0 The DR Gringas Life

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Through The Shrubbery Spy Team - Episode 1

Through The Shrubbery Spy Team
Episode 1: Pool Peepers

This spy team known as “Through the Shrubbery” is the work of a dedicated group of humans who came together to make sure they, their loved ones and their clients are safe in their chosen environments. Mainly this involves no action on the team members (the team members are referred to as Joes) parts other than having a keen sense of the obvious and observation skills. They are not for hire, only picking and choosing their caper when they feel the need. The main part of the team consists of Joe-ld, Joe-ie and Joe-et. Please note the names have been changes to protect the identities of this fine group of middle-aged humans. Now that the introductions are over we will proceed with the caper.

Quite late at night a group of human males and females returned from an evening of imbibing. They were laughing and carrying on while on the balcony as many do while visiting this Caribbean country and renting a house in a decent neighborhood. The Shrubbery Team jumped into action with no thought for their own safety. Ready, no matter the hour, to make sure no shenanigans were going on that was not good for the neighborhood.

Finding a way through the bushes to get a closer look. They realized they were vulnerable as both of the team was wearing bright white clothing. A quick change had to be made so they retired to headquarters, lickity split, to get into uniform and outten the lights. Within minutes they were back and ready to romp. Joe-et with her camouflage long dress and bare feet and Joe-ld in black and comfy clonks. Joe-ie stayed back to protect headquarters.

Back through the bushes they went talking in low voices, making their plan of action as they went along.

Getting closer to the perps the experienced spy team got to their knees. Middle aged knee and back pain forgotten in the heat of the pursuit. Crawling along they had to deal with one of the serious problems the spy team has. They have an issue with uncontrollable laughing and giggling. When they get in the thick of a caper this always happens to them. Maybe this is a tension relief thing,they could only guess. They never understood this need to laugh while in pursuit. They are able to get their giggling under control for a few moments but it keeps returning at the most inconvenient times.

Finally they got to the shrubbery blocking them from the view of the neighborhood intruders. They found a peaky hole and proceeded to peek. The perps were tricky indeed. While the team was crawling, making their plans, the perps left pool, two by two, and returned to their balcony disappearing into the abyss of their rental chalet. The Shrubbery Team tried drawing the perps out with their signature cry. Blabah-bla-bglab-blagha-blaga. One must hear this distinct cry to appreciate the fierceness and hair-raising fear it can bring to a non-suspecting stander-byer (this is a special spy team word - one who stands by) when coming from an innocent shrubbery. This is how the spy team got their name, this frightening noise, sometimes presented in stereo, emanating through the shrubbery.

The Joes tried pushing their faces through the shrubbery for a better look at the envents unfolding in the neighboring property all the while making their Blabah-bla-bglab-blagha-blaga sounds. Nothing. The next step was for Joe-ld to hold aside the shrubbery so Joe-et could make a mad dash. Running with all the agility in the body, remember these spies are finely tuned human machines. The plan was to run across the balcony at lightening speed while making the bone chilling blabah noise to rouse the perps from their inner sanctum. The shrubbery holder spy knows that if the one runner is seen all must work together to make sure the others are safe. Be it lifting one load to its feet or dragging one by the arm to safety. The back up plan, if all else fails, RUN AWAY! RUN AWAY!

The spy team carefully moved the shrubbery back into place to erase any traces of their presence. Their mission accomplished. With the perps safely behind their closed doors; the team proceeded through the bushes back to headquarters. Not worrying about their aching knees, muddy feet and scratched legs. They had accomplished another successful mission.

Returning to the sanctity of the patio, to a nice cold beer, they reflected on their caper. The good and bad of it so that when the next caper arises they will be ready to face whatever happens without fear and hopefully without giggling uncontrollably throughout their entire mission. Always ready to serve and protect their territory and their loved ones no matter the cost.

The Thorough the Shrubbery Team. They are never where you expect them to be. If you are in Dominican Republic and doing something not quite right and not quite wrong and you hear soft giggling and a frightening, heart stopping Blabah-bla-bglab-blagha-blaga coming from the darkness of an innocent looking shrubbery. This could be the Joes, Joe-ld, Joe-ie, Joe-et and the rest of this elite team watching you!

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Sunday, June 27, 2010

Mysterious Find in the Washer

I decided to do a little laundry today since we had water, electric and the sun was out for a change. I dragged the washer to the patio and commenced washing.

Remember this is not an automatic machine. It washes in one side and when that's done you have to move the clothes to the other side which is the spinner to extract the water (there is another blog story called "My Dominican Wash Machine Experience" if your interested).

I connected the hose and did the first load. I put the clothes in the spinner and the power went out. I had to hand squeeze all the clothes, a bit of a workout for these old hands. I have noticed that the water doesn't drain out of the spinner like it should for a really long time so since I couldn't wash anymore I decided to investigate.

I moved the spinner thingy to the side and peeked in. There was something navy blue way down inside. I tried to reach in and get it but couldn't so I got my trusty tongs and dived in. Out came this navy blue silky blob. Sort of nasty because who knows how long its been stuck in there. I looked at it, holding it by the tongs as I really didn't want to touch it.

It ended up that it was a pair on mens underpants. Fill cover briefs, silky navy blue. Now go figure. I don't wear mens undies. I never washed mens undies in my machine. I hope I don't know any man that would wear those type of poopoo undies (poopoo undies, that's a quote from the movie Young Frankenstein which is one of my favs).

Now, how did those interesting undies get into my machine, wedged way down into the drain in the water extractor? If only the machine could talk. It will forever remain a mystery.

Addendum - I was just reminded that I did wash a male friends clothes once but he defiantly did not wear silk undies, especially as big as those ones were.

Will the mysterious silk, poopoo undie, wash machine using man please step forward....

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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The Cataract Operation

I got my operation on May 26. I had to be at the hospital at the ungodly hour of 6AM with everyone else that was getting the operation on the same day. There were about 20-25 people. First we had to all go into a room and one by one change into our hospital gowns. The women got long gowns and the men got the same with pants also. They gave us an IV thingy in our hands and we had to say bye to the people that came with us as we sat in a room together waiting for the next step.

The nurse came in with all our medical records. She took our blood pressure one by one. She said a prayer for all of us. Then different doctors came in, got their patients files, and had a talk with their patient. My doctor was a very young woman. I think she said she was from Venezuela. She spoke English, thank goodness. She wrote some code letters and numbers on a piece of paper and taped it to my gown. Everyone had a paper taped to them; they did not use those plastic hospital wristbands that I was used to.

I was called first which made me really happy. I didn’t have to sit there and think about that needle stuck in my hand and the operation very long. They took me back to the dressing room place and cleaned my eye. Then they gave me a painful shot on my eyelid and below the eye. The girl jammed that needle in and wiggled it around. I was cringing in pain; I really hate needles and having her wiggle that around really gave me the heebie jeebies. I could feel my face getting numb. Then she put something on my head and eye and tied it down. It was really uncomfortable. Big pressure.

I was then led to the operating room area to sit on a chair and wait. Doctors and nurses were walking around washing up and talking. They were even taking pictures of each other. Another patient came in and sat next to me. This is when I found out what was putting all the pressure on my eye.

He had a cap on his head. Connected to this cap was a strap of gauze threaded through a rainbow colored rubber bouncy ball. This ball was pressed on his eye socket. I had the same thing on my face. It looked like your normal kids rubber-bouncing ball with a hole through the center strapped to my face, pressing on my sore eyeball. No idea what purpose that had but we both got a little chuckle seeing each others faces while we waited to have our eyes cut into.

I was called into the operating room. I walked in and had to get on to the operating table and get situated. They put the sheet on me and tucked me all in tight. No straps or anything to keep me from moving. The doctor came in and they prepped my eye with the paper around it and clamped my eye open. That damn clamp hurt. I felt like I was in the movie Clockwork Orange. She was telling me to look straight up but it hurt. I felt her touching my eyeball. It hurt! I tried to think about something else. I started humming “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”(I learned that when I had TMJ and they were teaching me relaxation techniques, I’d sing that song and the song Clarence sang on Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer “There’s Always Tomorrow”). Well, that technique did not work. My toes were wiggling because I was trying to be still but I couldn’t. It hurt! I told them I needed more medicine for the pain. They stuck that damn needle in my eye again. It still hurt. Finally they called the anesthesiologist in to stick something in the IV thingy. Now I ask, why didn’t they do that first? Maybe Dominicans have a high pain threshold. I don’t know. I can handle pain, my back hurts all the time, but common. This is an operation (did I mention that it hurt). They can at least make it a bit comfy.

Anyhow I got through the rest of the operation pain free or at least I don’t remember the pain. In fact, I really don’t remember much after they gave me the juice in my IV.

They put a patch on my eye and I was led out of the operating room and back into the dressing room area. I can’t remember how much time passed but it didn’t seem to be that long. It’s a bit fuzzy. They took out the IV then I got dressed. Cesar was waiting to usher me out to the car. He had all the instructions and some Motrin for me to take for the pain and we headed home. Again I must mention that my eye hurt.

I slept most of the day and night. Wondering what my eye looked like under the big patch on my face.

The next day I had to return to the hospital to have the patch removed and be checked out at 7AM. All of the same people were there. All had patches on their boo-boo eyeball. One by one a guy removed our patches and washed the eye. Some people’s eyes looked normal and others were red and bruised. I had no idea what horror awaited me when I got to see my own face.

The doctor that operated on me came in and I had to look at the eye chart with all the E’s facing different directions. The day before I could not see the largest E and now I could see the bottom row! The operation was a success! I could see! The doctor was so happy I thought she was going to dance around the room. It was like it was her first operation she was so happy. She said that she was going back to her home country in the morning and this was her last operation here. She did good.

She gave me my instructions. I had my eye shield and glasses from the last operation in USA, thank goodness, as they didn’t give me either. I got some more Motrin and some eye drops and was outta there.

In the car I looked at my eye finally. It was a bit swollen but there was no bruising. It looked great to me for just having been operated on. It still hurt but I could see. I could never imagine getting an operation the way it all happened. But it all worked out great and most important is that I can see!!

If you want to help a great organization I highly recommend this one. They give operations for free to the poor and at a discount price for those who can afford to pay. Doctors, nurses and people that just want to help come from all over the world to offer their services for free, coming at their own expense to help. They also take donations if you would like more information about Medical Ministry International check out their web site. They are doing a great service.

I have to mention a woman that was getting operated on the same time as me. She stood out in the group. It was hard to judge her age, maybe late 50’s. She was very small and petite. Her oval face had a cupie doll look to it. She had a medium dark complexion. She looked like she worked hard all her life yet she had such a look of innocence. She never spoke or smiled; I saw no emotions on her face at all. She just sat there with her hands folded in her lap and looked straight ahead. She had such a look of peace on her face it was calming for me just to look at her. I hope someday to meet her. Her face is etched in my memory.

There was also a, not sure the correct wording to use, mentally impaired, man that was operated on. He was maybe 40ish. I think he got his eye straightened. The people with him kept asking him “how do I look now”? He gave a big smile and shook his head yes. He just kept looking around at everyone with a serious look then a big smile would come across his face. Probably the first time in his life that he saw straight. It brought tears to my eyes.

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Monday, May 24, 2010

Hospital - My First Visit for Cataract Operation

I finally decided to get my eye checked out since this cataract is now like walking through a giant cloud. The balance is a bit off too and I can't see well to walk at night. Can't tell if there is a step or if it is flat ground, all my depth perception is way off. Not that that is too abnormal for me, as I am always a bit dizzy..lol. But it was time to get this eye ball thing taken care of.

I went to a Christian groups clinic because they do operations inexpensively. They are mainly to help people that cannot afford to get medical problems taken care of.

The first thing I noticed about the place is that they do not make appointments. You get there and take a number. First come, first served. So I got there really early, about 7AM so I could be first. Well, the doctor was not there that day so I had to return the next day.

I was about the 10th person in line which was not too bad. After I got my number I had to pay first then wait. Went in and all went smoothly. The people doing the eye checking stuff didn't speak English but I got by with my bad Spanish. The doctor spoke English and she was very professional and thorough. She wanted me to get a Lazar study on my eye so I had to go to another place to have this done. Then the next day I took the results to the clinic again and they told me I had to go to Hospital Los Americanos in Los Alcarrizos for the operation and all the pre-op stuff.

I found out the location of the hospital and it is far from Colonial Zone.The taxi was expensive but I had to go there by taxi because they said I had to be there at 7AM and I was not going to take a guagua when I had no idea where I was going. So I got the taxi the same guy that took me to the doctors office I used to take me to the hospital, nice guy).

When I got there the hospital was pretty much an open air type place. It was already full of people waiting their turn. I gave my info to the check in lady and waited. The group I was with all went in and I was still sitting there. Finally they called me in and told me they had no file for me and I had to go to another room to get that. I had no idea what they were talking about. I figured it out and got the file and went back.
hospital waiting room(click image to enlarge)

Then they told me to go to the "caja" to pay. Caja is box and I did not see any box. I was looking around on the ground for a box to deposit my money. They got a good laugh out of that. They meant the booth where you need to pay. How was I to know that caja meant box and booth. New word for me..jejej

I then had to go get my blood taken.The girl said something that I had no idea. So she took my to the place I needed to go. It was outside, down the sidewalk, around the back, through a playground, into another group of open air buildings. I would have never found my way without her guiding me. But I paid my money and got the blood taken. Then went back to the original area and sat on a bench waiting for the next step, my EKG. Got that, no problem and back to sit on the benches. Waiting to talk to the anesthesiologist.

While sitting there I heard a chicken clucking. To my surprise there was a rooster in the waiting room. A gallo in a pillow case! I could not believe that. In a hospital there was a rooster! Hanging out with his master. In the waiting room. Amazing! So I asked the guy if I could take a picture to show my friends. I told him, and the surrounding people, "I know Dominicans love their roosters.They even make the wives sleep on the patio so they can sleep with their roosters but I never saw a rooster getting a cataract operation"! Some of the people laughed but the man was very serious and said his rooster was not there for an operation. Later I found out that many of the people pay with animals when they have no money for doctors services.
hospital waiting room man with rooster(click image to enlarge)
hospital waiting room man with gallo(click image to enlarge)

After the anesthesiologist I had to go talk to the cardiologist and he wanted me to get an ecocardiogram. I had to do this another day in another hospital and pay more money. Money for the exam and for another taxi..I was getting upset all this money I kept spending. I should have brought a pig with me for payment.

So I went home on the guagua to return to the other hospital the next day, only this time I had to be there at 6AM to wait my turn.

A Dominican friend took me the next day and thank goodness he did or I might still be sitting there waiting my turn. Got to the hospital. Had to get in one line. Then another to pay. My friend took over. He got smooth talked and got me in first to get the eco thingy because after that I had to take the results to the first hospital before noon or I had to wait another week.

I got back to the first hospital and got the results to the doc. All was good. Then I had to go to this window to pay. Then to another window to take the receipt. Then to another office to talk there. Then another caja to pay. Then to the pharmacy. Then to the social worker to set the appointment for the operation. Then to the pharmacy again. Then back to the caja to pay something else. Then to get sized for the lens. Then back to the social worker. then to the caja. Then to the pharmacy. I was so lost. People were laughing at me again. I guess I just looked lost. But my friend kept taking my hand and pulling me along to each destiny as needed saying all the time "Common, common" like I was a little lost kid, which is what I felt like.

Finally I got the appointment and found out that I need to be there at 6AM along with all the other people getting operated on that day and wait my turn. The kids go first, then the people with diabetes, then the older people on up to the younger. Now id the time when I wish I was much older than my 50 years as I'll probably be there all day. No food in my poor tummy, no water to drink, waiting my turn for then to stick the knife in my cloudy eye. I'll write about the surgery after it happens.

The people in the hospital were great. I was so impressed that a lady stood up and led the people waiting in a hymn, read from the bible then prayed.
hospital waiting room hymn sing(click image to enlarge)
hospital waiting room reading bible(click image to enlarge)

The group doing this medical service for the poorer people is a great group. If anyone wants more information about Medical Ministry International please check their web site and if you can donate as they are really doing a great work for the people.

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Political Rally Traffic Jam in ColonialZone

The weekend before elections here there are so many people in the streets campaigning. It can get a bit crazy and sometimes a little dangerous. but, all and all it is another interesting time to be here in Dominican Republic. The people in the streets waving banners. The trucks loaded to capacity with large speakers playing music and announcing their candidates at full blast (when they pass bu my apartment I couldn't even hear the TV).

I went to my neighborhood park to hang out during one of the rallys. The street in Colonial Zone was so congested. There was a hugh traffic jam or in Dominican Spanish, tapon. The cars were decorated with banners and flags. Trucks filled with people and gifts in payment for a vote. People everywhere engaging in all sort of activities including holding mops (swapes indicating cleaning up the government). Vendors everywhere selling their food and wares to the crowds.

I took this video while sitting outside with my neighbors watching the activities. I also added some annotations to enhance the comic value. Enjoy!

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Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Trip to Playa Palenque

I took a little trip to Palenque Beach or as it is called here in Dominican Republic Playa Palenque. I decided to try and go alone and stay in a hotel. I never really went to a beach to stay the night alone before so it was a little adventure that I´m glad I took. I had a great time.

I caught the guagua (little bus-van type vehicle) at Parque Independencia in Zona Colonial. The cobradoro (guy who takes the money on the guagua) was friendly. I also talked to an older man sitting next to me. He even gave me a cooked sweet potato to eat and I gave him a swig of my rum I had with me.

I got to the Hotel Playa Palenque. It was a nice place with a pool and restaurant. The room was comfy and clean but I didn't spend much time there. I headed out to the beach to check it out as soon as I dropped my backpack in the room.

I met some people right away and had a few beers. Also got a plan to go to a place to dance in the evening. A guy, Miguel Angel said he would come and get me on a motoconcho.
friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)

I'm a bit afraid of motor cycles as I like to keep my flesh attached to my body and not have it be part of the pavement. But I went, three on the little bike,and had a good time.

First we went to Miguels house. His mom was there and we had a few beers and talked a bit. She is a really nice lady, I will visit her again for sure. Then we headed to a little Colmado type dance place across from the park. We danced and had a nice evening and I went back to the hotel by midnight.
The next day I went to enjoy the beach and sun. I had some of the local fried fish, head and all. The fish looked a bit frightening, especially the eaten one in the back of this picture. He had really evil,dead eyes, like some horror movie. I made sure to open the mouth so you could see the little sharp teeth. Even though it was ugly it was very tasty.
friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)

Met a Dominican York guy that has a little place on the beach and talked a while with him. Then went to the room to take a nap so I could go dancing again that night. I got back to the hotel by midnight again and slept well that night.
friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)

The next day as I was getting my things together to go I came across a big spider in the kitchen. I went and got the maid to see if she could sweep it out.I didn't want to kill it. She came in and said it was OK and it wouldn't hurt me.I just didn't want it sneaking up on me when I didn't expect it. But I left it there and took a few pictures of it. It looked like it was holding a light bulb in its mouth. I have no idea what that was. But after about 5 pics it got tired of the attention and scurried into a cabinet.
friend at playa palinque(click image to enlarge)

I went to the beach because I was invited to lunch with the DomYork guy. He made some spaghetti and we talked a bit more. Then I had to go.
I got on the guagua and headed for home again. It was funny because two times when the bus stopped to get people someone at the stop knew me. I didn't realize that I knew people that lived out there but I guess I do.

Got back to the city with a sore back, as usual. Carrying a pack on my back does it every time.But I will return again to that beach now that I have friends there and maybe even a free place to sleep now. So that makes the trip even better, and cheaper.
More information and the exact location of Palenque Beach check here

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Friday, April 09, 2010

Changing my Blog to Blogspot

Got an email that my blog can no longer be published the way I was doing it via FTP. I really don´t understand all that crap but I have to change the blog to Blogspot. So I´m using their tool to do it and really don´t understand all the web site designers lingo but I have no choice.So the new url for my blog is:
http://dr-gringas-life.blogspot.com/
Hope this thing works.

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