The Good Stories

Great idea Planner!  I, for one, love my new country.  It is so very far from perfect, but that is part of the charm.  The people, for the most part (unless they're driving!), are very patient and helpful.  Even in our gated community, it really feels like a community.  I've started working and driving now, so dealing with local employees and drivers.  It's a steep learning curve, but the lack of over-sight, the sense of freedom, and the ability to kinda do what you want, as you want, makes me love this island.  I will never pass for a local, but I am recognized at my usual stops, and it feels good.  Specifically, good stories that make me smile are the everyday craziness you see on any Dominican road.  Somebody carrying a fridge on their bicycle, a family of 6 on a moto, a gua gua filled to the seams and people riding on the step, and litlle babies playing in the surf at the beach without a swimsuit, the colours of the fruit on the back of the fruit truck parked on the main road, the animated facial expressions during a Domino's game.  They all make me shake my head and smile.  Life if good!

The very first time (or maybe second?) I came to Las Terrenas, I was walking back to where I had parked my rental car, well down the beach from the tourist zone,  with my US, high school Spanish and a few more drinks than usual rattling around my brain. It was very late, and the sounds and lights of the downtown had faded and all I could hear was the surf and the very occasional moto in the distance. In the shadows up ahead, I see a person moving slowly and furtively among the palms and bushes between the road and the sea, and the hair on the back of my neck goes up. I'm in a vulnerable situation that I should have probably avoided.... I stiffen a bit, clear my throat to announce that I've seen the skulker, and march closer, hoping he isn't armed with a machete, as I have no idea how to defend against one. As I get in closer proximity, I realize that the person is a policia turistica checking me out to see who I am, as I check him out. I gave him a smile (not knowing at the time that people here think that's creepy!), and relaxed as I walked the last 200 meters to my car. Now I walk pretty freely at night, knowing that the policia are out and about, and are familiar with the darker, more secluded locations that would make a good mugging spot.

I blow a tire on my way to the Punta Cana airport out in the middle of nowhere. I get out the jack and the tire iron and discover the nut on the wheel will not budge. Out of no where, a large Dominican man rides by on his bicycle. He takes the tire iron and after a couple of valiant efforts, he snaps the nut right off the wheel. At least we can change the tire and get on our way with 3 nuts instead of 4.   3 nuts are better than two.
We thank him and pay him. He is gracious and will not accept the money. We insist and he reluctantly takes the cash and rides off into the sunset.

I had something similar happen in Puerto Plata years ago.  Flat tire in the middle of a tourrential rain.  No one was around.  A motoconcho driver stopped, changed my tire for.me and would not accept any money.  He recognized me from Sunday night dancing! 

Next time.i saw him I sent a couple of Jumbo's to his table!!!

Those in stable long term relationships are many and more than you would think but are more likely reserved about posting as such on social media. Why? Because of a 'know all' male fraternity centred on Sosua and Boca Chica primarily who see all the women of DR in one mould from their very limited exposure to people of the country as a whole and would question your behaviour and partner.

There is plenty of good here in this country and it is why many an expat has decided to settle here and some are in long term stable relationships with Dominicans. They have chosen here despite some negative aspects because they wish for a different life from the rat race and constraining life back home...as well as many other benefits. Some of us don't want commercialism and have avoided towns that promote a similar aspects of life to the western world, but others want some of back home.

So great to read of the success Uncle Buck is making of his new found life here.

There are many others who given time will post there stories of a harmonious life here. I suspect from bits and pieces I have posted elsewhere one would realize I am at home in this country with a stable and very happy life with my younger and adorable wife after a significant period living as a couple. With her family and friends too.

Awesome!

Happy to see success stories and people achieving what they set out to do - usually to get away from commercialism and the rat race. Certainly our objective. There is always trepidation with such a big move so we are happy to see things work out for people and know we can do it. The problems tend to get a lot of attention, so this is a welcome thread.
.
We just got our travel visa's approved today! Woohoo! So we are one step closer.   

Wooo hoooo. Congratulations!

Ladies, Gents,
moved over to DR on 1st of august with only a backpack and a suitcase.
Wednesday and Thursday I met my Dominican friend and brother Julio, that I got to know in 2020 selling me a SIM card for my cellphone. We became friends.
He took me through Puerto Plata for two whole days on his chopper searching for me a flat where I will live after my hotel stay. The second day we found it. Great place not far away from the beach. He led all negotiations with the landlord, because my Spanish still is under construction:_).
I have a flat now!!!
I gave him a few euro just enough to pay for the petrol he spent. He was a bit annoyed about it and said, he did not want to be paid for his help, as he considers us as brothers.
These people are really great and earn my full respect.

A few days later I was invited to a Dominican teacher in Santo Domingo. He prepared a wonderful dinner and we had a sightseeing through the big town. I had the chance, to stay there overnight and he denied to take any money for the stay.
I like you!!! No, I love this people. They are friendly and they offer their help as soon as you only seem to need it. During my 4 hours travel in the public bus young dominicans behaved much more respectful to me than I know that from my former homecontry. If you ask anybody for help, they take every possible action to support. Impressing!!!

Best
Thomas

***

[moderated : please post in English]

@benny:

Source:
https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten … -norwegen/

  In 2018 Norway had an average homicide rate of around 0.5 willful homicides per 100,000 population.  The statistic shows the homicide rate in Norway from 2008 to 2018.
This basically includes all willful homicides committed by civilians (e.g. individuals, gangs).  However, the statistics do not take into account homicides in connection with armed conflict (e.g. by .....   

Did you ever read news in Norway? 😉

@ajjs:
Muchas grácias hermano. Me alegro mucho.

bennyben wrote:

Be careful. The country is dangerous especially at night. Many expats have been butchered in Puerto Plata area during these last ten years.

Do not be naive.

Even the person who is not receiving money for his help now may come later with some stories to take advantage of you.  Stories like my dad is in hospital, etc etc

The country is rife with guns and thugs don't hesitate to shoot for a handful of dollars or euros.

Don't be an easy target.

Exactly what this thread was supposed to be about. Great first post 

/sarcasm

It is not bad advice.  Having said that, most of us want to think the best in people.  We do not want to think negatively with a fence around us all the time.  But in the world there, Dominican friends here who've told me "I tried to tell you and you didn't listen" and "I know my country" are now acknowledged as being correct.  And yes I have several US based Dominican friends. Also an American friend living there told me the same. I could write a book on my experience  and probably have a movie made from it.  It would be titled using Bob K's words "Pick up you balls and grab your wallet and run".

ajjs3468 wrote:

Gracias por tus bellas palabras,  es que por eso también nos identificamos dentro y fuera de RD ⚪🔵🔴🇩🇴doquier está un dominicano , pero siempre aparecen algunos dicen todo lo contrario de nosotros.

Bendiciones y siéntete como en tu casa siempre las puestas abiertas en RD. 

🙏🙅‍♀️💯✅⚪🔵🔴🇩🇴🍷

Please post in English on this forum.

Yes this thread is about the good, the positive and the uplifting.   

Let's keep the warnings etc for other threads!  Thanks!

@Rocky:
👍🤣😇😁

Looking For Her wrote:

It is not bad advice.  Having said that, most of us want to think the best in people.  We do not want to think negatively with a fence around us all the time.  But in the world there, Dominican friends here who've told me "I tried to tell you and you didn't listen" and "I know my country" are now acknowledged as being correct.  And yes I have several US based Dominican friends. Also an American friend living there told me the same. I could write a book on my experience  and probably have a movie made from it.  It would be titled using Bob K's words "Pick up you balls and grab your wallet and run".

I just:

- let my wallet at home.
- look, how locals are dressed and try to do similar
- do not wear a watch or jewelry outside
- wear my towel in a cheap white plastic bag when going to the beach
- try best to be friendly and respectful to each and every local I meet
- always try to keep in mind, that THIS IS NOT MY country!
- decided to leave European arrogance and prejudice at home before coming here.
- follow the advices of my Dominican friends about local behavior and culture and I demand to be taught by them and grateful to know this gentlemen

- can count myself lucky if I am accepted as a guest in this country. Not more!

Up to now I did not hear any reliable story about someone being shot caused by only an old towel in his hand.

DR_Tom wrote:

Looking For Her wrote:

It is not bad advice.  Having said that, most of us want to think the best in people.  We do not want to think negatively with a fence around us all the time.  But in the world there, Dominican friends here who've told me "I tried to tell you and you didn't listen" and "I know my country" are now acknowledged as being correct.  And yes I have several US based Dominican friends. Also an American friend living there told me the same. I could write a book on my experience  and probably have a movie made from it.  It would be titled using Bob K's words "Pick up you balls and grab your wallet and run".

I just:

- let my wallet at home.
- look, how locals are dressed and try to do similar
- do not wear a watch or jewelry outside
- wear my towel in a cheap white plastic bag when going to the beach
- try best to be friendly and respectful to each and every local I meet
- always try to keep in mind, that THIS IS NOT MY country!
- decided to leave European arrogance and prejudice at home before coming here.
- follow the advices of my Dominican friends about local behavior and culture and I demand to be taught by them and grateful to know this gentlemen

- can count myself lucky if I am accepted as a guest in this country. Not more!

Up to now I did not hear any reliable story about someone being shot caused by only an old towel in his hand.

Sorry, I am sometimes a bit too direct. Pardon me.

I think what you posted is absolutely fine!

🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️🙅‍♀️

Another one to mention:
As I reported before, I got to know a Dominican guy who sold me a SIM card in january 2020 during my first visit to DR. He gave me some money at the last day of my vacation because I had no more pesos and ran out of cigarettes. Bank was closed and I had to leave to the airport an hour later. During Corona he lost his job and I sent him some money for him and bis family. We kept contact and meanwhile I consider him as a friend.

On 1st of august I moved to DR and booked a hotel in Sosuá for four weeks to organize my start here.

This guy spent a whole week with me (!) driving me around on his chopper to find a flat for me. He negotiated with the landlord because my spanish is still bad. So I got the flat, a nice one in POP.
After that he took me to a furniture store and I was able to buy everything I needed. It was delivered the same day. I afterwards compared the prices that I paid for it and could confirm, that I got everything at a very good price, thanks to the friendly support of my Dominican friend.

When I gave him some pesos to pay for the petrol that it took to drive me around, he was a bit offended.

I really am impressed by this great help!
He will always be welcome in my house and there will always be a cold drink for him in my new refridge.

I never expected so much when I came here.

Great country, great people!

Hi, one more to share about:
Three months after moving to the DR, I found a wonderful place to live in Costambar.  It's quiet and peaceful here, and the wonderful beach is only a few minutes away.  Since I often meet my friends in Puerto Plata, I bought a motorcycle last week.  The day after I bought it, my rear tire was flat.  Annoying, but that happens.  A Dominican made me aware of this when I got back to the parking from shopping.  Since I'm new here in town, I had no idea how to find a garage to do repairs.  He told me that he knew one very close by, that he would accompany me there on his scooter, and that I should follow him.  I was a little suspicious because it was already evening and I couldn't imagine that a workshop would still be open at that time.  After a short drive he stopped, helped me to align the machine on the sidewalk so that the rear wheel could be removed and disappeared on his scooter for 10 minutes.  When he came back, he brought a mechanic with him who repaired the tire in a few minutes.  I paid and the Dominican accompanied me back to Costambar.  Once there, I offered the man money for his great help.  He reached into his pocket, showed me his city police ID, and told me he wasn't taking any money.  I think I made a new friend.  I have seldom experienced this kind of help in my home country.
Best Tom