Hola

This week is Semana Santa (Easter Week). This is a major holiday here in the Dominican Republic, as it seems the whole country is on vacation. Everyone goes home to the campo (rural areas), or go to the beaches and rivers and have fun. Unfortunately, I am not able to get away this week because I have a group visiting. Not a problem as I don't like crowds. I will go to the beach next week when it has cleared out and been cleaned up.

Stopped by the new club that is opening on the weekend of April 17, 2009. I took a photo of the banner they have out front. The new club will be called Gazela, and from what I told it will be the largest gay club in the Dominican Republic. As soon as I get the flyer I will post it. The club will be located on Avenida Bolivar, right before you get to the corner of Calle Dr. Delgao, in the Gazcue section of Santo Domingo. This is very close to the colonial zone.

The Republicana Dominican Fashion Week, will be held on June 2 - 9, 2009. It is being held earlier this year and in a new location, San Souci Terminal.

I got a call from Jack Phillips' son, John. He called to say thank you. Not just to me, but to the readers of the blog. He cleared up a few things. Mainly, the reason he nor his family members came here was that they were asked not to by the American Embassy. He told me that the wanted to find out what was going on first, and that the Dominican police couldn't guarantee their safety. I asked him how he was sure the police had the right man? And without revealing too much, he gave me a rundown. He was very kind in thanking me for writing the entry and told me that how the blog entry got a lot of people talking on the internet and allowed police and investigators a valuable insight. I am very sad about what happened to Jack, but I am happy that we could help in some small way to help capture the killer. Will keep you posted to what happens next. I also think much credit should be given to the investigators and prosecutors in this case.