Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 9:28 AM
From: Australia
Great to see some culture happening in this county. It's a pity that in this city of about 180,000 people, there is no cinema. San Cristobal is a cultural desert.
Written by: josean, 3 Jan 2012 10:10 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
'It's a pity that in this city of about 180,000 people, there is no cinema. San Cristobal is a cultural desert."
Roy, but I am sure you enjoy a lot of “free drama and street theatre!” .
Written by: JEM237, 3 Jan 2012 11:08 AM
From: United States, In your mind
Roystone, there's is plenty of culture in the first city of the New World as world as well an up-and-coming cinema (again, I said up-and-coming before you misinterpret what I say). Now, that you may be unaware of these things is one thing but don't come on here and speak as if you can already assert this as a fact.
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 11:17 AM
From: Australia
josean, yes we have the full gambit, (with some things missing)
"Crime & Punishment" (without the punishment)
"Reality TV" (without the TV when the power's off)
"Cops & Robbers" (both parts played by the same actors)
"Soap Opera" ("launderers singing" to be more accurate)
Written by: RonEvane, 3 Jan 2012 11:26 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Roy, what more can you ask for? It is live-action drama and it's free!
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 11:28 AM
From: Australia
JEM237,
San Cristobal was not the 1st city in the New World.
Neither Was Santo Domingo.
There were cities in Central and South America, long before Columbus, and certainly with more culture than the Dominican Republic.
Anyway I was talking about San Cristobal, which has no cinema. It also has no theater, opera-house, museum, art-gallery, orchestra, historical society, botanical-gardens, zoological-gardens, concerts, street-theater or even a dedicated book-shop or music-store. Not exactly teeming with culture in my humble opinion.
Written by: JEM237, 3 Jan 2012 12:50 PM
From: United States, In your mind
My apologies for my misinterpretation then; San Cristobal does actually kind of suck. But on what basis do you assert that Santo Domingo was not the first city of the New World? Do you really wanna go there? Unless of course you're getting into semantics.
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Not the first city, but the first European built city in the so called new world.
Written by: josean, 3 Jan 2012 1:47 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
Roy maybe you should move to San Francisco it appears things are little livelier there:
"They consider the PLD activity a mockery to the people"
"SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS (Dominican Republic)-As Christmas entertainment a greased pole was placed on the eve of new year in one of the streets of the populous sector Pueblo Nuevo, San Francisco de Macorís, by members of the Party of Dominican Liberation (PLD), which was seen by many here as a mockery of the humble people and scarce resources in this needy municipality.)"
"While some laughed at every failed attempt of those who sought to climb to the top of the stick, many more considered it a mockery by the sponsors of the activity to hang money, live chickens, salami, rice, sneakers and other items unavailable for a significant part of the population."
Continued:
Written by: josean, 3 Jan 2012 1:48 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
"Those damn corrupt officials have no need for anything; they have everything in abundance to squander." "On top of that the public is going to hell in hand basket, without jobs, without health services at our disposal, scarcity in staple products and with a great public insecurity which threatens us every day, mounted a show in bad taste with this greased pole, making a mockery of the humble people " said María Taveras.
http://www.7dias.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=113656From: Dominican Republic
error
Written by: anthonyC, 3 Jan 2012 1:53 PM
From: United States
Some facts for Roy
Santo Domingo is the First City of the New World
Santo Domingo is a Cultural Mecca.
Eva Langoria is the kiss of death for any movie she has a part in.
Written by: josean, 3 Jan 2012 1:57 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
"Eva Langoria is the kiss of death for any movie she has a part in."
Well I don't about Miss Langoria but Mr. Garcia is certainly a reason to ask for a refund of the ticket price.
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 2:07 PM
From: Australia
DONT_BE_SILENT, you're right, first permanent European city in the New World. The Vikings actually settled in North America 500 years earlier, but didn't stay. However there are still no Dominican cities in the Civilized World.
Santo Domingo a Cultural Mecca anthonyC? Of where? The Dominican Cultural Desert?
(Having said that, the aquarium is good)
From: Dominican Republic, NEVER FORGOTTEN, NEVER FORSAKEN!
Josean I think is time to bring Jim H back, what do you think?
Written by: JEM237, 3 Jan 2012 2:46 PM
From: United States, In your mind
Roystone, seriously dude, Vikings? Who was the hell was talking about the first settlers of North America? Sorry, but Santo Domingo is the first city of the New World, like it or not. And Santo Domingo is a cultural mecca of the Caribbean, Latin America and the World. It truly irks me that foreigners like yourself decide to live in my country for whatever reason and then you have the nerve to be condescending regarding the country's history, culture and everything and act like you're doing us a favor by living there. Is this what Australians are like? If DR is not good for you, you can always leave. We have several airports at your disposal.
Written by: juanb, 3 Jan 2012 6:12 PM
From: Dominican Republic
Typical government announcement:
Dominican Republic Cinema Office director Ellis Perez expects a good year for that sector with as many as 15 films shot locally,
OR as few as three.
Written by: RonEvane, 3 Jan 2012 6:19 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
JEM237.
My take on what keeps foreigners in the DR, (although they can easily move on to better places), is LOVE. The analogy being that, she's a dirty slut who can't hold an intelligent conversation, but cooks really well and gives insanely great head!
Que te parece?
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 7:07 PM
From: Australia
RonEvane,
You nailed the head, right on the hit!
(Although my Dominican wife is not a dirty slut, can hold and intelligent conversation, with fluent English, and is a couple of months off graduating as a doctor.)
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 7:09 PM
From: Australia
JEM237,
I don't remember saying I was doing the country a favor by staying here. I'm actually doing a Dominican a favor by taking her out of this "cultural capital of the world".
So Santo Domingo is the first European city in the New World. Wow. That's about the beginning and the end of it - nothing notable about it, other than the corruption, crime, rubbish, sub-standard infrastructure, boring music, silly dancing, lack of service, lawlessness and uneducated, superficial, materialist, lazy, racist, arrogant, ignorant, deluded people.
Most of the world has not even heard of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo has nothing compared to the great cities of the world.
Of course there are exceptions. Many of the women are fabulous, and I have met a few decent blokes. Some parts of Samana Peninsula are nice too.
Written by: RonEvane, 3 Jan 2012 8:20 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Roy, I sincerely and seriously congratulate you for crossing paths with someone of her attributes and caliber.
After languishing for 22 years with a muted, unrelentingly, malicious sadist, I look forward to bliss with a real, down-to-earth, humanist old woman.
From: United States
Thats funny Roy you are such a whiner and one of the few foreigners who constantly complain about the DR. I just wonder why Spanish singer Julio Iglesias bothered to relocate to the DR with his Scandinavian wife and children. I wonder why ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov bothers to live in the "cultural dessert" of Pta Cana Resort and Club in the DR. I just wonder why world famous fashion designer Oscar De La Renta would actually leave Paris, France to spend the rest ot his life at home in the DR. I wonder why Austria-born US industrialist.CEO of Gulf & Western Charles Bluhdorn was very passionate about the DR and practically built himself his own town for his family, while the children Dominique and Charles Jr never left, yet still remain as permanent residents in spite of their fathers passing in1983. I wonder why the son of Nobel prize winner in literature Mario Vargas LLosa Jr bothered to move to the DR and has been here 5 yrs instead of any other cultural capital of his choice.
From: United States
The problem with you Roy is that you must and need to stop living in the Ghetto, get away from those barrios, dont hang around in the wrong neighborhoods and surround yourself with low class people, bottom of the barrel riff-raff.
I am baffled as to why every time you open your mouth there is constant complaits, I wonder where the hell do you go? I mean, I know there are places like what you mention but I make sure to keep my distance and not go there. While I am in the DR, I only meet and attempt to associate with a better class of people and go to nice clean places . I hate garbage and dirt and do not visit places like that.
Written by: RonEvane, 3 Jan 2012 9:54 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Hey!!!! what the....!
I'm congratulating Roy on his good fortune, and you A-holes, delete my post!? ....
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 10:50 PM
From: Australia
Ron, I thought it was nice, so here it is again:
Roy, I sincerely and seriously congratulate you for crossing paths with someone of her attributes and caliber.
After languishing for 22 years with a muted, unrelentingly, malicious sadist, I look forward to bliss with a real, down-to-earth, humanist old woman.
Let me ask you, why does she have to be old?
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 11:12 PM
From: Australia
.
Written by: RoyStone, 3 Jan 2012 11:12 PM
From: Australia
guillermone,
Any country is nice when you are rich and famous, and can throw money around, and can live in other places in the world as well. I do not doubt there are some nice places here, behind the high walls and barbed-wire. However where most people live in this country, its a rubbish tip, even the capital. Maybe if you take a helicopter direct from the airport, to a villa on a cliff-top you don't need to drive on roads full of pot-holes, see rubbish on the streets, beaches and in the rivers, are not bombarded with crappy electronic music wound up to distortion, or risk being robbed by guys in a police uniform, or being hit from behind by a unlicensed drunk on a motorbike, and have to pay to fix his bike and his medical bill.
You must admit that the "better class" of people and clean places are very much in the minority.
Written by: RonEvane, 3 Jan 2012 11:45 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
Let me ask you, why does she have to be old?
Roy. Let me, once again, congratulate you in encountering someone you apparently deem hightly regarded.
Why old? because I am also old..... Because I relish a beautiful mind and a deep, meaningful relation with someone whom I consider my peer. Not anyone I want to own, to display as trophy, or to use exclusively for sex. I want a soul mate... Weird, eh?
From: Dominican Republic
JEM237.... really??
"The New World" was the name give to all of the lands to the west of Europe (including USA) after the discovery by someone that did return to Europe... Santo Domingo was the first Spanish "settlement" in the "New World"... not the first city...
Written by: RoyStone, 4 Jan 2012 7:35 AM
From: Australia
Ah yes, stillhere,
However neither the Vikings not the Incas or Aztecs believed in Jesus, so as savages, their cities an settlements didn't count. The New World was uncivilized until the selfless gentleman-hero Columbus kindly brought Christianity (and other diseases) to the New World.
From: United States
@Roy-I wont deny public sanitation has its challenges, but I take issue with how you portray us, you would think the whole country is a dump. I guess if you stay and live in the ghetto and that is what you see, the perception is distorted and assume the rest of "the world is a ghetto." Although there are beaches with litter, due to inneficient public services, however for each dirty one found there are hundred others which are impeccable, clean, white sands, aqua-blue, crystal clear waters which have been pristine since when Columbus first arrived. Have you not heard of Bahia de Aguilas? Cabo Rojo, Monte Cristi? Nagua? There are thousands of miles of litter free beaches, plenty of towns and cities all over the interior provinces which are clean and well maintain to include mountain towns like Constanza and Jarabacoa. Why you always insist and pick the dirty ones baffles me. If you can afford it, get out of the barrios, travel to the rest of the country and you will see a difference.
Written by: motivar, 4 Jan 2012 9:44 AM
From: United States
@RoyStone @RonEvanes...
"nothing notable about it, other than the corruption, crime, rubbish, sub-standard infrastructure, boring music, silly dancing, lack of service, lawlessness and uneducated, superficial, materialist, lazy, racist, arrogant, ignorant, deluded people."
Were you expecting to see NYC, Sydney, or Tokyo? Potholes, corruption, crime, rubbish or silly dancing clearly DOES NOT EXIST in those cities? You're speaking about a small country in a small island with limited resources (comparatively speaking). A shift in government and rule by several countries over the last few centuries. I hate the "risk being robbed by guys in a police uniform" but some patience, please. Please stop assuming that every Dominican has the same ideals and as if you know us all.
@RonStone
If you're having problems with your wife then you have 3 options all based on your morals: get a divorce; make her fall in love with you; get someone else.
Feel free to share. no copyright
Written by: motivar, 4 Jan 2012 9:47 AM
From: United States
@Guillermone
Please don't send people who do not practice tolerance to La Vega (Constanza, Jarabacoa). They're going to have the same complaints because they fall for the same traps. Showing them around is probably better.
From: United States
@motivar-Constanza and Jarabacoa are very beautiful locations. The weather is cool and scenic views are pleasant to the eyes, water falls, rivers, hills, mountains and pine tree covered forests, quite uncommon for a tropical Caribean island. It is not crowded and the streets are relatively much cleaner then the national district. It is not as touristy like the east coast and a popular spot for natives, where well to do Dominicans have built nice mountain cottages and vacation homes.
There is also San Juan de La Maguana and Moncion, two typical Dominican towns, quiet, clean with plenty of nice people. I dont see any reason why we should fear sending anyone for a visit. And if they still complain, the problem is not with the location but with them. Some people you just can not please and in that case there is no hope.There are people who will always find something wrong with anything no matter what. If you say,"it is a beautiful day," they will respond, yeah whats good about it
Written by: motivar, 4 Jan 2012 1:06 PM
From: United States
@guillermone. I agree with you. My earlier comment was half-jokingly made.
@RonEvane. Your comments seemed a bit cynical but good luck in your search.
From: Dominican Republic
guillermone "Although there are beaches with litter, due to inneficient public services"....sorry .. wrong ... It is due the that fact that a large majority of Dominicans have the "someone else will pick it up" attitude.. The clean beaches and towns would be from the communities attitude, their self respect and self worth is that keeps it clean... to blame inefficient and insufficient public services is only one side of the coin... I'm sure they are very nice and look forward to seeing them soon...
Just because you have nothing and get no help from the local council you don't have to live in a dump.
Written by: RonEvane, 4 Jan 2012 2:25 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
@RonEvane. Your comments seemed a bit cynical but good luck in your search.
Well, gee thanks, padre. I'm glad you approve!
Written by: motivar, 4 Jan 2012 3:50 PM
From: United States
@Ron. I aim to please.
From: United States
@stillhere-Never said that the Dominican people are free of responsibility for the litter. Everyone must do their share to keep the country clean. However, when you combine the care free attitude of Dominicans plus a lack of efficient municipal services, the results are obvious. But that is besides the point.
The issue I have is that yes there are dirty beaches in the DR, I know that, you know that and we are all aware of the sanitation problems. That can not be denied, but that is only one side of the story. Although we have polluted our shores, there are also plenty of clean beaches, more clean then there are dirty, miles and miles of unspoiled coast lines, with exquisite and pristine beach locations all over the island. I just wonder why with so many nice places, Roy only goes swimming to all the dirty ones. He must love garbage or is always in constant search for something to complain about.
Written by: RonEvane, 4 Jan 2012 11:50 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
{"If you're having problems with your wife then you have 3 options all based on your morals: get a divorce; make her fall in love with you; get someone else"}
You're getting a little too chummy, buddy... Back off!
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 12:12 AM
From: Australia
motivarm
Who ir what is "RonStone"?
I certainly am not having trouble with my wife - she's the best thing ever to come out of this country.
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 12:33 AM
From: Australia
guillermone,
I dod not say all Dominican beaches are rubbish-tips. In fact I have raved here about Samana Peninsula and Rincon Beach - postcard-perfect, Saona Islan is also very nice.
However i still stand by my generalization about the south coast. I have traveled extensively thorough the Dominican Republic, not just in the "getto" as you call San Cristobal.
Also there a no beaches "untouched since Columbus" or anything like it. None of the coral reefs are in their original state and most of the coral is dead, as is the case in most of the Caribbean. Go to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to see what a living coral reef looks like.
One problem with Dominican beaches is the upset in the ecological balance has increased the number and spread of black sea-urchins which give a very nasty sting.
From: United States
If you think Samana is nice wait til you see Bahia de las Aquilas. It lives up to it's reputation as the most gorgeous beach in the DR, if not among one of the best in the world. It has powdery white sand, the most crystal clear waters I have ever seen (including Isla Saona, Samana, Bayahibe, Playa Rincon) on par or even better than Grand Cayman or St John's US Virgin Islands.
The nearby variety of landscapes is impressive, sand & stone rivers, cascades, verdant mountains & desert with cactus, hundreds of butterflies, pelicans, iguanas, scorpions, green vegetation that came down from the mountains, reaching across the ocean. The views along the coast to get to the beach are spectacular. There are large rock formations, pelicans, eagles nests, crystalline green water, small hidded white sand beaches. Still, that was overshadowed by the beauty of Bahia de las Aguilas. It has no hotels, no facilities and I hope it stays that way, totally isolated, a true oasis.
Written by: JEM237, 5 Jan 2012 9:46 AM
From: United States, In your mind
Ron Evane, F--- you. Seriously. If tourism is attracting foreigners like you and Roystone, then we REALLY need to revamp our marketing and branding.
Written by: RoyStone, 5 Jan 2012 10:48 AM
From: Australia
guillermone,
I have seen photos of Bahia de las Aquilas and it certainly looks fabulous. As far as I can see it is in the middle of a national park and there is no access by road, and as you say no hotels of facilities. I too hope it stays that way.
Pristine wildernesses can still be enjoyed by responsible eco-tourists, if properly controlled, with zero environmental impact. JEM237 it is not a question of marketing or branding, and dare I say that foreign tourists have far more respect for the natural environment of Hispanola than most Dominicans, including those that live here and those who have escaped to Newark.
I have been involved, hands-on and lobbying government, with projects cleaning-up Dominican beaches and waterways. What have you done?
From: Dominican Republic
Still, that was overshadowed by the beauty of Bahia de las Aguilas. It has no hotels, no facilities and I hope it stays that way, totally isolated, a true oasis.
There is my answer and argument in one as you say "totally isolated" need we say more ..........
From: United States
Roy-Very happy to know you are aware and were reminded that YES we have more then enough clean, pristine beaches all over the island and not only those which are dirty, littered with trash.
The problem I see is the way you continually portray us, one would think the whole country is just one big hugh dump site, full of uncivilized, unconscionable people and that is not quite accurate. In spite of it all, we have been blessed with extraordinary assets, plenty of natural resources and great people. But I won't deny and will accept that together with the good, the bad goes along with it. However, I believe in being fair and I am concerned when our negatives are accentuated while anything positive is minimized.
Nevertheless, all I want to do is make sure the books are properly balanced at the end of the day, and that we don't create a distorted image of what our country is really like
From: United States
Stillhere-"There is my answer and argument in one as you say "totally isolated" need we say more .........."
Yes, isolated yet still accessible.....but like I said once before, that is besides the point. And I will repeat it again, we have dirty beaches, but also clean and pristine ones as well, many of which are close by, neither isolated nor far away.
Written by: JEM237, 9 Jan 2012 4:36 PM
From: United States, In your mind
RoyStone,
Funny that you would make assumptions about ppl from Newark, but I'll leave that for another time. I find it hard to believe that you "care" so much about DR when you waste no time in disrespecting and belittling anything that you can from the things that are bad to the things that are good. Only when someone else happens to point out the fallacy in some of your arguments is that you all of a sudden have this "love" for DR and have supposedly done the things you say you have with the government and cleaning up beaches and so forth. That to me is all hogwash because someone who would in fact go above and beyond to these things is someone who would be the exact opposite of what you are: someone who is respectful and considerate of their significant others' culture and land but above all someone who truly loves the DR not a hipocrite who falls for a Dominican, lives in DR and considers himself to be above it's people so please do us all a favor and spare us your Captain Plane
Written by: RoyStone, 9 Jan 2012 5:06 PM
From: Australia
JEM237,
I am still waiting for the list of things you have done for this country's environment. However since you doubt what I said, send me your email address and I will send you the photos. Also you can contact the Department of the Environment regarding my presentation and report there. The very reason I have been involved is because I don't wear rose-colored glasses or blinkers, and I see it as it is, and also how it could and should be. I never said I love the Dominican Republic - I don't.
Feel free to tell us about people from Newark. I've only been to the airport there, and only because I missed my connection in Miami. However I have stayed in New Jersey and Manhattan. I have been told the Dominican ghettos in New York are not very different from here, but I have no personal experience of it.
Who or what is Captain Plane?
Written by: JEM237, 9 Jan 2012 6:57 PM
From: United States, In your mind
Wow, anyone with at least half a brain knows that what I meant to say was Captain Planet but I understand if this was a difficult concept for you to grasp so my apologies for giving you a slight benefit of a doubt. Look, I don't recall a moment where I came here to brag about Newark but of course when someone runs on out of arguments and wants to take the lowest course of action, you attack where they live or where they're from (as you have done with DR) so go right ahead and keep proving my point. I am well aware that Newark has high crime rates, poverty, ghettos you name it but it also has many great things to offer that I am not going to waste my time explaining to you. I have not done those wonderful things that you claim to have done for DR but when I am in DR I certainly do my part to not make things worse and I do my part here with recycling and things of that nature. What I don't do is belittle anyone's native land or customs because I think I am superior as you shown all here.
Written by: RonEvane, 9 Jan 2012 8:40 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
["I never said I love the Dominican Republic - I don't"]
Wow, Mr. Roy, I'm surprised you would say a thing like that. I mean, why go out of your way to clean up a beach, if you felt that way?
["I have been involved, hands-on and lobbying government, with projects cleaning-up Dominican beaches and waterways."]
That is to be commended. I applaud your effort and lament the fact that most Dominicans are as oblivious to their surrounding as they are.
Still, my biased leanings say It's a gorgeous land with much to be enamored with, albeit with its' many faults.
I know it must be frustrating to try to deal with deaf and dumb people in power who can do much good, but don't.
It takes people like you and many of us here, to do our part to broadcast our dissatisfaction with the status quo and try hard to fight ignorance,cold indifference and disregard to an spoiled environment which will surely cost them health and money not earned for lack of vision.
All isn't lost.....yet
Written by: RoyStone, 9 Jan 2012 8:59 PM
From: Australia
JEM237, I was not attacking the fact that you live in Newark per-se, but rather that you don't live in the Dominican Republic.
Sorry, I had never heard of Captain Planet - so I looked him up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me like a children's TV series. The implications are obvious.
I do not claim to be superior, and I do not attack people for where they are from, but rather how they behave. Not all Dominicans are filthy pigs, but there are enough to spoil it for everyone. There are filthy pigs in Australia too, but probably less, and unlike Dominicans, Australians are generally not to proud to clean up other people's mess in public places.
Written by: josean, 9 Jan 2012 9:15 PM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
'It takes people like you and many of us here, to do our part to broadcast our dissatisfaction with the status quo and try hard to fight ignorance,cold indifference and disregard to an spoiled environment which will surely cost them health and money not earned for lack of vision.'
Well this is an outrage; of all the ant-Dominican, tourist , off topic, economic destroying things to say!
My God sir, you sound like that negativist suspected of being Haitian josean!
Written by: RoyStone, 9 Jan 2012 9:18 PM
From: Australia
Ron, this country has a very interesting history, and is on a beautiful island. Before coming I was very excited about it. However when I saw what people have done to it, I was very disappointed. Santo Domingo has potentially one of the most beautiful waterfronts of any capital. There are rugged coral cliff-faces, secluded little beaches and coves, and tall coconut-palms. However there is a noisy road with truck-horns and sound-systems blasting, rubbish everywhere, cliffs covered in rags, beaches covered in PET and styrofoam and raw effluent flowing in to the sea. Okay, it is going to be re-developed - into something like a shopping-mall with wi-fi?
I was expecting lots of old Spanish buildings, a sailing-ship or two, traditional costumes and relics in the Colonial Zone. Instead I found Pizza Hut and cheep souvenirs made in China.
I love what this country possibly was, but not how it is now.
From: United States
JEM-Roy is an angry man, a rebel without a cause who is still searching for meaning to life, thrives on conflict and loves dealing with people who don't understand him. He is full of pent-up frustrations, takes issue of each and everyone of our weaknesses and frailties, has this obssesive compulsion to bad mouth the DR at every opportunity but does it to release frustrations which prevents him to fall apart within.
This is all about a bitter Australian who arrives in the DR on questionable motives or who knows for what reason, boasts superiority above Dominican society yet is enamoured with our women, meets and humbles himself down and marries one. He would love to openly defy local authorities and natives alike in an attempt to portray himself as the Great White Hope.
What does all this mean? Not much. Just don't mind, humor him, he is not any better or worse then the average person. In fact he is just like the DR, some one who has good together with bad.
Written by: RonEvane, 9 Jan 2012 10:30 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
{"My God sir, you sound like that negativist suspected of being Haitian josean!"}
Unlike you, sir, I see the good and bad and I can appreciate both. You, on the other hand, only see bad and do nothing but point fingers. You're a compulsive complainer. A pest, a constant naysayer with an agenda.
{" He would love to openly defy local authorities and natives alike and attempts to portray himself as the Great White Hope. "}
Mr. Guillermone.
I can't speak for anyone here... But my impressions on Mr. Roy's postings lead me to suspect he may love DR so much to be willing to offer more than just talk on this forum. In fact, because of his intence rhetoric, I'll bet he may be doing much more than just torturing his keyboard pointing to what ails our DR the most.
He is there and most of us live somewhere else. He is exposed to all kinds of crap on an everyday basis. No doubt; if I were there, I'd be lamenting too!
It's good to have a foreigner's views on this DR disaster.
From: United States
Hey don't get me wrong, believe it or not, I have my admiration for Roy. I like how he is upfront and forthright. I value and appreciate that and unlike most people who have difficulty and can't handle honesty. I am glad he speaks a piece of his mind and although I am not saying he is wrong on most of what he states, I just take issue with how unbalanced and distorted his point of view. If you live in Harlem all of your life and the only thing you see all day is unemployed, low income people hanging on a street corner, drinking and playing loud music, living off public assistance, rampant crime and lack of sanitary condition of course your perception is going to be negative. Roy has been a witness to all kinds of social ills prevalent within Dominican society. But that is only one side of the picture. There is a whole other side of town he completely missed and appears to have never experienced.
From: United States
Mario Vargas Llosa praises democracy in the DR
Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa said on Wed, Dec 28 upon receiving an honorary degree from UNSPEC, that the DR has become an example for Lat Ame after the fall of Rafael L Trujillo in 1960. "I have seen how this society has been transformed, how it has opened to the world and above all how freedom has gotten a hold of Dominican life, both in the political as well as the economic aspect. It is one of the most stimulating experiences, the happiest, most encouraging in the region".
Vargas Llosa said the DR could boast the luxury of showing achievements in democracy. He said that Dominicans had suffered through one of the most ferocious dictatorships in Lat Ame. He said that while there are no causes for complacency, because there are serious problems and the same inequalities as other Latin American countries, but it is an undeniable fact that there have been enormous advances and this is an example for Latin America.
From: United States
Read above Roy, we aint all that bad as you make us out to be.
Written by: RonEvane, 10 Jan 2012 12:59 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
[" Roy has been a witness to all kinds of social ills prevalent within Dominican society. But that is only one side of the picture. There is a whole other side of town he completely missed and appears to have never experienced."]
I once told him to get out of the slum he lives in, and experience the other side too...Apparently, he didn't go anywhere... Justifiely so, our nation does not live up to his, and others' standards. That can be good or bad, I suppose.... It's good to see wrong and try to right it.. Bad that, eventually, one gets frustrated and gives up. ..Some just sit idly by shaking their heads mumbling about Dominicans being lazy, uncivilized- a hopelessly broken society-...Still others deem it a basket case, impossible to fix and irreversibly stuck as a third-world, failed state. Emotions run deep. Not just from us, DR folks, but from others too, foreigners that come and can see the potential for a heavenly paradise, if not for the....
Written by: RonEvane, 10 Jan 2012 1:13 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
...Apes in government who neglect their constituents right to a decent life..... In my humble opinion, I'll try to guess what lies at the root of all our problems: the lack of an formal and parental education or both.
Had we the desire to educate our next generation, the result would invariable lead us to an outcome of good governance, clean cities and beaches, enought energy to power industry and home, and prosperity as we have never experienced before.
We Dominicans act out exactly how and what we've been taught to do. The actions of the people are nothing but the reflections of the policies of those that rule us. A little education can go a long, long way.....Alas!
Written by: josean, 10 Jan 2012 4:09 AM
From: United States, Show your Love for DR Vote AGAINST the PLD!
"Apes in government who neglect their constituents right to a decent life..... In my humble opinion, I'll try to guess what lies at the root of all our problems: the lack of an formal and parental education or both.
Had we the desire to educate our next generation, the result would invariable lead us to an outcome of good governance, clean cities and beaches, enought energy to power industry and home, and prosperity as we have never experienced before.
We Dominicans act out exactly how and what we've been taught to do. The actions of the people are nothing but the reflections of the policies of those that rule us. A little education can go a long, long way.....Alas!"
My God that's josean-esque statement if I ever heard one!
And no one is accusing you of hating your country or being a possible Dominican hating suspected Haitian!
Written by: RoyStone, 10 Jan 2012 5:53 AM
From: Australia
Pardon my ignorance, but what is UNSPEC?
Written by: RoyStone, 10 Jan 2012 6:15 AM
From: Australia
Interesting you should mention Noble Prize winners.
Please forgive my naked patriotism, but the Australian Brian P. Schmidt (born in USA) from
Australian National University, Weston Creek, Australia has just won the Nobel Physics Prize "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".
With a population of just twice that of the Dominican Republic (and a history of less that half) Australia has produced 12 Noble Prize winners. The Dominican Republic has not produced any.
Apologies, I couldn't resist.
The devil made me do it - not my fault.
Written by: RoyStone, 10 Jan 2012 6:25 AM
From: Australia
I am sure that Mario Vargas Llosa knows and understands far more about Latin American politics and history than I ever will. However I would not consider Dominican democracy anything to boast about. Would you?
Written by: RoyStone, 10 Jan 2012 7:27 AM
From: Australia
Guys, thank you for the psychoanalysis - probably some of it is accurate. To put my criticism of the Dominican Republic into perspective, I am also very critical of my own country, Australia too, for the opposite reasons. Australia is over-regulated - you almost need a license to blow your nose. This country is under-regulated - almost a lawless anarchy. In this country, women are treated as second-class citizens. In Australia, men are demonized. In general, Australians are over taxed. Dominicans are under-taxed, or to be precise, too many people pay almost no tax.
If I could combine the best of both countries, it would be Utopia. I have stayed in many countries in every continent except Africa, and regrettably, I do not believe that such a country exists. I will do what little I can for the Dominican Republic and Australia, and try to enjoy the best of both worlds. I reserve my right to grumble, complain and criticize, and also to give credit as I see fit.
From: United States
"However I would not consider Dominican democracy anything to boast about. Would you?"
When and if you ever get nominated or become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, then we can get together with Mario and debate Dominican Democracy. In the mean time just take it for what it's worth, the opinion of a highly respected international figure, that prior to being a Nobel prize recipient, happened to be very fond of the Dominican Republic and that to me holds weight. Although, he spent some time in San Cristobal, when he wrote the novel "The feast of the Goat," he never had a change of heart, because of that.
Meanwhile, if you know and understand little about Latin American politics and history, I would suggest you hold back, rather then be so opinionated, stop putting in your two cents worth and hit those books for a change. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy your passionated opinions, certainly much more than those who are wishy-washy. But I believe you have gone a bit too far for my taste.
From: United States
"With a population of just twice that of the Dominican Republic (and a history of less that half)
Australia has produced 12 Noble Prize winners. The Dominican Republic has not produced any."
WOW !!!! Roy that certainly is not a proper and fair assessment to make and stinks of something rotten, the fowl stench of arrogance, with a vain glorious pompus demeanor, if I ever smelled one myself. And to put it mildly, It clearly shows lack of knowledge.
Roy think for a minute please, before you make such statements. Would you laugh and ridicule a legless man on a wheel chair, hold an accusatory stance, point a finger and sarcastically rub it in his face and question why he never won a Gold Medal in the Olympics ?
From: United States
The Dominican Republic is the country with the largest number of beaches with prestigious Blue Flag certification in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Written by: RonEvane, 11 Jan 2012 2:38 AM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
{"Please forgive my naked patriotism, but the Australian Brian P. Schmidt (born in USA) from
Australian National University, Weston Creek, Australia has just won the Nobel Physics Prize "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".}
Pardon me, but wasn't that fact established by the astronomer Edwin Hubble in the early 1950's??
Also, how many Ms. Universes' has Australia produced in recent memory? We've had at least two.
Written by: RoyStone, 11 Jan 2012 5:21 AM
From: Australia
Miss Universe in recent history, Ron?
Well my "recent memory" goes back to 2004 when Australia's last winner, Jennifer Hawkins won, more recent than the Dominican Republic's most recent, Amelia Vega. Still as I have often stated on this site, Dominican women get my vote. After years of very intensive, painstaking, practical, world-wide research and sampling, I married one.
As for the Nobel Physics Prize, obviously you know more about astrophysics than the Nobel Prize nominators and committee. Maybe you will be next?
Written by: RoyStone, 11 Jan 2012 5:48 AM
From: Australia
guillermone,
Thank you for bringing humor into the the debate by mentioning the "prestigious Blue Flag certification" of the Dominican Republic. The article on Dominican Today bragged of this country's
"permanent presence of properly equipped lifeguards. "
Ha ha ha!
Neither I nor anyone on this site has ever seen even a hint of a lifeguard on any Dominican beach.
Of the 60 member countries, Spain tops the list with the most Blue Flag beaches. The Dominican Republic comes in at 20th, and 25th as a ratio of the coastline - what a joke!
The countries most famous for their beaches, Australia, Brazil and USA, are not even members - their beaches speak for themselves. Perhaps it should be re-named the "Desperate Wannabe Club"? Prestigious my ass!
Written by: RoyStone, 11 Jan 2012 6:11 AM
From: Australia
The superiority of Dominican beaches over Australian beaches is evidenced by the country's outstanding performance in swimming at the Olympic Games. how many Gold Medals? Was it one or zero? Australia has won dozens, and a total of 136 Gold Medals overall, (compared to the Dominican Republic's 1)
Not a fair comparison, since baseball is this country's (only?) sport. Didn't Australia recently beat the Dominican team? Ahh yes, that doesn't count. The best Dominican players become Americans, and patriotically play for American teams. Like most Dominicans, its me and the money first, the country last.
From: United States
Roy-What exactly is behind your hidden agenda? Why is it that you get off at pointing faults at the DR at any moment and for any given reason, while give little to no credit or recognition at our positives?
Let me tell you something, no matter how good or great anything or anyone can be, if one wishes to find faults, you can find it no matter what. And conversely true, regardless of how bad, if you look for the good, one can always find them as well, although for some you have to look real hard, but not the case for the DR
Most of my friends, family and relatives live a good comfortable, high qualty of life in the DR, have no plans of leaving and none of them are considered wealthy. Yes, they worked hard, went to school, became professional or business people, invested, saved, skillfully managed their money and did not squander resources on the frivolous.They are all doing better then me and I would have been in similar circumstances had I stayed and stuck it out.
Written by: RoyStone, 11 Jan 2012 11:56 AM
From: Australia
guillermone,
I do not have a secret agenda. I point out the good and the bad in this country, as I do in my own.
I am genuinely encouraged by the good fortune and behavior of your friends, family and relatives living in the Dominican Republic. This country needs more like them. I am interested in why moving to the USA has not been beneficial to you, and I am sure many others would like to know. It seems many Dominicans believe life in the USA and the West i general, is easy and luxurious. Every country has pluses and minuses. However the universal rule applies - the more you put in, the more you take out.
Written by: RonEvane, 11 Jan 2012 12:44 PM
From: United States, Gaithersburg, Maryland
{"As for the Nobel Physics Prize, obviously you know more about astrophysics than the Nobel Prize nominators and committee. Maybe you will be next?"}
Who knows, maybe I will!
I'm not mocking you or doubting Schmidt had won the Nobel. My question is: how is that possible, since this phenomena has been known for over fifty years? Perhaps he won for some other achievement?
Smaller
Bigger
Close Gallery
Facebook
Digg this
del.icio.us
Technorati
Yahoo
'It's a pity that in this city of about 180,000 people, there is no cinema. San Cristobal is a cultural desert."
Roy, but I am sure you enjoy a lot of “free drama and street theatre!” .
"Crime & Punishment" (without the punishment)
"Reality TV" (without the TV when the power's off)
"Cops & Robbers" (both parts played by the same actors)
"Soap Opera" ("launderers singing" to be more accurate)
Roy, what more can you ask for? It is live-action drama and it's free!
San Cristobal was not the 1st city in the New World.
Neither Was Santo Domingo.
There were cities in Central and South America, long before Columbus, and certainly with more culture than the Dominican Republic.
Anyway I was talking about San Cristobal, which has no cinema. It also has no theater, opera-house, museum, art-gallery, orchestra, historical society, botanical-gardens, zoological-gardens, concerts, street-theater or even a dedicated book-shop or music-store. Not exactly teeming with culture in my humble opinion.
Roy maybe you should move to San Francisco it appears things are little livelier there:
"They consider the PLD activity a mockery to the people"
"SAN FRANCISCO DE MACORÍS (Dominican Republic)-As Christmas entertainment a greased pole was placed on the eve of new year in one of the streets of the populous sector Pueblo Nuevo, San Francisco de Macorís, by members of the Party of Dominican Liberation (PLD), which was seen by many here as a mockery of the humble people and scarce resources in this needy municipality.)"
"While some laughed at every failed attempt of those who sought to climb to the top of the stick, many more considered it a mockery by the sponsors of the activity to hang money, live chickens, salami, rice, sneakers and other items unavailable for a significant part of the population."
Continued:
"Those damn corrupt officials have no need for anything; they have everything in abundance to squander." "On top of that the public is going to hell in hand basket, without jobs, without health services at our disposal, scarcity in staple products and with a great public insecurity which threatens us every day, mounted a show in bad taste with this greased pole, making a mockery of the humble people " said María Taveras.
http://www.7dias.com.do/app/article.aspx?id=113656
Santo Domingo is the First City of the New World
Santo Domingo is a Cultural Mecca.
Eva Langoria is the kiss of death for any movie she has a part in.
"Eva Langoria is the kiss of death for any movie she has a part in."
Well I don't about Miss Langoria but Mr. Garcia is certainly a reason to ask for a refund of the ticket price.
Santo Domingo a Cultural Mecca anthonyC? Of where? The Dominican Cultural Desert?
(Having said that, the aquarium is good)
Typical government announcement:
Dominican Republic Cinema Office director Ellis Perez expects a good year for that sector with as many as 15 films shot locally,
OR as few as three.
JEM237.
My take on what keeps foreigners in the DR, (although they can easily move on to better places), is LOVE. The analogy being that, she's a dirty slut who can't hold an intelligent conversation, but cooks really well and gives insanely great head!
Que te parece?
You nailed the head, right on the hit!
(Although my Dominican wife is not a dirty slut, can hold and intelligent conversation, with fluent English, and is a couple of months off graduating as a doctor.)
I don't remember saying I was doing the country a favor by staying here. I'm actually doing a Dominican a favor by taking her out of this "cultural capital of the world".
So Santo Domingo is the first European city in the New World. Wow. That's about the beginning and the end of it - nothing notable about it, other than the corruption, crime, rubbish, sub-standard infrastructure, boring music, silly dancing, lack of service, lawlessness and uneducated, superficial, materialist, lazy, racist, arrogant, ignorant, deluded people.
Most of the world has not even heard of the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo has nothing compared to the great cities of the world.
Of course there are exceptions. Many of the women are fabulous, and I have met a few decent blokes. Some parts of Samana Peninsula are nice too.
After languishing for 22 years with a muted, unrelentingly, malicious sadist, I look forward to bliss with a real, down-to-earth, humanist old woman.
I am baffled as to why every time you open your mouth there is constant complaits, I wonder where the hell do you go? I mean, I know there are places like what you mention but I make sure to keep my distance and not go there. While I am in the DR, I only meet and attempt to associate with a better class of people and go to nice clean places . I hate garbage and dirt and do not visit places like that.
Hey!!!! what the....!
I'm congratulating Roy on his good fortune, and you A-holes, delete my post!? ....
Roy, I sincerely and seriously congratulate you for crossing paths with someone of her attributes and caliber.
After languishing for 22 years with a muted, unrelentingly, malicious sadist, I look forward to bliss with a real, down-to-earth, humanist old woman.
Let me ask you, why does she have to be old?
Any country is nice when you are rich and famous, and can throw money around, and can live in other places in the world as well. I do not doubt there are some nice places here, behind the high walls and barbed-wire. However where most people live in this country, its a rubbish tip, even the capital. Maybe if you take a helicopter direct from the airport, to a villa on a cliff-top you don't need to drive on roads full of pot-holes, see rubbish on the streets, beaches and in the rivers, are not bombarded with crappy electronic music wound up to distortion, or risk being robbed by guys in a police uniform, or being hit from behind by a unlicensed drunk on a motorbike, and have to pay to fix his bike and his medical bill.
You must admit that the "better class" of people and clean places are very much in the minority.
Let me ask you, why does she have to be old?
Roy. Let me, once again, congratulate you in encountering someone you apparently deem hightly regarded.
Why old? because I am also old..... Because I relish a beautiful mind and a deep, meaningful relation with someone whom I consider my peer. Not anyone I want to own, to display as trophy, or to use exclusively for sex. I want a soul mate... Weird, eh?
"The New World" was the name give to all of the lands to the west of Europe (including USA) after the discovery by someone that did return to Europe... Santo Domingo was the first Spanish "settlement" in the "New World"... not the first city...
However neither the Vikings not the Incas or Aztecs believed in Jesus, so as savages, their cities an settlements didn't count. The New World was uncivilized until the selfless gentleman-hero Columbus kindly brought Christianity (and other diseases) to the New World.
"nothing notable about it, other than the corruption, crime, rubbish, sub-standard infrastructure, boring music, silly dancing, lack of service, lawlessness and uneducated, superficial, materialist, lazy, racist, arrogant, ignorant, deluded people."
Were you expecting to see NYC, Sydney, or Tokyo? Potholes, corruption, crime, rubbish or silly dancing clearly DOES NOT EXIST in those cities? You're speaking about a small country in a small island with limited resources (comparatively speaking). A shift in government and rule by several countries over the last few centuries. I hate the "risk being robbed by guys in a police uniform" but some patience, please. Please stop assuming that every Dominican has the same ideals and as if you know us all.
@RonStone
If you're having problems with your wife then you have 3 options all based on your morals: get a divorce; make her fall in love with you; get someone else.
Feel free to share. no copyright
Please don't send people who do not practice tolerance to La Vega (Constanza, Jarabacoa). They're going to have the same complaints because they fall for the same traps. Showing them around is probably better.
There is also San Juan de La Maguana and Moncion, two typical Dominican towns, quiet, clean with plenty of nice people. I dont see any reason why we should fear sending anyone for a visit. And if they still complain, the problem is not with the location but with them. Some people you just can not please and in that case there is no hope.There are people who will always find something wrong with anything no matter what. If you say,"it is a beautiful day," they will respond, yeah whats good about it
@RonEvane. Your comments seemed a bit cynical but good luck in your search.
Just because you have nothing and get no help from the local council you don't have to live in a dump.
@RonEvane. Your comments seemed a bit cynical but good luck in your search.
Well, gee thanks, padre. I'm glad you approve!
@stillhere-Never said that the Dominican people are free of responsibility for the litter. Everyone must do their share to keep the country clean. However, when you combine the care free attitude of Dominicans plus a lack of efficient municipal services, the results are obvious. But that is besides the point.
The issue I have is that yes there are dirty beaches in the DR, I know that, you know that and we are all aware of the sanitation problems. That can not be denied, but that is only one side of the story. Although we have polluted our shores, there are also plenty of clean beaches, more clean then there are dirty, miles and miles of unspoiled coast lines, with exquisite and pristine beach locations all over the island. I just wonder why with so many nice places, Roy only goes swimming to all the dirty ones. He must love garbage or is always in constant search for something to complain about.
{"If you're having problems with your wife then you have 3 options all based on your morals: get a divorce; make her fall in love with you; get someone else"}
You're getting a little too chummy, buddy... Back off!
Who ir what is "RonStone"?
I certainly am not having trouble with my wife - she's the best thing ever to come out of this country.
I dod not say all Dominican beaches are rubbish-tips. In fact I have raved here about Samana Peninsula and Rincon Beach - postcard-perfect, Saona Islan is also very nice.
However i still stand by my generalization about the south coast. I have traveled extensively thorough the Dominican Republic, not just in the "getto" as you call San Cristobal.
Also there a no beaches "untouched since Columbus" or anything like it. None of the coral reefs are in their original state and most of the coral is dead, as is the case in most of the Caribbean. Go to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to see what a living coral reef looks like.
One problem with Dominican beaches is the upset in the ecological balance has increased the number and spread of black sea-urchins which give a very nasty sting.
The nearby variety of landscapes is impressive, sand & stone rivers, cascades, verdant mountains & desert with cactus, hundreds of butterflies, pelicans, iguanas, scorpions, green vegetation that came down from the mountains, reaching across the ocean. The views along the coast to get to the beach are spectacular. There are large rock formations, pelicans, eagles nests, crystalline green water, small hidded white sand beaches. Still, that was overshadowed by the beauty of Bahia de las Aguilas. It has no hotels, no facilities and I hope it stays that way, totally isolated, a true oasis.
I have seen photos of Bahia de las Aquilas and it certainly looks fabulous. As far as I can see it is in the middle of a national park and there is no access by road, and as you say no hotels of facilities. I too hope it stays that way.
Pristine wildernesses can still be enjoyed by responsible eco-tourists, if properly controlled, with zero environmental impact. JEM237 it is not a question of marketing or branding, and dare I say that foreign tourists have far more respect for the natural environment of Hispanola than most Dominicans, including those that live here and those who have escaped to Newark.
I have been involved, hands-on and lobbying government, with projects cleaning-up Dominican beaches and waterways. What have you done?
There is my answer and argument in one as you say "totally isolated" need we say more ..........
Roy-Very happy to know you are aware and were reminded that YES we have more then enough clean, pristine beaches all over the island and not only those which are dirty, littered with trash.
The problem I see is the way you continually portray us, one would think the whole country is just one big hugh dump site, full of uncivilized, unconscionable people and that is not quite accurate. In spite of it all, we have been blessed with extraordinary assets, plenty of natural resources and great people. But I won't deny and will accept that together with the good, the bad goes along with it. However, I believe in being fair and I am concerned when our negatives are accentuated while anything positive is minimized.
Nevertheless, all I want to do is make sure the books are properly balanced at the end of the day, and that we don't create a distorted image of what our country is really like
Stillhere-"There is my answer and argument in one as you say "totally isolated" need we say more .........."
Yes, isolated yet still accessible.....but like I said once before, that is besides the point. And I will repeat it again, we have dirty beaches, but also clean and pristine ones as well, many of which are close by, neither isolated nor far away.
Funny that you would make assumptions about ppl from Newark, but I'll leave that for another time. I find it hard to believe that you "care" so much about DR when you waste no time in disrespecting and belittling anything that you can from the things that are bad to the things that are good. Only when someone else happens to point out the fallacy in some of your arguments is that you all of a sudden have this "love" for DR and have supposedly done the things you say you have with the government and cleaning up beaches and so forth. That to me is all hogwash because someone who would in fact go above and beyond to these things is someone who would be the exact opposite of what you are: someone who is respectful and considerate of their significant others' culture and land but above all someone who truly loves the DR not a hipocrite who falls for a Dominican, lives in DR and considers himself to be above it's people so please do us all a favor and spare us your Captain Plane
I am still waiting for the list of things you have done for this country's environment. However since you doubt what I said, send me your email address and I will send you the photos. Also you can contact the Department of the Environment regarding my presentation and report there. The very reason I have been involved is because I don't wear rose-colored glasses or blinkers, and I see it as it is, and also how it could and should be. I never said I love the Dominican Republic - I don't.
Feel free to tell us about people from Newark. I've only been to the airport there, and only because I missed my connection in Miami. However I have stayed in New Jersey and Manhattan. I have been told the Dominican ghettos in New York are not very different from here, but I have no personal experience of it.
Who or what is Captain Plane?
["I never said I love the Dominican Republic - I don't"]
Wow, Mr. Roy, I'm surprised you would say a thing like that. I mean, why go out of your way to clean up a beach, if you felt that way?
["I have been involved, hands-on and lobbying government, with projects cleaning-up Dominican beaches and waterways."]
That is to be commended. I applaud your effort and lament the fact that most Dominicans are as oblivious to their surrounding as they are.
Still, my biased leanings say It's a gorgeous land with much to be enamored with, albeit with its' many faults.
I know it must be frustrating to try to deal with deaf and dumb people in power who can do much good, but don't.
It takes people like you and many of us here, to do our part to broadcast our dissatisfaction with the status quo and try hard to fight ignorance,cold indifference and disregard to an spoiled environment which will surely cost them health and money not earned for lack of vision.
All isn't lost.....yet
Sorry, I had never heard of Captain Planet - so I looked him up. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks to me like a children's TV series. The implications are obvious.
I do not claim to be superior, and I do not attack people for where they are from, but rather how they behave. Not all Dominicans are filthy pigs, but there are enough to spoil it for everyone. There are filthy pigs in Australia too, but probably less, and unlike Dominicans, Australians are generally not to proud to clean up other people's mess in public places.
'It takes people like you and many of us here, to do our part to broadcast our dissatisfaction with the status quo and try hard to fight ignorance,cold indifference and disregard to an spoiled environment which will surely cost them health and money not earned for lack of vision.'
Well this is an outrage; of all the ant-Dominican, tourist , off topic, economic destroying things to say!
My God sir, you sound like that negativist suspected of being Haitian josean!
I was expecting lots of old Spanish buildings, a sailing-ship or two, traditional costumes and relics in the Colonial Zone. Instead I found Pizza Hut and cheep souvenirs made in China.
I love what this country possibly was, but not how it is now.
JEM-Roy is an angry man, a rebel without a cause who is still searching for meaning to life, thrives on conflict and loves dealing with people who don't understand him. He is full of pent-up frustrations, takes issue of each and everyone of our weaknesses and frailties, has this obssesive compulsion to bad mouth the DR at every opportunity but does it to release frustrations which prevents him to fall apart within.
This is all about a bitter Australian who arrives in the DR on questionable motives or who knows for what reason, boasts superiority above Dominican society yet is enamoured with our women, meets and humbles himself down and marries one. He would love to openly defy local authorities and natives alike in an attempt to portray himself as the Great White Hope.
What does all this mean? Not much. Just don't mind, humor him, he is not any better or worse then the average person. In fact he is just like the DR, some one who has good together with bad.
{"My God sir, you sound like that negativist suspected of being Haitian josean!"}
Unlike you, sir, I see the good and bad and I can appreciate both. You, on the other hand, only see bad and do nothing but point fingers. You're a compulsive complainer. A pest, a constant naysayer with an agenda.
{" He would love to openly defy local authorities and natives alike and attempts to portray himself as the Great White Hope. "}
Mr. Guillermone.
I can't speak for anyone here... But my impressions on Mr. Roy's postings lead me to suspect he may love DR so much to be willing to offer more than just talk on this forum. In fact, because of his intence rhetoric, I'll bet he may be doing much more than just torturing his keyboard pointing to what ails our DR the most.
He is there and most of us live somewhere else. He is exposed to all kinds of crap on an everyday basis. No doubt; if I were there, I'd be lamenting too!
It's good to have a foreigner's views on this DR disaster.
Hey don't get me wrong, believe it or not, I have my admiration for Roy. I like how he is upfront and forthright. I value and appreciate that and unlike most people who have difficulty and can't handle honesty. I am glad he speaks a piece of his mind and although I am not saying he is wrong on most of what he states, I just take issue with how unbalanced and distorted his point of view. If you live in Harlem all of your life and the only thing you see all day is unemployed, low income people hanging on a street corner, drinking and playing loud music, living off public assistance, rampant crime and lack of sanitary condition of course your perception is going to be negative. Roy has been a witness to all kinds of social ills prevalent within Dominican society. But that is only one side of the picture. There is a whole other side of town he completely missed and appears to have never experienced.
Nobel Prize for Literature Mario Vargas Llosa said on Wed, Dec 28 upon receiving an honorary degree from UNSPEC, that the DR has become an example for Lat Ame after the fall of Rafael L Trujillo in 1960. "I have seen how this society has been transformed, how it has opened to the world and above all how freedom has gotten a hold of Dominican life, both in the political as well as the economic aspect. It is one of the most stimulating experiences, the happiest, most encouraging in the region".
Vargas Llosa said the DR could boast the luxury of showing achievements in democracy. He said that Dominicans had suffered through one of the most ferocious dictatorships in Lat Ame. He said that while there are no causes for complacency, because there are serious problems and the same inequalities as other Latin American countries, but it is an undeniable fact that there have been enormous advances and this is an example for Latin America.
Read above Roy, we aint all that bad as you make us out to be.
[" Roy has been a witness to all kinds of social ills prevalent within Dominican society. But that is only one side of the picture. There is a whole other side of town he completely missed and appears to have never experienced."]
I once told him to get out of the slum he lives in, and experience the other side too...Apparently, he didn't go anywhere... Justifiely so, our nation does not live up to his, and others' standards. That can be good or bad, I suppose.... It's good to see wrong and try to right it.. Bad that, eventually, one gets frustrated and gives up. ..Some just sit idly by shaking their heads mumbling about Dominicans being lazy, uncivilized- a hopelessly broken society-...Still others deem it a basket case, impossible to fix and irreversibly stuck as a third-world, failed state. Emotions run deep. Not just from us, DR folks, but from others too, foreigners that come and can see the potential for a heavenly paradise, if not for the....
...Apes in government who neglect their constituents right to a decent life..... In my humble opinion, I'll try to guess what lies at the root of all our problems: the lack of an formal and parental education or both.
Had we the desire to educate our next generation, the result would invariable lead us to an outcome of good governance, clean cities and beaches, enought energy to power industry and home, and prosperity as we have never experienced before.
We Dominicans act out exactly how and what we've been taught to do. The actions of the people are nothing but the reflections of the policies of those that rule us. A little education can go a long, long way.....Alas!
"Apes in government who neglect their constituents right to a decent life..... In my humble opinion, I'll try to guess what lies at the root of all our problems: the lack of an formal and parental education or both.
Had we the desire to educate our next generation, the result would invariable lead us to an outcome of good governance, clean cities and beaches, enought energy to power industry and home, and prosperity as we have never experienced before.
We Dominicans act out exactly how and what we've been taught to do. The actions of the people are nothing but the reflections of the policies of those that rule us. A little education can go a long, long way.....Alas!"
My God that's josean-esque statement if I ever heard one!
And no one is accusing you of hating your country or being a possible Dominican hating suspected Haitian!
Please forgive my naked patriotism, but the Australian Brian P. Schmidt (born in USA) from
Australian National University, Weston Creek, Australia has just won the Nobel Physics Prize "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".
With a population of just twice that of the Dominican Republic (and a history of less that half) Australia has produced 12 Noble Prize winners. The Dominican Republic has not produced any.
Apologies, I couldn't resist.
The devil made me do it - not my fault.
If I could combine the best of both countries, it would be Utopia. I have stayed in many countries in every continent except Africa, and regrettably, I do not believe that such a country exists. I will do what little I can for the Dominican Republic and Australia, and try to enjoy the best of both worlds. I reserve my right to grumble, complain and criticize, and also to give credit as I see fit.
"However I would not consider Dominican democracy anything to boast about. Would you?"
When and if you ever get nominated or become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, then we can get together with Mario and debate Dominican Democracy. In the mean time just take it for what it's worth, the opinion of a highly respected international figure, that prior to being a Nobel prize recipient, happened to be very fond of the Dominican Republic and that to me holds weight. Although, he spent some time in San Cristobal, when he wrote the novel "The feast of the Goat," he never had a change of heart, because of that.
Meanwhile, if you know and understand little about Latin American politics and history, I would suggest you hold back, rather then be so opinionated, stop putting in your two cents worth and hit those books for a change. Dont get me wrong, I enjoy your passionated opinions, certainly much more than those who are wishy-washy. But I believe you have gone a bit too far for my taste.
"With a population of just twice that of the Dominican Republic (and a history of less that half)
Australia has produced 12 Noble Prize winners. The Dominican Republic has not produced any."
WOW !!!! Roy that certainly is not a proper and fair assessment to make and stinks of something rotten, the fowl stench of arrogance, with a vain glorious pompus demeanor, if I ever smelled one myself. And to put it mildly, It clearly shows lack of knowledge.
Roy think for a minute please, before you make such statements. Would you laugh and ridicule a legless man on a wheel chair, hold an accusatory stance, point a finger and sarcastically rub it in his face and question why he never won a Gold Medal in the Olympics ?
{"Please forgive my naked patriotism, but the Australian Brian P. Schmidt (born in USA) from
Australian National University, Weston Creek, Australia has just won the Nobel Physics Prize "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".}
Pardon me, but wasn't that fact established by the astronomer Edwin Hubble in the early 1950's??
Also, how many Ms. Universes' has Australia produced in recent memory? We've had at least two.
Well my "recent memory" goes back to 2004 when Australia's last winner, Jennifer Hawkins won, more recent than the Dominican Republic's most recent, Amelia Vega. Still as I have often stated on this site, Dominican women get my vote. After years of very intensive, painstaking, practical, world-wide research and sampling, I married one.
As for the Nobel Physics Prize, obviously you know more about astrophysics than the Nobel Prize nominators and committee. Maybe you will be next?
Thank you for bringing humor into the the debate by mentioning the "prestigious Blue Flag certification" of the Dominican Republic. The article on Dominican Today bragged of this country's
"permanent presence of properly equipped lifeguards. "
Ha ha ha!
Neither I nor anyone on this site has ever seen even a hint of a lifeguard on any Dominican beach.
Of the 60 member countries, Spain tops the list with the most Blue Flag beaches. The Dominican Republic comes in at 20th, and 25th as a ratio of the coastline - what a joke!
The countries most famous for their beaches, Australia, Brazil and USA, are not even members - their beaches speak for themselves. Perhaps it should be re-named the "Desperate Wannabe Club"? Prestigious my ass!
Not a fair comparison, since baseball is this country's (only?) sport. Didn't Australia recently beat the Dominican team? Ahh yes, that doesn't count. The best Dominican players become Americans, and patriotically play for American teams. Like most Dominicans, its me and the money first, the country last.
Roy-What exactly is behind your hidden agenda? Why is it that you get off at pointing faults at the DR at any moment and for any given reason, while give little to no credit or recognition at our positives?
Let me tell you something, no matter how good or great anything or anyone can be, if one wishes to find faults, you can find it no matter what. And conversely true, regardless of how bad, if you look for the good, one can always find them as well, although for some you have to look real hard, but not the case for the DR
Most of my friends, family and relatives live a good comfortable, high qualty of life in the DR, have no plans of leaving and none of them are considered wealthy. Yes, they worked hard, went to school, became professional or business people, invested, saved, skillfully managed their money and did not squander resources on the frivolous.They are all doing better then me and I would have been in similar circumstances had I stayed and stuck it out.
I do not have a secret agenda. I point out the good and the bad in this country, as I do in my own.
I am genuinely encouraged by the good fortune and behavior of your friends, family and relatives living in the Dominican Republic. This country needs more like them. I am interested in why moving to the USA has not been beneficial to you, and I am sure many others would like to know. It seems many Dominicans believe life in the USA and the West i general, is easy and luxurious. Every country has pluses and minuses. However the universal rule applies - the more you put in, the more you take out.
{"As for the Nobel Physics Prize, obviously you know more about astrophysics than the Nobel Prize nominators and committee. Maybe you will be next?"}
Who knows, maybe I will!
I'm not mocking you or doubting Schmidt had won the Nobel. My question is: how is that possible, since this phenomena has been known for over fifty years? Perhaps he won for some other achievement?