Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was very interesting. I ran the Sports Bar while David went to D.C. to help Vicki with her parties for Pride weekend. Things went smoothly and it was really nice seeing some old and new faces.

Many friends came down to visit and today they left on a trip to the Samana region. I´m jealous. I couldn´t go because I am working at the Sports Bar tonight for David (he arrives this evening!!!), but maybe I will take a bus up there tomorrow afternoon. We´ll see. In any case, I have given everyone explicit instructions to take as many pictures as possible of any and everything. I, of course, will decide what will be published here. Hopefully, they will get some nice pics for me to share.

Next week, there will be a couple of parties at the Sports Bar for birthday celebrations. I am talking with David about turning the smoking area into a ¨lap dance/stripper lounge.¨David hasn´t said yes or no, but he is thinking about it. Of course, I would help get all the best strippers we can, using my considerable connections to the stripper community. If you would like to see some strippers at the Sports Bar, send David an email to let him know. Or, maybe you don´t like that sort of filth. Either way, tell him what you think.

I was pleasantly surprised by how many gay tourists were here this weekend. With big parties in D.C., Miami and San Juan, PR, I thought it wouldn´t be that many here. But, if you were on the Conde you saw the folk out in droves. There were even a group I saw over in the barrio, looking for right Colmado, I´m sure. Anyway, it was great to get a good crowd coming down. We are now in the summer doldrums and it probably won´t be another big group here until July 4th weekend. As I have said over and over again, there is something for everyone.

Came across a very interesting blog while reading the blog Blabbeando. Check out Sangroncito, who is a ¨compulsive traveller.¨Right now he is exploring Colombia.

Once David is back in-charge of the bar, I should be blogging and posting pictures more often.

Until soon,
Me

Well, let's see ...

What is going on?

Last night I ran the Sport's Bar for David Lee and things went very smoothly. The joint was jumping and people were drinking and having a great time. It was nice seeing people I had not seen in a while. Stop by tonight for 2 for 1 rum & cokes. See you at the Poolhall!

Spirit is having an UNBELIEVABLE sale for the July 4th weekend to Santo Domingo. Some of the flights are $17, yes, that's right. I have gotten 2 emails telling me that they purchased their tickets. Go, there now! What other plans do you have for July 4? Are you still reading this? Get to Spirit, NOW! Thanks to Alan Washington for the email.

I don't know how many of you saw Oprah's Legends Ball this past Monday. But, I absolutely loved it. I wish that is was longer and I hope there is going to be a DVD out about it. I have been reading other blogs and looking at the comments. It is amazing how negative so many people are. Okay, I have nothing to complain about with the negative comments I get on my small blog. Oh, well.

There is a new actor from the Dominican Republic in the new X-Men movie, her name is Dania Ramirez. Checkout this interview with Dania.

Here are some other interesting articles for your perusal:

British article about spending winters in Santo Domingo

Is Columbus actually buried in Santo Domingo?

Cubans are finding another route to the United States

History of Sugar Cane Factories in San Pedro de Marcoris



See you tonight at the Sports Bar. Right?

And remember. I love y'all for loving me.

Paul Culver photos of Wilfredo

Paul Culver photos of Gregory

Hola

Today I feel good. Nothing in particular has happened, but I feel blessed. Woke up early and had breakfast at the Caribe Colonial. Then went back home and laid down to take a nap and woke up MANY hours later. Whew! I needed some rest.

Last night, I went to Byron's Think Pink soiree in his and Scotch's new apartment. It is right next door to Casa New Yorker. They are still working on getting things setup but it is really very nice. Old Colonial House with an open courtyard, expansive terrace and access to the roof. A nice selective crowd, open bar, great food, beautiful location = great party. I had to leave early, because I forgot that I told someone to meet me. From all reports, the party continued on til late. Downstairs from their apartment was another party going on. La Quinceañera, which are sweet 15 parties that celebrate the beginning of womanhood in Latin communities around the world. The young lady was very beautiful and had on a beautiful dress. I didn't want to intrude and take pictures.

I have some more pictures from Paul Culver. This time these are photos from Paul's trip to Altos de Chavon. If you are looking for a trip to get away from Santo Domingo, I can't recommend this trip more. Altos de Chavon is located in La Romana, which is about 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo. Click on the link for more information about this very interesting place.

I got a nice spike in visits to the blog recently. I noticed that I was getting referrals from Fleshbot. They liked the pictures of Carlos. I had sent an email to Rod, who runs the great blog Rod 2.0, about getting a link on his site. Rod informed me that he is also the co-editor at Fleshbot and he is responsible for the link. Thanks, Rod!! If you haven't been to Rod's site, please do yourself a favor. One of the few blogs that I have seen that is entertaining, informative, thought provoking and sssooooo comprehensive. The topics are wide-ranging and I check it out everyday.

From top to bottom:
Byron
Scotch& Byron
Byron and his brother (whose name I have forgotten)
Looking out to the expansive terrace

From top to bottom:
Atmosphere
Ruskin & David
Dave & Scotch

Carlos!

One of my favorite people is photographer, Paul Culver. Paul took some great photos while he was here on vacation. And being the gracious kind soul that he is, he has allowed me to share them with the Monaga blog audience.

What do you think?

Well, it's starting to get hot. Unless you are at the beach.

It has been very quiet here lately. Everyone is telling me how expensive the flights are. All the hotels are struggling. Went to the Caribe Colonial and they told me they had a total of 9 people. Spoke with someone I know who works at the Jaragua and he told me they were just 20% full. So, for those who don't like a lot of people here, now is the time to come down for a visit. All that said, Punta Cana is still kicking ass with occupancy rates in the upper 80's, low 90's.

Memorial Day weekend is the next time where there is an influx of tourists visiting Santo Domingo. Many of my friends are coming for a visit and I can't wait. David Lee is getting things together at the Sports Bar, in anticipation of the tourist onslaught. Make sure to checkout David's website for the latest happenings for Memorial Weekend. With so many things going on in Washington, D.C., Miami and Puerto Rico over Memorial Weekend, I'm always amazed at the crowd that still comes here. Just while typing this entry I have gotten 3 more airport pick-up requests. Come on down!!!!

Now, here comes the difficult part. I have gotten several emails asking me about "Cabarete Gay Pride." I had been hesitant to address this issue because there is a former employee of mine who seems to be a part of it. There are still some questions as to exactly who is behind this, so I don't want to say that it is a scam, or anything like that, but unfortunately some questions have been raised. My former employee works for the new gay resort in Cabarete (we are trying to confirm if he still works there). In his new capacity, he contacted one of the guesthouses here to come down to work out an agreement so that they could send each other business. A couple of weeks ago he comes to stay at the guesthouse as a comp guest. He brings his "boyfriend" with him and so far, so good. I won't get into all the particulars, as I'm sure the owners of the guesthouse will be addressing it soon, but to make a long-story short, at about 4:30am they are awakened by their security guard to tell them there is a problem in one of the rooms. It seems that my former employee and his boyfriend were involved in a huge fight. His nose is broken and there is blood all over the room. The police are called and as you can imagine, it was not a pretty scene. Now, does this mean that "Cabarete Gay Pride" is not a legitimate enterprise? No. But, it does give one pause if this individual is involved. As I said, the guesthouse owners will be addressing this further in their blog.

Looking for a job in the DR? Click here. (Thanks Mario)

Looking for an Apartment?

Been going to see a lot of apartments and house for sale and rent in the Colonial Zone. I thought I would start putting some of the pictures here. Here is a 3-bedroom/2-bath condominium for sale (asking RD$3,100,000) and rent (RD$13,500).

Hola

Today is a beautiful day. I got up at 7am today, which is very unusual for me.

Next week is the election for the congress here. I will be so glad when it is over. The rallies and traffic jams and the LOUD (!!!!) music goes along with it is starting to get on my nerves a bit. Though, I must admit, there has been very little violence. I have been asking everyone if they are going to vote, and it is interesting to hear people´s opinions.

There is a very strong rumor going around that an American is opening some kind of bar/club here. I have not been able to pin the rumors down, but I figure if I mention it here someone might know something and pass it on.

Byron, from Casa New Yorker, has entered the blog realm. He will be musing on his journey through what we affectionately call the Drama Republic. Please check out his blog here.

Another reason to be careful about what I write in the blog. Several local Dominicans have mentioned to me that they read the blog and it helps them with their English.

Those who know me know that Boca Chica is not a place I like to go to. But yesterday, I went with some friends and it was quiet and tranquil, though there are still too many people trying to sell you something. I had a great time.

The Parque Independenica has a photo exhibit about the Dominican Revolution of 1965. In April of that year, 42,000 American troops invaded the Dominican Republic to ¨restore order.¨This was following months of civil unrest and protests. The country seemed to be on the verge of a civil war. 1965 was not the first time that Americans occupied the DR. They were also here from 1926 - 1924, and trained a brutal national guard, from which the dictator Trujillo would rise and run the country with an iron-hand for more than 30 years. Anyway, the exhibit is truly great. It has many pictures of exactly what was going on during that time.

Monday, Monday

This past weekend was quite nice and the weather wasn´t too bad either.

Friday, I went to the Santo Domingo Book Fair and had a great time. I got there late and I think I missed Angel Lozada´s talk, though no one could tell me if or when he was going to speak. Anyway, there were hundreds of people there and it was really nice to see all the exhibits and people. I was really impressed.

Saturday, there was a party for Coqui, the hostess at Jay-Dee´s. It was packed with well-wishers and many of her fellow drag queens came to help her celebrate and perform. Jerry opened his restaurant next door to be used as the VIP lounge, and boy what a great addition. Jay-Dee´s can get very crowded on the weekends and this allows you to get a away for a break, without having to go outside. I like, Jerry! Coqui looked like a princess (albeit a sweating one!) and the place was decorated nicely and had some beautiful flowers throughout.

A former employee of mine who had not been heard of in a very long time has suddenly reappeared on the scene. Boy, I wish I could go into how he made his splash back into Dominican gay, expatriate society (hopefully I will be able to divulge info soon). I have found out that he is working at the new gay resort near Cabarete. And I´m already getting emails about it. Boy, this is interesting and I have a feeling it will get more interesting.