The DR Gringas Life

Dancing Silly in the Colmado

2009-11-20T15:47:00.004-04:00

I was out and about last weekend and stopped in a Colmado to have me a bien fria (cold Presidente beer). The place is not a regular stop for me but I do pass by there every once in a while to say hi. The guy started dancing and I just happened to have my camera (I don't carry it around all the time as I'm a little paranoid about having another camera stolen). I asked him if I could take the video and put it on the internet. He was all happy to have his own style of dancing bachata shown. While taking this video I was sitting on the counter and holding in my laughing as I didn't want to have all the music drowned out with my noisy laughing (and snorting..yes I snort when I laugh really hard) Enjoy!

Guagua trip to Rio Nizao

2009-10-26T12:43:00.000-04:00

I decided to take a guagua (small bus)trip by my self on Sunday. I have only taken a guagua alone to Boca Chica so this was all new for me. I wanted to be around some water (my son Billy Jay died 6 years ago on this day and I like to be near water this day and someplace away from the city) and someone told me about this river so I went. I didn't know what to expect so I didn't take any swimming stuff. I wanted to check it out before I committed to carrying a bunch of stuff with me.

I figured out where to get the guagua thanks to a friend that told me about the place. It cost me $70 pesos for the 1 1/2 hour ride (it took so long because of all the stops the guagua made). The ride was uneventful. I did get a bit of sun on my left arm from the window.

I didn't know where to get off the guagua so I asked the cobrador (the guy at the door of the bus taking the money and helping people off and on) and he said he'd let me know. But when we got to the town on Nizao he jumped off the guagua. There was only about 4 people left on the guagua at this time. A group of 5 guys got on so I asked them where I needed to get off the bus. They said to follow them. The next stop they pointed for me to get off.

They took me to the river and a little colmado to get my first beer. The river was deep and wide. It was wonderful. The water was cool and clean.You could see the Caribbean sea way in the distance. There were lots of people enjoying their Sunday afternoon. Young and old. The Colmado was playing Dominican music and some people were dancing. It was very comfortable and relaxing.

I sat with them and we talked. I was surprised that my Spanish just pored out of my mouth quite easily. My new friends and I talked all day. Drank some rum. Danced a little. Ate some fresh fish (yes, the fish had the heads attached). It was a good day.

At 4 I said I had to leave cause I didn't want to take a chance of missing the last bus at 5. The bus came about 4:30 and one of my new friends waited for it with me. The new friends told me to call them next time I was coming and they would cook fish for me. They also said there was an inexpensive hotel near by the river if I wanted to come for a few days which for sure I will do that soon.

So now I know how to get to a river to relax for a day. I have been wanting to do that for so long but no one seemed to know how to tell me to take a guagua to a river not far from the capital. Of course, many people here told me that it was dangerous to go alone but yet no one offered to go with me to protect me. I have been many places alone and I never found any place to be what I considered dangerous. If I didn't feel comfortable I would just leave. No problem.

Views From My Balcony - Grabber's Necklace Stealing Headache

2009-10-07T13:35:00.000-04:00

A helmet wearing motorcycle rider
Heading the wrong way
Down a one way street
This day made a huge mistake
As he looked to pray
On an innocent victim
A sparkling necklace
Caught his treasure seeking eye
He made the grab
Forcefully removing a necklace
From the unsuspecting woman walking by
Much to his amazement
Someone gave him a shove
Down went Mr. Grabber
Onto the black rough pavement
The men in the street
Pounced
At least 10 to 1
Yells were coming from the mouths of all
The crowd had their way
Grabber had no hope of escape
A few minutes passed
Grabber was out of sight
As the mob of angry humans beat Grabber
The police arrived
It was their turn now
Grabber came into view
Looking much less smug
Then when he started his jewelry thieving quest
The necklace was returned
To the crying woman
The bloodied thief
Was taken
Sandwiched between the two police
On their motorcycle
Police-Grabber-Police
The police seated in the rear
Holding Grabbers black helmet
Very aggressively and with much force
Was using Grabber’s own helmet
Bashing him in the head
Pounding some sense into the thieves bleeding head
As they passed by
On the way to the police station
We, onlookers from the balcony above
Showed our support and approval
With a rousing applause
A thief was caught
Grabber was taught
That stealing is not good
And that it can be a real headache.

Catching Up - Sept. 2009

2009-10-05T13:58:00.001-04:00

There's some stuff I needed to write but not really note worthy for an entire blog so here goes.
*Ended up at Colmado Vengaza and a friend joined me for my Sunday walkabout. This was his first time doing a walkabout. We ended up in Villa Consuelo where he played checkers Dominican style. He lost every game cause the rules kept changing but he had a great time. He will join me for more walkabouts for sure.
*The patron saint of the armed forces, San Miguel, was this month. I was going to go but the crowds just were a little too crazy for me to head there alone. I heard all the commotion from the beauty salon as I was getting my hair cut.
*Finally sold my old gold wedding band. Didn't get very much but it paid for me to go to the salon and get some hair dye and also some grocery shopping. So it was all good. I was just hoping to get enough to head to the beach for an overnighter but that didn't happen.
*It's been really hot and humid. Dripping giant sweat balls! One good thing so far this year we haven't had any real hurricane activity. Does this mean that next year we will get hit big time? Wait and see.
*I still can't get this Spanish stuff down. I hate it especially in the morning when I leave the house and my brain is in the English mode. When someone tries to talk to me I just give them the daahhh look. Does this mean that the older my brain gets that there will be many more daahh looks? Hope not because I'm turning 50 next month and I'm not happy about this at all.

Can't think of anything else. Life is nice and calm. Just the way I like it.

Mars Video

2009-09-18T18:28:00.000-04:00

I was adding a new video to You Tube and found a video of pictures from my home town of Mars, Pennsylvania and just had to share it.

I also uploaded a video I took of musicians playing music in Parque Colon here in Colonial Zone. You can see it on the musica tipica page on my web site or on my You Tube page RDgringa. All links open in a new window.

Inaguration Party at Hostal Nomadas

2009-09-18T15:47:00.001-04:00

Went to a grand opening party last night for Hostal Nomadas. This is a new hotel in Colonial Zone. the owners Freddy and Marion are great people and wonderful hosts. The party was very nice atop their terrace. They had Lenny Abreu, Carlos Luis and Jose Antonio Rodrigez playing and singing music. There was also a woman that sang (I can't remember her name) with a wonderful strong voice and even Freddy sang a few songs. All the music was perfect. I met many new people and saw some old friends as well.

I forgot to take my camera. Dumb stupid dumb me. but some of the people there said they would send me some pictures and maybe even a video. As soon as I get them I'll post.

This is a picture of Maribel and I at the party.

Teeth Shooter

2009-08-18T13:31:00.001-04:00

I was sitting in front of a Colmado at Parque San Miguel drinking a beer Sunday. Taking a little break from my Sunday walkabout.

The owner is a nice guy and he invited me for a few beers. We were drinking, telling stories and having a nice ole time when a friend of his joined us. Mr. Teeth(as I'll call him throughout this story)was a bit drunk already and started telling me how he was in love with me. He kept putting his hand on my leg while talking. He was getting a bit too familiar so I asked him very nicely to please don't touch me. I don't like it. He would stop and then a few minutes later start again. I moved my chair a little away from him and he followed. Finally I decided I had to be a bit more forceful so maybe he would bet it through his head I did not like being touched. So I told him a sentence that I learned my first time on vacation in Santo Domingo, "Quintas sus manos sucios de me"! (roughly translated "Get your dirty hands off of me" and I'm not sure if I say it correctly or spell it right but you get the idea).

Mr. Teeth opened his mouth in shock ready to say something. When he opened his mouth his false teeth flew out and landed on the sidewalk! He had a look of shock on his face. I had to do the ole double take going from his face to the ground where his teeth lay. After the initial few second shock, I didn't want to embarrass him, I turned and started talking to my friend. Mr. Teeth grabbed up his dentures and hurriedly put them on the chair between his legs.

I was trying not to laugh. I really, really tried not to laugh.My friend was snickering the entire time and I was holding it in as best as I could. But when I looked at him, he was putting the teeth back in, I lost it. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. Many times when I laugh too hard I snort and this was one of those times. My friend and I were laughing so hard, we couldn't stop. I tried to stop because I didn't want to humiliate Mr. Teeth but I couldn't help it, especially when my friend was laughing just as hard as I. I decided it was best just to get out of there. I told my friend I had to go. I tried to say goodbye to Mr. Teeth but I just couldn't. I had to walk down the street alone laughing aloud to myself all alone.

All the rest of the day every time I thought of it I started laughing. People probably thought I was a bit off walking alone and giggling but it could not be helped. I'm even laughing now just picturing good ole Mr. Teeth and the look on his face when his teeth shot out of his mouth. Am I a bad human for this?? LOL!

this is a little added on note I had to get permission to write about from my mom:
The thing that really made me laugh when I could not hold it in anymore was thinking of my mother. My nephew, who was very shy and afraid when he was young as he was adopted and not used to our boisterous style of family, was playing with my mom. She was holding him above her balanced on her feet. All were laughing and having a good time when her teeth flew out! My nephew got this look of fear on his face and a giant scream came out of his mouth. He wouldn't stop crying and yelling for a while and it took him days, maybe months before he was able to sit with his grandmother without being afraid her teeth were not going to come out.

This is what made me laugh more at the Mr. Teeth guy. I laughed at my mom as did the entire family (except the frightened nephew) so I think I had a right to laugh at Mr. Teeth didn't I?

Concert for Los Haitises

2009-07-23T13:47:00.000-04:00

The Concert for Los Haitises held at Plaza de Espana on July 19 was amazing. The bands were great. The turn out was unbelievable. There were so many people there, more than I have ever seen for any concert or gathering in the Plaza since I've been living here. There is said to have been over 5000 people, mostly young, attending this event.

The main goal of this concert was to make people aware of the bad effects to the environment the cement plant will do to this unique park. There is a plan to build the factory on the park lands and the youth of Dominican Republic have been showing their disapproval and trying to make people aware. Los Haitises is a beautiful and unique natural park on the southern coast of the Bay of Samaná. There are mangrove swamps where manatee swim. caves and a humid tropical forest. The park is full of strange and interesting rock formations that emerge from the sea called mogotes.

To see what you can still do to help by donating, buying -shirts and more go to their blog. There are also some great pictures of the event.

Here are some pictures I took with my new camera (thank you both for the camera - you know who you are) before it got dark as I'm so paranoid taking my camera (#5) out when there are alot of people around, especially when its dark out side.

Independence Day USA in Dominican Republic

2009-07-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

4th of July fireworks in DR
Happy 4th to all! The American Embassy put on a nice little fireworks show around 10PM on the 4th. I was home and heard the booming so I got my new camera (thanks to the 2 people that pitched in and purchased it for me..bless you both)and took a few pictures from my window. Enjoy!
American Embassy fireworks in Dominican Republic

USA 4th of July celebration fireworks in Dominican Republic

Happy Birthday Billy Jay 29

2009-06-15T14:22:00.000-04:00

Today would have been my son Billy Jay Keys birthday. He would have been 29 this year. He was and still is the best gift I ever received.

To read more about my Billy Jay read my post A Mothers Worst Nightmare
To see the pictures of Billy Jays short life.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILLY JAY, MY BABY BOY!

Friendly Fight at the Colmado

2009-05-26T13:08:00.001-04:00

So you are thinking "friendly fight, whats that"? Well, here I have seen many friendly fights. Yes, there is punching and lots of verbal abusive words but it usually ends with everyone shaking hands and talking normal again.

Sunday I went to meet an American friend his girlfriend and baby for lunch at the
Courtyard Marriott Santo Domingo
(the taxi driver missunderstood me and dropped me at the Mejia first so remember if you take a taxi to the Marriott make sure the guy gets it right as both of those words sound similar to a Dominican). I was planning on walking back for my traditional Sunday walkabout but it was raining, like it has been for the last month, so I had their taxi drop my off in the Zone in front of one of my favorite neighborhood Colmados, Colmado El Arca.

We were all squished inside as it just kept drizzling rain outside. I got the cheep beer 3 grandes for $110 pesos and joined in all the conversations going on. A neighbor guy known for his over drinking started getting boisterous as he does sometimes. He loves to cause a scene especially when he's playing dominoes. Well, his mom came and was yelling at him and telling him to get home. He was yelling at her and all the men inside went out to get involved. Of course, I didn't understand all the stuff being said as everyone was talking way too fast for me and the music was playing inside and i was not going to go outside in all the turmoil. Normally when things like this happen I'm outta there but we all know the drunk guy and I did not feel at all concerned about my safety.

I was sitting on the little patio at this time talking to an Amiga not worrying about the grandstanding happening a few arms length away from where we were sitting. The guy came running into the Colmado . All of a sudden the owner of the place tore off his glasses and came out from the counter and jumped on the guy. The space is really small so all the guys around were falling to the ground while the owner was pouncing on the drunk guy. The guys that were all involved picked the drunk up off the floor and some others got between the owner and the drunk. All within a very confined space. They took the drunk outside and the owner (I thought his face was going to explode as he gets really red when he gets angry) went back behind the counter. This skinny, tall drunk was jumping around and the guys were almost holding him off the ground as he was doing his yelling and punching the air (yes, he was that drunk). A few times he and the interveners went to the ground but they got him under control. They took him home with the mother following.

When the drunk was gone then the machismo stuff started. All the men were telling their side of the story, at least 10 times over. My Amiga and I were watching from the patio and laughing at them. They looked like a flock, herd, gaggle, whatever you call a bunch of roosters hanging out trying to make the most noise over the next rooster. They were all laughing and sharing their versions. It was quite comical.

About an hour later the drunk guy returned, with his mother close behind, to apologize and shake everyones hand. He went back home to sleep it off and of course the men had more to talk about loudly.

I have seen this scenario happen many times in Dominican Republic with only one time the fight getting out of hand. Usually it is just some sort of show for everyone to watch (sometimes get involved in) and to discuss in detail for the rest of the day. Quite an interesting phenomena.

Metro Trip to Villa Mella

2009-05-19T13:23:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally decided it was time to take the new Dominican subway called the Metro.

I took a walk from Colonial Zone to Ave. Lincoln and from there decided to go and get some chicharones (yes, I like chicharones) in the place that is known for making them, Villa Mella. I thought that maybe Xiomara and Jana would want to go so I gave them a call. It ended up that Jana and I went on this trip together. So I took my daughter (not really mine but she calls me mom).

The Metro was really nice and clean. I was impressed. It was really strange taking public transportation in Dominican Republic where there was no music being played, people were fairly quiet. It was very organized and all went smoothly.

After about 20 minutes we were in Villa Mella, the chicharone capital of DR and looking for a place to get some of that good, greasy and scrumptious pig skin and meat. We walked down a dirt road and stopped in the first colmado. Me for my beloved Presidente beer and Jana got a juice and some gum (she was so excited to find gum for 1 peso). The people sitting outside were very friendly and got us chairs and talked to us a bit. Very nice people. I even had to impress them with my mastery of dancing bachata (seems that people here are always surprised that I can dance bachata half way decent). We asked where was the best place close to get some chicherones and they directed us to a small, nice little restaurant called Tipico Villa Mella. The place is located on Ramon Matias Mella #77 and their phone is 809-568-1131 incase your ever in the area I highly recommend this place.

We placed our order or chicherones (both the hard and soft kind) and some batada (for info on these foods and more) and played with the cat until our food arrived. The food was great and so fresh, for sure different than buying it from the guys in Colonial Zone. The restaurant was playing some old music and the people were all friendly. They even gave us a taste of some foods that I never heard of. Jana has lived here most of her 10 years and she never heard of these either. I even did a search in Google and could not find these foods or what they were made of. But we had some chola and bobote (if anyone knows what the recipe is please let me know). One of these foods is yucca with coconut and the other, who knows. But it was all good. Even better with all the food, a beer and juice the bill was only $250 pesos. What a deal.

We decided to do a walk about but not too far from the Metro entrance so we would not get lost. We fed some pigeons. Talked to some people in different colmados. Then went back to the train as it was just starting to get dark.

We were a little more talkative for the ride back. We were playing with Janas little toy horses and laughing. One guy told us we should be a little more quiet as the police in the train was watching us. Could we be removed from the train for talking and laughing in a normal voice? Well, we weren't removed and got back to the first station. From there we walked back to Colonial Zone. It was a far walk, maybe an hour or so and we were so tired when we got back home. We had some stories to tell Xiomara when we got back all dirty and sweaty with happy content tummies.

Office Monster Rat

2009-04-16T13:45:00.002-04:00

Sitting here in the office in Zona Colonial one day working on the web site (www.colonialzone-dr.com) I felt something bump into my foot. I jumped and looked down and this giant rat was scurrying away under the sofa. The thing was a big ole brown rat. Much larger than the pet rats my son used to have. This thing was larger than most cats I've seen around here. He must have been eating really well and lived a long life to get that large.

Well, I hurriedly finished what I was doing all the while holding my feet up off the floor (it isn't easy for this old girl to hold the feet up for long). I turned off the computer and shut down the office and was outta there!

The guys in the gift shop in front of the office gave me a strange look as I came running out of the office and into the gift shop. I told them about the rat and Willy decided to take on the hunt and kill the varmint. Grabbing a broom stick he went to the back patio with me following behind holding onto his belt loop saying "ooh,ooh". I told Willy to shoot the thing and he just laughed at me (I remember when I worked in a warehouse once in USA and we had a rat. We tried everything to capture that thing. Finally the owner laid in wait with his gun and shot that rat dead!).

The rat was there on the patio and Willy went in with the stick while I was making little ewwh and yuck sounds. He was poking the rat and it was darting behind the stuff out back. The monster even jumped up in the air a few times (when he jumped I ran to the kitchen for cover). Then the nasty creature disappeared nowhere to be found. I grabbed some rat sticky paper and covered a hole where the drain was hoping when he went to escape he would get caught.

I went to the Colmado for a beer to calm my jittery nerves and returned to see if that bugger was caught all stuck to the tape. No wonder he was so big and lived a long life, he was a smart big creature. The tape was moved off the hole and he was gone.

I had rat dreams all night jumping at every little movement in my apartment.

the next day the rat was the topic of conversation in the gift shop. He returned that morning to visit the kitchen and see what he could have for breakfast. He was scratching at the office door so now there is some tin all along the bottom. They chased him but he got away again. They covered the hole with a pipe to keep him out. But this was not the end of the rat.

I went to go to the bathroom, very carefully checking all around for the rat incase he was hiding and there he was! Inside a bag on the counter! I yelled and Willy and Mamita came running with Melanie close behind. Willy was hitting the thing while Mamita was trying to block it from getting out of the room. Melanie and I were peeking around the corner and running away every time that thing jumped in the air.

the damn rat got away again, down the hole. So, they mixed up some cement and filled the hole in. I was waiting to see if it held before I wrote the story and it seems like it did the job. The rat has not returned. I keep checking the hole, with much trepidation mind you, and it is still cemented in.

I'm still cautious because you never know when he will return. Maybe he'll find another way in or maybe he will just eat through the cement and return for a visit. If I had my camera (but remember it was stolen)I'd have a picture here of Willy and Mamita after the rat and another of the rat in the bag. I just hope this is the end of the rat story.

Carnvial 2009 - Another Camera Stolen

2009-03-10T14:20:00.001-04:00

I headed to the street about 1:00 so I could get a good spot to take pictures and videos. I stuffed my camera in my pants like always (many people think it’s a gun so that’s a good thing). I headed toward the oblisk because there were police stationed every few yards so I figured I’d be safe there. When the carnival started I made sure I was in front of a policeman and started taking pictures and videos. I had some great shots and was really excited to share them all.

It started getting really crowded after a while. I hate being in big crowds where everyone is squishing in and it gets all hot and sweaty. I decided to leave my good spot and go a little closer to home before it got dark. I headed back to my neighborhood to the park where I thought it was going to be safe with my neighbors. Well, I was wrong.

I was holding tight to my camera a little above my head taking a video. Some of the neighbors were around and all was good. But out of nowhere a man jumped up and grabbed my camera! I couldn’t believe it! He tore the strap from my wrist (thank goodness it broke) and left me with a little brush burn. I didn’t think and went after the man down the middle of the street. The street was full of Carnival paraders. I ran down the middle of the street after the guy between all the people in costume. I’m getting old and I don’t run anymore but I ran. I was pretty impressed with myself and the running. But, of course, the guy was faster and crazier. I kept bumping into people and yelling sorry as I passed.

The guy stopped and I was getting really close but he turned and saw me gaining so he started off again. My neighbor girl was behind me running. She didn’t know why I was running but she came after me.

Finally I stopped. I ran from 27 de Marzo, past the statue of Monticino, almost to the next street before I stopped. Another camera gone. Four cameras in eight years! Wonder if that’s a record?

Brenda took me to talk to the police who were all standing in the park. There were about 15 of them all standing together. One would think that they would have been in the street watching for crime instead of being all huddled together. But then this is Dominican Republic and one can never quite understand things here. But I was talking to the police explaining what happened (one of the police did speak english) when a man came up from the street with a towel wrapped around his head. His wife and small child were with him. He had blood pouring from his head. It seems that someone hit him with a bottle while robbing him. So the police went off with him as his situation was a bit more of an emergency.

I went back to the original scene of the crime. By this time all the neighbors heard what happened and were all coming around to see if I was OK. I just went into the Colmado Arca and they gave me a beer. I was upset about the camera but more upset about losing all the great pictures I was going to share with all my web site visitors.

About this time, maybe about 6 or 7 PM a bunch of people were running an yelling coming up from the Malecon. There was a gunshot and people all about. The police came running. The owner of the Colmado shut the door and locked it with many of us neighbors inside. We all watched the happenings from inside. The people that wanted to buy stuff form the Colmado had to hand their money through the gate and we handed them their purchases.

About 10 minutes later another group of people were screaming and running again from the Malecon along the parade route. Again the police came running. I just stayed in the Colmado hiding. The thieves and tigres were out in full force by this time so I stayed inside.

Finally after a few hours the streets cleared out. It was the normal neighborhood people in the park again. All was quiet. I don’t know what happened to the man that was shot. Noone knows who shot him, the police or a person from the street. Noone knows if he lived or died after he was taken to the hospital.

One thing I know is that I will never go to the Carnival on the Malecon in Santo Domingo again, with or without a camera. It is getting way too dangerous to go to any crowed event here in the city. It’s a shame. I try to help this country by showing events and happenings here but it seems that this is impossible. I can’t afford to keep buying new cameras. Maybe next time I’ll have to hire a group of bodyguards to go with.

So again, there won’t be any new pictures for a while. Until I can save up enough money to buy a new camera. Sorry, but this is the life in the big city.

So here are the non-existent pictures:
Me wearing a Carnival mask. The guys covered in black oil. The kids watching carnival. The Indios. Some whip crackers. Drumming palos. Roba la Gallina. The paper people. And many more…. Too bad you can’t enjoy these pictures. Sorry again.

Independence Day Parade 2009 on the Malecon

2009-02-28T16:57:00.003-04:00

The parade this year seemed to be a little smaller than the other years. It started late which is sort of the norm for things in this country. While everyone was waiting the crowd was so anticipating the parade that when 3 pelicans flew overhead everyone cheered. It was too funny. Finally the president showed up (here is a picture of him in the jeepeta not that great of a pic but its the side of his head at least. He is on the passenger side).

The crowds were big and all seemed to enjoy, especially the troops from days gone (video here) by and the airplane show (sorry, didn't get that on video). I was very close to the platform where the President was. It was a great position for taking pictures but the crowd got so large and everyone was squishing in. It was really hot and sweaty and there were people so close I could feel someones breath down my neck and kids were climbing around my legs, I had to get outta there. Guess I'm just getting too old for all that stuff. But it was nice and I got some pictures and videos to share.

I'll post all the pictures soon on the web site in the picture section here

For more information about Independence Day and our Founding Father Juan Pablo Duarte check this out.

Sunday Sancocho at Barrio Santa Barbara

2009-02-11T16:40:00.003-04:00

A friend of mine, Chino, who lives in Santa Barbara which is a section of Colonial Zone, invited me for some sancocho (sancocho recipe-opens in a new window)) so I happily obliged. When I got there all the neighbors were out and about near the small Colmado. Chino introduced me around and we got ourselves a bottle of rum waiting until the food was ready.

After we mixed our drinks he took me by the hand across the street to see the cooking that was under way. In a giant pot (picture of a lady cooking sancocho-opens in a new window) over a small fire the typical Dominican stew was already cooking. they had a large sheet of tin across the pot to protect it from the constant drizzle we were experiencing. The smell coming from the pot was wonderful. The man cooking the stew was cutting up ingredients and adding them to the brew. He had the pinion with garlic and other herbs and spices and was mashing them up to add to the pot. Everyone kept coming over to look, smell and sometimes add other ingredients and some dumplings as we all waited.

A man came by with a bunch of cangrejo (picture-opens in a new window) and we haggled on a price for a dozen or these crabs. They were still alive, all tied together, with their little pinchers opening and closing. I felt bad, but not too bad, that I was going to kill them when their little beady eyes were looking at me. I got over the feeling bad part as we took those tasty crustaceans and threw them in a pot on the fire alongside the sancocho. We added a few green herbs to their pot and waited for the water to boil.

The crabs were ready. We got a tray, dumped them on it and enjoyed them with a little lemon. Man, they were tooo yummy! While I was eating the crabs the pot of sancocho was ready to eat.

All the neighbors came out with they're bowls, pans, foam food containers and their spoons. The cook guy ladled out the stew into everyones containers. People found a place to sit and everyone was enjoying. It was a real neighborhood feast. I got me a pink plastic bowl and a plastic spoon and got my share, sat on a plastic beer crate and ate every drop.

Funny, I usually do lots of talking (ask anyone), but I can tell you that for at least 10 minutes the only sound that came out of my mouth were yummy sounds. That stuff was sooo good. It hit the spot for sure. The hot stew made the cold (yes, it was cold, maybe about 76 degrees Fahrenheit...brrr) go away.

Then, when the entire kettle was empty and our tummy's were all filled, everyone started to disappear into their homes. I did the same. I walked directly to my home and did the worst thing ever, went to sleep with a full, happy stomach and did not fell in the least bit bad about it (except for a little heartburn later in the night and a few more pounds added to my gutt).

I can't wait until the next time to do exactly the same thing again. They also told me if I ever know any tourists that want to join in to bring them along.

Duarte Day 2009

2009-01-26T15:43:00.004-04:00

Today, January 26, is Duarte Day in Dominican Republic.

Celebrating the birth of The Father of the Country or in Spanish Padre de la patria. The day is celebrated with a parade of different military groups and some school children. They all meet at Duarte Park and honor Juan Pablo Duarte with some speeches, music and by placing wreaths around the statue.

These are some pictures I took today.

In front of the monument

Military band playing the Himno a Juan Pablo Duarte/ The Hymn to Juan Pablo Duarte

I love this picture with the dog sitting and joining in the ceremony

More information on who Duarte is and what he did for Dominican Republic at www.colonialzone-dr.com/people_history-Duarte.html

Road Trip - Palos Videos

2009-01-21T14:56:00.004-04:00

I went on a road trip last week (more about that later) but we stopped in San Jose de Ocoa for their Virgen de Altagracia festival. The festival wasn't really started yet but there was some good palos drumming and some people dancing and having some fun under the kiosk. I wish I could have stayed for the entire festival but we had to get back to the city. But at least I got a few videos and pictures (I'll post them soon) to share.
I even danced a bit and thank goodness no one video taped me!

Some Old Santo Domingo Pictures

2009-01-12T13:17:00.002-04:00

This is a Power Point Presentation with some great old pictures of Santo Domingo. Enjoy!
Old Santo Domingo in PPS form

Marina de Guerra Dominicana in Parque Duarte 2008

2008-12-22T13:31:00.002-04:00

I took this video about a month ago in Parque Duarte here in Colonial Zone. This is the Marina de Guerra Dominicana or the Dominican Marines. Enjoy!

Second Earthquake Felt!

2008-12-18T13:50:00.004-04:00

I just felt my second earthquake in my entire life!

Just sitting in my office in Colonial Zone working on the web site and the chair vibrated. It was just for a half second but it for sure shook. I thought at first that maybe there was something happening in the street, like something fell off a truck or something. Then I realized what it was. At that second I heard people in the gift shop in front of the office whooping and laughing. I knew than what it was.

I went out to the street and most people were doing their normal things as if nothing happened. while others were coming out to the street and looking up to the sky. Then the animation happened in the street that is normal when anything, small or large, happens here. People were all talking and laughing with a little bit of a look of fear (not much, just a little) in their eyes.

So anyhow, we had a 5.1 Earthquake or as they call it here, temblor de tierra or los terremotos (hope I spelt those correctly)! It's center was about 39 miles from Santo Domingo and seems to have it's center near La Romana.

I have lots of information about Earthquakes here in Dominican Republic on my weather page here.

More information about this earthquake can be found here
Earthquake USGS
IRIS.edu
rmsismo.uprm

Halloween 2008 in the Park

2008-12-03T14:49:00.003-04:00

Xiomara decided to have an American style Halloween Party for all the neighbors in the park. Well, it didn't work out as planned

She made all these balloon decorations and put them in the park and Colmado Arca.

People said they would get dressed up, but, oh well, only a few did. Cesar dressed as a fat woman and he was the star of the party. Others just wore a hat of some glasses and that was their costume.

I went as a Cedula (Dominican Republic identification card). Not many people got the joke that my blood was acid and I was from Mars (which I really am from Mars, PA.). But we had a good time anyhow. I couldn't stay out late as I had to get home and sleep because my trip to USA was the next day and I still had to pack my stuff.

My 49th Birthday

2008-11-25T12:48:00.004-04:00

Well, as usual I'm behind on writing on my blog. Can you regular readers please forgive me (It's not easy when I'm this old to remember everything) and for the non-regular readers maybe you should become regular readers so you could accept this little apology with the regulars.

My daughter (I'm her second mom, we are not blood even though it seems like it sometimes), Janna and her mom Xio made me a little birthday party in the Parque San Jose in Colonial Zone. I'm not really into celebrating my birthday. In USA I usually went camping to hide from all the party people. But here there was just no place to hide and I didn't want to disapoint my Janna.

It was fun. I even got some pineapple upside down cake and little fancy sandwiches. Thanks Xio, Janna and my neighbors for the party.

I just cannot believe I'm 49. Almost 50! DAMN! I remember when my grandparents were 50 and I thought they were soooo old. Now that I'm almost there it just doesn't seem that old anymore. funny how perspective changes.

Las Mercedes Day Procession Sept. 24, 2008

2008-09-29T14:10:00.003-04:00

The patron saint of Dominican Republic is Las Mercedes (their name for virgin Mary). this day most of the businesses are closed and most people make their way to the church. I am not Catholic so I do not know much of the customs of the Catholic religion but it is very interesting.

The day is celebrated by a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Cerro atop a hill that is close to the city of La Vega. But those who cannot venture to La Vega go to their own church to notice this important religious day.

Here in Colonial Zone all head to the Iglesia y Convento de las Mercedes / The Church and Convent of Our Lady of Mercy (more information about the church here.

I was waiting for the procession to start in front of the church. The people waiting to enter outside the church were all sort of solemn while just a few steps away it was almost a carnival type atmosphere with vendors selling ice cream and popcorn.

I got tired of waiting so I went home. Then about an hour later I heard the band in the street and got to view the procession from my own balcony.

This is the video I took. I tried to do some zooming in on the statue of Las Mercedes but just couldn't get close enough. Sorry for the camera movement. My video taking skills are not the best.

Neighborhood Vote San Jose Montecinos 2008

2008-09-26T13:16:00.005-04:00

I learned another new thing about Dominican life this past weekend, neighborhoods vote for their own President. This vote is done neighborhood by neighborhood, the neighbors choosing who will represent them to the local government. This vote is called the "Junta de Vecinos".

I also discovered that each larger neighborhood is divided into smaller sections. (I'm trying to find out the exact information about Colonial Zone to place on the web site). I believe there are about 8 different sectors inside the Colonial Zone area. Each voting for their own President, Vice President, Secretary and so on.

I got to watch my old neighborhoods vote (I could not vote as I don't live in that section now. I hope to vote in the Parque Duarte elections coming up in a few weeks) and it was a serious matter indeed. There was even a policeman watching over the elections. There was a designated committee to take care of the voting table and to count these votes.

The first step is to go to the table where the committee sits, sign in and take the ballot. Go over to the table with the policeman and write your selection (this table was a dominoes board which I thought was very interesting and quite official looking). The next step is to go to the big box to deposit your vote. Then sit and wait for the results, conversing with the neighbors and maybe partaking of your liquid of choice.

At 5 the voting was finished. It started raining so the election board guys moved into the Colmado owned by one for these guys, Colmado Arca. The place got especially packed and loud as the votes were being counted. One of the counters had to even call for silence as this was a very critical moment in the electoral process.

I moved outside to wait for the results because there were just too many people inside the small Colmado. Soon after there was clapping and lots of commotion at the Colmado as the winner was announced. People were clapping and singing as they left the Colmado to share the results with everyone. It seems that the victors won by only 3 votes. Now lets hope her and her team will bring some good parties to the park and also do some good things for my old neighborhood.