Resistance is Futile

Ikea

Ikea was out handing out catalogs close to the neighborhood where they are going to open. I have a friend who was able to get me a copy. This is major because it has the prices. I was so excited about Ikea opening and talking it up and everything. I am still excited, but it has been dampened by the prices for most items.

The photo at the top is what the price is in the United States, $1,499. The photo at the bottom is the price that is being offered in Santo Domingo, RD$115,500 pesos ($3,208).

This couch offered in Santo Domingo is RD$31,500 pesos ($875). At least the lamps are the same price. Still can't wait for the Swedish Meatballs in the cafeteria.

Hotel Atrium

Was walking around the neighborhood and saw this place that opened just around the corner from me. There is no website, as yet, but there are plans for one. There are only 7 rooms and the cost is $1,200 pesos per night. There are even a couple of rooms with bunk beds. Small rooms, basically just for sleeping, but all with private baths. Air-conditioning, flat-screen cable tv, comfy bed and all very clean and new.

Hotel Atrium
Calle Pina #113
Ciudad Nueva, Santo Domingo
809.333.9196/809.658.3802

Looking for a Job?

ACET, Inc. has received an immediate request to provide assistance to the devastation from the recent earthquake that has befallen the nation of Haiti. We are looking for anyone interested in going to Haiti to help for a 3- 6 month period. There are no particular skills sets defined at this point, except the willingness to help wherever needed. We will be presenting folks and highlighting their unique skills and trade qualifications, so if the opportunity to help in your area exists - it will be noted and presented. As you can well imagine, any skill that you may have - can be of great help.

Typical skill sets needed:

Carpenters
Masons
Electricians
Medical Personnel
Communications
Builders
Heavy Equipment Operators
Plumbers
Logistics
Etc.

THIS IS NOT A VOLUNTEER REQUEST - you will be paid for the work you do. This is a temporary employment assignment that will include travel, expenses, remuneration with an understanding that housing accommodations will be very basic. All that is needed at this point is a passport or ability to obtain one ASAP.

If you are seriously interested or know of someone who would be interested - please email me back ASAP or forward this email, and I will provide more details for you at that time.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the people of Haiti!

Onekqua Beverly
Corporate Recruiter/Security Specialist
ACET, Inc.
301-861-5023 (Office)
301-885-3199 (Fax)
otbeverly@adamscomm.com

That Gym

I showed some photos from a gym I found online a few posts ago. I had never been to the gym. Many people wanted to know where the gym was and asked me about it. I told them I don't know where it was exactly, blah, blah, blah. No one wanted to hear that. So then a Dominican friend of mine calls and says why don't we go and try to find that gym. And that is what we spend our afternoon doing yesterday, driving around the Invivienda section of Santo Domingo looking for this gym. It took some doing, but we found it. The photo above says Sauna, Massages, Spinning & Aerobics. Unfortunately, none of those things are offered there. It is all about weightlifting.

Latest

Today is another holiday. It is for celebrating the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, considered one of the architects of Dominican independence. His birthday is actually tomorrow, but the government moves the holiday to facilitate a long weekend. It was extremely quiet today. Very little traffic, which is very nice. Last Thursday was also a holiday, Dia de Altagracia. Many people use these holidays to take a nice long weekend. Everything will be back to normal tomorrow.

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I am in the process of having the Monaga.net site and the blog re-designed. I am VERY happy, because I think I have found the perfect designer. I want everything to be in one place. The blog, information, maps, videos, everything. The logo is being re-designed too. I hope to have something to unveil in the next month. I have been very busy adding everything that I can remember to the Google map. Many of you have given some great suggestions. Please let me know if you have any more.
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Many people visiting again. But many of the gay bars/clubs have been seeing lackluster business. The one exception is Esedeku. Esedeku has seen an increase in their business. During this time of dwindling patronage. There was a real hunger for a "regular" bar without all the "problems" that are sometimes associated with a gay bar here. Every weekend the place is packed with local gay Dominicans. The kind that can afford to buy their own drinks. I have even stopped by in the last couple of weeks. The success is that the owner stayed true to his convictions. It took time to build up his clientele, but it is now the bar with the most buzz. It also helps that it is a small, intimate space, and it fills up quickly. Quite impressive, while others struggle to find their footing.

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Saturday before last I had about some people over for drinks. We had a great mix of people visiting and living here. The photo at the top is of one of the guests.
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Have heard rumors before about people saying they were drugged. I don't know anyone personally, but the rumor mill has been swirling with accusations. Just this past weekend the rumors surfaced again. An American tourist was allegedly drugged by a guy that works El Conde. The guy has premature gray hair. Again, I don't know if these rumors are true but they are persistent. Here is what I know for sure. If you bring home guys who are addicted to drugs you might have a problem. Many people are lulled into a very false sense of security with the thought that the front desk has your guests identification. It means nothing. If you are violated or robbed it will be looked at as some "faggot buggaron shit." The thinking is what did you expect to happen when you picked up someone you didn't know and have him sleep in your room? The C.S.I. Unit will not arrive. You will be ridiculed in Spanish at the police station, given the runaround, and most importantly you will waste your vacation. While your "guest" will just get another Identification. You have to take your personal security into your own hands. Be very careful about who you allow in your room. Whether you speak the language, or not. Remember, everyone who seems nice, isn't.
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The new park on the Malecon, Plaza Juan Baron, is very popular among locals. In the daytime there are families with children. At night people are sitting at the restaurants having a drink and checking out the sights. Then there is just feeling the breeze blowing off the Caribbean Sea. This is one thing the government did right. There needs to be many more of these parks along the Malecon. Here's hoping.

Escandalo Nights (Free!)

Another Makeshift Gym

Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel

In July 2008, I wrote about (click here for the post) I received a couple of emails from people who had been swindled by John Rodriguez (a.k.a. Juan Rodriguez). He is involved with a company called Dominican Gay Tours & Travel (a.k.a. Dominican Tours & Travel). Through this company they supposedly run: Caribbean Paradise Villa, Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel, and the Cabarete Colors Hotel. John/Juan is a very smooth operator. He is a gay Dominican who speaks English well, and all seems on the up-and-up. But, once he has you on the line he has you send a deposit using MoneyGram. Wrong move! You should not send any money to anyone you don't know, unless you are using a credit card. This way, if you are swindled you can have your credit card company get your money back for you (or at least try to).

I am starting to get several emails from unsuspecting gay tourists asking the same questions again. If you see the name Dominican Gay Tours & Travel, Dominican Travel & Tours, Caribbean Paradise Villa, Bavaro Rainbow GLBT Hotel, Cabarete Colors Hotel, or John or Juan Rodriguez, you should RUN!!!!!!

Aftermath in Haiti

I have been watching the devastation on television in Haiti, just many like many others. I just can't believe the level of death and destruction. The world's response has been terrific. Even here in the Dominican Republic, there was a telethon and many people who are pooling their resources to do whatever they can to help. Major telephone companies are allowing free calls from the D.R. to Haiti for a month. Other companies are collecting supplies, or donating a percentage of sales. And when you look at the photos and see it on television you understand just how immense the problem is. I just hope that in the next several weeks and months there is still a commitment to help Haiti. I also hope that the millions of dollars that are pouring in now go to actually making the situation in Haiti better, and not to the usual corruption and bullshit. The other thing I still can't get out of my mind is how incredibly lucky we are here in the Dominican Republic.

Earthquake in Haiti

First, I am fine. Thank you to everyone who called and sent messages. I was not in Santo Domingo when the quake happened. I was in Bonao. I got a text message saying that there was an earthquake in Haiti. But there are always little quakes in the Dominican Republic, and I didn't think it was that serious. I got back tonight at 11:32 pm (Dominican Time) and checked the internet and saw how incredibly serious this is. I spoke with people who were here in Santo Domingo, and everyone said they felt it. It was that strong. The fault line runs across the entire southern part of the island. The Dominican Republic was spared. Santo Domingo runs on that fault on the eastern part of the island. Why can't Haiti get a break?

More later.--------------------------------------
Video of the devastation in Haiti

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Once daybreak hits the true toll of this earthquake will begin to be learned. I have been all over the internet and what is being reported is just as devastating as can be imagined. Haiti has sure had its share of natural disasters in the last few years. They haven't even recovered from the tropical storms of a couple of years ago. And now this. There are going to be many appeals made for donations over the next days, weeks and months. One I think is worth considering is the Batey Relief Alliance. An organization that I have written about several times on this blog. They are already here on the ground and have a support system and staff already mobilizing resources. Another to consider is musician Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti foundation. Of course there are many other options like the Red Cross.

Overcast Monday

Ernest and I drove to a secluded location outside of Bonao called Chaco Prieto. Ernest had leads on some models from our scouts in the area. Here are some of the models. I couldn't take all the photos, as Ernest is doing this for a book.

My Day in Photos

Yesterday was a full day. Starting with the men out early trimming the trees. Then went to check out the new bakery, Sabor Frances, that opened around the corner from me. They have some delicious and flaky croissants. But no coffee. Huh?

Then later on that afternoon I had to go grocery shopping. I think I have found my new supermarket. It is the new Jumbo Luperon. Jumbo is a brand of supermarkets in the D.R. They opened a supermarket that they claim is the largest in the Dominican Republic. It seems that way. They have pharmacies, photo studio, western union and many other amenities. But the best is the almost American food court. Check out the Papa John's, Quiznos, and Burger King. I couldn't get the Wendy's in the picture. There is even an amusement park-like above the food court. Me gusta.

The weather has been very breezy and brisk. Especially at night. Many Dominicans are complaining about how cold it is. Now, it has been getting quite chilly at night, but we're talking upper sixties, not cold by any stretch of the imagination. I wish I had a hammock so I could sleep on the roof. Many people are dressing like my friend above. I will call him E. People are wearing jackets with scarves and hats. This picture of E was taken while we were inside. The best time of year here weather-wise. Cold, indeed.

View Gay Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a larger map
After watching a video on YouTube, I have now decided to create my own Google Map. Along with the usual bar/club listings, I will include restaurants, spas, and other places of interest to the gay tourist. There are only a few things listed right now. But I hope to keep expanding it with more listings, and some photos and videos. Here's the link to keep up with my progress: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&ie=UTF8&hq=nueva+creacion&hnear=&view=map&ei=Sd9GS7W0FJH6ygS1rsXlAg&attrid=&msa=0&msid=117137536156148139697.00047ca31e06320cb6ea6&ll=18.472689,-69.9121&spn=0.037692,0.109863&z=14

Crime

In the past couple of days two foreigners were murdered in the D.R. One man was on vacation from Canada. The other was a resident of the Dominican Republic, originally from Norway. Crime happens everywhere, but it is still disconcerting to read.
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A few entries back I posted the photograph of a gentleman who was reported missing in Sosua. There were fears that he had been kidnapped and was being held for ransom. When I first heard the story I thought, pessimistically, the worse. That is in my hardened New York nature. Still I was hoping for the best. And the best outcome happened. The gentleman from Sosua was found. But, here is where the story gets a wee bit complicated. The DR1.com family really started the sirens wailing. It was great to see everyone pitch in to try and help someone in need. Then, as tends to happens with people starting shit while sitting anonymously behind their keyboards, blame started to accumulate. Accusations were made, people started taking sides and long-held friendships have unraveled. I spent a couple of hours reading about the aftermath of his return. I don't think any Latin soap opera could've been written any more dramatically. Again, thank God he is alive. Now, if only we could just all get along.

Monday, Monday

Overlooking colonial zone @ 7:34am (local time)

The weather is overcast, with bouts of drizzle. Hardly the weather one would expect in the tropics. But, you have to have the rain so that you can really appreciate the sun. Looks to be some type of tropical depression hovering about. Today is a holiday. Three Kings Day is usually celebrated on the 6th of January. But in the Dominican Republic if a holiday falls during mid-week they move it to a Monday or Friday to make for a long weekend. Now if only the weather had cooperated.

Happy 2010!

I spent New Year's eve with some friends (and strippers, of course!) at Ernest's house. Everyone just left to go to Cha. But unfortunately I went out last night and drank WAY too much. I went to Esedeku, Eukliptus and Cha last night. Not many people were out but it was quite festive. While the new year rang in tonight I took a photo of the moon. It was really quite beautiful surrounded by all the stars. You can't really tell from the photo but it had a ring around it tonight that looked like a rainbow. I then find out that it was a "blue moon." Perhaps an omen to a great new year.

May everyone have a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year!Working the pole @ Ernests' on New Year's Eve