Hola

The weather this past week has not been good. It has been rainy and overcast. Not nonstop rain, but definitely not beach weather. Friday is a holiday (labor day), but it will be celebrated on Monday, to give people a long weekend.

I finally found the apartment I was looking for. Now is the running around to help get things that are needed. Fortunately, the electricity in the apartment is already on. One of the cons about living here is dealing with bullshit trying to get a phone line, electricity and the like. But this one went nice and smoothly.

Gazela, the new club, seems to be finding its footing very nicely. Nice crowds this past weekend. On Sunday's it is free before 10pm, AND they have drink specials. No more problems with the electricity. This past Sunday they had a salsa contest. I even found video from the opening.

Beautiful

Hola

I'm sorry I have not been blogging more, but honestly I just didn't feel like it. I am also trying to find an apartment for someone. Apartments are very easy to find, but the "right" apartment is a little more elusive. Everyone thinks the apartments they are showing are worth a fortune, it doesn't help when you are a foreigner. They assume that you just have a tree with money growing on it.

While looking at apartments we had to take a break for lunch. It was a little muggy today, with the overcast skies that were threatening rain. So I suggested the restaurant on the Malecon so we could sit by the sea and catch the breeze.

It is also difficult when you are driving around and there are so many beautiful distractions. To take a break we decided to go this little spot by the water where they fish and go swimming. As we walked up there were some hot guys about to change clothes to jump in the water. In the distance was what seemed like a makeshift beach, but it was a part of the nearby military base.

All of sudden I hear, Papa! Of course it was someone I knew who, told me to be careful as there were a lot of tigueres lurking about. Which only peaked my interest. He had his friend show me how they get in and out of the water (video below). Just then 10 guys from the neighborhood (who just finished playing basketball) show up, strip and jump in the water. I couldn't move.

I LOVE this country!

Gazela Opening Night

First, let me just say that the new club is beautiful. But, the opening night was a disappointment. I arrived after 1am to find the streets in front of the club filled with people. At first I thought it was so crowded that we would not be able to get in. No, that wasn't the problem. There were electrical problems. This being the Dominican Republic, everyone waited and milled around in front of the club waiting for them to get the generator running. Then it starting to rain lightly. It didn't seem that they would be able to get the generator running, so people started leaving. We decided to do the same. Then maybe 15 minutes after we leave I get a text message that the lights are back on and the show is about to start, and that we should come back.

We go back and it costs RD$300 pesos for the entrance, even though it was after 2am and the place was closing at 3am (!!!!). The show was in full effect and it was really very good. But to be honest, there was nothing that you wouldn't see at Cha. To make matters worst, they have a smoke machine and it got so bad at one point that I could barely see my friend standing next to me. Which also meant that most of my photos came out very dark.

Gazela has tremendous potential. Upstairs are different rooms where you can go and lounge about, which is very nice. I will definitely be going back to see how they're doing. The execution of tonight's opening was not done very well, in my opinion. Here's hoping that they can work the kinks out and there will be some serious competition amongst the clubs.

Update: Saturday night there was a great turnout and the show was nice with a really nice stripper. Then darkness once again. An announcement was made that the electricity cord had been cut. Now of course there is much gossip about whether it could be sabotage? Hhhmmmm ...

Opening Tonight

Tonight is the opening night of the new gay club. Of course there will be photos and commentary coming. Stay tuned.

Day at the Beach

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.

Busy

Been very busy, but promise to put something up later on this afternoon. I have a group from Puerto Rico coming today and I'm trying to find someone an apartment (and this is Easter Week!). Also, Jack Phillips' son called me yesterday. Very interesting conversation. Right now I have to go and deal with some good ole Dominican bureaucracy.

Happy Friday!

Cuba

Could it be possible that the ban on American's traveling to Cuba is lifted this year? Many articles are talking about the real possibility now that Obama is in office.

Click here for Article 1
Click here for Article 2
Click here for Article 3

What will this mean economically to the Dominican Republic?

(Photos of Cuba found online)

Holiday ToyBoy

Very interesting video about older women looking for love. This time in the Dominican Republic. I wonder if it similar to gay men looking for love?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0I6a39xAgw