Thursday, July 8, 2010
Taking a break
This Dominican Life, is going to be out of action for about a year, during which time I'll be out of the country. It's been real. :)
Flying
Some people who were recently here left in two different flights through the las Americas airport. The first group reported to me that security had taken away their blow dryers and umbrellas that were in their carry-on. The second, two women traveling together, said that security had tried to take a blow dryer, an umbrella, and some castille soap (solid form). They made such a fuss, that finally they were allowed to keep their items, and the bags were stowed below, and not allowed as carry ons.
Items such as nail clippers and rounded scissors, that the US once prohibited but now allows, are still no-no's for Dominican Republic. (I can just imagine, the terrorist puts the nail clippers to someone's throat..."Do what I tell you and you won't get clipped!") So if you are flying out of the DR, be sure to see if there are any new items on the prohibited list. If you suspect that the security people just want your blow dryer to use or sell, or notice on a rainy day they are suddenly confiscating nice umbrellas, just remember that this is a normal part of this Dominican Life.
Friday, June 4, 2010
It's raining, it's pouring...
Yes, part of this Dominican Life is the hurricane season, and here it is again. It starts on June1st and goes on through the end of November, which means a whopping half of the year is hurricane season. The good news is that normally, early and late season aren't too bad. Most of the intense rains seem to come around August and September.
You may be familiar with tropical rains if you live in Florida. They are the kind of rains that can cause city-wide floods in a matter of minutes. An umbrella will keep your hair dry, but don't count on your clothes or shoes remaining dry, because these storms usually come with driving winds.
Once the rain is over, it generally means a pleasant temperature for a while, especially if it is at night. It may go as low as 70ยบ and people will be breaking out the jackets. No kidding. After living here for several years, I'm liable to get mine out too!
The capital city, Santo Domingo, has horrible drainage problems. Part of this is probably just that the system was never designed for this city with out of control growth. But there is also the issue that people throw so much garbage and trash on the street. When it begins to rain, the gutters take it down to the drain, where it clogs, and the street floods. One community I work in has a custom. I have seen this with my own eyes. When it rains hard for about ten minutes, the streets of that area become flash floods, and rushing rivers. The inhabitants take their garbage outside and throw it in the "river" to have it wash away toward the canal that is a few blocks away. I asked one woman about it and she told me that she has lived in the area more than twenty years, and they've always done it this way.
The rains cause flooded streets, which cause horrendous traffic jams. If you happen to be on foot, you may find yourself having to wade across a flooded street.
Hurricanes, rains, and floods...part of this Dominican Life.
You may be familiar with tropical rains if you live in Florida. They are the kind of rains that can cause city-wide floods in a matter of minutes. An umbrella will keep your hair dry, but don't count on your clothes or shoes remaining dry, because these storms usually come with driving winds.
Once the rain is over, it generally means a pleasant temperature for a while, especially if it is at night. It may go as low as 70ยบ and people will be breaking out the jackets. No kidding. After living here for several years, I'm liable to get mine out too!
The capital city, Santo Domingo, has horrible drainage problems. Part of this is probably just that the system was never designed for this city with out of control growth. But there is also the issue that people throw so much garbage and trash on the street. When it begins to rain, the gutters take it down to the drain, where it clogs, and the street floods. One community I work in has a custom. I have seen this with my own eyes. When it rains hard for about ten minutes, the streets of that area become flash floods, and rushing rivers. The inhabitants take their garbage outside and throw it in the "river" to have it wash away toward the canal that is a few blocks away. I asked one woman about it and she told me that she has lived in the area more than twenty years, and they've always done it this way.
The rains cause flooded streets, which cause horrendous traffic jams. If you happen to be on foot, you may find yourself having to wade across a flooded street.
Hurricanes, rains, and floods...part of this Dominican Life.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Elections
We are in the last days of the campaign. Sunday the elections will be held. We have been promised two days, that is Sunday and Monday, of uninterrupted electricity. As a foreigner, that's one of the best parts of the elections!
What is campaigning like here? In a word: noisy. Each political party organizes huge meetings, and caravans that parade down the street. The supporters are waving flags with the colors of the party they support. There are people on foot, SUV's lots of trucks, and large vehicles filled with people. They have many boom box vehicles, blaring out music and political talk to the neighborhood as they pass. When one party went down my street, it took about 20 minutes for them to get past.
Votes are commonly promised in exchange for some favor the politician does for the individual, or a gift given. Often it involves money. Perhaps he buys some medicine that is needed, or gives him some other type of financial help. Dominican Today said: "The Electoral Board’s Administrative Chamber (JCE) ordered the City councils and the Government to halt social programs such as the handout of food rations, home appliances, construction equipment and other aid from May 14 to 17, aimed at promoting fairness among the political parties."
So votes must not be bought during those dates.
Many people go home to their city or town of origin to vote. Previously this was a requirement, but I have heard that you can actually have them transfer the paperwork to your new city, and vote there these days.
Traffic jams. That's another biggie during the campaign. Today, I took a taxi across the city. At one point we were stopped for 20 minutes. We were near the beginning of the traffic jam, so we got out much more quickly than others. People got out of their cars, and looked around, and chatted, trying to figure out the holdup. They realized quickly that it was a political rally that was nearby.
As the traffic finally began to move, we looked in astonishment at the opposing traffic. This main street that runs through the whole length of the city, was one long full parking lot, for miles! A couple of years ago, during the elections, I got caught in traffic. It took a few hours to get home, when normally it would have been a half hour.
Dominicans get much more personally involved in their elections than do Americans. Sometimes I think it is just an excuse for a big party. But really, that would not be fair. The politician gives them something, or promises them something, and they are expected to go to his meetings, supporting him in exchange.
Elections are also a time when things get done. It's when the garbage truck actually shows up, and the holes in the roads are repaired. (Don't worry, they will be repaired again next election.)
Most elections, there is some amount of violence, and this one is not exception. Still, over the years, the violent aspect of elections has diminished greatly. This year, shots were fired into one of the caravans, and one of the candidates ended up with a broken rib. No one actually got shot, but there were scratches, bumps, and bruises, as everyone rushed to get out of the line of fire.
Remember, what I'm writing here is to give you a foreigner's perspective of an election. We "expats" keep our distance from the actual issues, and campaign. All that is left for us is the noise, traffic, and hooray! electricity for two solid days! Elections are an important part of this Dominican Life.
What is campaigning like here? In a word: noisy. Each political party organizes huge meetings, and caravans that parade down the street. The supporters are waving flags with the colors of the party they support. There are people on foot, SUV's lots of trucks, and large vehicles filled with people. They have many boom box vehicles, blaring out music and political talk to the neighborhood as they pass. When one party went down my street, it took about 20 minutes for them to get past.
Votes are commonly promised in exchange for some favor the politician does for the individual, or a gift given. Often it involves money. Perhaps he buys some medicine that is needed, or gives him some other type of financial help. Dominican Today said: "The Electoral Board’s Administrative Chamber (JCE) ordered the City councils and the Government to halt social programs such as the handout of food rations, home appliances, construction equipment and other aid from May 14 to 17, aimed at promoting fairness among the political parties."
So votes must not be bought during those dates.
Many people go home to their city or town of origin to vote. Previously this was a requirement, but I have heard that you can actually have them transfer the paperwork to your new city, and vote there these days.
Traffic jams. That's another biggie during the campaign. Today, I took a taxi across the city. At one point we were stopped for 20 minutes. We were near the beginning of the traffic jam, so we got out much more quickly than others. People got out of their cars, and looked around, and chatted, trying to figure out the holdup. They realized quickly that it was a political rally that was nearby.
As the traffic finally began to move, we looked in astonishment at the opposing traffic. This main street that runs through the whole length of the city, was one long full parking lot, for miles! A couple of years ago, during the elections, I got caught in traffic. It took a few hours to get home, when normally it would have been a half hour.
Dominicans get much more personally involved in their elections than do Americans. Sometimes I think it is just an excuse for a big party. But really, that would not be fair. The politician gives them something, or promises them something, and they are expected to go to his meetings, supporting him in exchange.
Elections are also a time when things get done. It's when the garbage truck actually shows up, and the holes in the roads are repaired. (Don't worry, they will be repaired again next election.)
Most elections, there is some amount of violence, and this one is not exception. Still, over the years, the violent aspect of elections has diminished greatly. This year, shots were fired into one of the caravans, and one of the candidates ended up with a broken rib. No one actually got shot, but there were scratches, bumps, and bruises, as everyone rushed to get out of the line of fire.
Remember, what I'm writing here is to give you a foreigner's perspective of an election. We "expats" keep our distance from the actual issues, and campaign. All that is left for us is the noise, traffic, and hooray! electricity for two solid days! Elections are an important part of this Dominican Life.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Garbage, elections, and electricity thieves, oh my!
Today was not an unusual day here. Early morning I heard the neighbor shouting the names of everyone around. The garbage truck was coming, and she was alerting us. You see, it can easily sneak by, and you would have to wait till the next time. Whoever sees it first, has to alert all their neighbors. When the garbage truck comes---which can be at any time, any day, everyone scrambles to get all the garbage out to the truck. On this side of town, we don't put out big garbage cans. They would get stolen. (And yes, I've had one stolen.) They do that where the rich folks live. Here, we wait till the truck comes. If you put out plastic bags, wandering dogs will tear them open, as well as people who just want to check through to make sure you haven't thrown away anything usable (no one much does).
The big truck, will honk its horn, as it goes down the street, but still goes quickly, and you really have to run to get the garbage out before they are gone. The small truck that came today didn't even honk. It was just trying to sneak down the street and hope we didn't notice I guess. Usually I give the guy ten pesos when he takes the garbage. If you pay them, they will actually pick it up from the curb, otherwise you throw it in the truck yourself. I like to pay them, because I know these guys don't make much. It also can be an encouragement for them to come back.
The trucks can come daily, weekly, or even monthly. You never know when they will show up. But when elections are coming up, things tend to improve, temporarily. You get more electricity, road repairs, lots of water, and garbage pickup--till the elections are over, at least.
What else happened on my street today? Well, pre-election campaigning is in full swing. There was a 20 minute political parade that went down my street around six thirty tonight. It was complete with buses full of people, people marching down the street, large boom-box political campaign noise-aka-music-makers blaring loudly their political songs and slogans. People waved large white flags, because this was the white party. We still have the purple and red to come in future days, and I'm sure the white party will be back as well. Each political party has a color, just like the Republicans and Democrats have elephants and donkeys in the US. Most Americans would probably not enjoy the elections, but Dominicans make the campaign one big party. They are much more into politics, because if your friend wins, you win.
The last thing I noticed happening on my street today, was a guy up on the electric pole, hooking up the electricity for someone who hadn't paid their bill--or someone who just didn't even sign up for a bill. This is not at all unusual. It is a very common sight. Do a lot of people get electrocuted here? Yes, as a matter of fact, they do. But not most who do this job. I've seen guys climb up an electric pole in a matter of a few seconds, as if they were climbing a coconut tree. No ladder, nothing. Of course, the more sophisticated have ladders. Does anyone report this? Why bother? The electric company is well aware that I'm in an apt. house with five apts. of which only two of us have accounts. Yet somehow, all five of us, including the cop who lives upstairs (without an account), have electricity in our apts. In fact, there are huge sectors of homes where people are even putting in air conditioning(!) and don't pay a nickel. The electric company is aware of it. So I pay my bills, and mind my own business.
Random garbage collection, election parades, and electricity thieves, are all just part of this Dominican Life.
The big truck, will honk its horn, as it goes down the street, but still goes quickly, and you really have to run to get the garbage out before they are gone. The small truck that came today didn't even honk. It was just trying to sneak down the street and hope we didn't notice I guess. Usually I give the guy ten pesos when he takes the garbage. If you pay them, they will actually pick it up from the curb, otherwise you throw it in the truck yourself. I like to pay them, because I know these guys don't make much. It also can be an encouragement for them to come back.
The trucks can come daily, weekly, or even monthly. You never know when they will show up. But when elections are coming up, things tend to improve, temporarily. You get more electricity, road repairs, lots of water, and garbage pickup--till the elections are over, at least.
What else happened on my street today? Well, pre-election campaigning is in full swing. There was a 20 minute political parade that went down my street around six thirty tonight. It was complete with buses full of people, people marching down the street, large boom-box political campaign noise-aka-music-makers blaring loudly their political songs and slogans. People waved large white flags, because this was the white party. We still have the purple and red to come in future days, and I'm sure the white party will be back as well. Each political party has a color, just like the Republicans and Democrats have elephants and donkeys in the US. Most Americans would probably not enjoy the elections, but Dominicans make the campaign one big party. They are much more into politics, because if your friend wins, you win.
The last thing I noticed happening on my street today, was a guy up on the electric pole, hooking up the electricity for someone who hadn't paid their bill--or someone who just didn't even sign up for a bill. This is not at all unusual. It is a very common sight. Do a lot of people get electrocuted here? Yes, as a matter of fact, they do. But not most who do this job. I've seen guys climb up an electric pole in a matter of a few seconds, as if they were climbing a coconut tree. No ladder, nothing. Of course, the more sophisticated have ladders. Does anyone report this? Why bother? The electric company is well aware that I'm in an apt. house with five apts. of which only two of us have accounts. Yet somehow, all five of us, including the cop who lives upstairs (without an account), have electricity in our apts. In fact, there are huge sectors of homes where people are even putting in air conditioning(!) and don't pay a nickel. The electric company is aware of it. So I pay my bills, and mind my own business.
Random garbage collection, election parades, and electricity thieves, are all just part of this Dominican Life.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Gangs of thieves in licensed public cars
Now I've been pickpocketed many times. I try to learn each time, so that at least they can't get me the same way twice. But this time they did. And that kind of makes me mad!
There is a ruse they use in the public car systems here. First of all, you have to have a public car. You put three women in the back, and the driver and one other man up front. (Remember, two passengers must squeeze into the front bucket seat.) The one male passenger up front has a bandage around his leg, and he is trying to attract your attention to that. He pretends to be uncomfortable; your position is causing him pain. Meanwhile, he robs you and passes off your money to the ladies behind. The driver keeps your fare in his hand, so that he can quickly return it and pretend to be going elsewhere, once they have successfully robbed you.
Well, I got in the car. The first thing that made me suspicious was the leg. I'd already been robbed before that way. See pickpockets are like magicians. They distract you from what you should be looking at, while they work their magic. As soon as he started acting like he needed to adjust his seating, when he obviously didn't, I said, "Let me out. I've been robbed like this before." Instantly the driver handed me my money and dropped me off. Problem was, they already had my money. I had a buttoned shirt pocket with nearly $30 in it. Additional money was in my jeans pocket, and that I had been protected, while I forgot about the shirt pocket. I'm sure they had a good laugh.
I didn't even realize they had gotten that money till I got home. I've been kicking myself ever since, for getting robbed the same way as before. Well, not exactly the same. The last time they got my jeans pocket. In fact, no one has ever tried to rob my shirt pocket before. You have to be pretty skilled to get away with that. Now I know that it is also a target, I have to change my style.
Next time I am going to try to think fast enough to get the license number. But then, would the police even care if I gave it to them?
One of the nice things about belonging to God, is that I know that he will take care of that gang. They think they will get away with their evil-doing, but it's not going to happen. Their payday will come.
Being robbed is not unusual. Ask anyone. It's a very real part of this Dominican Life.
Here is a post script: I was talking with a driver of a public car, and told him that I had recently been robbed on his route. He asked if it was the guy with the "hurt" leg. I told him it was. He informed me that the police know about this man, but they don't do anything about him, that he probably pays them off. When I mentioned it was not only him, but a gang, he said yes, that he knew.
There is a ruse they use in the public car systems here. First of all, you have to have a public car. You put three women in the back, and the driver and one other man up front. (Remember, two passengers must squeeze into the front bucket seat.) The one male passenger up front has a bandage around his leg, and he is trying to attract your attention to that. He pretends to be uncomfortable; your position is causing him pain. Meanwhile, he robs you and passes off your money to the ladies behind. The driver keeps your fare in his hand, so that he can quickly return it and pretend to be going elsewhere, once they have successfully robbed you.
Well, I got in the car. The first thing that made me suspicious was the leg. I'd already been robbed before that way. See pickpockets are like magicians. They distract you from what you should be looking at, while they work their magic. As soon as he started acting like he needed to adjust his seating, when he obviously didn't, I said, "Let me out. I've been robbed like this before." Instantly the driver handed me my money and dropped me off. Problem was, they already had my money. I had a buttoned shirt pocket with nearly $30 in it. Additional money was in my jeans pocket, and that I had been protected, while I forgot about the shirt pocket. I'm sure they had a good laugh.
I didn't even realize they had gotten that money till I got home. I've been kicking myself ever since, for getting robbed the same way as before. Well, not exactly the same. The last time they got my jeans pocket. In fact, no one has ever tried to rob my shirt pocket before. You have to be pretty skilled to get away with that. Now I know that it is also a target, I have to change my style.
Next time I am going to try to think fast enough to get the license number. But then, would the police even care if I gave it to them?
One of the nice things about belonging to God, is that I know that he will take care of that gang. They think they will get away with their evil-doing, but it's not going to happen. Their payday will come.
Being robbed is not unusual. Ask anyone. It's a very real part of this Dominican Life.
Here is a post script: I was talking with a driver of a public car, and told him that I had recently been robbed on his route. He asked if it was the guy with the "hurt" leg. I told him it was. He informed me that the police know about this man, but they don't do anything about him, that he probably pays them off. When I mentioned it was not only him, but a gang, he said yes, that he knew.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Coming soon, Semana Santa
Yes, it's that time of year again. Easter week. Time to break out the big pots and make the traditional "habichuelas dulces" (sweet beans.)
It's a party week. Lots of alcohol will be drunk this week. There will be loud music at all hours of the day and night, in all the barrios--that is, even more than the norm, which is already a lot.
It's also beach week. All the schools will be out, and lots of families will be getting together either at the beach, or in home towns long forsaken for the bustle of the capital.
Meanwhile, the church will be busy telling everyone that they should not go to the beach.
Happens every year. It's just part of this Dominican Life.
It's a party week. Lots of alcohol will be drunk this week. There will be loud music at all hours of the day and night, in all the barrios--that is, even more than the norm, which is already a lot.
It's also beach week. All the schools will be out, and lots of families will be getting together either at the beach, or in home towns long forsaken for the bustle of the capital.
Meanwhile, the church will be busy telling everyone that they should not go to the beach.
Happens every year. It's just part of this Dominican Life.
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