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I was sent this invitation by Gene R. He says that if anyone is in town visiting on February 1, 2008, they are welcome to come to a party at the Casa New Yorker.
Fellow ex-pat, Byron, has decided to start blogging again. Click here for the link to his new blog. Welcome back, Byron.
Last Monday, there was a general strike in most of the country. One of the reasons for the strike was to protest the lack of access to water in many areas of the country. The photo at the top captures some neighborhood kids trying to figure out how to get their water home.
A couple of days ago it rained buckets, but since the weather has been beautiful and breezy. At least in the shade. The city (Santo Domingo) is going around and cutting down some of the most beautiful trees. There has been mass outrage at this action, especially in the Colonial Zone, where they cut down some magnificent trees in Duarte Park (Padre Billini btw. Duarte & Hostos), which is where a lot of the residents (and Gays) gather. They have been replaced with Palm trees, which offer no shade. At least not yet. I don't understand the logic, and it seems neither do many residents. Here is an article about residents banding together to stop the slaughter.
Did you know that the Pan American games are taking place in Rio de Janeiro right now? If you were in the Dominican Republic you would be aware of it. The DR is doing very nicely in the medal count right now. Yudelkis Contreras, Dominican Weightlifter, won a gold medal. The Dominican National Anthem was the first played at these 2007 games. There is nothing like Track & Field, Gymnastics, Wrestling and Swimming, to make a summer day just drift by.
Bill Clinton flew into the country yesterday. He was here to stop by the Robert Reid Cabral Children's Hospital. His foundation donated money to the hospital for treatment of over 600 HIV-positive children. He was met at the airport by a throng of reporters, along with his friend, Oscar de la Renta.
Casa New Yorker is still open. It is being run by a former employee, Daniel. Same website, same information. If you would like to speak with them directly, call 809.689.3017.
For anyone in town this Friday, Ajoupa Galeria de Arte, in co-operation with the Hatian Embassy, is having an exhibition. Showcasing artists Michele Claude Garoute, of Haiti, and Wilson Abreu, of the Dominican Republic. The exhibition starts at 7:30pm @ Ajoupa Galeria de Arte, located at Calle Mercedes #255, Zona Colonial, Santo Domingo. The phone number is 809.682.9134.
Alberto and Fernando, of Escandalo Nights, are throwing their annual White Party. July 31, 2007, at Umbrella, in upper Manhattan. If you look at pictures from some of their other parties, you will see that not only do they have great music, and entertainment, but the hottest(!) strippers in NYC.
Scotch, from Casa New Yorker, has left the country. Call me psychic, but I don't think he is going to miss the country very much at all. The best to you, Scotch. I would say make sure to come back for a visit, but I will probably see you in NYC first. There is a little rumor, not confirmed yet, that someone might be taking over Casa New Yorker. Stay tuned.
I don't know how many of you know, but 10% of cocaine bound for the U.S. passes through the Dominican Republic. CNN has done a great report on the matter. You can see the text version online here.
This was a very nice weekend. People I like are here visiting, many things to do. All is well with the world, and God is great!There is a new place that has opened. It is called Santo. It is located on Arzobispo Merino #115, btw. Padre Billini and Arzobispo Portes. It used to be a restaurant called Alfatori. The space is really beautiful. Those who went, told me how nice it is. I have also been told that they don't allow drag queens, buggarones, or "flamboyant" behavior. A couple of friends went, and said it is an absolutely great space, nice music, just not too many people there. Will keep you posted as time progresses.Casa New Yorker is closing. Scotch, the owner, has decided to move back to the States. Business is very difficult in this country, and the summer season is the slow tourist season for Santo Domingo. Best of luck to you, Scotch.
The last weekend in June is sort of the unofficial Gay Pride in most places (which allow it) around the world. The DR (Santo Domingo, in particular) had a small celebration of their own. Last Thursday, there was a large gathering in Duarte Park. They hung the Gay flag, and everyone milled about and cavorted. All levels of Gay Dominican society were present, the Transsexuals, the "flamboyant" queens, the ex-pats, a couple of buggarones and just plain folk. There is no parade yet. But you have to crawl before you can walk. At least there was some mention in some of the media about it.
Last Sunday, was the Lowenbrau Cup/Mr. Republica Dominicana 2007. Ever since last year, I have been waiting for this day. It didn't find out about it until last Friday, but that was okay. Nothing was going to prevent me from being there. And boy was it worth the years wait. It was to start at 10am on Sunday, in one of the ballrooms of the Barcelo Lina Hotel. I told some friends about it. Told everyone I would not be calling around, but leaving at promptly 9:45am. Usually, everyone is late getting ready, or there is some last minute hold-up. Everyone was here at 9:30am. They understood how important this day was.
We arrived at the hotel only to see that it was packed. There was no parking, so we had to park across the street at the University. When we got to the ballroom is was packed, and the only seats left were WAY in the back. I had heard that they had VIP tickets, which were only RD$400 pesos (about $12 U.S.). We paid our pesos and were escorted right down front to the first row behind the judges. Boy, do I love this country!
As beautiful as the contestants were, the spectators were equally as beautiful on that Sunday morning. It was 9 men for every 1 women in the place. All I can say is I can't wait for next year's contest. I will be there at 9am, just to watch the arrivals.
Here are a couple of pictures. Thank God, Ernest Montgomery was sitting next to me. All my photos came out dark and blurry. I took about 30 minutes of video (GREAT!) with a camera I borrowed. Only to find out that there is no cord for the camera to transfer the video. Looked around today and can't find the cord in the stores. Not to worry, I have my people working on it, because I MUST show you this video. The photos are great, but the music, crowd reaction, screaming and sheer pandemonium must be experienced with the video. More pictures to come later on today. Promise.
So, congratulations to Novoa Méndez, Mr. Republica Dominicana 2007. Here are a couple of the contestants to hold you over. I saw a photo of Junior (first 2 photos below) at last year's contest, and have been infatuated ever since. This year we see him and Ernest snaps his picture. Nice, I thought. Then we he came on the stage, I knew he was the winner (and the one I remembered from last year). There was a man standing next to me who would tap me every now and again to comment on the contestants. He didn't much care for Junior. And he wasn't no slouch in the bodybuilding area himself! Well, as far as I'm concerned, Junior should've won, fuck what he thinks. The gentleman at the bottom, Omar, who speaks English, was just soo nice it was awful. He owns a small gym in Santo Domingo, but also lives in Pennsylvania a part of the time.
If I didn't have to leave to go the airport, I would've stayed to clean the place up. I was told over and over, the guys need sponsors, as bodybuilding is expensive. I know what you're thinking, so stop it this minute.
Anybody want to go next year? I'll rent a bus. But only if you promise not to act to "flamboyantly." Oh, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ...As ever,
The Monaga Blogger
I was sent this invitation by Gene R. He says that if anyone is in town visiting on February 1, 2008, they are welcome to come to a party at the Casa New Yorker.
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