With a quick hello..

OwnRules · #1 12-26-2002, 10:48 AM

..to everyone out there!

Just joined your community today and look forward to interacting with you on many a thread. At first glance, it looks like a very interesting place -- .

Originally from Spain, I'd been away from the DR for over ten years -- time spent in the US -- and have only recently made my return. Although I have fond memories of the many years spent here in the past, time does not pass for naught and I find myself at a bit of a lost in what is, in essense, a "new" Santo Domingo. I am sure that the fact I am no longer the party animal I used to be has something to do with it

Anyhow, glad to be here, hopefully I'll be able to contribute something worthwhile now and again, but even if I can't, I am sure I'll learn a thing or ten from all of you fine folks out there.

And that's good enough for me.

Season's best!

JOHNNY HONDA · #2 12-26-2002, 12:02 PM

Welcome to our little group,Im sure things will come back quickly as it hasnt changed a whole lot in 10 years.
Johnny

Jan · #3 12-26-2002, 12:25 PM

Welcome! And welcome back to Santo Domingo! I adjusted well and only been here 1 year. You'll do just fine I'm sure!

Ken · #4 12-26-2002, 01:23 PM

Welcome, it will be interesting on getting your slant on things given your previous experience in the DR.

OwnRules · #5 12-26-2002, 03:21 PM

Thanks for the welcome, guys -- and gal. Much appreciated.

As far as "changes," what's struck me the most is the incredible number of business that have cropped-up all over the place. The upside? Not having to hop on a plane to get your Mickey Dee's fix

Still, for a Third World nation, I don't understand where everyone gets all the money to A-start these businesses and/or B-shop there. Well, maybe I do have an inkling, but that's a whole 'nother thread as all the corruption I left behind seems to be doing as well as it ever had....if not better.

Oh well, at least I'm out of the rat race. And planning on staying out -- in that sense, this place seems as well suited as any.

Jan · #6 12-26-2002, 05:26 PM

Its definately a rat race here but the rats just run so much slower! And I love it!

OwnRules · #7 12-27-2002, 11:34 AM

Well, no doubt the "keeping up with the Joneses" syndrome is doing quite well here -- especially the higher up in society you go. From kids to adults, they are like walking billboards of all that's trendy, from cars to clothes to jewelry to the latest tech toys, they just have to have it..and show it off. Guess that's half the fun.

I recently spent a weekend in Casa de Campo and felt like I landed in the middle of a popularity contest to see who was the coolest/richest, most vapid idiot in the place (likely the one with the biggest boat). But really, no different from hundreds of other places like it all over the world, albeit the gap between the haves and have-nots, makes it all that much more striking. Takes all of ten minutes to leave the resort and see how 99% of Dominicans really live.

Me? I'm quite content somewhere in between squalor and yachts -- a dingy would be just fine. Just a quiet lifestyle, with a few pesos to get bye, a well stocked library, Internet access, time to write some of my musings a few select people to solve the world's problems with. Oh yeah, and definitely NO bosses.

You know, live by my 'OwnRules' -- kind of what I've always done

Criss Colon · #8 12-27-2002, 02:42 PM

A "Spanish Breeze!" A Voice of Reason TOO! Nice to hear from you.Your finger is already very much on the "pulse" of the Dominican Republic!!Please tell me that you bath every day (not the norm on the Iberian Peninsula!)and I will welcome you to the OPEN Forum,"General Section"! CRIS

OwnRules · #9 12-28-2002, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Criss Colon
Please tell me that you bath every day (not the norm on the Iberian Peninsula!)and I will welcome you to the OPEN Forum,"General Section"! CRIS

Hmm...not sure how I can defend myself against said charges on a BB. Well, now that I think about it, there is one way I can prove I make regular use of indoor plumbing facilities -- provided you have the latest Internet technologies that is. See, there's this new "scratch 'n sniff" software, not unlike what they've used in fragance ads in magazines for years, that allows the end user to do just that with the following picture.

Mind you, not that I am into guys sniffing me -- not that there's anything wrong with that -- but hey...you did sort of ask

As you can see, I don't need to spend much on hair products, but on soap, I assure you I spare no expenses.

Anyhow, thanks for the contingent welcome, trust I've passed your 'Spaniard Cleanliness Exam 101' and can now proceed to other parts of the Forum.

BushBaby · #10 12-29-2002, 11:18 PM

A sense of humour, the ability to put a reasoned sentance together AND over thirty years of age ...... YOU will be a GREAT addition to this & other forums of DR1.

WELCOME - Grahame.