Goodbye, Santo Domingo

It has been a hard and tough decision, but I am moving back to the States. I have been thinking long and hard about what my next move should be. I have been feeling like I should be acting more like an adult. To start taking my future seriously. I need to go and get a 'real' job and have a steady income, and save for retirement. God knows this journey has been life-altering. But it is now time to be serious. With the job situation as precarious as it is in the states right now I didn't think it would be possible. But I have a job offer from a good friend who is a lawyer. I think I have also secured an apartment. I will know for sure about the apartment this week. And now is just the time. The weather is starting to get warmer and this will allow me to slowly adjust instead landing there in the dead of winter.

What makes this change bearable is that I have been able to get a visa for my Dominican boyfriend to live with me and attend school. I have been working on it for two years and it finally came through. I know what some of you are thinking. Is this wise? I never thought this would happen, but I am deeply, truly in love. It is time to settle down and be committed to one person. I also believe you just have to take chances in life and step out on faith. If we are meant to be together we will be. I know that he loves me. He told me so. He is different. He comes from a good family and has traveled to other countries. I wish everyone could be as happy.

The blog will still continue. I have recruited another foreigner who lives here, who wishes to remain anonymous. Along with a local gay Dominican to keep the blog running. I may even contribute some items here and there. But for the most part I will be passing the torch and moving on. This way you can still find out what is going on here and keep up with the latest this, that and the other.

I am leaving on May 1, 2010. So on April 30, I will have a party at the old Arena venue. For one night only Arena will be open and invitation-only. Everything will be free. We will be having a sit-down dinner for 100, and afterward a spectacular show with all the male strippers of the Dominican Republic in attendance. To close the night there will be a small fireworks display. I want to go out with a bang.

I want to thank everyone who has been supportive and helpful to me over the many years of the this journey. If you would like to join me for the final party please send me an email. For those of you who can't make it I hope you have a great April Fools' Day.