Parque Duarte

I have been talking about how there have been rumblings of complaints from people about the gay 'takeover' of Parque Duarte. Well this morning there is an article in the Listin Diario newspaper (click here for English translation). It is the lead story, above the fold. Obviously the editors deem this story to be more important than any other facing the country today. There is also an editorial in the paper imploring the authorities to put an end to the shameful acts of 'immorality.' Parque Duarte has always been used by young people to congregate. Ever since I have lived here there have been people drinking and carousing in the park. The difference is that now those people are predominately homosexual. And that simple fact bothers a lot of people. People who have the power to get the story on the front page of Listin Diario. Above the fold, no less. I don't frequent Parque Duarte. Not my thing. But, I know many people who do. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Be careful.

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Did the police set off some mace in Parque Duarte? Or, some other agent to get the people to disperse? This is what is being alleged by many who were there. With the gay nightlife in a sort of funk, Parque Duarte has been extremely crowded with sometimes hundreds of gays on the weekends. I am told by many that the current head of tourist police covering the colonial zone is not a friend of the gays. At all. At least that is what is alleged. I do know that many are not happy with all the gays in the park.

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Starting today (February 15, 2010) there is a new are code for the Dominican Republic. 849. There are now three area codes for the island, 809, 829, and now 849.

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Interview with Arlenis Sosa in Latina Magazine.
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Last Thursday was the funeral for Luis Hess. Who is he, you ask? I had not heard of him either, until I read on this news website that keeps me up-to-date with all the goings on up north. Mr. Hess has lived in Sosua for more than 70 years. First arriving in 1940. You can read more about his amazing life and contributions to Sosua here.
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The college of Dominican engineers, architects and surveyors (CODIA) has come out with a report stating that 70% of the buildings in the Dominican Republic could withstand a substantial earthquake. Those number extremely generous.
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Adventura brought their world tour to the D.R. on Saturday.

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Last Friday there was a horrific accident on Las Americas highway -- which is the main highway to and from the airport -- where a van carrying almost 27 people crashed into the Caribbean Sea. Published reports say the driver was going at an excessive speed, while darting in and out of traffic. Other reports stated he had a heart attack. While still other reports state that one of the tires exploded while he was driving at excessive speed. One thing is for certain, he and eleven other people are confirmed dead, including a pregnant woman and a two-month old baby. While driving to the airport on Sunday there were hundreds of people out to see the search for other bodies. In the last five years more than 7,000 people have died in traffic accidents.

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Monday was a holiday, Our Lady of Mercedes. It was so quiet is was eerie. There was a parade, but I swear it looked like the same people marching that were there last year, and the year before. So I didn't take any photos.

So much has gone on since I last blogged. There is now some official movement towards relaxing the curfew. One of the newspapers (en Espanol) had a story about how some establishments are going to be allowed to open until 1am during the week, and 3 am on the weekends. Dominican Today also has a story about this. Is the end near for the curfew? Let's wait and see.

A Texas woman living in retirement in Las Galeras (Samana region), with her husband, was kidnapped and kept in a cave for 3 days. The FBI, and the Dominican Army came to her rescue. Thank God all turned out well.

Dominican President, Dr. Leonel Fernandez, has been on a whirlwind tour of the States. Many world leaders are traveling to the U.S. because of the U.N. General Assembly. He has thrown the first pitch out at Yankee Stadium, spoken at Harvard and visited with Dominican leaders in NYC.

Last week, I got a call from J.H., in Florida. He was telling me that Bar Friends was raided, a couple of employees arrested and the place closed. It was true. They had been closed because they were allegedly stealing electricity. Anyway, they opened later on that night with candles. I'm told it was a bit hot, but the show must go on. Right?

Parque Duarte is getting gayer and gayer by the moment. The park, located at Calle Padre Billini and Calle Duarte (Colonial Zone), is now the hangout spot. It attracts a very bohemian crowd, and there used to be a small gay contingent. Well, not anymore. Gays are now making up a large percentage of the attendees. Bored after the bars/clubs close? Then you should head over to Parque Duarte.

The most interesting outdoor photo gallery can be found at the Parque Independencia. Parque de Independencia is where the "fathers" of the country are buried. Outside on the gates there are some great photo exhibitions. Right now the photos are dedicated to the art hanging inside the Louvre Museum in Paris. Every couple of weeks the photos are changed to a new theme. Nothing like a little culture to brighten up your day.

I can tell when there are some airline sales going on. Many people are already planning for their Thanksgiving and Carnival trips. Thanksgiving is the "unofficial" start to the winter season to the Caribbean. American Airlines is having a sale that ends today.

Last week, I went to two great parties. One, George T. through a 50th birthday party for Raul S., from San Francisco. It was on a roof deck and had a professional chef and bartender. Happy B-day again, Raul. The other was given by Ernest M. and Jose B. They opened their beautiful triplex up for friends and visitors alike. Where there is a curfew, there is a private party. I thought you knew ...

The photo of Felix Sanchez is just there because, well, I like it. He really should where a jockstrap.

Til next time,
The Monaga Blogger