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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
In the Dominican Republic even when the gringo is right the gringo is wrong!
Recently I was eating dinner on the Malecon in Puerto Plata. I parked my truck in the normal parking spot in front of the restaurant. A moto lost control and struck my truck.
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145072&stc=1
AMET was on scene and I later discovered that the moto driver was teaching a girl how to drive and she lost control striking my struck. She went head first into the truck. Apparently the moto wasn't in bad shape because they both mounted the moto and left the scene.
I asked the AMET officer if I needed a report and he said there was no problem...THERE IS NO PROBLEM????????? Sure there is no problem for you but for me I would later discover the damage was over $1000.00 to get it repaired. Rather than press him for a report and have to go through the claim process with my insurance company and possibly have to wait weeks to get my truck fixed I decided to eat the repair cost and have the truck fixed on my dime.
On my last accident I found a barrio body man that did an excellent job so I went back to him and below is the finished product.
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145073&stc=1
The barrio body man did in 3 days what may have taken considerably longer had I gone through my insurance. I checked US prices for the job done and I paid approximately 1/3rd of what I would have paid in the United States. I guess all is well that ends well with the exception my bank account was a little lighter.
The biggest impression I had from the incident is that I literally did nothing wrong but I still had to pay. I have heard horror stories of moto's running into cars with hospitals and even fatalities. It's one thing to read about someone else's experience but when you have something happen you can feel and touch what has happened to others.
As always it could have been worse and I was left with the thought...
In the Dominican Republic even when the gringo is right the gringo is wrong!
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
How much in total did you spend out of your pockets to get that dent fixed? $1000?
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Al Nyc
How much in total did you spend out of your pockets to get that dent fixed? $1000?
The damage included a dent to the right rear corner panel and right rear bumper. The major parts needed were the right rear window which has a defroster and the right rear tail light. The parts were not in Puerto Plata and had to be searched for all over the country. The total bill was the equivalent of $1000.00US and 70% of that was parts the rest was labor.
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
La Sirena Puerto Plata the day before Hurricane Irma
I went to La Sirena 2 days before Hurricane Irma hit and it was dead but the next day I returned because I forgot some items and it was the difference between night and day
Before
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145133&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145134&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145135&stc=1
Some people were really rude cutting in line etc and others were very calm and patient.
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Puerto Plata Irma after math
In Puerto Plata we had 30mph winds and 70mph wind gust and a lot of rain. For us it turned out to be more of a tropical storm than a category 5 hurricane. The extent of the damage was downed trees, power lines etc.
Kviar disco and casino is less than 5 minutes from my house and the marquee sign was missing
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145142&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145143&stc=1
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Puerto Plata damage continued
There were many downed trees and power lines.
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145144&stc=1
Clean up on the Malecon
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145145&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145146&stc=1
I was impressed to see the Policia Nacional actually removing debris from the street
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145147&stc=1
Traffic light on Calle Principal is missing
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145148&stc=1
We were without power for a day or so. Clean up is underway and Hurricane Jose is on the way so we shall see.
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
camaro1257
Puerto Plata damage continued
There were many downed trees and power lines.
Click to see pic
Clean up on the Malecon
Click to see picClick to see pic
I was impressed to see the Policia Nacional actually removing debris from the street
Click to see pic
Traffic light on Calle Principal is missing
Click to see pic
We were without power for a day or so. Clean up is underway and
Hurricane Jose is on the way so we shall see.
The tracking I see for that storm takes it north of Puerto Rico and then further north of the Dominican Republic. I don't think the north coast will be affected much by Jose.
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Maria aftermath & Sosua photos
For me in Puerto Plata Maria turned out to be a non-event. The power went out a few times but was quickly restored. There were heavy winds and rain but not as intense as Irma. After the storm everything was back to normal.
I went to Sosua the day after the storm and got a few photos
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145402&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145403&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145404&stc=1http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145405&stc=1
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Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
camaro1257
http://news.insearchofchicas.org/for...d=145430&stc=1
Are those bricks i see behind that blubber butt?
Looks like the sidewalk project is moving forward.
Cam why the pics of all the fatties I know you have much more exquisite taste. :corky:
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
j_d66
Click to see pic
Are those bricks i see behind that blubber butt?
Looks like the sidewalk project is moving forward.
Cam why the pics of all the fatties I know you have much more exquisite taste. :corky:
Yes those are bricks in front of Bourbon Street. The pics are just of random chics there is no real ryme or reason just point and click.
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Great read and some really really good intel...thanks...one questions is there a section for facebook chicas?
Or Cam are you willing to swap some facebook friends. I am here in Medellin and have a lot of facebook chicas...but only will friend for some DR chicas...since I will be there in Nov 2017.
peace
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
realkewl
Great read and some really really good intel...thanks...one questions is there a section for facebook chicas?
Or Cam are you willing to swap some facebook friends. I am here in Medellin and have a lot of facebook chicas...but only will friend for some DR chicas...since I will be there in Nov 2017.
peace
We don't have a facebook section, but 99% of all the chicas are on Facebook in my opinion.
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Quote:
Originally Posted by
realkewl
Great read and some really really good intel...thanks...one questions is there a section for facebook chicas?
Or Cam are you willing to swap some facebook friends. I am here in Medellin and have a lot of facebook chicas...but only will friend for some DR chicas...since I will be there in Nov 2017.
peace
You can send me a friend request on Facebook...El Jubilado
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
Anecdotal Observation.
First I would like to say that I do not believe that any group of people ethnic,cultural or religious is innately better than the other. I have traveled extensively, but the countries I have spent the most amount of time in have been the United States, The Dominican Republic and Colombia in that order. The other countries I have spent time in have not been sufficient to make an adequate assessment.
I retired in October 2014 and 2 weeks later I was living in the Dominican Republic. Since I have been living here I have noticed a pattern of behavior that I do not recall in the other places I have been. I am not saying this pattern is uniquely Dominican, perhaps I am just more sensitive to it because I am paying more attention to my interactions with Dominican people.
My concern is not specifically monger related, I have had business interactions personal agreements with Dominican people both men and woman and have discovered that frequently there is a lack of integrity. Specifically I have noticed that it is difficult to take many of the Dominican people I have met at their word.The most common example is making appointments and Dominicans being late or not showing up at all. It is difficult to understand why make an appointment if you have no intentions on keeping it?
This lack of integrity extends to loaning money. I have learned if you give a Dominican money under the pretense it is a loan the majority of the time it will not be a loan because they will not pay it back in fact the money can be considered a gift and not a loan. The concept of keeping one’s word seems to be foreign. When I purchased my vehicle I had an agreement with the seller to do certain things that were not done at the time of the sale. I did not discover the work was not done until the day after the sale was complete. I ordered some parts for the same vehicle at a local garage and the proprietor advised he made the order, I later discovered he had not ordered the parts when he said he did, however they subsequently came a couple months later. It should be noted I had the same experience at 2 different garages.
And of course from the mongers perspective there are the women who make false promises who say they are going to do something and fail to do what is promised or they change the terms or price which is something many Dominican Republic mongers have experienced at least once. When you challenge them and try to keep them accountable they either make excuses, ignore you and make no effort to change.
By no means am I saying that I have not met people of integrity while living here but it seems like the majority of Dominicans that I have encountered will say whatever they need to say to accomplish whatever their objectives are. The majority of my interaction with Dominican people has been poor to middle class; I have not had the opportunity to mingle with the highly educated and wealthy class Dominicans so I have no idea if the lack of integrity crosses socio ecomomic barriers in the Dominican Republic.
I have the strangest feeling living in the Dominican Republic, I feel connected to the land but not to the people. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life in a place where I cannot take people at their word. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but if I tell you I am going to do something you can trust there will be a good reason if I do not do what I said I was going to do. As for integrity in the Dominican Republic when I find it it’s like breathing a breath of fresh air…
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
We've been saying this all along. Lack of integrity, uneducated, corrupt, poor social skills, and a lack of respect. Be very careful out there and never become too comfortable.
Re: 01/2017 - Camaro in 2017
I have not had as broad or long of an experience as you have, but I have travelled to a few latin countries and I have noticed some of the things you mentioned.
The not being on time part is very much part of the latin culture where "later" can mean in 2 hours, 2 days or 2 weeks.
The part about not living up to financial obligations, I have seen that a lot in countries where they are so poor that it creates a culture of everyone out for themselves, and get away with what you can because next time its you who is being screwed.
Most of these countries, I find the other correlation is the lack of education. Interestingly enough, I find this less of a problem in Cuba where education is more prominent. Now people are very laid back, and will try to get whatever money out of the "gringos" they can, but between themselves seem to have a lot more integrity.
Not sure where in PP you are living these days, but I am heading for my first trip to Sosua Feb 11th for a few days and would love to buy you a drink and have a deeper convo if your interested.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
camaro1257
Anecdotal Observation.
First I would like to say that I do not believe that any group of people ethnic,cultural or religious is innately better than the other. I have traveled extensively, but the countries I have spent the most amount of time in have been the United States, The Dominican Republic and Colombia in that order. The other countries I have spent time in have not been sufficient to make an adequate assessment.
I retired in October 2014 and 2 weeks later I was living in the Dominican Republic. Since I have been living here I have noticed a pattern of behavior that I do not recall in the other places I have been. I am not saying this pattern is uniquely Dominican, perhaps I am just more sensitive to it because I am paying more attention to my interactions with Dominican people.
My concern is not specifically monger related, I have had business interactions personal agreements with Dominican people both men and woman and have discovered that frequently there is a lack of integrity. Specifically I have noticed that it is difficult to take many of the Dominican people I have met at their word.The most common example is making appointments and Dominicans being late or not showing up at all. It is difficult to understand why make an appointment if you have no intentions on keeping it?
This lack of integrity extends to loaning money. I have learned if you give a Dominican money under the pretense it is a loan the majority of the time it will not be a loan because they will not pay it back in fact the money can be considered a gift and not a loan. The concept of keeping one’s word seems to be foreign. When I purchased my vehicle I had an agreement with the seller to do certain things that were not done at the time of the sale. I did not discover the work was not done until the day after the sale was complete. I ordered some parts for the same vehicle at a local garage and the proprietor advised he made the order, I later discovered he had not ordered the parts when he said he did, however they subsequently came a couple months later. It should be noted I had the same experience at 2 different garages.
And of course from the mongers perspective there are the women who make false promises who say they are going to do something and fail to do what is promised or they change the terms or price which is something many Dominican Republic mongers have experienced at least once. When you challenge them and try to keep them accountable they either make excuses, ignore you and make no effort to change.
By no means am I saying that I have not met people of integrity while living here but it seems like the majority of Dominicans that I have encountered will say whatever they need to say to accomplish whatever their objectives are. The majority of my interaction with Dominican people has been poor to middle class; I have not had the opportunity to mingle with the highly educated and wealthy class Dominicans so I have no idea if the lack of integrity crosses socio ecomomic barriers in the Dominican Republic.
I have the strangest feeling living in the Dominican Republic, I feel connected to the land but not to the people. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life in a place where I cannot take people at their word. I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but if I tell you I am going to do something you can trust there will be a good reason if I do not do what I said I was going to do. As for integrity in the Dominican Republic when I find it it’s like breathing a breath of fresh air…
