La Romana worth overnight visit?

[Hillbilly]

Hey! I didn't say it wasn't worth a visit!! I said it was not worth a one day visit to a "typical Dominican town"
There is no way La Roaman can be called a "typical Dominican town"

Is it a great place to visit? Sure it is!! Absolutely.

HB

[Dolores]

I think there is no such thing as a "typical Dominican town". This is to the same extent as there is no such thing as a typical Dominican person.

I would debate that Dominican towns are such a blend of styles and influences in the same way as Dominicans are the result of centuries of non-stop immigration.

I would debate the stereotype some foreigners would have of what what a Dominican should look like, and also what a Dominican town should look like. La Romana has a blend of architectural styles of all kinds from different periods. But fortunately they have not torn down lots of their earlier buildings and instead have turned them into stores and restaurants.

And if you go to the barrios north of La Romana, you will see more of a contemporary Dominican town with the community life. I think it conserves much of the elements of Dominican lifestyle, people gathering amongst themselves for community life -- not just a place to live and then commute to work. Dominicans have always been hospitable and receiving immigrants from other parts of the country and abroad. La Romana is no exception, in that it is a "typical Dominican town." I don't think this is any different than saying that Santiago is typical.

Thinking about it, and open to debate, for me Dominican is the interaction of the people. That is what makes it typical.

My point is that given all the influences, typical here is a cornucopia, not a single stereotype.

[Rick Snyder]

Don't make a fuss about it Hillbilly I and others know exactly what you mean by the use of the word typical.

Rick

[Tordok]

I do not live in LR but my family of origin is from there and I do visit regularly.
I must agree with Mr. Hillbilliy. If what we mean is traditional and not simply more commonplace or where most people live, then LR is not typical.

La Romana is not visually appealing, it does not have much to show in terms of architecture or aesthetically meaningful urban spaces, being a "new" town - barely 100 yrs. old. It also grew very fast compared that to the much older and slower paced La Vega or Seibo, which are more traditionally/quitenssentially Dominican towns. Its history is not completely uninteresting -especially for those of us with links to the region- and LR is also economically much more dynamic than many of its Cibao counterparts (even if much more dependent on sugar big business and tourism). Now that I think about it, it would be nice if someone offered guided tours of the Central Romana and whatever sites on the 'pueblo' are there with local history. Right now tourists off the large cruise ships just go for leisurely walks up to the central park, buy chucherías from the mercado near the main Church and go back to ship (that is if they don't go sailing to Catalina island, golf at Casa de Campo, sightseeing to ALtos de Chavón or ride yola to Bayahibe or Saona, etc).

It is worth visiting but, as previously stated, be aware of the attack on the senses: noise and fumes of endless/chaotic stream of hurried motoconchos everywhere. If I were a tourist, I would probably get more authenticity from a trip to Moca or La Vega in el Cibao, than to make a special trip to the town of LR (if not already visiting Casa de Campo, Altos de Chavón or nearby beaches of Bayahibe).

- Tordok

[chuckuindy]

Although I have driven through this neighborhood many times I really do not know the history of it. It has a lovely mix of new and older homes and is plush with blooming vegetation. Located on the back side of the Central Romano Factory, it stretches for several miles along the seaside. There is also a small hotel and country club their with a large pool and tennis courts.

When I return in Jan. I will do some more investigation and provide more details. It really is a nice drive and some great photo ops.

Chuckuindy

[surimi]

Whaooooo!!!!! I`m a Romanence,,I love my towm And there is cultural things,but you have to look for it, and yes it`s owm by the central romana becouse they take anything they want,,,,!!!!!!!!! for many years.....
and used to have two beachs .....now none.......so doesn`t that said that the folks inthe city are friendly ,,,, excep in casa de pesca the club is unfriendly.

[Tordok]

Originally Posted by chuckuindy

Although I have driven through this neighborhood many times I really do not know the history of it. It has a lovely mix of new and older homes and is plush with blooming vegetation. Located on the back side of the Central Romano Factory, it stretches for several miles along the seaside. There is also a small hotel and country club their with a large pool and tennis courts.

When I return in Jan. I will do some more investigation and provide more details. It really is a nice drive and some great photo ops.

Chuckuindy

Do you mean La Costa? That's the frontside of Central Romana.
It is hardly several miles long, but it is pretty. it is part of the "town within the town" that CR built for its expats on the shores of La Romana. For a long time (during daylight savings seasons) upon crossing the railroad tracks coming from 'el pueblo' to 'la costa' you would literally be in a different time zone, as the Central kept Wall Street time regardless of Dominican official time in order to be in synch with the opening and closing of the markets.

This has been the seaside residential area (batey principal) of the Central Romana for many decades and until recently -approx. last 20 yrs??- largely the domain of expats CR higher-ups and their families. Most were U.S. American, but also British, Dutch, German,etc. Within the complex is located the Lincoln School, a small hospital, CR fire department and the "guardia campestre" or private police force. Free housing and good school for their kids were a major draw for people from overseas coming to live there. Nowadays, most people living there are Dominican, but the school is open to whoever can afford it (few locals can). The country club that you mention is "el club de la costa" and is still for the families of people who work at the CR. As a kid, I saw many movies in their small theater. The swimming pool was saltwater until recently. In the 80's the main building and the oceanfront 'cabañas' were indeed used as Hotel Romana, but nowadays I think the rooms are used for short-term executives and/or guests of the CR and the social areas are part of the employees' social club.

- Tordok

[Tordok]

Originally Posted by surimi

Whaooooo!!!!! I`m a Romanence,,I love my towm And there is cultural things,but you have to look for it, and yes it`s owm by the central romana becouse they take anything they want,,,,!!!!!!!!! for many years.....
and used to have two beachs .....now none.......so doesn`t that said that the folks inthe city are friendly ,,,, excep in casa de pesca the club is unfriendly.

Surimi,

Good to see a Romanense on the DR1 boards, but what's your beef with Caza y Pesca? Please elaborate.

- Tordok

[chuckuindy]

Originally Posted by Tordok

Do you mean La Costa? That's the frontside of Central Romana.
It is hardly several miles long, but it is pretty. it is part of the "town within the town" that CR built for its expats on the shores of La Romana. For a long time (during daylight savings seasons) upon crossing the railroad tracks coming from 'el pueblo' to 'la costa' you would literally be in a different time zone, as the Central kept Wall Street time regardless of Dominican official time in order to be in synch with the opening and closing of the markets.

This has been the seaside residential area (batey principal) of the Central Romana for many decades and until recently -approx. last 20 yrs??- largely the domain of expats CR higher-ups and their families. Most were U.S. American, but also British, Dutch, German,etc. Within the complex is located the Lincoln School, a small hospital, CR fire department and the "guardia campestre" or private police force. Free housing and good school for their kids were a major draw for people from overseas coming to live there. Nowadays, most people living there are Dominican, but the school is open to whoever can afford it (few locals can). The country club that you mention is "el club de la costa" and is still for the families of people who work at the CR. As a kid, I saw many movies in their small theater. The swimming pool was saltwater until recently. In the 80's the main building and the oceanfront 'cabañas' were indeed used as Hotel Romana, but nowadays I think the rooms are used for short-term executives and/or guests of the CR and the social areas are part of the employees' social club.

- Tordok

The front side, well okay. I have driven back their several times and think it is a very beautiful spot. Thanks for the history lesson. Would it not also be more than a mile from the back of Central Romano Hospital to the end of the sea wall? Anyway, I like the view.

Chuckuindy