Before I attempt to sound like a well established expat, both financially and culturally, I first need to establish the fact that I am neither of these two elements. For me, this is a journey. After a divorce several years ago, I began to evaluate my financial future as well as other options that dictate how you spend your life going forward. After a few sessions with a spread sheet and many notepads and ink, I came to the conclusion that several elements would be challenging at best if I was to stay in the States. It may be best if I spare all the details, perhaps I may start a blog or something in which I can share photos and more details. In 2013 at Christmas time I was bound for Haiti for a work project that I had committed to with a group from Washington. While at the airport in PDX Portland), I received a call that the people whom I was going to meet in Haiti, they were returning stateside for Christmas, and they apologized if they had caused me any inconvenience. In short, I am not easily derailed. You will get this when you begin to read of my life here in the DR. You have to have a vision, a passion, and a desire for change. NOT A FANTASY!!! There are some awesome things about the DR that make it attractive, this is a fact. Getting to the point where you recognize this is where it gets a little dicey. Within 30 minutes I had a destination change and a flight to the DR. It's crazy how it was available on short notice. Of course it cost me another 150.00, however as I sit here writing this post, I must say well worth it. I did not have luggage, just a carry on. I had just a light flannel shirt. I was prepared for more tropical weather for sure. I was NOT prepared for the next stage of my journey. My flight took me to Minnesota before going on the Kennedy. As I was ready to enter the jet way the flight attendant informed me we needed to go down the portable steps instead. The jet way was frozen or broke. I walked in – 8 degrees for a ¼ mile before entering the gate at the airport. My next stage was to New York and on to the DR. We landed at STI which is inland. It is close to Santiago de los Caballeros. I entered the jet way it was not so bad, the air-conditioning from the jet and the airport gave me a sense of ease as I went through the customs process and toward the exit of the airport. The exit doors opened automatically as to say “welcome to the Dominican Republic.” Then it hit me, 93 degrees, 85% humidity, a crowd of people waiting to meet their arrivals, a smell very different yet not offensive, and the most memorable, the look of 300 or more people who looked at me as it went quiet. Maybe in Puerto Plata or Punta Cana or Santo Domingo you would not seem so lost, yet here they knew I was not in my element. Very quickly I saw taxis and their drivers and made a quick exit and head toward Santiago. The driver spoke no Spanish, thank goodness I do. He suggested that I stay at the Hotel Colonial, right in the downtown of Santiago. I entered, and was met by a gentleman named Lazro. He lives in Queens NY, at least this made me feel more at ease. The cost was 15.00 per night without air-conditioning, or 30.00 with AC. He suggested I have AC. He was spot on. I got checked in and about 8:00 PM I went out to check out the outside and see stuff. I was aware of the loud music, of course it was Christmas and New Year time and there was a “fiesta” environment everywhere. Cars were all bunched up at an intersection with signals. They all had their fronts together in the middle of the intersection, and were taking turns, honking and waving each other through. The green and red of the traffic lights was immaterial. Through all of this I saw no road rage, just people trying to make progress. This I found amazing! This will be my first post for this new thread.