Another Party in the Street

This party was between Hostos and Duarte here in Colonial Zone. The aea is really narrow so all the people were really packed in. All the neighbors were there and we had a great time. Good dancing and music by Los Hermanos Rosarios.
Here are a few videos I took of the dancing. Oh, if only I could wiggle like a Dominican! jejeje


The song that is being danced to is called "ROMPECINTURA" roughly translated it is break the waist. The song got the people really wiggling.


Don't you just love Christmas Dominican style??!!

I have pictures I have taken around Santo Domingo and Colonial Zone Christmas 2007. Take a look.

Neighborhood Christmas Party

Last night was the Navidad party for the neighborhood. It was a really great time. There were 2 different bands that played (I can't remember their names) and they were really good. they played Christmas music as well as the dance music. The Christmas music here when I first heard it, I had no idea it was Christmas music. I had never heard Christmas songs that had he merengue music with them. Now I can't imagine Navidad without hearing at least a few merengue Christmas carols.
It was a little cold last night as some of my neighbors and I were waiting for everyone to walk to the next block to join in the fun. but after we got there, in the big crowd, I was happy I didn't put on a long sleeved shirt. I was sweating bad! Especially after doing some dancing.
It was good seeing all the old neighbors. Some that had moved away while I was in USA were there as well. I thought I lost touch with them forever but last night I saw many of them again. many of the people that stay in their homes most of the time, the older ladies and home bodies always come out for the neighborhood party. I love seeing an older woman dancing with a teenager. I even danced with this great grandfather type man and I couldn't keep up with him! After 2 dances I had to go and rest a bit. he was still ready to dance so he asked the next girl he say and kept going. bless his good strong heart and legs!
I love Christmas here in my little town. All the Dominican families visiting for the holidays. the streets are full of people talking and enjoying. The lights, even though there are not as many as in the years past, are beautiful. the Christmas foods...yummm. The neighborhood park is near a church and they always seem to have Christmas music flowing out from the windows into the park which makes sitting there with the Christmas tree lit feel so much like Christmas even if there is no snow. Another thing I really like here is they have no problem having a manger scene in public places. Even the government offices they have the manger set up. I love seeing this. It is one thing that I always felt bad about in USA. They don't permit the creche to be displayed in government places. It is not "politically correct". Yet it is Ok to have Santa and the reindeer. I just cannot understand this. But it is all good. I am here and don't have to deal with that politically correct crap anymore (I hope).
More Christmas/ Navidad stuff and pictures soon..
Learn more about Christams in Dominican Republic.
Oh, by the way, there is a new hotel opening in the nest week or so in Colonial Zone, Coco Boutique Hotel. Check it out in our HOT SPOTS! section.

Subtropical Storm OLGA

This storm left much of Santiago area devastated. They opened the Taveras Dam on the Rio Yaque Del Norte releasing about 5000 cubic meters or water per MINUTE in the middle of the night causing many people to be caught unaware. Having to leave their homes fast in the middle of the night without any electricity to see must have been terrible.
There are pictures of people standing atop their homes and one of a person sitting in a tree with fast running water surrounding it.
Here is a video taken on the Puente Hnos. Patino bridge spanning the Rio Yaque Del Norte.

Here is a link to a thread on DR1 with many pictures.
This picture has circles where there are people stranded.
Here is the link where there are many more pictures taken this morning in the barrio of Bella Vista in Santiago that are just amazing to view.
This video is from the television just to show the force of the water as it was being let out of the damn

I just cannot believe the government did this without warning the people better. There have been lives lost. Who is responsible?

Singer With a Dagger

Sunday I worked on my web site as usual. After I met a friend, Odalis, the owner of Cafe de Toi. We went to visit a friend of hers.

On the way back in the taxi we met another friend and got into her Jepetta for the ride back to the bar. Standing in the road was someone whom I thought was a nice guy. I talked to him before and Odalis knew him also. He is a well known singer in the area Luis Dias. We pulled over to say hi to him. Odalis was going to buy him a beer.

This man turned crazy! He started swearing and yelling at us. He came to the window while yelling. He pulled out this big Bowie-dagger knife and started waving it around! I was in the back seat and just opening the window to say hi. Odalis yelled as he moved the dagger into the window, very close to her. She put her purse in front of it and yelled for the driver to get out of there FAST! I just caught a glimpse of the knife as it was being waved about and I closed my window as fast as the thing would go up. We drove away as this wild man singer was yelling and waving the knife around like a lunatic.
It all happened so fast but we were all a bit shaken up and couldn't believe what had just happened. I had spoken to this man a few times in the past and he was very nice to me. He was in Odalis bar a few times and she was friends with him. For him to act in this fashion we just could not understand. He was out of his mind!

I sure hope I never see him again, if so I will not greet him and will get out of his way fast. I will never go to another concert of his and I really enjoy his music. Too bad.

So just beware of people you think you know as you just really never know what mind altering drug or drink they may be using at the time.

Poema Epico-Epic Poem

I went to Cafe Teatro and saw an extraordinary production on Friday night. It is a very small and intimate theater in Colonial Zone. Located above the Sala de Arte Comtemporaneo of Juan Mayi on Arz. Portes #20. Mayi had an art exposition the night before and they told me about the show the following night.
Poema Epico: Maximo Gomez Bajando (Epic Poem: Below Maximo Gomez). Maximo Gomez is a street in the capital, which has a main highway over top much of the street.
The performance was in Spanish but it did not matter that I did not understand all the words. The actress Tarsis Castro was excellent. I was really drawn into the performance. It was very emotional. It was about a woman, a poor woman, and her sufferings with her life. The monologue was about her suffering, her struggles and her trying to overcome them all.
The writer, Monica Volonteri is a very likeable person. The way she wrote the lady in the poem was so realistic and captivating. I can't wait to hear more from her.
This monologue will be presented until Tuesday (Dec. 11) at the Cafe Cinema and I urge everyone to attend, even if you don't speak Spanish, you will enjoy the performance I am sure.