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03-27-2008, 11:14 PM
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Silver
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 338
(36)
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Suggestions, Anyone?
I am beginning the process of planning the annual free dental clinic my friends in the US run in June in Puerto Plata.
The dentists work VERY hard for four days - usually between 550 and 600 people are treated with a treatment value in excess of $100,000 US - and the morning of the last full day they do a little trip or excursion.
In the past, they have visited the teleférico, the fort and done general sightseeing. Some people will be here for the fourth time, and I am running out of inexpensive suggestions.
I handle the ground arrangements, organizing the clinic, getting the proper Public Health permissions, etc, so I know what is "doable" in terms of budget.
Does anyone have any great ideas for a Friday morning "tourist excursion" that will not cost more than people who have already spent in excess of two thouand dollars apiece to come here and serve the poor can afford?
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03-28-2008, 02:29 AM
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Gold
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,768
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Not exactly a tourist excursion, La Profe, but how about a trip on Metro or Caribe to PUCMM in Santiago to the School of Dentistry to meet up with some fellow professionals?
Doctor en Estomatología |
03-28-2008, 06:17 AM
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Silver
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 338
(36)
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That has been discussed, Lambada, but we generally try to keep it to half a day since the younger ones in the group can't wait to "hit the beach."
As to meeting with fellow professionals, the Rector and some professors from the dental school at Nordestana (San Francisco de Macoris) have actually come here to visit.
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03-28-2008, 06:59 AM
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Silver
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 219
(71)
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This seems obvious, but have they visited the Brugal Rum factory? It is a free, interesting, and quick tour....about 20 minutes total. Ends up at a small souvenir and free tasting center, but there are no pressures for purchase.
It's enjoyable even for those who may not imbibe.
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03-28-2008, 07:40 AM
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Gold
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,258
(27)
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Tax benefit?
Don't know if this is important or not-but that idea about visiting the school struck a note. Would the doctor's get a tax deduction benefit to off-set their expenses for this good work by "attending a seminar or 'work related' event"?
Might be boring but a way to give then something back.
JOHN
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03-28-2008, 01:22 PM
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Gold
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,228
(40)
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Tell me the number of people please? And is it limited to 1/2 a day or can you do a whole day????
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03-28-2008, 01:38 PM
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Gold
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,635
(63)
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Well, half a day isn't a whole lot, but we have an exemplary museum here in Santiago that always has stuff going on, the Centro Leon:
Centro León |
03-28-2008, 02:48 PM
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Silver
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 264
(30)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by La Profe_1
I am beginning the process of planning the annual free dental clinic my friends in the US run in June in Puerto Plata.
The dentists work VERY hard for four days - usually between 550 and 600 people are treated with a treatment value in excess of $100,000 US - and the morning of the last full day they do a little trip or excursion.
In the past, they have visited the teleférico, the fort and done general sightseeing. Some people will be here for the fourth time, and I am running out of inexpensive suggestions.
I handle the ground arrangements, organizing the clinic, getting the proper Public Health permissions, etc, so I know what is "doable" in terms of budget.
Does anyone have any great ideas for a Friday morning "tourist excursion" that will not cost more than people who have already spent in excess of two thouand dollars apiece to come here and serve the poor can afford?
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How about the Dune Buggy/Funny Bike excursion. Even the younger people who can't wait to get to the beach would really like it (or maybe they've already done that too). Just a suggestion.
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03-28-2008, 10:56 PM
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Silver
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 338
(36)
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Thanks for all the suggestions!
I have considered most of those options already.
We really can't take more that about four hours, so I don't think that the waterfalls would work, or a trip to Santiago either.
Not sure about the dune buggy tour. I have to make ALL ground arrangements: buses, help at the site, food at the site, translation help, purchase of drinks for the dentists while working (no, not that kind - water, soft drinks and Gatorade), major tipping at the hotel and many other things from a fixed amount of money. If the dune buggy trip were inexpensive enough, it could work.
Planner, we will have thirty people and it CANNOT be more than four hours. They arrive on Saturday afternoon, set up Sunday, will work Monday to Thursday from 8 AM until 4:30 PM, have a full day Friday and leave on Saturday. I really don't want to tie up completely their one free day.
Johne, will look into the tax idea. It might be a good help.
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