Avenida Duarte: Then & Now

[Porfio_Rubirosa]

If "before" means, say, 2000, and "after" means now, then I vote for now. But if "before" means 1960, then I vote for 1960.

La Duarte was originally built up - post San Zenon - in the 1930s and 40s. It was a treasure trove of tropical deco. You could see a lot of this, though in dilapidated state, through the 1980s. It's almost all gone now, and I miss it.

I'm thrilled, though, with the restoration of Parque Enriquillo. It's condition had become a national shame.

[elton]

It looks like things are being beautified slowly-they seem to have designed plenty of shade in the gardens, unlike the park in puerto plata, which is only usable at night.

[Hipocrito Mejia]

Forget the park, that chica in the picture looks mighty fine! At least from the back!

[Yachtmaster]

Originally Posted by Hipocrito Mejia

Forget the park, that chica in the picture looks mighty fine! At least from the back!

My thoughts exactly!!

[Ogre of the Caribbean]

Originally Posted by Porfio_Rubirosa

If "before" means, say, 2000, and "after" means now, then I vote for now. But if "before" means 1960, then I vote for 1960.

La Duarte was originally built up - post San Zenon - in the 1930s and 40s. It was a treasure trove of tropical deco. You could see a lot of this, though in dilapidated state, through the 1980s. It's almost all gone now, and I miss it.

I'm thrilled, though, with the restoration of Parque Enriquillo. It's condition had become a national shame.

I agree. I think many parts of the DR looked much better in 1960 than today. It's a reall pity more efforts were not made to preserve historic structures.

Even Juan Tomas Diaz's house was torn down a couple of years ago; that's the place where Trujillo's corpse was discovered by the SIM. It is also the where the plotters planned parts of the assassination; often their conversations were masked by the sound produced by the screening of films. Even a member of the Diaz family remarked to me that it should have been turned into a museum, or at the very least preserved.

I suppose this is what some would describe as "progress".

[NALs]

Originally Posted by Ogre of the Caribbean

I agree. I think many parts of the DR looked much better in 1960 than today. It's a reall pity more efforts were not made to preserve historic structures.

Even Juan Tomas Diaz's house was torn down a couple of years ago; that's the place where Trujillo's corpse was discovered by the SIM. It is also the where the plotters planned parts of the assassination; often their conversations were masked by the sound produced by the screening of films. Even a member of the Diaz family remarked to me that it should have been turned into a museum, or at the very least preserved.

I suppose this is what some would describe as "progress".

It was a pity. They certainly are doing a much better job at preserving historical edifices compared to how it used to be, but much has been lost.

-NALs

[Tropicdude]

I only go to Duarte, to visit China Town district, at least twice a month, they have some imported ramen type noodles, not to be confused with those bland tasting ones in regular supermarkets,

I also like to buy dried fruits, ( Jujubes, Goji, plumes etc. ) and recently a new bakery has opened its doors, with some very tasty treats.

Also did you know that the Chinese have tea? I go for the "medicinal" teas. the item that most locals seem to line up to buy is some, ahem, "male enhancement" products, I have not tried them, but every time I go to these import markets, 9 times out of 10, someone is buying one of these "performance" enhancement concoctions.

On Sunday, they sell some asian type veggies/fish/fruit on the sidewalk.

if you haven't been to the Dominican "China Town" do stop by.

[SANT0]

I'm very impressed. I see a lot has improved since I moved to NYC back in 2006.

[Stodgord]

Nice! The old avenida Duarte picture brought a lot of nostalgic memories. It was the mid 80's and that avenue as well as adjacent avenues like Feliz Maria Ruis (Now Ave. Mexico) and Benito Gonzalez were blasting with Michael Jackson (RIP), Juan Gabriel music and the unfogattable '80 merengues as well. The streets were lined up with Buoneros selling christmas fruits and toys in December, and school books in August, and september. I remember my first job, at one of these stands; I was just 11 and 12 years of age. From there on, I learned I wanted to work for my money. It was my coming of age time and the '80 and especially Avenida Duarte played a big role for me, in that time. Let me not forget parque Enriquillo in front of the "Destacamento" and the open air cinema called "La Atena". I am glad that park is getting a much needed facelift.

Although, the capital looks modern, I still relish the old capital with the wooden house with oxidized tin roof. It was safe and courteous then.

[Celt202]

Originally Posted by Stodgord

.... Let me not forget parque Enriquillo in front of the "Destacamento" and the open air cinema called "La Atena". I am glad that park is getting a much needed facelift.

Although, the capital looks modern, I still relish the old capital with the wooden house with oxidized tin roof. It was safe and courteous then.

The Parque Enriquillo facelift was well done. It took a long time but the result is a great improvement.

I love posts like yours. It gives a snapshot into what life was like here long before I arrived.