Whatcha need my friend?
Sunglasses? Cel phone charger? Phone Cards? Fruits? Vegetables?
Just remember not to pay more than 1/2 of what they ask.

Who needs trunkspace when you've got a bitchin stereo?









Como? Hey, no te oigo... baja esa mier***

Gotta love these T-Shirts!










For those wanting to show your Dominican Pride, you have got to get yourself one of the trendy tshirts from www.mangobajito.com.

You'll love'm... or at least laugh your ass of.

Got gas ?
Will travel.

Saftey first kids!
Always remember to protect your face from the burning rays of the hot Dominican sun.

Mary Kri-ma!
Thats right. Christmas is comes early in the DR. The shops are already begining to get the decorations / displays into place.



























BTW, anyone have a clue why Santa is humping this raindeer?

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

Is there anything better than a haircut in the great outdoors?
Its a great way to save on things like rent and utilities - pass the savings on the the customers!

 

Ud ha visto algun borracho atracando?

Avisenme si van a frenar!

 

Bad boys, bad boys...
...whatcha gonna do when they come for you...




















Just makes you feel all warm and tingly. Go Army! 

U espeiky englee?

Can I take your order please?

Yeeeeaaaaahhhh.... I'll take 20 chicharones, 10 yucittas, 12 pechugas, 15 tostones and... hey, any one want something to drink?

How to swim across a flooded street

So a few weeks ago I'm in Santo Domingo. Coming out of a meeting after one heck of a thunderstorm, it is noticeably wet everywhere - very wet. Puddles resembling small lakes everywhere! One in particular had practically engulfed my car. Now just how the heck was I going to get to my car without getting knee deep in this muck?

First of all I had to walk a block in the opposite direction just to be able to get onto the street, which I believed was the safest, or rather driest, way to get into my car. So now I'm standing in the middle of the street with a lake in front of me crossing from one side of the sidewalk to the other. It was clear that I was going to get wet. The question was, how wet?

As I was standing in the middle of the street contemplating the best trajectory of approach, the depth of the standing water, the splash patterns and so many other little nuggets of information that I hoped could keep me as dry as possible, the oddest thing happened.

A car stopped right next to me. The lady driving rolled down her window and offered me a ride to the other side of the lake. I thanked her and explained that I was not trying to get across, but rather into the middle of it... where I was parked. The gesture was nevertheless genuinely appreciated.

To think of someone willing to help a total stranger cross the street by inviting them into their car. Only in the DR I thought to myself as I continued to stand in the street calculating, contemplating and wishing my car had a remote control to it.

Then it happened again. Another car stopped and offered to drive me across the lake. Wow! This was something I thought to myself. Twice in a row. This would surly not happen in the US.

It gets better. By the time I was able to get back into my car, through a careful calculation of wave patterns and a little jumping... I had been offered a ride no less than SIX times!!!!

ONLY IN THE DR will total strangers offer to help someone cross a street in the sanctuary of their cars without even being asked. THAT my friends is something special. Something you can only find.... well you know the rest.

Por que los Dominicanos no pueden ser Terroristas...

1. 8:45 am es muy temprano para levantarse de la cama
2. Siempre llegamos tarde, hubiéramos perdido los 4 vuelos.
3. La gente bonita que va en el avión nos distrae.
4. Como hablamos fuerte, atraemos la atención de todo el mundo.
5. Con comida y tragos en el avión, olvidamos a quéíbamos.
6. Como hablamos con las manos, tendríamos que poner las armas en el piso.
7. Todos quisiéramos volar el avión y nos pondríamos a discutir antes de tiempoen quien sería el piloto.
8. Como no podemos mantener un secreto, todo el mundo se enteraría una semanaantes9. Pondríamos la bandera de nuestro país en el avión.

TU ERES DOMINICANO?
SI NO LO SABES, SEGURO QUE TE DARIAS CUENTA SI.......

1. Alguna vez te han pegado con una chancleta
2. Creciste teniéndole miedo al cuco
3. Si otros te dicen que dejes de vocear cuando solo estas hablando.
4. Si le encendías velas a la Virgen María o al Cristo de Esquipulas la nocheantes de unexamen.
5. Si usas tu boca para apuntar a alguien.
6. Si tu constantemente te refieres a cualquier cerealcomo "Con fle."
7. Si tu mamá te gritaba para que vinieras a comer, apesar de que vivían en un apartamento de una recámara.
8. Si tu puedes bailar cumbia, son, típico o salsa sin música.
9. Si tu usas manteca en vez de aceite de oliva y todavía no sabes porquetus nalgas crecen cada vez mas.
10. Si te montas a un carro para cinco pasajeros con siete personas adentro ytodavía alguien grita "todavía cabeuno!"
11. Siempre que te sientes agripado automáticamente teembarras todo el pecho de "Vivaporu" además de metértelo en las narices.
12. Si tu mamá te prepara tu lonchera a pesar de que ya tienes 32 años de edad.
13. Si llamas a los Norte Americanos "gringos" incluyendo a los Canadiensesy también a todos los Asiáticos los llamas "chinos o chinitos"y a la tienda de la esquina la llamas "donde el chino".

Dominican Smoking Monkey

You read that right! This video was passed on to me by a friend - and it is totally unbelievable! First the monkey tries throwing rocks at the visitors, but then joins them for a smoke.

A Moment of silence as the DR stops drinking.... as much.

Under the auspices of cleaning up 'delinquent violence and crime', which by the governments' admission has apparently over-run the country the government is now doing a show of force mobilizing over 10,000 police and military elements to combat crime...

More cops and troops hit the streets
More than 10,000 police and military elements will hit the streets of the nation's cities and towns in an effort to put an end to the current violence that has shaken every strata of the society. According to the Listin Diario, the Armed Forces, the National Police and members of the National Drug Control Office (DNCD) will take to the streets as of 7 pm as part of the Plan of Immediate Short Term Action that will try and remove illegal weapons, drug trafficking and consumption and late night-early morning sales of alcoholic beverages in 18 targeted cities. Night-time patrolling was previously practically inexistent in the DR. By next Thursday, the program will be extended to the entire country. The mixed patrols will be on the watch for delinquents, they will check vehicles, and do body searches for weapons and drugs. Interior & Police Minister Franklin Almeyda told reporters that the patrols are following the President's action program to put a halt to the violence.

Source: DR1 | http://www.dr1.com

The first I heard about this was literally last night, when I thought someone was pulling some sort of sick prank on me... telling me that new anti-drinking laws had been implemented by Presidential Decree.

Basically the following activities, which where once (two days ago) considered every Dominicans God-Given rights have now been castrated from the acceptable norms:

• Alcohol can no longer be bought/sold after midnight on weekdays.
• Alcohol can no longer be bought/sold after 2am on weekends.
• Drinking and driving is now no longer legal... (this by the way is implemented almost a decade after cell-phone usage while driving was made illegal without the use of a hands-free set.)
• Drive through bars are now considered illegal... which is odd cause these have been around for a damn long time. If anyone has any photos of drive through bars in Santo Domingo, please email a copy so I can post it!!

...then again, it will probably be enforced for a month or so and then go down the toilet, like most goverment initiatives.

I will offer a reward for anyone who can supply me with with photographic or (preferably) video evidence of bars or restaurants owned by government officials or relatives who are breaking these new laws, as they always tend to be the first ones to do so.

Lastly, I would like to get everyones' opinions as to what the goverment is most likly to outlaw next in their quest for Ameracanization of the DR... I mean 'cleaning up the streets'.

The Dominican Barney

Dont be afraid children, he just wants to dance and shake his booty.

Perico Ripiao

From what I hear, Perico Ripiao is one of the funniest 100% Dominican made movies out there. One of these days I'll watch it and let you all know, though from what I hear, even having grown up in this country - I will still need some assistance to understand it. But I have faith! And if not, I also have denial!

Trailer below. Enjoy!

Dominican Innovations and Inventions - Part 1
The Valet Trunk Lock 2000 - DR Edition

Ever leave your car with the valet only to discover that the contents of your trunk have been completely removed, including the spare tire? Ever have some important stuff that needs to be safely guarded in your car as you go from car wash to bar to night club to chimi stand?

If the answer is yes, you need to get the 'The Valet Trunk Lock 2000 - DR Edition'. It is the latest in Dominican innovation. This low cost device is made from stainless steal (Premium edition only) and a unique pad-style locking device perfect for locking up all your valuables.

Available in fine colmados, gas stations, supermarkets, mechanics and other retailers near you!

 

Mas bonita que nunca

For those longing for the good old days, this should take you back just a little. A classic Presidente commercial.



For thos who don't know, Presidente is THE beer of the Dominican Republic. Yes others are available, but those dont really exist for most people. The beer of choice, and for a good reason, has always been and will continue to be Presidente.

Torre de Control

This is great animation made 100% in the DR (as far as I can tell at least). If you don't at least understand a little Dominican (not just Spanish), then you can just keep moving along... Otherwise, it is really hilarious.



For a better version, check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCI3WItm0MA

E'ta jevi mano!

Bad Apple

Only in the DR can you find an ad for a company the basically says 'if you did not buy it from us, its rotten'. Oh yeah, also does wonder for considering buying a Mac. Nice job guys!

 

It's a great place to go to get drunk.

Time for a little DR pop-quiz.

Can you guess where the people in this video are drinking and having such a ball?

1. A Bar
2. A Disco / Nightclub
3. A Car Wash

If you guessed 1 AND 3, you would be correct. Only in the DR can you find the convenience of a car wash with a full bar. I mean, what better way to wait for your car to get squeaky clean, than to have a few beer over the course of a few hours. At the very least you will THINK they did a good job cleaning it.

MARKETING IDEA:- Coupons for autobody work with every five drinks.

Flor del Este

On a serious note (for the first time), I came across this promotional video of the town of La Romana. Ok, its a Rum commercial, but its about as authentic as they come. Enjoy.

Taxi!

How do you fit 100 people in a automobile designed for 2... just yell "free ride".

Signage! Menus! Billboards! The Spanglish and bastardization of the grammar has no limits, but its funny as heck.


























Dear Guest

For Remodelation
We have MOVED to the first oficce in the hall.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Management.

Today's topic is traffic.

Something I personally cannot stand. But anyone who complains about traffic in the US has absolutely no idea how good they actually have it. The DR was rated among the top 10 countries with the highest accidents per capita - I knew we had to be on top of some lists. What an honor.

The crown jewel in this driving cluster f**k is Santo Domingo, where green, red and yellow lights are used simply to indicate that currently there is electricity in the area. Delightful.

Surely I am exaggerating, you ask. Prove it, you say. Fine.

The following video, is completely happenstance, unscripted luck of the shoot. The setting, Santo Domingo, aka Santo Man-dingo. The time, 'rush' hour. All I need to say, is keep your eye on the traffic light and enjoy wait for red to go.





Stay tuned to our next exciting episode -
How to fit 100+ people into a vehicle designed to seat two.

For those of you who have heard about the project to create a metro in Santo Domingo, I share with you a photo from the future - or at least on Photoshop artists impression of what it will end up looking like. I hate to be negative, but I can imagine that the artist must have gotten it at least half right. Which half? Well, I guess we'll just have to wait till "2007" (suuuuuuure) to find out. 

Only in the DR can you find this type of situation, picture the following:

A truck going at about 80MPH a main highway... hauling furniture and other stuff.... with a comfortable LA-Z-BOY in the back... in which a woman is strapped into and sitting comfortably...

Cant believe it... you will.... click play.

The Dominican Republic is a 'special' place, and boy do I mean 'special'.

For those who do not know it, you should. For those who think they do, you don't. Trust me, I grew up here and everyday I am more and more surprised with some of the things I see, hear and experience.

The 'DR' as we usually call it, is like any other country, in that it has its good, its bad, and its ugly.

Love it or hate it - or a little of both, it is what it is. And here I'll tell it like I see it.