HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is Fabrizio's aka Shaniqua, birthday. For those of you who don't know he is my best friend here in the DR. Fab is the kind of person who comes along once is a lifetime. He has been my teacher, mother, sister, big brother, mentor, historian, and all around good-girlfriend. When others turned their back on me, he opened his arms and said, "you are my friend,please let me help". I want him to know his generosity and friendship is greatly appreciated. For those of you who think Dominicans are always after something, don't judge the many, by a few.

Please support me in saying Happy 30-something birthday to the King of Santo Domingo!

Happy Birthday and many more!

The Learning Curve

For those of you who don't know, I have taken a job here in Santo Domingo. I'm working for Stream International, in their marketing /communications office. This job has taken every bit of my free time, but I love every minute of it. I do miss spending time with my love, but he understands I need to fulfill some professional ambitions. I have not worked in a professional atmosphere in a year and it is refreshing to be back in the game, although I do miss the days of lounging on the roof of Casa New Yorker.

My job consists of working with English speaking Dominicans(ex-New Yorkers really)and getting them to sound more "American" on the telephone and teaching them to give the customers an "exceptional customer experience",(have I been brainwashed or what!)

My first two weeks I had to get used to hearing the "n-word" again. (Living in Harlem, I would hear the word everyday.) Dominican men feel it's a term of endearment to refer to any man as a n----r. Now I am not talking about natural born Dominicans. I'm speaking of the men and boys who have spent an extended about of time in the United States. After a few minutes of hearing the derogatory term, I voiced my dismay at the use of the word. I was amazed to hear the guy's say, what's the big deal, "everybody is a N----r", once in a while. When asked to explain this , they could not, at least coherently. Another guy said, "I lived in the projects, so I have earned the right to say the word". After an hour of discussing this topic, we had to move on, but it left me depressed and dumbfounded. I thought leaving America I would not have to hear such inflammatory language, but you can't escape ignorance or the language of the streets.

(I will continue my work stories in a series, called "Islands in the Stream". The next update will talk about professional v. labor workers in the DR)

Adjusting

The natives are adjusting to the new curfew, and quite well. Everyone just goes out earlier. I thought that would be difficult here, but it has not. We were out at Arena and Rouge Friday and Saturday nights early, around 10ish and both places were packed. We could barely move around Rouge, which is fabulous by the way, closest thing to a real NYC gay club here. The place is on point, from the top notch go go boys to my vodka gimlet, which was exceptional. I think the folks here just accept what the government puts out there, until it changes.

We watched the Dominican Day Parade in New York today and it was a hoot. It was cool to see al the Dominican flags lining 5th Avenue. The music and the sights were amazing. I have never been to the Dominican Day Parade, just the Puerto Rican one. Now that was a site to behold. The gay clubs were pumping those nights. I am sure the village will be jumping tonight.

Up and Around

I have been out of commission for a few weeks. I was sick last week and this week I have been working an early schedule, up at 5AM. So I'm just catching my breath and getting back on a regular schedule.

I just spoke with Anthony and he tells me that the police are still closing bars and restaurants at midnight and 2AM on the weekends. I thought that would have ended by now, but apparently it hasn't. Armed guards are outside of Paco's and Dumbo's promptly at 11:45 to make sure they are shutdown by midnight. This is ridiculous, I understand the need to curb crime, but these measures are extreme. This is nothing more than a curfew. Anthony also told me the police are setting up road blocks around the city to check for open container violations. The residents of the city need to complain. Not only is this infringing on peoples free will, it is detrimental to the economy. This law really hurts the hospitality industry, this country's #1 source of income. REstaurants, bars, and casino's are all closed at midnight. What are tourists to do after midnight, sit in their rooms and play Bridge?

If you are hungry after midnight, you are shit out of luck. I'm very interested to see if this is citywide or just in high traffic areas; Malecon, Colonial Zone and Ciudad Nueva. I'll go out tonight and let you know next week.

Here is a poem I wrote this morning. I woke up out of a dead sleep and these words came to me. I hope you enjoy it.

I opened my eyes this morning and saw you,
I saw your truth, your honor and your love,
No one loves me like you do,
you give me hope, strength, and endless warmth,

I see your journey and it gives me fortitude, I see
your heart and I am honored to have it, I see your
pain and I am bound to share it. Your love renews me
and gives me purpose.

As I am blind to the sunrise and immune to the wind, I
wait for your spirit to breath life into my soul,
I was born to love you,
I opened my eyes this morning
and I saw you

Beso