I can't believe what I am reading!

ally · #1 12-08-2005, 09:33 AM

After visiting DR in Jan this year for THE most amazing 2 weeks of my life, i have to admit that i have thought of nothing else but jumping on the next plane back out there! That is why i am astounded at all this negativity towards my favourite place in the world! it makes all my hackles rise and i instantly want to defend it!

I understand that people have their own opinions, and i spose they can't help it if they are wrong...

seriously though, ive never really been the kind of person who raves about something or goes on about spiritual awakenings and the like, but i feel as though being there was what it truly feels like to be alive, and being here is just a stop gap until I can go back to what feels more like home! does anyone think im being completely weird?

I have travelled before please dont think im some kind of nutter who goes on one holiday and thinks its amazing! ive been to some of the (supposed) best places in the world, florida, new york, miami, bahamas, quite a bit of europe.....and still i'd rather go back to DR than any of those places!

I miss it so much!

I stayed in a very touristy area, and yes we were plagued by sellers everywhere we went but it all added to the experience. most of the time we would say no (cos a lot of it is the same stuff, or we'd already bought one!!) and the guys would give it one last shot and then move on to the next person, not too much trouble!

the best was one guy on the beach who kept saying 'its just my job!' which is pretty damn fair!

anyway, the people are what makes DR the place it is, welcoming, chilled and fun. i will NEVER EVER forget any of the people i met there, they are all fantastic and i cant wait to see them again and meet new people next time!

as nice as it is to find people who arent bored with talking about DR, im starting to feel a bit depressed that im not there right now!

thanks for listening

Ally

amy2761 · #2 12-08-2005, 09:49 AM

As this is the trip reports section it's customary to include where you stayed ... at least which part of the country as we have touristy pockets all over. I'm pretty sure it was North Coast but please enlighten us a little more

Stay well,
Amy

rellosk · #3 12-08-2005, 09:49 AM

Ally, welcome to DR1. Like most of us on this board, you fell in love with the DR on your first trip. It must be something in the air.

Most of us love the DR, but openly talk about it's flaws. Besides the Sankie forum, where on this board did you feel you found negative overtones towards the DR?

planner · #4 12-08-2005, 10:10 AM

I will add my welcome as well. Like you I fell in love with this country on my first visit! I came back 13 times before I made this home!

SOrry that you have tapped into some of the negative comments. Some things are a fact of life here. Read the blogs to get in touch with a lot of the positive things!!!!

laurapasinifan · #5 12-08-2005, 10:29 AM

I agree, lets here about this place you went that you enjoyed so much. Although I have always thought knowing about trouble spots as a much more beneficial tool in planning a trip.( because they can litterally ruin a trip) Hearing some really great stories is great too. great beach, great things to do, great person you met?.....divulge! where did you land? how did you get around? how was the food? how was the beach? how was the nightlife?

bob

A.J. · #6 12-08-2005, 11:31 AM

Keep in mind you have been there once - whereas the majority of this board either lives there or has more than 15 stamps in the passport from entry alone.
I understand how you can be reading some of the comments here - they may be received as negative. However you must remember the sources, many of the posters here are living in the DR and some have been here for 15+ years. These are people with real everyday lives living in the DR. They are not being negative they are being realists - talking about how things are in the DR, things you will never see or know about until you live here and have to deal with aspects of everyday life. Just like if you were to post about your hometown - you have opinions about how the government is run, how your garbage is picked up, how the traffic is, how the quality of service has gone down.
As you said you stayed in a touristy area - next time get out some and see more than the touristy area - go to the supermarkets - check the prices - then go bakc a day later to see that those same prices went up (again), check out the lines in the goverment halls, call the phone compnay and ask how long it will be to get a phone. Then look at the positives - you can live a more relaxed lifestyle than you are used to, you can have good beer year round, the sun is shining and the weather is warm, christmas here can not be beat.

palmiche · #7 12-08-2005, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally

After visiting DR in Jan this year for THE most amazing 2 weeks of my life, i have to admit that i have thought of nothing else but jumping on the next plane back out there! That is why i am astounded at all this negativity towards my favourite place in the world! it makes all my hackles rise and i instantly want to defend it!

I understand that people have their own opinions, and i spose they can't help it if they are wrong...

seriously though, ive never really been the kind of person who raves about something or goes on about spiritual awakenings and the like, but i feel as though being there was what it truly feels like to be alive, and being here is just a stop gap until I can go back to what feels more like home! does anyone think im being completely weird?

I have travelled before please dont think im some kind of nutter who goes on one holiday and thinks its amazing! ive been to some of the (supposed) best places in the world, florida, new york, miami, bahamas, quite a bit of europe.....and still i'd rather go back to DR than any of those places!

I miss it so much!

I stayed in a very touristy area, and yes we were plagued by sellers everywhere we went but it all added to the experience. most of the time we would say no (cos a lot of it is the same stuff, or we'd already bought one!!) and the guys would give it one last shot and then move on to the next person, not too much trouble!

the best was one guy on the beach who kept saying 'its just my job!' which is pretty damn fair!

anyway, the people are what makes DR the place it is, welcoming, chilled and fun. i will NEVER EVER forget any of the people i met there, they are all fantastic and i cant wait to see them again and meet new people next time!

as nice as it is to find people who arent bored with talking about DR, im starting to feel a bit depressed that im not there right now!

thanks for listening

Ally

Visiting as a Tourist with your wallet full of greenbucks is a VERY different scenario as LIVING in the country. They're already TOURISTS planned for MARS.

sunshine_79 · #8 12-08-2005, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ally

After visiting DR in Jan this year for THE most amazing 2 weeks of my life, i have to admit that i have thought of nothing else but jumping on the next plane back out there! That is why i am astounded at all this negativity towards my favourite place in the world! it makes all my hackles rise and i instantly want to defend it!

Ally

What the heck is a hackle? You mean the kind I put on my hook shank when I'm fly fishing?

You have those? Cool!

In all seriousness, I'm delighted you had a good time. It really sucks to have "vacation hangover", doesn't it?

I hope your next trip here is even better than the first. Unfortunately, you can't really escape the vendors if you are in a highly concentrated tourist area. Just keep in mind that those people are part of the culture, annoying as they may be. Just tell them you're hungry and ask them for money and they'll leave you alone. Works for me every time.

Maybe on your next trip you would have an even better time if you explored a bit more. Get away from the resorts and the crowded beaches and you might enjoy yourself even more.

Aside from all the beach towns, Santiago is nice as well so I suggest a day trip there.

Here's to a safe trip back,

Sunnie

nlove88 · #9 12-08-2005, 09:49 PM

Welcome to the board

You've caught what I caught a few weeks ago...Dominican Fever. It was my first visit to the DR and two weeks later, I am sitting here looking for cheap flights and future adventures in the DR. If you look back at one of my other posts, you'll see how tons of people were writing some of the same exact feelings as you, including me!

I can also understand how it would be a much different experiance to live and work in the Dominican Republic.

chuckuindy · #10 12-09-2005, 12:13 AM

Waite until you visit Santiago and meet some almost white chica’s who are doctors and lawyers, drive SUV’s and have travel visas, then you will really want to go back.

Chuckuindy