This and That

* I have been receiving emails from Dominicans living in the States thanking me for keeping up the blog and being respectful about the Dominican Republic. Many had not visited in many years and now are thinking about returning for a visit. If the blog has played any role in those decisions I would be very happy. A great many of my friends in NYC are from the islands and are so Americanized now that they could not be so bothered with going back to the islands to visit. I have also found that there are many Dominicans here reading the blog to find out what is going on. I have to find out a way to start a Spanish version, and get someone to help me with other things that are going on in the city and country.

* For the last couple of days I have been in a kind of funk. Just one of those things that we all go through periodically. I'm financially challenged and I want to own a car desperately. Every time I rent a car I just go exploring and fall in love with the DR all over again. 2006, GOD willing, is looking like it will be a very good year. I'm ready. I have been struggling here financially for almost 2 years (my anniversary is January 31, 2006).

* To get out of my funk I just got in the car and starting driving east. After passing Juan Dolio I remembered that my friend, Sean, lives in San Pedro de Marcoris. I have never visited San Pedro, just passed through. I decided to stop in town and give him a call. Sean is living in San Pedro attending the Medical School there. The Saturday before Sean came into Santo Domingo to hang out with me and we had a really GOOD time, right Sean? I get Sean on the phone and he is about to go to a class. I tell him, okay, I will just keep driving and talk with him later. Of course, he cust class and we decide to hang out in the town square and have a drink and talk about our problems. As we are sitting there and admiring the beautiful men of San Pedro going about their business, I notice that we are starting to draw some attention. It was probably the loud talking in English. One really nice guy was cruising and then came and talked to us to tell us that he was getting off at 7:30pm, and he would take us to hang out to meet some "chicas." Uh, okay, but I would prefer to meet the brothers of said "chicas." To make a long story short, he showed Sean and I a side of San Pedro that neither of us knew existed and a good time was had by all. I will DEFINITELY be going back to visit San Pedro again. Thanks Manuel!

* Yesterday, Narciso was visiting Santo Domingo. I told him I would give him a ride home. Went to San Miguel, right outside of San Christobal, to take Narciso home. Riding with us during this trip was a very beautiful man named Ismael, who was going to keep me "company" on the way back. We proceeded to go to Narciso's secluded house back up in the mountains and drank some Presidente. The power was out and we just talked and drank by candlelight. Ismael is a very nice, sensual and beautiful masculine man, without inhibitions. Again, long story short it was a great time. Narciso says that Ismael shows up every couple of months out of the blue. Well, I'll be waiting.

* Most people think that living here is waking up every morning to sex and then going to the beach having more sex. The above snippets notwithstanding, it is much more boring than that. Though, when I do allow myself to get away from the city I do have a great time. One thing I realize the longer I live here is that I'm really "American." Meaning I love American culture, music, food, etc. I had been craving a bagel (thanks to those who brought me some!) and then I will watch a commercial and want some Parks Sausage. I have not really been homesick since I moved here, and I think that is because of the internet, and I also have several cable channels to keep up with what is going on. I watch the news in NYC every night, so I feel that in some ways I'm still there. I don't know how I would feel if I didn't have the internet.

* Okay, I'm rambling. Have to get ready to go out tonight. We are full and everyone wants me to hang out with them tonight. In the next couple of weeks I have some good friends coming to visit. One, Danny from Atlanta, has never visited and I can't wait for him to come. I feel like I used to feel when people would visit NYC for the first time, you fall in love with the city all over again through their eyes.

More later!