December 1-8

[Moca]

This was to have been the day of my flight back to Newark. My son's 10th birthday ended up being without me. I tried to do what I could but the other driver didn't show up until about 10 am. He also had a lawyer with him who wanted me to pay them off. NO! I had called Avis' local office in the Puerto Plata and Mr. Rafael Ortiz showed up at around 9 AM. He took some photos of the damaged vehicle and assured me that I would get another rental vehicle after the legal proceedings were finished. He then left but returned shortly thereafter. The police official who worked on our report finished one other report that morning before mine. When he finally got around to us I found my way to hand hime some lunch money to speed up the report. I was probably too late though because when we left the Police station the Fiscal at the Hall of Justice was at lunch. After at least a 30 minute wait the other driver and I were seated before the Fiscal. Avis' lawyer didn't show up in time so I had to employ Miguel Fernandez Almonte. I was ordered to not leave the country for an extended period of time. Across the street in Miguel's office I found out that I would have to get permission to leave the country. $675 later Miguel said that all of my paperwork would be ready on Wednesday morning. By this time my travelling companions had taken a bus back to Moca. Rafael then took me back to Avis to get another rental vehicle. This time I got a Suzuki Jimny. My travel plans had changed to have me leaving Quisqueya on Wednesday out of Santiago. In our haste to get to the POP airport Rafael and I had neglected to get the police report that Avis needed. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

I ended up finding a call center and after a few phone calls came to the realization that it would be easier to stay in Sosua that night. So I did.

[Moca]

One of the pleasures of extending my stay was meeting Marco. Although we have chatted online for over two years I had yet to meet the man himself. I showed up at Rocky's and he told me that the rooms behind the bar were full but that he rent me one of the condos for the same price plus maid fees. Marco then drove me over to the Trade Winds #47 and I had a place to stay.
Ironically Marco told me a story about how he never takes orders at Rocky's. Despite this he said that he would put an order in for me. I said great, it would give me time to take a shower and get changed for the evening. For the first night on this trip I dressed in shorts (like a tourist) other than for my swim. Once I got to Rocky's though, Marco true to his word, an order was NOT placed for the famous ribs. I ended up going back to the Italian place again and went with #25 one more time. The rest of the night I had drinks in a few different places before calling it a night.

[Moca]

After a shave and a shower I went to my lawyer's office to see if the paperwork was ready. He told me not to worry and that everything would be ready the next morning. I then got some supplies for the condo and bought tickets for Toño Rosario's concert that night @ Tainobeach. I then headed back to Moca.

This time I had an uneventful ride on the mountain road including a stop at the scene of the accident to return the pen I had borrowed from the Colmado there. After thanking a few people I ambled south and watching the beautiful scenery slowly passby. In Moca I checked out of my hotel and visited with family until mid-afternoon. Then I headed to Santiago to get a cell phone for my brother-in-law and one for myself. That took a little longer than I planned but I made another trip back to Moca to say goodbye to the family there. By this time it was already dark and the weather had turned cold, relatively speaking. My ride back to Sosua would now be a bit slower than I had hoped. I took the idea of getting to see Toño Rosario off the table and just took my time thru Santiago and then up Highway 5. I made it there at about 2 am.

[Moca]

Pearl Harbor Day.

Thankfully there was no sneak attack at Miguel's office apart from an extra $120 in fees I had to pay him. My paperwork was in order but realizing how long it was going to take to get back to the airport in Santiago I called Continnetal and changed my flight once again. The problem was that Continental didn't fly out of Santiago to Newark on Thursdays so I choose to leave by Las Americas (SDQ) instead. It only cost me $50 for the change and now I thought I had a more relaxed trip through the country. A friend of mine in POP let me take a nap at her house before I left the POP area at about 5:22 pm. From there I drove to Santiago but the road seemed even slower this time. At about 8 I passed UTESA and decided to make a pitstop at my brother-in-law's home. He had not yet arrived home but his wife was and had their daughter preapre a plate of mangu con queso frito. I had a 2 liter of Coca-Cola with me and we conversed with a good friend of their's who was visiting at the time. When Reynaldo (BIL) arrived we joked for a few minutes before he invited me to join him, his wife, and some of his co-workers at Francifol for a few drinks. It was a pleasure to spend some time in such good company. Arelis, Fior, and Cindy provided me with a full dance card and a fuller view of Santiago. At about midnight we headed back to Reynaldo's home.

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by Moca

I was ordered to not leave the country for an extended period of time. Across the street in Miguel's office I found out that I would have to get permission to leave the country. $675 later Miguel said that all of my paperwork would be ready on Wednesday morning.

Originally Posted by Moca

Thankfully there was no sneak attack at Miguel's office apart from an extra $120 in fees I had to pay him.

Are you are talking about Dominican pesos or US dollars?

What ever happened to the lawyer from Avis?

[gardito]

"I was ordered to not leave the country for an extended period of time." Wish I were that lucky. I can see myself calling home : Hon ? they tell me I can't leave. Nah, something to do with how thety run things here. When will I be back ? Well, my lawyer says he can get fixed in a couple of weeks. See ya then. LOL

Just kidding Moca. Glad nobody was seriuosly hurt and things were taken care of. Makes me rethink about driving those roads on my trip in February to Carnaval.

E.

[Moca]

Originally Posted by rellosk

Are you are talking about Dominican pesos or US dollars?

What ever happened to the lawyer from Avis?

I never used the lawyer from Avis for the court. He/she never showed up. The $US625 was paid so that I could leave the country sooner and not have to wait until the case had run it's course. Avis guaranteed payment of the damages and then I was free to travel.

Moca

[laurapasinifan]

well its a good thing that no poor, barrio folk were involved, You would have had a worse trip! HUH AZB! ah I forgot about the trip to illusions. there in lies the root of your problem. You were dammed from then on .....ha ha ha ha ha

Oh and i forgot about the casino as well! the witch doctor musy have made a special doll with your name on it I guess!!!!!!!! ha ha ha ha

learn defensive driving!

I like Moca!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob