Barahona, Pedernales & Independencia Videos

[Motorcycler]

Leromero thanks for your words and suggestions. Interestingly enough this year I now have a lot more gear that we have been using since we came back from DR. We now have 2 video digi cams one mounted on the handlebar and the other for on foot. More still cams and the motorcycle finally has an onboard GPS which is not of much use in the DR (maps are not up to date) but it will be there nonetheless this year. We have incorporated the joint still/motion technology into our newer videos and as you said, it works out for the better.

We have been travelling to the DR for a few years and our contacts list is good, however last year was the first year that I got involved in getting it organized on film. The video quality on the youtube obviously is very poor but the ones on the DVD that we made is another story. The other day at a friends house we put it on a 60" plasma and it blew everyone out of their seats since it was also on 5.1 sorround sound.

This year we have many new places and adventures that we are adding to the script. That is why I am going in April to set up the "avanzada". We'll spend 2 days in SDQ to set up our security contacts and then 6 days in Barahona laying out the trip with our local friend who is extremely knowledgable of the area and is our trusted guide. Already have 20 DVD's to hand out to the people that "made the trip happen" on the DR side. We are also taking the full 10 days in the Southwest instead of going all over the country as we did last year. We put about 2000+ miles then and though we covered a lot of miles we missed too many cool places that this year will be a must to visit.

Thanks for your suggestions they are all very good. We have been working on the narration part and this still is somewhat ellusive. Some of the people like it yet others do not specially since the videos are so short (several versions have been made). We'll see what happens this year as we will segment the videos more and then provide a better platform for the narration. Thanks once again for your suggestions as it helps us to crank out a better product.

-= Luis =-

[Motorcycler]

Originally Posted by caromoq

Nice videos! In Jimani, you passed right by our home, and where we work in Mal Passo - where you crossed the border into Haiti from Jimani. I think I saw my cousin in one of the photos from down there! I didn't see any photo from Boca de Cachon, didn't have time to take a bath there? The next time, have a Presidente and tirate alli!

Hmmm let me see if I remember correctly Boca Cachon is between La Descubierta and Jimaní. Next time we will definitely have to stop by there. Is this the place that you were referring to about taking a dip in?? We were moving so fast that we saw it but never had time enough to stop in.


When we crossed over to Haiti in Mal Paso it was kind of a funny feeling. Some of our guys elected to stay on the DR side mainly out of fear of being kidnapped. We heard some gruesome tales from the border guards yet those of us who did cross were not very motivated by what we saw as we got a funky feeling which is not easy to describe. As if we were "presas" by the looks we got. I don't know if we were justified by reason but the feeling was eerie. Something I would like to learn more about. Both of our AMET escorts crossed with us and that made it easier since one of them was very fluent in french and patoi. Needless to say we never wondered far from them.

Glad you liked the videos...-= Luis =-

[suarezn]

Originally Posted by Motorcycler

When we crossed over to Haiti in Mal Paso it was kind of a funny feeling. Some of our guys elected to stay on the DR side mainly out of fear of being kidnapped. We heard some gruesome tales from the border guards yet those of us who did cross were not very motivated by what we saw as we got a funky feeling which is not easy to describe. As if we were "presas" by the looks we got. I don't know if we were justified by reason but the feeling was eerie. Something I would like to learn more about. Both of our AMET escorts crossed with us and that made it easier since one of them was very fluent in french and patoi. Needless to say we never wondered far from them.

Glad you liked the videos...-= Luis =-

First of all loved the trip "videos". I know exactly what you mean about the "funny" feeling when crossing into Haiti. I did it last year at the same place you did and I didn't stray very far either, because I just had this "feeling" (hard to describe). It didn't help that the first thing a kid who "guided" me asked me was if I was armed, cause if I wasn't he didn't recommend that I went across. I was with my blonde wife and kids and we definitely stood out in the crowd. As a result I was the only one to get out of the vehicle...bought some Barbancourt rum (which was not that much cheaper BTW) and headed back to The DR...

I would like to cross into Haiti at another place and see if I feel different.

[caromoq]

That is Boca de Cachon. Maybe not the most exciting place, but it's very refreshing and the water is nice and always lots of people hanging out.
And in La Descubierta, where are the photos of the Iguanas and Cocodrillos! I forgot to ask in the last post, my connection isn't the best so maybe I didn't see, but if you didn't stop, you should. There's also place to bath there with the Iguanas, the water is supposed to very good for your skin...

Well, after crossing into Haiti, how far did you go? I'm really not surprised at all of the feelings you described. Even on the Dominican side of the border, it's not the best place, there are a lot of indecent people, sad to have to say about your own home. As far as people looking at you, saying things to you or about you, wondering who are you and what are you doing, unfortunately that will happen anywhere you are in Jimani, not just at and across the border. Jimani is such a small place everyone knows in a minute who's an outsider. And then based on how you look and what or who you have with you the rumors will start flying within an hour about who's in Jimani. And as for the other post, if you're un rubia, I'm not surprised at all! I don't know the best way to explain, but I'm not surprised at all by your feelings.
With that said, I would still say the trip is worth it. Even to Haiti. If anything you see things you will never see anywhere else and as far as Haiti, in the right places, there is some very beautiful scenery.

[leromero]

Originally Posted by Mirador

Leromero, you've been there, done it, and bought the T-shirt..., you have even camped on the breathless expanse of deserted beaches south of Cabo Rojo... Next time you're in town, we'll take the camera and record three mini-DV tapes from Barahona to Bahía de las Aguilas.

I don't know what it is about editing videos, but it's almost intoxicating. Maybe it's just the thought that you're creating a story and trying to elicit a response form the viewer. If you look at the videos I have on YouTube you can see the difference in quality. For example, the one titled "Skydive San Marcos" was edited using one of the first versions of iMovie on a Powerbook I purchased circa 1998. However the ones titled "Proving Gravity" were on a much newer Powerbook with the latest iMovie software at the time.

What I would really like to do is create a viceo podcast of the Dominican Republic that would take you to a different area. This would show you why you want to go there, how to get there, and what to do when you get there. Possibly get a sponsor to cover some of the costs. If only I had the time and money to do it.

[leromero]

Originally Posted by Motorcycler

Thanks for your suggestions they are all very good. We have been working on the narration part and this still is somewhat ellusive. Some of the people like it yet others do not specially since the videos are so short (several versions have been made). We'll see what happens this year as we will segment the videos more and then provide a better platform for the narration. Thanks once again for your suggestions as it helps us to crank out a better product.

-= Luis =-

If there is anything I can do to help out just let me know. This is the stuff I love to do. The bad part is that I live in Atlanta and not the DR. My next trip wont be till later this year. Not that I need an excuse since Mirador and my little brother and sisters live there.

[Mirador]

Originally Posted by leromero

I don't know what it is about editing videos, but it's almost intoxicating. Maybe it's just the thought that you're creating a story and trying to elicit a response form the viewer. If you look at the videos I have on YouTube you can see the difference in quality. For example, the one titled "Skydive San Marcos" was edited using one of the first versions of iMovie on a Powerbook I purchased circa 1998. However the ones titled "Proving Gravity" were on a much newer Powerbook with the latest iMovie software at the time.

What I would really like to do is create a viceo podcast of the Dominican Republic that would take you to a different area. This would show you why you want to go there, how to get there, and what to do when you get there. Possibly get a sponsor to cover some of the costs. If only I had the time and money to do it.

Leromero, documentary production is a professional endeavor. Most colleges offer courses (and degrees) in this field. The hardware and software isen't enough. Also, artists are born, not made...

[Motorcycler]

Originally Posted by suarezn

First of all loved the trip "videos". I know exactly what you mean about the "funny" feeling when crossing into Haiti. I did it last year at the same place you did and I didn't stray very far either, because I just had this "feeling" (hard to describe). It didn't help that the first thing a kid who "guided" me asked me was if I was armed, cause if I wasn't he didn't recommend that I went across. I was with my blonde wife and kids and we definitely stood out in the crowd. As a result I was the only one to get out of the vehicle...bought some Barbancourt rum (which was not that much cheaper BTW) and headed back to The DR...

I would like to cross into Haiti at another place and see if I feel different.

Glad you liked the videos... As far as crossing over at a different place there is another one that I know of in Pedernales and it also has a bilateral market on the DR side of the border and not in the Haitian side. Things seem to be a little more easier going there than in Jimani.

This year we are going to focus more on this crossing than Jimani and use the time in the Enriquillo run to stop in to the places we never got to see last year. Caromoq has hinted to the crocs and iguanas and I'm sure we would be safer in their presence.

[laurapasinifan]

The videos wont load at work, but it sounds a lot like the trip my buddy showed me photos of from his two trips in the last month since getting his new bike . they were a group of about 10 riders it looked like and they swung down the SW coast and up to the big lake where there crocs and iguanas hang out. then up along the border to someplace where they took pictures and said on one side of the river is hait on the other side is the dr...no fences or nothing....

they also hit some high elevation national park just north of the salt lake that is below sea level..enrique largo...or something close to that...same on the crocs live in....he brought in a 1200 CC BMW. its mixture of off road and street bike....funky looking bike...he has a plate mounted inside his windscreen for mounting his dvd recorder......hoping he can get some good video as well.....cosy him about 8 grand in import taxes alone.....what punishment...after he worked a deal to cut it to about 2 grand...then they turned face on him, once the bike was on shore there.....

I havent seen his brothers bike yet but it is some big honda...about the same size CC , but more of a pure touring bike.....it may be hard to get him to go hunting anymore now....

Ill ask a question...on your trip did any police stop you and check your papers?...a ton of nice bikes are stolen in the us and end up in the DR. and the police know this and check as many of those poplar bikes when they see them for papers...I have one friend who had a guy just come up and pull the key out of his bike while he waited at a light...he was some kind of goverment guy checking for registered bikes. they said they confiscate a bike a week , that was stolen...

bob

[Motorcycler]

Originally Posted by caromoq

That is Boca de Cachon. Maybe not the most exciting place, but it's very refreshing and the water is nice and always lots of people hanging out.
And in La Descubierta, where are the photos of the Iguanas and Cocodrillos!

Well, after crossing into Haiti, how far did you go? I'm really not surprised at all of the feelings you described. Even on the Dominican side of the border, it's not the best place, there are a lot of indecent people, sad to have to say about your own home. As far as people looking at you, saying things to you or about you, wondering who are you and what are you doing, unfortunately that will happen anywhere you are in Jimani, not just at and across the border. Jimani is such a small place everyone knows in a minute who's an outsider. And then based on how you look and what or who you have with you the rumors will start flying within an hour about who's in Jimani. And as for the other post, if you're un rubia, I'm not surprised at all! I don't know the best way to explain, but I'm not surprised at all by your feelings.
With that said, I would still say the trip is worth it. Even to Haiti. If anything you see things you will never see anywhere else and as far as Haiti, in the right places, there is some very beautiful scenery.

What part of La Descubierta do you find these critters?? We just wento to the bathing area and no crocs there. Next time we'll be sure to look them up.gre:

You are right about the crossing and the trip it was well worth it but it is not for the faint at heart and you must "go prepared" because if not you could become....well let's just say a nice target

So where in the Descubierta are the crocs???