DODominican Republic

Dominican Republic
Copyright © 2009 National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.

Your Stories From Abroad

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

My Friend Cesar Would Respect Me If I Were A Man

“If you were a man, I would respect you.” As the meaning of Cesar’s Spanish words slowly registered, I responded with a barrage of English profanities, an activity I ... read more

 

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Must Do

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Las Terrenas: Get off the beach and get into town

If you come to Las Terrenas, the nearly-hidden enclave on Samana Peninsula on the country's north side, be sure to step away from the pricey, over-populated beach-side area and ... read more

by Kirah Brouillette

25 Mar 2009
Etiquette

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Fight cat calls with cat calls

Faced with the unending onslaught of unwarranted attention from Dominican men, I've learned that, though machismo is alive and well in this country, it isn't nearly as threatening ... read more

by Kirah Brouillette

27 Mar 2009
Getting Around

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A guagua's not a baby?

The public transit system in the DR is pretty straightforward. Motoconchos and conchos rule the cities, while guaguas (buses) dominate the countryside. Going to and from large cities will most ... read more

by Chris Vazquez

28 Feb 2010

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Blog Posts

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Better Things!

I promised, but ultimately it is you who will be deciding if these are indeed better things. :-) As my research project starts to slowly drain the life out of me, my time here is becoming increasingly shorter and shorter.  Luckily, the CIEE program realizes that service learning is both ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

A Promise for Better Things to Come

Better things are coming... I promise.  I'll be in the mountains for a week, so get excited for some awesome blog posts in weeks to come!   read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

The Crew

Ed. Note: I sent this to all of these people for approval before publishing…that doesn’t mean they liked it…they just OKed it to be on the internet. I figured you guys should know a little about the cast of most of my wonderful little adventures, so here they are! Announcing ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

How to Build a Latrine

 Ever built a latrine? No? You should try it sometime.  Last weekend, the group (see following post) and I made our way to the wonderful community of Alta Mira, a small community in the mountains between Puerta Plata and Santiago.  There, we undertook the task of building three latrines.  Sounds ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Not a dump, just happens to be right next to one

Hello there friends!  I’m back, and as you can see, there are some wonderful pictures to illustrate some of my previous adventures on Facebook.  If you’re not a member of Facebook, shoot me an email and I’ll send you a link. Well, I have been busier than an air-traffic controller ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Spark Airlines- We're so cheap we don't exist

         Hola a todos! As you may know, I was fortunate enough to spend my birthday weekend in Samaná, which is a small peninsula located on the eastern side of the island.  Now, I could tell you everything that I did in a boring, mundane, (insert synonym for ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Haiti: a Personal Reaction to our Neighbor's Catastrophe

 I usually tend to focus on the trivial, humorous aspects of my times abroad, and I hope to continue to do so.  Despite this, there are certain events that just shake you to the core, and this past week included one of them.  I hope you understand that this is ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Choose your own adventure!!!

 Tubagua There’s always something about the nature of every country that blows my mind.  I have yet to find two natural places that have numerous similarities.  I’m not so naïve to assume that each and every waterfall or rainforest are absolutely unique in their structure, but from my own personal ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

If you're going to the D.R., don't use the letter "s"

          Interested in getting into a country without filling out any paperwork or even getting your passport stamped? Then come on down to the Dominican Republic! It’s easy; you buy a ten dollar tourist card and voila! You’re in!  Oh, and customs is not a problem, although ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Pre-departure antics

As Thanksgiving looms on the horizon, I find my thoughts in the general vicinity of a month and a half from now.  One of them is gorging itself on some fresh fruit, the other is playing baseball with some youngsters, while a third is frantically adding its final touches to ... read more

Chris Vazquez

Czech RepublicCzech Republic

Dominican RepublicDominican Republic

Going Abroad

Everything felt different. It didn’t feel like another state in the U.S., it felt like a completely different world. The culture and the way of life was exceptional. It wasn’t a vacation. To me it was an adventure, because I was exposed to the very island that my parents grew ... read more

Francina Morel

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Getting Around

A guagua's not a baby?

Chris Vazquez

28 Feb 2010

Dominican Republic

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Chris Vazquez

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The public transit system in the DR is pretty straightforward. Motoconchos and conchos rule the cities, while guaguas (buses) dominate the countryside. Going to and from large cities will most likely employ the likes of Caribe Tours: buses that look like large, air-conditioned Twinkies. There are also a few rules to know. First, expect to be uncomfortable. Whether you are smashed against a window or there is an emergency brake jabbing you in the back is up to fate, but just hope that you aren't stuck in the concho with the live chicken that just got loose. Second, forget the idea of personal space. The person on your lap doesn't care, why should you? Finally, wear deodorant. Always.

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Must Do

Las Terrenas: Get off the beach and get into town

Kirah Brouillette

25 Mar 2009

Dominican Republic

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Kirah Brouillette

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If you come to Las Terrenas, the nearly-hidden enclave on Samana Peninsula on the country's north side, be sure to step away from the pricey, over-populated beach-side area and venture down Calle Principale, the main street and the place where prices, and inhibitions, drop. It is only here that you will find pollo a parillada for mere pesos, fresh meat, freezing cold Presidente beer in a bumping bar aflame with the sounds of merengue, and yourself haggling over the freshest avocados and papaya in the hemisphere. This is where real Dominican culture comes to life-- sometimes rude, often dirty and difficult, but always passionate. Sure, the beach and it's many French and Italian restaurants are great, but main street es mucho mejor.

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Etiquette

Fight cat calls with cat calls

Kirah Brouillette

27 Mar 2009

Dominican Republic

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Kirah Brouillette

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Faced with the unending onslaught of unwarranted attention from Dominican men, I've learned that, though machismo is alive and well in this country, it isn't nearly as threatening, or as annoying, as many perceive it to be. As long as you know how to give it right back. A friend gave me this advice one day amid a symphony of catcalls, hissing and crotch-grabbing in my direction. "Point at them and yell like a mad mother. Like when your dog pee on a floor. Do it!" So I adopted a masculine stance, crossed my arms, and mimicked them. "Hola, papis!" ('Hey boys!) I shouted with puckered lips and kisses. "Tienen novias?" (Do you have girlfriends?) Then, I started to hiss and emitted a loud, cat-in-heat cry. They stared, blinked, and, after a long pause, burst into laughter and sauntered off. Problem solved.

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