Big Party Tours

Renato Amilca is a tour guide in the Dominican Republic. He speaks several languages and been working as a guide in Bavaro for many years. He wanted to move back to Santo Domingo, where his friends and family are, so he started a little tour business, Big Party Tours. He was introduced to me by my friend Jeffrey, who vouched for him by saying that he dealt with some 'substantial' people. Then I talked with some mutual friends who have gone on his tours. They were very complimentary. There has since been a tour put together for many Americans who will be traveling here in September for the Labor Day holiday. I believe they have almost 20 people. I say all this to say, if you are looking for someone professional to organize a tour for you, Renato is your man. You can send him an email or contact him on Facebook.

Keep an Eye on your Flight Attendant

PARIS (Reuters) - French police have arrested an Air France stewardess on suspicion of stealing thousands of euros in cash, cards and jewelry as passengers slept on long haul flights, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Police investigating thefts over several months on flights between France and the Far East picked up the 47-year old attendant identified as Lucie R. after she landed from Tokyo on Friday, Le Figaro said.

"Her bank accounts showed an absurd gap between her lifestyle and her declared income," the newspaper quoted a police investigator as saying.

Police launched an investigation in January after about 4,000 euros' ($5,170) was stolen from five passengers. The robber took advantage of sleeping passengers, taking euros, yen, and Swiss francs as well as watches, jewels, credit cards and even cheque books.

According to the newspaper, the woman, who worked mainly in business class, began her spree in March 2009 to ease financial problems and has confessed to 26 thefts.

Since January, there have been about 140 thefts, the newspaper said. "The Japanese were ideal prey because they travel with lots of cash -- euros and yen -- instead of paying with credit cards," a police source said.

Police found travelers' cheques, blank cheques and bank card numbers at her home, the newspaper said.

(Reporting by John Irish; editing by David Stamp)

Source

Stripper

Tropical Storm?

There is a weather disturbance leaving Puerto Rico heading our way. It has a 60% chance of turning into a Tropical Storm.

Paying a Living Wage

The minimum wage in the Dominican Republic is 83 cents (U.S.) per hour. There is a new factory in Villa Altagracia that pays its workers three times the minimum wage. They even allowed the factory to be unionized. The owners of the factory, Knights Apparel, has decided that this factory should pay a living wage. The New York Times has run an article exploring the pros and cons. There is also a great photo slide show with audio.

Beautiful Face to Watch

Dominican Fashion Models posted photos of this beautiful model who is the new face to watch. He was just signed with a local Dominican agency.

G.A.L.D.E.

G.A.L.D.E. is having their 20th annual health fair and picnic. Next Sunday @ Inwood Hill Park in Upper Manhattan, NYC.

Hola

The dog days of summer. The weather is overcast with intermittent rain. Seeds of change are in the air. Boredom. Work. What's next? I was going to put another video of police malfeasance, but I agree, it is time for some beauty. Here are some photos from the LeeStudiosNYC. These are nice, but he has SO MANY would you please go to his blog and implore him to post more.

The Dominican Republic's most wanted fugitive was caught in Puerto Rico yesterday. He escaped from jail in Puerto Rico in 1999, and has been on the lam ever since. He owned several million-dollar properties in the D.R., and traveled in highest realm of Dominican society. I believe there are a lot of prominent people in the Dominican Republic who are very nervous wondering what he is going to say. He was arrested under U.S. jurisdiction so it is very unlikely he will just be able to get out on bail, like people are able to do in the D.R. I see a movie being made very shortly. I wonder if anyone is going to collect the reward. Stay tuned.

No Blacks, Gays Allowed at Local Bar

There is a bar in Santo Domingo who has been discriminating against Black and Gay people. The manager has just explained why.

Police Killings

In the last couple of weeks the police have killed several people. What has really got people up in arms is that these people were killed when they didn't stop at a police roadblock. The problem is that most people can't tell the difference between the police and criminals at 2 am on a dark stretch of road. I was just reading today that the police have killed 1600 people in the last three years. Which averages to around 1.5 people per day. What makes it even worse is that as I was looking at the news and saw the photo of one of the latest victims, I found out that I knew him. We never met in person, but online. He was leaving his 23rd birthday party with his family. They encountered a roadblock. They decided to keep going, not knowing If these were actual police or criminals. The police shot at the car and he was killed. He leaves a distraught family and a 2 year-old daughter. Also killed in the last couple of weeks was an 81 year old gentleman. He was killed in a small town. Again, after not stopping for a police blockade. There are many voices coming out calling on the government to have the police change their policy of shooting at cars who don't stop. We'll see.

Rest in peace, Abraham.

Dengue Outbreak

This email was sent out by the American Consulate:

This warden message alerts U.S. citizens that the Department of
State anticipates a rise in the incidence of Dengue Fever due to
the recent heavy rains. Dengue is a tropical disease caused by
a virus and transmitted to humans by the mosquito Aedes aegypti.
The information on this message is not intended or implied to be
a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or
treatment.

Please be aware that no vaccine is available.
Aedes is typically a day-biting mosquito, most active during
dawn and dusk, and can be easily identified by the distinctive
black and white stripes on its body. The mosquito is attracted
by the odor, carbon dioxide, and heat emitted by humans and
animals. Dengue is characterized by fever, rash, and muscle and
joint pains.

To minimize the chances of getting Dengue, medical professionals
recommend denying the mosquito its preferred breeding ground:
clean stagnant water. Some common sources include artificial
and natural containers such as flower vases and pot plates;
pails, water-storage jars, basins; discarded receptacles; roof
gutters; gully traps; unused toilet bowls and cisterns; A/C and
dish rack trays; concrete drains; tree holes; leaf axils, fallen
leaves; and ground depressions.

To prevent water collecting in these receptacles, change water
in vases/bowls every other day; remove water from flower pot
plates every other day, and add sand to the plates; turn over
all storage containers; remove stagnant water collected on
leaves, tree branches, and in drains, and clean roof gutters at
least once a month.

To prevent mosquito bites use a mosquito repellant containing
the insecticide DEET (concentration 30 to 35 percent) or
Picaridin (concentration 20 percent or greater for tropical
travelers). Also, dress in protective clothing (long-sleeved
shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes) especially during early
morning hours before daybreak and in the late afternoon before
dark when mosquitoes are most active. Keep unscreened windows
and doors closed and screened windows and doors in good
condition.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), early
recognition of Dengue and prompt supportive treatment can
substantially lower the risk of developing severe disease.
Watch for warning signs as an initial fever often declines 3 to
7 days after the principal symptoms begin.

Go IMMEDIATELY to an emergency room or the closest health care
provider if any of the following warning signs appear:

Severe abdominal pain or persistent vomiting.

Red spots or patches on the skin.

Bleeding from nose or gums.

Vomiting blood.

Black, tarry stools (feces, excrement).

Drowsiness or irritability.

Pale, cold, or clammy skin.

Difficulty breathing.

American citizens traveling or residing overseas are encouraged
to register with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate on
the State Department’s travel registration website at
https://travelregistration.state.gov

For any emergencies involving American citizens, please contact
the American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit of the U.S. Embassy.
The Consular Section Embassy is located at the corner of Cesar
Nicolas Penson Street and Máximo Gómez Avenue, Santo Domingo,
D.R.; telephone 809-221-2171; after hours ask to speak to the
duty officer; ACS unit fax 809-689-6142; e-mail
acssantodom@state.gov; web page www.usemb.gov.do.

For further information on Dengue and the Dominican Republic,
please visit the State Department’s website at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1103.html, or
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) web site
at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/dengue.