Monday, Monday

This was a great weekend. Didn't do anything much. Haven't been to a gay club/bar in several months. The whole scene has become quite boring and predictable. Not as many gay tourists visiting as in holiday's past. Thanksgiving was really very nice (and my pumpkin pies turned out beautifully, thank you) with good food and friends. Yesterday the weather is beautiful and I stumbled upon an art fair in the colonial zone and bought a small handmade lamp for $8. Wish they put aside some space in the colonial zone and do this every week. There are many empty spaces that could be used.

How was your weekend?

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a holiday that is celebrated by Americans all over the United States, and anywhere in the world they happen to live. This is a day when you cook a lot of food. Have friends and family over and just be 'thankful.' I am thankful for many things this year. I am thankful that despite the worldwide economic recession I have still been able to live my dream and prosper. I am thankful for the many friends who love me. And though I don't get a chance to tell them everyday, but I am truly thankful for them. I am thankful that I don't have any major health issues. I am thankful for just being alive.

Even if you are not American, I wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Now let me go to the supermarket. I am supposed to be making pumpkin pies.

Painted

coquichuloimages.blogspot.com

What Happened?

Last week there was a big commotion about a police raid on the Foreigners Club Hotel. The initial story I heard was that it was closed because of some taxes that were not paid. The story just didn't ring true to me. Because even in the Dominican Republic they don't just come and raid your property for unpaid taxes without due process. The owner of the Foreigners Club died over a month ago of cancer. It was supposed to be hush-hush, but many people knew. One of the people who knew very well was a "friend" of the owner who died. Allegedly, he saw an opportunity to take over the building and run it. According to him, that is what the owner wanted and she even signed some paper to that effect when she was alive. At least that is according to the "friend."

So the police that came and "raided" the building had no legal right to do so. There were no papers shown, no orders from the court. Nothing. There were no guests there at the time, but the Hatian employee that was arrested and turned over to immigration, because he had overstayed his visa (he has now been released). And this "friend" proceeded to open the place and let everyone know he was in charge.

Unfortunately, the family of the owner disagreed with assertions of this "friend." They came and were able to get the building back without a fight.

And the moral of this story? Choose your friends very, very carefully.

Americans in Cuba?

Aerial view of Havana

Will it be possible for Americans to travel to Cuba legally? Two bills have been introduced into the United States Senate and House of Representatives that proposes to lift the travel ban. What I did not know until today is that Cuba is the ONLY country where Americans cannot travel (legally). We can go to North Korea, Burma, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia or Iran. But we can't go to Cuba, 90 miles off the coast of Florida. There is strong bi-partisan support so that it very likely that this bill could pass. Here's hoping.

Famed Poet, Blas Jiménez, Dies in Santo Domingo

Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado

Yesterday I was reading Michael Musto's blog and saw this item about a brutal murder in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado was found decapitated, dismembered and burned. As you can well imagine the gay community in Puerto Rico is enraged. There has been an arrest made by the police. The police are themselves under scrutiny because of an alleged remark made by a detective that the victim deserved his fate because of his 'lifestyle.' Horrible story and I pray that this killer is brought to justice.

Update: Click here
Information on the Vigil is here

Model: Jonathan

For more risque photos click here.

Model

Ford Modeling Agency had their annual contest in the Dominican Republic, which has seen a swell of Dominican girls on the international runways. The winner was 12 year-old Giselle Marte, who according to Dominican Fashion Models, is one of the youngest contestants to ever win a modeling competition.

Videos

Sammy Sosa breaks his silence.

Next to last episode Relatos de Mikey Breton.

Model: Carlos Estrada

Carlos Estrada

Birth Defects in small Dominican Town

The Miami Herald has a great article that examines the causes of explosive growth in birth defects among the residents of Arroyo Barril. Arroyo Barril is a small town on the Samana peninsula. Women are having babies without organs and limbs, many towns people are ill. And cause could possibly some be toxic rock ash that was brought to the town from a company in Virginia and left in the town for years. One of the most amazing parts to the article is the talk of women who are pregnant and find out through tests that their children have no brains, or other organs. But, because abortion is illegal in the Dominican Republic these women must carry their babies to term.

Michael Jackson Revisited?

Is Dominican baseball player Sammy Sosa bleaching his skin? Or is there a medical condition to explain these photos? Sammy Sosa is causing an uproar over his changed appearance. I am waiting to hear the answer.

Update: The Chicago Tribune is quoting friends of Mr. Sosa as saying he just had a 'skin rejuvenating treatment.'

Model

Model trying on different looks in Ernest's apartment @ 9:30 this morning.

Hombre

Miky Bretón

Miky Breton, a local television producer and film maker, was found dead yesterday in the Princess Cabañas. According to news reports he was found by the motel staff. The room was covered in blood and he had been stabbed several times and was found with a knife sticking out of his neck. He was also beaten about the head.

Miky was the writer, director and producer of a local Dominican television show, Relatos de Miky Breton (Tales of Mikey Breton). This show delves deeply into the underworld of Dominican society. With stories about corruption, drugs, prostitution, domestic violence and other taboo subjects were well-written, and surprisingly very well acted. He used a lot of local Dominican rappers who gave his work a real authenticity.

Mikey was found dead at a cabaña. For the uninitiated a cabaña is a sex motel. They are located in every city in this very catholic country. They all have the same basic concept. Very flashy with lots of lights, and usually they are clustered in a certain area. You drive into a garage and go inside. You never see anyone, except maybe security upon entering or maybe a housekeeper. Here is a video of a nice cabaña.

This is the number one news story here. Speculation is rampant about why he was killed. Was is because of his fascination with covering the underworld? Did it have something to do with his S.U.V. being stolen a couple of months ago? Were he and his killer at a cabaña to have sex? Police have now confirmed that they are looking for a suspect who is a rapper from San Cristobal. This rapper was a former principal singer in his church who had now starting rapping about marijuana and homosexuality, according to press reports. His group has videos on YouTube. What does any of this have to do with his death? I don't know, but I think we should find out shortly.

I believe that Miky was gay, but I do not know that for certain. I remember seeing him out several times. I did not know him but we exchanged pleasantries. I remember that he spoke very good English and was extremely approachable and very nice. I believe his killer will be caught. But justice might be another matter. (Facebook)