A DAY IN THE LIFE

You can rarely get sweet potatoes or yams in this country. Only time I saw them for sale was at Christmas and into January at Nacional and Bravo in the capital ans Santiago. There have been none for almost 3 months!

Geezzzz Planner do you mean I'm going to have to smuggle some in??? Yikes!!! LoL The things we do for sweet potatoes  :-) Have a good Easter Planner

Yes you will have to smuggle some in.  My crop is still ongoing and not looking good. In fact if you are successful I would love one so I can start a new crop.

Bob K

I will do what I can Bob. I have heard the eyes work just as well as the slips, would be easier to bring those than the slips. Will buy a few next week and start collecting some eyes :-)

A few eyes will be just fine.

Bob K

I need some eyes too!!!!!! Please please please....

The Samana Santa (crazy) weekend has begun starting at about noon yesterday as offices and businesses closed for the long weekend and the beaches started to fill up.  Hotel occupancy here on the north coast is reported to be at 100%.

I was on the beach in Sosua yesterday and the police were out in force. There were no less than 6 foot patrols of up to  6 cops (PN or Cestur or a combo of both) roaming up and down the beach.  There were also two large groups of volunteers patrolling the beach as well.  All entrances had guards posted (PN) who inspected all beach bags and coolers looking for any bottles, beer or otherwise, as these are not allowed on the beach this weekend. Even the restaurants and bars need to serve drinks in plastic cups this weekend.  They were also looking for any weapons (guns and knives), drugs, etc.

They were also setting up all kinds of drink and food stands on the beach as well as multiple BBQs.  Most of the restaurants and bars will close this weekend as there are so many Dominican beach stands being set up and most of the Dominican visitors will bring their own food and drink.  So a good weekend for the owners to take some time off.

There were also multiple patrols along the road ways and flag wavers telling people to slow down. 

Yes it has begun and time for us to "hole" up for the duration.

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Bob K

Thanks Bob. I didn't know they had banned glass from the beach!!! Excellent news!  I assume brutal has a new plastic bottle!!! 

Have a good safe weekend! 

I will start a couple of "deep thought" threads...... So we have something to do......Lol.

Don't make them too deep.  My mind frazzles easy.

Bob K

Are you a blonde Bob?????   

No the little hair I have left is grey.  Maybe my brain is frazzled because there is no hair to protect it from the sun.  So even a better reason for the young turks to use a helmet when on the motos.  It protects your brain from frying.

Bob K

Hahahaha  Bob we love you......... keep that hat on....

Stocked up yesterday on Atlantico Rum & cigars and will hole up for the weekend. We did take the kids (4 legged) to the near by small beach early this am and there was already a crowd getting started.

Keep us posted on what is going on.....

Here in the capital ---- sooooo quiet. I am a block off the Malecon, no traffic, no noise.  I live on a cul de sac and even the kids are quiet.....

Enjoy the quiet while you can. Monday the crazy city will re awaken

Bob K

It will come back to life Sunday night...... for now......ahhhhhhhhhh.....

I see that pretty much all the expats feel the same about the semana Santa weekend.  Bob I'm glad to hear your report on the safety measures being taken in Sosua. The beach still does not appeal to me with the large crowds that turn up for the festivities, but I'm glad to hear safety is being enforced and bottles have been banned.  I used to work security in N.Y. many years back, and what I saw on Cabarete beach the year I participated in the event, left much to be desired. Too crowded, glass bottles on the beach, no clear exit signs, not enough police presence and absolutely wall to wall people, all recipes for disaster!

      I remember parting that Friday night and never went back out until Monday, when the calm returned.  The other expats I met there and even some Dominicans told me they do not attend the beach festivities.  Maybe I'm just getting old and just not into that whole Spring break party scene :-( I love dancing and music, but as a former club bouncer the whole scene just feels unsafe and one thing I did learn while doing that job was: Go with your gut feeling!

       I would love for other expats to chime in and tell me of your own personal experience with semana Santa weekend or just the reasons why you choose not to partake of the festivities.  I'm not super religious, but I don't feel the display of music, alcohol, and debauchery represents the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and all that he stood for, It should more than anything a time to reflect on life and help the less fortunate, not a time to get drunk and act stupid! But hey! to each their own.  Happy and safe Easter everyone.

Massagewiz good post and so on the money.

Bob K

The only day that is respected here (Somewhat) is Good Friday. No bars, no alcohol sales no clubbing and NO MUSIC.  Goes midnight thurday to midnight Friday this year. Each year can be a bit different.

That said, my across the cul de sac neighbor decided today was the day to blast reggaeton crap. A group of us descended on him for being disrespectful!!!! Ha.

For me it is the death rate and accident rate that scares me the most.  Last year, due to work commitments, I spent most of Semana Santa on the road!!! I drove from Puerto Plata to Punta Cana, to Santiago back to Santo Domingo them to Punta Cana again, then Back to Santo Domingo finally Puerto Plata!  NEVER AGAIN......not worth the strain on my nerves.  Never every again will I do this for any client or contract!

The hotels are jammed. The beaches are jammed. Restaurants are jammed. In a country where customer service sucks imagine how bad it is this week!!!!!

And in case anyone missed it - Wednesday there was a major roof fire at the Hard Rock Hotel in Punta Cana. The cana roof on the main restaurant went up in flames. It could be seen for miles. Imagine that hotel this weekend!!!!!

I remember when motorboats etc were allowed on the beaches and seadoos.  There were so many deaths in the water it was ridiculous!!!! Now no motorized water sports. NO big trucks on the roads from noon Thursday until 6am Monday. And vehicles are lead back into the big cities by convoy! Controlled speed.  It helps a great deal.

BUT it doesn't help the north coast, doesn't help the drunk driving all weekend.  Just please be careful out there......

Thank for your inputs planner and Bob.  I will look up the roof fire thing at the Hard Rock :-( Very bad time for that to happen. I just hope Mondays death report is not too high.  Have a safe weekend guys.

There is report of 4 killed last evening between Santiago and Puerto Plata....car accident.

Have not heard that yet but as of 11 am yesterday there were 8 highway deaths already

Bob K

Just found an article on that saying 3 killed and 4 seriously injured. So toll now is in the 12 dead already range.  So sad and re affirms my feelings of staying off the roads this weekend.

Bob K

Agreed!!!! And contrary to popular belief it isn't just at night that you need to worry.  For Semana Santa drinking and driving goes on 24/7.  Accidents at  7 am  from the night before...........accidents at 2 in the afternoon cause they started drinking at 10 am......

Stay off the roads if you can.....

As of Saturday afternoon, as reported on Dominican Today:

Santo Domingo.– In his second report Saturday before noon, Emergency Operations Center (COE) director Juan Manuel Mendez said 20 people have died during the Easter break so far, all of them were in traffic accidents.

COE also reports 582 people affected, 354 in traffic accidents, 30 for alcohol overdose, 10 for food poisoning and 188 for various reasons.

According to Mendez, most traffic accidents occurred in Santo Domingo, La Vega, Puerto Plata and San Cristobal.

It has been particularly deadly here on the north coast with I think 6 deaths so far on the highways and a few in critical condition.
This afternoon will be the worst as after 3PM or so all the drunks will be leaving the beaches and heading home in overloaded cars and pickup trucks. 
You could not pay me to drive the roads this afternoon.
Hope all had a enjoyable and safe holiday weekend.

Bob K

Best day of the year to stay home.... So far today I have cleaned my stove, my fridge,  all my cupboards and drawers in the kitchen......LOL

If you do ovens, come on over

Bob K

Thanks to the invite.....

Ok now that the crazy weekend is over it is back to life as we know it here.  Today will be bill paying day for me.  It is always so much fun and today I am taking a friend along who has never paid bills here before and this will be her first time paying them. so off to ede Norte (electric), bank ( for funds), second bank to pay health insurance, two phone companies to pay for 6 phone linens, cable company, insurance (car), and the veggie lady for this weeks veggies. Should be an early day...I figure 4 hours if the lines are not to bad or if the workers show up and know what they are doing.

Off to Santo Domingo tomorrow to renew residency.  It is too long to go and do in one day so we are overnighting it and then hopefully home at a reasonable hour Wednesday.

Planner we are going to a Chinese restaurant off the Malecon for diner tomorrow... want to join us?

Bob K

Hey Bob would libretto join you. Message me location and time.

Today I am off to the lab for tests....

I sent you a PM

Bob K

Just looked at my post and am reminded I HATE AUTO CORRECT......LOL

So today is frustrating so far!!!!  reminder to all - don't try to get anything done the day after Semana Santa weekend. Everyone's brains are fried from sun and beer and rum!!!!

I did ok getting 5 bills paid except for the brain dead girl at the insurance company.

Bob K

HAHAHA .....

Ok off today to renew our residency and cedulas.  First time under the new system.  Should be fun.  We are going today so we will be able to meet our lawyer at 10 tomorrow morning.   It is now a two trip process. Tomorrow physicals then she will file the papers after the results are in and we go back in about two weeks for pictures and cards.   You would think it would be easier.  Last time we just sent the cards to our lawyer and 10 days later new ones arrived at the house.

Oh for the good old days.

Planner call you later this afternoon

Bob K

Looking forward to it!!!

So I have had some interesting times.....

As you may remember I had dengue in early February.  Once the first week was over, I thought the worst was behind me. Not necessarily so...... I have been dealing with complications from dengue - they are not common but are not unheard of.

Within about 10 days the worst of the pain, fever and exhaustion have run their course.  I was immensely better then the first week but still not doing too well.   At the end of one month I was at about  60% energy, continuous pain in my hands and feet and intermittent issues with my knees.

At  2 months I was at about 80% energy  but worse pain in hands and feet - I could not get shoes on my feet!!!!   And now 3 months later I was getting worse and not better.

A visit to a doctor - who did routine tests - not tests that an American doctor friend requested and this bozo tells me I have arthritis. I do not accept that.  He did however offer me an injection of Anti inflammatories to help with the swelling in my hands and feet. After confirming it was ONLY anti inflammatories I got the injection.  Silly me, I wrote down the names of the drugs he gave me.  That was a Friday.

On Sunday with some relief in hand so to speak,  I did some online research before filing my medical paperwork. And low and behold, what do I find??? THIS MORON has injected me with steroids!!!!! I had specifically asked if he was giving me steroids and was told NO. I was soooo angry. I get to decide what goes into my body.

Next I go to a specialist (thanks to friends for the recommendation)  she takes the time to check me out thoroughly, discuss what I was given,  explain how steroids act and put my mind at ease. And she clearly indicated the ones I was given were not the best choice.

She then explained the issues I am dealing with.  Sometimes dengue will fool the body into believing it is still under attach. AND sometimes dengue will trigger an underlying disease.  Am I dealing with either of these scenarios?  Probably, so lets test for it!!!!

Well, due to the tests already run by doctor #1, I now find out I have to have the new tests pre approved by insurance! Ahhhhhh  Ok, sometimes I just do not understand the systems here.  So i go to the lab, get the tests done and now will wait 8 days for my results!!!

Costs of all my lab work - with insurance  1,081 RD, without the bill would come to 6,581 RD.  big difference.  I will keep you posted on the results - which I can see ONLINE when they are ready. How cool is that.

And I am still dealing with pain in my hands, feet and knees -  it is interfering with my dancing, and that is just not okay!!!  Soon I hope to have at least some answers, then we figure out what to do about it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery planner.