Thursday, September 04, 2008

I'm Back


Sorry for the delay in updating the blog. Just didn't feel like it.

 One of the problems is that I'm having storm fatigue. It seems like they are just lining up off the coast of Africa and once one leaves, another is waiting to take its place. Fortunately, we have been spared any real damage. As always, those who live in the country take more of the brunt of the storms. We haven't gotten any direct hits, but enough already with the wind and rain. Tropical Storm Hanna just left and now we have to get ready for Ike and Josephine. August 15, until September 15, is the most active period in the Atlantic Hurricane season. Good riddance.

Last weekend there were many tourists in town because of the Labor Day holiday in the States. I hadn't been out in a while, and I thought I would make an appearance and sign some autographs. Went to Eukliptus, and the place was packed. Not a seat to be had. I had not been there in a while, and heard that they were letting Alejandro back in. As I drove up, the doorman almost fell running into the bar. I wondered what happened? They hid Alejandro until they could ferret him out without me seeing. I was given a free drink, my cigarettes were lit for me, space was cleared. They were being really, really nice to me.

I had then went to Jay-Dee's, where Friday night it was very crowded. Not so much on Saturday. CHA was having some kind of celebration and the line was out the door to the street. Now I don't have to go out (to a gay spot) for another month.

A while back I would talk about the Samana region constantly. Beautiful place to visit, but not really possible to do a daytrip, as it takes a minimum of 4 hours to get there. Now, there is a new highway that has been completed. It cuts the time to a little over 2 hours. The tolls add up to about RD$600 pesos (about $17 U.S.), but you more than make up for it in gas saved. Some friends recently traveled the highway and marveled about nice it was, and how it is now possible to go the Northeast of the country and still get back on the same day. (Photos above)

If you are in New York city tonight, Dominican author, Junot Diaz, will be at the Barnes & Noble at Union Square tonight at 7pm.


Lastly, there is a video of some people stealing a dead body from the hospital because they didn't want to pay a RD$5,000 peso bribe. The dead man was a known delinquent. His family steals his body and puts it on a motorcycle and takes it home. Seeing is believing. Amazing!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Anthony thank's for sharing. It seems that you enjoyed your weekend, glad to hear. Sorry I could not be there to enjoy it with you.
Very happy to hear about the new highway to Samana. Now people don't have an excuse not to go there. And a must see is Las Terranes.
As always stay safe and batten down the hatches and wait for Josephine.
Scott~

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Anthony, I wondered where you were, now I know.SMILE Well I have seen everything the past two days, first a freind sent me pictures of this body of a young man standing up for his wake,(in P.R.) yes u heard me,I will send you the pictures of this so you can see for your self,If I can get your e/mail address correct.Then this where someone removing a dead body from a Hospital, what next???thanks for your update. JIM from Houston,Tx.

Anonymous said...

This might be a stupid question. But where was the police while the body was being taken from the hospital?

Anonymous said...

I am sooooooo disappointed. I was unable to come down for Labor Day this year, and was looking forward to get the 411 from you on what transpired... you know the card playing, silly queens getting fleeced and ALL the carrying on that keeps me in stiches!! Happy to hear you had a good one, and the excursion sounds cute too. But the body snatching... CHILE!!!

CASKET SHARP said...

How much did the motorcycle man charge the family to take the body for ONE LAST RIDE? SICK!

CASKET SHARP said...

Hey Anthony as you know im back in the States. I had a great time (one of my best). I'm Kinda missing the Breakfast meetings we had every morning with all the guest at the building. The next time I come I have to make that road trip with you. See you in Nov.

Anonymous said...

OMG!!! WTF!!!!!!???? This is OUTRAGOUS!!! I had to watch it several times to really believe what I was seeing. If only I could understand the commentary...and what was the bribe? And did they dress him, or are dead bodies clothed in the DR?? So many questions...By the way Anthony that was GORGEOUS!! And sick on so many levels, THANK YOU!!

Anonymous said...

why cant Eukpliptus get the message re: Alejandro......he was there when I was there in July and I left and went elsewhere....he is costing them business.

Anonymous said...

Dahling, Alejandro was at Eukliptus most nights when we were in SD last month. Apparently, it is the only place where they let him in. Buyer beware!

CASKET SHARP said...

Alejandro was in Eukliptus, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night last week and had the nerved to speak to me. I said to him... GET OUT of MY FACE!

Anonymous said...

I hear that it was a table full at Paco's Friday night sitting and eating KFC minus the cards; In that group was a club owner in the States.