T.G.I.F.

Really beautiful day. Sun is shining so it is hot, but not really humid. Tomorrow I am heading off to Barahona/Pedernales to really explore the southwest more. I hope to have some photos and some thoughts on the area to post when I return.
This past Tuesday was the 17th annual Modelo Republica Dominicana 2009. It was held in the grand salon at the Jaragua Hotel. I told you that pageants are huge here. The winner, Oswald Gonzalez, will compete at the Mr. Universe Model in China in 2010.
Donna Summer is coming to the island to play at the amphitheater in Altos de Chavon. In the last year we have seen R.E.O. Speedwagon, K.C. & the Sunshine Band, Gloria Gaynor, Blondie and now Donna Summer. Okay, so it may not be Madonna, but you have to take what you can get. Honestly, Madonna would sell out here at whatever price, so I don't know why she doesn't bring here tour here. I'm sure it is about the money.The Dominican Republic is a heavy favorite to win the basketball championships at the annual FIBA Americas Championship. This year it is being held in Puerto Rico. The D.R. has several of their NBA stars on the team this year. My favorite is Al Horford.
Ernest Montgomery, of LeeStudiosNYC, has started a blog. He has made a committment to shoot photos every week. This blog will document that journey of getting his book of photographs of Dominican men published.

Duos

Rafael Leonidas (part 2)

These are some other photos of Rafael Leonidas. These were sent to me by the people behind the Inferno Dominican Republic weekend in Punta Cana, for Labor Day.

Monday

The Miss Universe pageant was last night. This is an increasingly big deal here in Latin America. Or at least in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Miss Dominican Republic, Ada Aimée de la Cruz (photo above left), was the first runner up to the winner, Miss Venezuela, Stefania Fernandez (photo above right). For a minute there I thought there was going to be a celebration on the Malecon. But it was not meant to be. There were many places around the country that were having parties to watch the pageant. Even Cha had a large screen put in place for Sunday party. Miss Dominican Republic gave it her best shot and can proudly hold her head high.

Yesterday was also the final day of the World Track & Field Championships. The Dominican Republic made it to the final of the 4x400 meter relays. They placed sixth, which is great. Click here to see the race.

Jose Luis Guerrero, also known as Maripoli, was killed by police on Monday. Details are sketchy as to exactly what happened. The facts I know for sure is that he was shot in the head and stomach and he is dead. Maripoli was a troubled young man who abused drugs and had a problem taking things that were not his. I wish I could say that I am shocked, but I am not. But it is still a shame.

Update (9/1/09): Maripoli was NOT killed by the police. He was killed by the owner of the house he was trying to rob. According to news accounts he was beaten to death and then shot. His funeral is today.

Dominican Fitness

Are you looking to get in shape? Rafael Leonidas, my favorite (okay, one of) of the City Gym Boys, has his own fitness company. It is called RLX Fitness. Also checkout his MySpace page. HOT!

Pepe

For months now all you heard in passing cars and on the radio is, Pepe, Pepe, Pepe. I really didn't pay it much attention. I just assumed everyone was listening to the same thing. It is not until a foreigner asks me who is Pepe? When I first got asked this question I didn't know what they were talking about. Over the past couple of months it has emerged as the spring/summer anthem. There are Pepe dances, contests and it is loved by the Dominican community (not by all) here and abroad. I found some really interesting videos on YouTube:

This one has nothing to do with Pepe. Just men having a dance battle:

Tropical Depression Ana

I was just commented the other day about how it is almost the end of August, and we have not heard about any storms coming our way. Now, this past weekend two disturbances have formed. One is Ana, which is passing by Puerto Rico now. This storm is not major and will just dump a lot of rain. The problem is we don't need anymore rain. Then right behind is a storm that has been upgraded to a hurricane named Bill. So far Bill is projected to to curve north in the Atlantic and spare us any problems. At least we hope that is what happens.

JetBlue

JetBlue is offering an incredible deal. If you have the time AND the money, you might be interested in this. From September 8 through October 8, 2009, JetBlue will allow you to travel unlimited to anywhere they travel, even internationally. All for $599. The taxes for domestic travel within the continental U.S. are included, but international taxes are not. Imagine, you could fly to say, the Dominican Republic, every weekend, and still be back at work on Monday morning. The sale is over on Friday, August 21, 2009, or until supplies last. Something tells me they are going to get a really good response. Click here for more information.

Mei Gui

Last night I went to an excellent Asian/Chinese restaurant in Barrio China (Chinatown, which is close to the colonial zone) called Mei Gui. Small place of maybe 10 tables that serves the most incredibly fresh food, perfectly seasoned Asian food. An incredible find. The prices are also perfect. For two people the bill was RD$1,600 pesos ($44 U.S.), and we had sushi, spring rolls, chicken dish, shrimp dish, refreshments and saki.

Mei Gui
Calle Duarte #17 (cor. Benito Gonzalez)
Chinatown (Barrio China)
Santo Domingo

Dominican Day Parade NYC

Yesterday in New York was the Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan. The photo above is of the City Gym Boys. There is a video at the bottom of this entry.

While searching around the blogging world, I came across this page. NOT safe to open at work. Before you ask, I don't know who is behind this.

Trash

Many Dominicans, in my estimation, take for granted this islands beauty. Trash is a big problem and recycling is non-existent. Two blocks from where I live is the Caribbean sea. There is no beach in Santo Domingo, but there are little alcoves which are incredibly overrun with trash and debris. I was up early today to go to breakfast and on the walk back I took video of the malecon which is disgusting and needs to be cleaned up. What a shame.

Bodybuilders in Santiago (part 2)

Went to the competition in Santiago, last weekend. But it didn't quite turn out how I expected. First, wanted to get to Santiago in the daylight. Things didn't quite work out. I had some guys fixing my air conditioner (it is humid now!) and they didn't finish until after 9pm on Saturday night, and I had to make sure everything was under control here. Drove like a bandit and got Santiago around 12:40pm. Checked into the host hotel, the Aloha Sol. Nice place. We then went looking for food. It had been a long day. By the time we got back to the hotel it was almost 1:45 am, and it was supposed to be starting early the next day. I was tired and we decided to just go to sleep. The plan was to get to Santiago and hit a few bars. I was told I should definitely go to Tailu Bar. Oh well. The next day we went down to breakfast saw some of the competitors. Santiago is a beautiful city. Very clean, and the people are a melange of Dominican beauty. Honestly, if I knew what I know now I would not have gone. Not a waste by any means, but I just guess I was expecting something more. I don't know what. As always, the audience members were the show.

Bodybuilder in Santiago

Having computer problems. This is a competitor from Puerto Rico, who was at the bodybuilding competition yesterday. And another competitor from Haiti. Hope to have some more photos up later.