Is It Something in the Water?

-- I have touched on this theme in the past. I have always been fascinated with some of the people who move here. There are a great number of people who live here, mind their business and just go on with their lives. Then, there are the others. I think of it as sort of South America right after the second World War. Some people come to re-invent themselves. In the "Norma Desmond," and "Blanche DuBois" vein. Dr. Leon being just the most famous example. But, truth be told, there are others.

There are those who come and rent apartments and then furnish them with tens of thousands of dollars of furniture. I mean the apartment has to be fabulous. How else would one entertain the Ambassador to Brazil? You hear stories of great deals in the works. There are dinners with the creme of Dominican society, along with talks of houses being built in the most exclusive communities. You are invited to smart little dinner parties where the food is gourmet, but the conversation is extremely phony. You are regaled with stories of the former apartment on Central Park South that was photographed for Architectural Digest.

Of course it could all be true. What do I know?

But then the "boyfriend," who has been promised a house, car and trips abroad, tells you that there is no food in the refrigerator. And now he doesn't think anything that was ever said is true. The maid whispers to you that she hasn't been paid in over a month. Finally, the phone and electricity is disconnected. Cars were always rented before, just until the Porsche Cayenne could be custom ordered and shipped to the country. Now, you have decided that it is better to walk and take cabs.

Then one day you leave the country. Rent is not paid. Instead of worrying about your problems, your main concern is whether people think you are poor.

Apartment and furniture gone. None of the projects/businesses materialize. And all I keep thinking is WHY? I just don't understand. Why go through ALL that?

-- The weather is starting to change. Not drastically, but I'm now able to detect the Caribbean changes in season. It is starting to get hotter in the daytime. But it cools down nicely at night. Bring on summer!

-- A lot of "oldies" artists having been coming through lately. Jefferson "We built this city on rock & roll" Starship were here. And just recently K. C. & The Sunshine Band were just here at the theater in the Hotel Jaragua. That past weekend it was C & C Music Factory, along with Technotronic. The latest Latin acts like Aventura and Enrique Iglesias were here playing the stadiums. Unfortunately if you want any up-to-date American acts the above named artists are it.

-- I was contacted recently by someone whose photo appeared in the item I wrote about Cabarete during Semana Santa (Easter Week). He was visiting from the States and his family here doesn't know his bizness. You know. Very nice guy, and one of the hottest guys on the beach that day. Ay, mi madre!

-- I'm not big on chatting online. Just don't understand typing what I can say with words on the phone. I have a Dominican friend who works the internet like he invented it. He is one of those people that has several hundred numbers in his phone and can't remember one guy from the next. But I digress. My friend chats with so many people and asked me to talk with this guy from San Francisco de Marcoris. He is a semi-professional basketball player. Several weeks go by and he wants to come and visit. Because I am such a pessimist, I thought, hmmm, what is it exactly that he wants. My friend and I decide to send him the bus fare to come down and hang out with us. We thought nothing more of it, until we got a call from him saying he was at the bus station in Santo Domingo. We were not ready for this 6' 8" man. I now follow the local basketball scene very carefully. I mean, wouldn't you?

For those wondering about the policeman I met. Nothing much has happened. He is a nice guy and we talk every couple of days, but that's it, but not really my type. Like I have one. I do now, and he a masculine, extremely attractive, the color of honey and 6' 8." Did I mention that he also has a visa to travel outside of the country?

-- Ronnie, photo right, who used to work as a manager at Jay-Dee's, when it first opened, has died. He had some pretty serious surgeries and had been sick for some time. Jerry confirmed that he did in fact die. For those that knew him, and there were many, he was just one of the nicest people that you could ever want to meet. He will be sorely missed. (Photo courtesy of Scott Bordeleau)
-- The Nubian Dreams Cruise is down to its last 40 cabins. They now have their Sun Pass lineup. Act now before it's sold-out.

-- Terrance Dean has started a blog where he will be able to control what is fact, versus what is fiction, when his book drops.

-- Now we know that the Dominican elections are taking on massive support outside of the country. The Hollywood star, Vin Diesel, has come out with an endorsement of the current president. WTF? Anyway, he has made a video and it is playing on some stations.

What is the world coming, too?