Long maldito blackouts

[AZB]

I think we better get ready for long dark, hot blackouts from now on. It seems the blackouts are back. When I came home yesterday from work (6:20pm), I had no lights. I don't know when the lights went out. I turned on my computer, turned on fan and started to play on pc. I chatted with Dr1er till 11pm when the lights came back. So I turned on my a/c and decided to watch a movie on TV through my PC (connected to TV). The movie was "the bucket list".
I didn't realize the lights went out shortly after. When I had realized the lights were gone again, I figured they will come back shortly because we always have lights at night. So I let my inverter run a few extra rounds in hopes to have lights come back soon. To my disappointment the lights never came back and my inverter discharged completely. All of the sudden, I found my self in a dark cave. No lights, no fan. Yikexxxxx. Then to make matters worse, the lights didn't come back the whole night. It came at 7am, when it was time for me to wake up anyway. Wait, what wake up??? I never slept
So I have a feeling, the black outs are here to stay and we better learn to live through this hot summer with a fan.
AZB

[Thandie]

I am surprised about the frequency of the blackouts in downtown Puerto Plata, even though I have lived in various Caribbean islands. Including in the country in JA and Havana Cuba (surprisingly less blackouts in these places? Curious as to why?)
Luckily I love the heat and hate air conditioning and fans, and live in an area where there is a lot of breeze.
Thankfully I was wise enough to bring a wind up batterless mini camping light and flash light!

[Chip]

I have noticed the blackouts have been more frequent here in Gurabo too. I guess all the funcionarios have all spent the money on campaigning.

As my batteries are all but useless, we have bought some candles and are trying to tough it out until I can buy some more.

Fortunately, I have gotten used to living w/o an ac, yet I use a fan when needed. In fact I prefer to be just warm enough to maybe be a little moist but not sweating. I also sleep with a comforter at night and sometimes wake up and find I am sweating, but for me that is how I sleep more comfortably now. I have to go back to the States in June for a month and I am already dreading the ac. I have to wear a jacket or sweater anymore in the home and office where I will be staying and working. I always seem to get my sinuses all stopped up too.

[Chirimoya]

Sound like they're over-confident or this is a genuine avería (possibly due to the tornadoes). Usually they pull out all stops to keep the electricity supply as good as possible until the election, and then relax.

Thandie - it's incredibly complex - deteriorated infrastructure, deep-rooted corruption, clientilism and mismanagement at all levels. poor barrios are allowed to get away with not paying, as are certain rich individuals and businesses.

[guandulera]

I guess I better get ready for calor y mas calor at night. My family lives in Santo Domingo and they say the same things. They say they are actually surprise when there is electricity. I'm coming on my vacations in June and my 6 year old son is coming with me. He does not have experience with blackout and sure doesn't like to be in the dark. oh well I wonder which government is ever going to pay real atention to the matter.

[Dre Broeders]

The problem is:
They produce electricity.
But 55 % of the electricity, Dominicans steal.
I understand that the government do not want to give for free electricity.
Therefore they cut the electricity.
If everybody wants to pay, than we have no problem in DR.
But why pay, if you can steal.

[Thandie]

Chiriomaya,

Yes all those 'issues' you mentioned are unfortunately all too common in the developing world...sadly too common!
But was not expecting it to happen 'so' often here in downtown Puerta Plata?
Life in the Caribbean.
Just a bit of a concern when I was out twice in the past week at night and the lights went out and had to get a taxi home which took a while.
I guess I need to bring a toothbrush to my friends house just in case I need to crash for the night!

[guandulera]

Well the thing really is why pay if you are not going to get the service anyway.

[rio2003]

Hi everyone,

It's like taking me back in time - daily power cuts again huh!

I realise that the poor should be paying for electricity and shouldn't be stealing it but.....
The electricity company is charging 2000RD$ to supply power to each home in the area that my friend lives in. Her wages for 15days are 1500RD$ and that is for herself and 3 kids to live on. How on earth is she supposed to find this money?

It does not seem an awful lot of money until you compare it to what the poorer people are earning - and then it seems like a fortune.

My 2 pesos

Rio

[Thandie]

Originally Posted by guandulera

I guess I better get ready for calor y mas calor at night. My family lives in Santo Domingo and they say the same things. They say they are actually surprise when there is electricity. I'm coming on my vacations in June and my 6 year old son is coming with me. He does not have experience with blackout and sure doesn't like to be in the dark. oh well I wonder which government is ever going to pay real atention to the matter.

Yes the little one may be frightened by the blackout!
Go to your local camping store and buy the wind up non battery opperated camping light for him. Mine is the size of a night lamp and it does not get warm and is made from plastic. So he can wind it up himself and have light! And you never have to worry about batteries!
I am very nervous about candles, especially around kids!

I brought a few to Cuba last year as gifts and they were VERY well recieved and my Dominican friends here want me to bring some for them when they return.


Mine is similar to this but only cost me about $15 Cdn dollars @ a place called Factory Direct in Toronto or Chinatown. And the non battery operated, wind up small flashlights cost about $4 dollars.

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