym? I need to get my fat ass back in shape. Also, the main girlfriend is living too good a life with me and is getting a little soft, I need to tone her up.[/QUOTE]They have a webpage. I read on Dominican Today that the Body Shop Athletic gym in Naco got caught stealing electricity. There is also a Gold's Gym in SDQ. Supposedly in Zona Colonial is a basic gym that sells daily memberships. I don't know the prices yet. [url]http://www.clubbodyshop.com/[/url]

I have seen Dominicans entering the Olympic park with workout clothes. From looking at the Google map of SDQ appears the Olympic park has a few athletic venues, maybe a pool.

Drinking lots of cerveza fattens me up and now that I quit smoking I am eating more.

Naco is a good neighborhood, might be some nice and firm chicas working out at that those gyms.

Yes, I am a member of ISG ;-) So I will check out casas. I got a cheap but very solid Nokkia unlocked GSM (da Finns Rule) phone in Lima a couple years back.

etopuponline....Interesting. News to me. I will def check this out.

"Seriously, ten days as a first trip to SD can be a bit too much"

Gotcha...I once came home from a trip to Cali early. After I certain amount of time it just dawns on you that your work is done. Usually when your balls go on strike.

[QUOTE=Vics Picks]...I am mostly a Colombian traveler, but I am considering a DR trip this Nov. The only problem for me is my airline is Spirit and they to not go to POP. My wingman does not like to take buses so it is a problem getting to Sosua from either SD or Santiago. Of course I could just stay in Boca Chica, but for my money Sosua rules in the DR.[/QUOTE]
Hey Vic, how are you doing buddy? What about making that trip to DR a little bit sooner? I can't make the trip with our other friend to Colombia (Labor Day week), but I'll be flying into Santo Domingo September 17th and taking the bus to Sosua were I'll stay for 5 nights, then come back to SD for 2 nights. I'll be nice if I could see you there.

Tuesday and Wednesday departures in September, Jetblue has $69 one way fares. Total ticket price $271.

Many good all inclusive hotels are under $100 per night in September. Using 200entertain coupon code will knock $200 off a 7 night or longer package deal.

Hotel El Embajador for 7 nights, with airfare from New York, $772 (total package price which includes all taxes and fees using the Orbitz discount coupon and the Jetblue $271 flight) (departing on Wednesdays or Tuesdays in September).

$772(package price)-$271(airfare)=$501. The hotel el embajador would cost $501 for 7 nights, which is $71 per night (total price, no other taxes or fees). Good rate.

[QUOTE=Mr Gogo]I'm making memorie's for the old folk's home(I want to be that old man that's alway's smiling not the grouchy old man that's mad at everybody because he never did anything), so money doesn't matter as long as I enjoyed myself. A couple year's ago I was going to buy a BMW 650ci, but I said fuck that let's take a few year's and see some shit. That BMW would be paid for by now but I don't think it compare's to my expirience traveling.[/QUOTE]
Mr. Gogo, you're absolutely right about travel ... and punting. That Beemer would not last into your dotage, and memories are about all we can bring with us into "Shady Pines" anyways. I think "having done it all" is better than "having had it all," and more fun - both in the doing and in the reminiscing....

[QUOTE=Jaosousa]...Casa Theresa on Ave Ortega y Gasset, I know and near Casa Theresa is Casa Azul on Ave. Paraguay. Pablitos, I don't know, on what street is Pablitos...[/QUOTE]Pablitos was the former name of Casa Azul. Casa Azul was also known as Casa Rosada.

-Helpmann :)

Does anyone know what happened to Spa Geisha Paradise (SGP)? Was it closed down in 2005, when the massage parlor crackdown hit Santo Domingo?

I never had an opportunity to go, but I recall reading that the women at SGP dressed up like Geishas and swam around in the pool on Thursdays.

-Helpmann :)

[i]
Spa Geisha Paradise
Ana Josefa Puello #39 (Mirador del Sur)[/i]

[QUOTE=Helpmann]Does anyone know what happened to Spa Geisha Paradise (SGP)? Was it closed down in 2005, when the massage parlor crackdown hit Santo Domingo?

I never had an opportunity to go, but I recall reading that the women at SGP dressed up like Geishas and swam around in the pool on Thursdays.

-Helpmann :)

[i]
Spa Geisha Paradise
Ana Josefa Puello #39 (Mirador del Sur)[/i][/QUOTE]

I called to their old phone #, lol. A girl answered, I asked for Geisha, she said wrong number.

[QUOTE=BoricuaOnline]I called to their old phone #, lol. A girl answered, I asked for Geisha, she said wrong number.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I thought about calling too. Their website has been down for years. Unlike the massage parlors in Gazcue, I never heard or read about Spa Geisha getting raided or closing down. Because it was in Mirador del Sur (far from the action in Gazcue), I thought there was always the possibility that the place was still doing business (like Casa Azul).

I guess it doesn't matter. You, Jaosousa, and the gang are finding and documenting some pretty good places in the capital.

I love the Google Map.

Thanks,
Helpmann :)