Your First Time...

[rubio_higuey]

Back in the US, my telecom company had some clients from DR.... that way. Then, dealing with people that did business here (telecom) and then flying here for the first time couple of years back on vacation...for 3 days. I and my biz partner were doing weekend gateways - Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, DR. I was hooked ever since.

[Don Juan]

I was born in DR but left in my early childhood. It has always been my dream to retire there, sooner than later.
I look forward to meeting many expats someday and express my delight in their presence there.
I hope many more will come and make, our precious little island, your permanent home.
Thank you all for loving our DR...... Warts and all.

[something_of_the_night]

Originally Posted by Don Juan

I was born in DR but left in my early childhood. It has always been my dream to retire there, sooner than later.
I look forward to meeting many expats someday and express my delight in their presence there.
I hope many more will come and make, our precious little island, your permanent home.
Thank you all for loving our DR...... Warts and all.

Exactly what Mr. Señor Don Juan said, with the exception being that The Kid was already an old fart by the time he left Higuey.

The Kid has had mixed feelings regarding his departure, but that's for another thread... or his memoirs.

[samanasuenos]

I went to study. I didn't see that in the poll, so I selected "business."

[jrzyguy]

was looking for a leisure tirp. Was looking at Puerto Rico....and the hotels were way over priced for what they offered. A friend of mine told me about the DR. What can i say...i fell in love at once!

I love the true latino culture that has not been overly americanized. But it is the friendships that i have made over the years that keep me going back time and time again.

I know i am HOME when the plane lands and the people applaude the safe landing...and i smell the burning in the air....and my friend gives me a BIG smile and a wave at SDQ amongst the throngs of people holding up signs for other travelers.

I'll be back soon :-)

[Andy B]

I selected Other as there isn't a category for this kind of introduction, as unpleasant as it was:

I was in the USAF from '61 to '65 and during this time the assasination of Truillo occurred and the subsequent involvement of the US Armed Forces in the unrest afterwards involved our aircraft from the USAF base in New Jersey where I was stationed. We were on defense alert for possible full scale invasion. During the fighting between Dominican rebels and the government we lost one of our C-135's and it's crew while the aircraft was landing in Santo Domingo. It was part of my job to remove the aircraft's tail number from inventory. I was to do that a lot more a little later when we started losing our C-130's and crew (including friends of mine) in Vietnam.

[A.Hidalgo]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

was looking for a leisure tirp. Was looking at Puerto Rico....and the hotels were way over priced for what they offered. A friend of mine told me about the DR. What can i say...i fell in love at once!

I love the true latino culture that has not been overly americanized. But it is the friendships that i have made over the years that keep me going back time and time again.

I know i am HOME when the plane lands and the people applaude the safe landing...and i smell the burning in the air....and my friend gives me a BIG smile and a wave at SDQ amongst the throngs of people holding up signs for other travelers.

I'll be back soon :-)

We are convinced that you really love the place....you gave a similar answer, same thread on 5/26/07. I like your enthusiasm.

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

I was actualy looking to book a trip to Puerto Rico.
SALUD! DR!!!!!

[peteclaffey]

My friend Billy and I discovered Dr quite by accident, it was Feb 2006 or thereabouts ( need to check pasport), we both suffer the cold in UK , we go into travel agent , ask what have they got on offer for a warm holiday , they offer is Playa Dorada , DR for a fantastic price , we didnt have a clue where it was until they told us , we snapped it up, flew out 3 days later , agent warned us , safe place but dont leave the compound , bus ferried to to Playa Dorado , guide told us "be safe stay in the compound " booked in hotel got wristband , guy told us enjoy your stay , stay in compound all will be well , 2 hrs later we were in PP , having a great time , met freinds, stayed 2 nights in PD , got apartment in Costambar , learned a lot of things the hard way , but had a ball , went back to Playa Dorado on last day to give keys in and catch bus back to airport, we were back 3 weeks later , to this day we love the country, 6th visit for me each time for longer and better as we get wiser

[Mooseman]

Some of my friends had been coming to the DR for several years and they said how nice it was here. When we saw the deal on Travelzoo, we couldn't say no, it was so inexpensive. It turned out to be so much better than I ever imagined.

[bronxboyatheart]

I grew up in an area of the Bronx (by the 181st bridge and University) where the building where I lived was bought by Dominicans.

I met some cool and not so cool Dominicans in the 1980's who spoke alot about DR.

I got curious in my older years and decided to visit. I now go at least three times a year.