The Blondes DR Blog

Oh where to start on this update blog! So much going on……….

Well as you can see from the last one with pictures that our weather has turned a bit nasty. Not sure what that is all about but I cannot remember this much rain in such a short period of time.

Last weekend the blondes went dancing on Friday night. It was good with Dancing, Larimar, Blonde Brit and two new recruits to our world…. We met Highlights and her beau at the club. They fit right in. Now on Friday she was a brunette, by the end of the night she saw the need for highlights – blonde ones! Her beau – well lets just say he is follickly challenged……… LOL

Saturday night was an adventure. Blonde Brit was asked by a British acquaintance to hold a BBQ at her house and she agreed, like we need an excuse for a party. The other party is married to a Dominican man but she lives in Britain. She is definitely not a blonde. Brit was working all day so Dancing Blonde and Larimar planned the menu and went shopping… helped prepare the food and delivered it to Brit’s house.

We were told to arrive anytime after 8 and we did so. Well one of the dancing boys showed up at 7:10 with another friend in tow. They proceeded (apparently) to make themselves right at home with the large bottle of rum. By the time others arrived there was a fair sized dent in that bottle.

The party was in full swing and we had invited our new friends Highlights and beau to join us. Someone tell me what is up with bad behaviour? Why do visitors to this country think they have the right to tell people born and raised here what is wrong with this country? Dancing and other blondes were appalled at this individuals lack of courtesy, respect and bloody manners.

And then dancing boy decides he has the right to go find his family and bring them to the party as well. Hmmmmmmmmmm. This is just not normal. He arrives back with not only his brother and girlfriend but a “cousin” as well! They eat and then 10 minutes later are ready to leave so they can go dancing. Just plain bad manners again.

Now the most interesting part: the individual who requested the party didn’t even show up!!!!!!!! Bad bad bad manners…..

The food was great though. Larimar makes the most amazing coleslaw! Maybe we can get her to share her recipe…….. I will ask really nicely. And of course the rum was excellent…..

Sunday was our usual of breakfast at Field of Dreams. We get a great breakfast and bottomless cup of coffee for about $6 each. Then we enjoyed over an hour by the pool! Yes folks we have tan lines.

Sunday night we decided to go watch the World Series Baseball game. Larimar and Dancing Blondes went to a local hang out to watch the game. See – Dancing Blonde does more then dance. Actually we are every guys dream date –at least during the world series….LOL

We thoroughly enjoyed sitting and sipping our Cuba Libre (rum and coke) watching the game and listening to a variety of music while we talked about everything! What fun. Now at the end of the night (after the Detroit Tigers lost – boo hooo) we settled up our bill. It came to 210 pesos – about $7 US. We gave them a 500 peso note and waited and waited for change. After almost 15 minutes we finally got change - 290 pesos in 10 peso notes!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh We were not sure why but we were dissed! Very very strange.I was almost glad to see Monday! It was just a weird weekend!!!

The week has been interesting so far. We have fallen into a normal pattern weather wise. Almost every day or every second day, the clouds roll in during the afternoon and we experience a rain storm. Most of the time it is short lived. But yesterday the rains started and it has not stopped. We got so much rain overnight.

Last night Larimar and Dancing Blonde went to watch the baseball game again. Larimar is still new here and did not believe that with this rain no one would be out watching the rain. Well now she knows. We did the circuit and hardly saw anyone anywhere……

Hopefully someone will be out tonight. I want to watch the game tonight and get in some dancing too.

Hi there, I think I have figured out how to put photos on here...............












The first photo is the main street of Puerto Plata, it is currently undergoing work on the water lines, sidewalks etc. But this morning it was a small river! There was debris everywhere.

The second is the street that Larimar Blonde lives down........ Good thing she has a jeepeta!

The third photo is a house on the side of the road. IT is not finished but you can see the water running THROUGH the house! And someone is staying in the house. We could see his clothes on an overhead line he had strung up.

The last photo is another street shot. Another friend of mine lives down that street. Not actually sure how she will get to her house.

Later I will post an update of our last week here in Paradise...... Lots happening. Right now it is POURING rain again. Good day to stay home and blog!

I have an update for you today: info on our weekend – lots of adventure…..


While I am going to update on the weekend I feel we have to backtrack to Wednesday night first! Friends are visiting from Toronto and only here for a week so we took them out for a Local experience. Off we went to a favourite dance place. We arrived with our usual cast of blondes – myself (Dancing Blonde) Larimar, Blonde Brit and ReallyTall Blonde. Our visitor became Just a Little Bit Blonde ( she has a few highlights). Her boyfriend, a true blonde, had a little too much sun and rum so he stayed at the hotel.

Well we had told our visitor tales of our previous adventures and she knew of the cast of characters. OF course meeting them in person is a whole other story. And of course add to that the strange events that can take place…..

First she met one of our regular dance partners (dancing boy) and she was shocked. Me too actually. He arrived wearing a small red hat, a heavy red sweatshirt and long shorts made of heavy red sweatshirt material. HE looked ridiculous, not to mention HOT! While it had been raining earlier in the evening it was certainly not cold! Understand that Dancing Boy thinks he is gods gift to the world on and off the dance floor!

He sat at our table with his sidekick and proceeded to make himself a drink. For those who don’t know in most local clubs you buy either beer – cervesa – or a bottle of rum and then you order your mix. You will receive the bottle, glasses, mix and as many glasses as you have people at the table. Very civilized and very inexpensive.

So it was not unusual for additional people to be at the table. Usually they are quite polite and are not pigs about helping themselves to your bottle. You do have to watch though….

Some dancing went on and that is always fun. It is nice to go out on Wednesday nights as the place is not jam packed as it can be on weekends. Shortly thereafter the dance partner left to go find some food. He was hungry. When he returned though he brought his attitude with him. Now I have often said that the emotional age of the average Dominican male is 9……….. This guy has an emotional age of 7 and that night it might have hit 5!!!

He returned to the table, emptied a glass, filled it half full with rum and left. Apparently (I didn’t see any of this) he took it outside for a “buddy” and then returned to the table. At this point our visitor blasted him with a look that said - just what do you think you are doing???? Well dancing boy gets in a snit, who does this woman think she is……. When I returned to the table he is sitting there with an attitude on, arms folded across his chest and I am thinking here comes the temper tantrum….. He then proceeded to tell me what a horrible person this woman is and how I should not be friends with her! I told him that was not his bottle to give away and he was inappropriate. And NO I did not use that word – he would not understand it and frankly I have no idea how to say that in Spanish. (He speaks no English)
The rest of the night he sat there, would not talk to us and would not dance with me. You see I am being punished. He won’t dance with me because he is mad at her! Now doesn’t that just make sense…….LOL

Friday night we all went dancing again. This time we went to Terraza Caribe. All the usual cast of characters were there along with our visitors boyfriend. He needed to see what all the fuss was.

Dancing boy refused to sit with us! I was still being punished. Okay, whatever.

Warning to Toronto – our friends are taking all their new dance moves back to Canada to lead you all astray! They were amazed that this was called dancing – they call it foreplay! We had a great evening, the place was not full, lots of people to dance with and justice. See dancing boy wouldn’t dance with me and I still had lots of guys who can dance. Dancing boy didn’t do so well though, he ended up dancing with a local girl who could not keep up and he dumped her on her butt. Poor her, but no sympathy for him. He looked like an idiot.

Saturday our visitors left – I always miss them when they are gone. Larimar and I went to Playa Dorada together in the evening. The hotel association and the Ministry of Tourism along with our favourite company – Brugal Rum - are sponsoring a series of 7 Saturday night events. We went to the first a concert with a band from Santo Domingo. It was fabulous! We had a great time. The music was amazing. And it is always a treat to get live music outdoors. The weather co operated until 10:30, right after the fireworks the skies opened up and we had a 10 minute downpour.

Afterwards we went to check out Roadway – no thanks, then on to Hemingways where we stayed for a drink. It is always good to be reminded of why you don’t like a place. I have had a good time on occasion in Hemingways but for the most part I don’t like tourist bars. I don’t like the music, I don’t like how many tourists behave and I don’t like how some Dominican men prey on tourists. Yuck.

Sunday I woke at 6 am to rain pounding on the roof. It rained for most of the morning and finally finished about 10 am. Larimar and I went off to Field of Dreams (http://fieldofdreams.20m.com/) for breakfast. This has become a regular event for us. We have a great breakfast that is well priced and usually meet I up with people we know. We also get to watch the antics of those who stay there. It ranges from very comical to loud and obnoxious on occasion, you never know with tourists. Then quite often we will spend an hour or so by the pool working on our tan lines. But not yesterday, we were expecting the rain to continue not for the sun to come out! And they were in the process of receiving a large group of guests just checking in so we got out of there.....

My fridge decided to pack it in yesterday too! I called my handy repairman who made time to come and see me later in the afternoon. Turns out the fan thingy (technical term ) is broken. He took it apart and will buy a new one for me today and bring it back to install sometime after 5 (which is about now).

Sunday night it was more dancing! I guess I didn’t get enough in already on the weekend. Our first stop didn’t work out – way too full. It was payday on Saturday so everyone was out on Sunday night. We went to Terraza Caribe where they were advertising a bachatta band. Well let me tell you they were awful !!! If I could have found the master electrical switch I would have turned it OFF. They played meringue and bachatta, most of it badly, most of it seemed to have the same beat regardless of how fast it should have been. They talk wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much. One of my rules: never give a Dominican a microphone. They love the sound of their own voices. They would start singing a song, without accompaniment and get two choruses in and stop! They didn’t actually know the whole song. Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Just play music. I was praying for them to get the hell off the stage.

Somehow we still managed to have fun! I danced danced danced. Now, a little confession. I promised myself and actually said it out loud – I was not going to dance with Dancing Boy any more. Well I broke down and danced salsa with him last night. I can’t help it. Saying NO is like punishing myself. It is just so good to dance salsa with him. But that is all, just salsa.

I danced lots with other men too. Larimar got up and danced both meringue and bachatta last night too. Way to go blue eyes. When I returned to my apartment last night it was straight to the shower, then to bed!

Tonight Larimar and I are off to watch the baseball game. The Mets and the Cardinals in the final of their series tonight. We will go about 8pm, have a drink and cheer for the Mets. I want the Mets and Detroit ! Go Detroit…………..

This past weekend Dancing Blonde and Larimar Blonde went on a road trip. Yes sir we went out of town. To the Big City. On the road again.....

Okay, so I am getting carried away, but it was exciting..... We went all the way to Santiago. First you need to understand that here in Puerto Plata we are a little bit limited. Our idea of shopping is pathetic here. Outside of some tourist type shops and a few "decent" shops - our choice is limited. And we really don't have a fabulous selection of restaurants etc either. But that is understandable. Puerto Plata has anywhere from 75,000 to 150,000 people (depends who you ask). Santiago on the other hand is a major city with over 750,000 people. Don't quote me on those numbers, I will confirm them.

Anyway off we went on Saturday. Larimar Blonde had some things to do before we could leave, you know like washing and clean up etc. So off we went about noon! It was a beautiful sunny day, we had our shades on, CD playing Bachatta music, we were good. We chatted happily as we drove. All of a sudden Larimar says, oh it is 27.5 Kilometers to the bridge. Okay, so what??? No write that down. I dutifully wrote that down - I was not driving at the time. Then a little further - it's exactly 30.7 KM - write that down. Now I am a secretary. Turns out she was measuring from the Malecon (main street on the harbour in Puerto Plata) to the bridge and to the turnoff for Damajagua falls. Oh well now that makes sense........... yeah right.

Actually she was thinking ahead. She wanted to be able to tell friends and family how far down the road the falls were from Puerto Plata. The falls are a highly recommended attraction for tourists and locals. I love it!!! Now we know how far to go and then look for the turnoff..........

Well in case you want to know it is 53.5 KM to the turnoff to Navarette. This is a town west of Santiago. Not sure why you would want to know that........

On our drive we chatted about many things including our social lives. We have made a pact to broaden our social lives. We get stereotyped here. Where Larimar Blonde works they were shocked to learn that we don't go to "tourist bars", that we prefer local dance clubs. In fact we very rarely go where the tourists go. So, we have decided to go out at least one time per week to somewhere new! Watch this space for reports. The first will be to Eskina (means Corner in Spanish)

We arrived in Santiago and went shopping! WE were on a mission. Yes Dancing Blonde (me) wanted some new tops for going out dancing. We found one fairly easily on Calle Del Sol. It is in downtown Santiago and is a street lined with lots of shops and McDonalds. I had to go in there and get some fries! Just love those fries. We had a very good time wandering through all the stores. My favourite is shoe stores. They are full of shoes I could hardly walk on let alone dance in but I still love to look.

We went to a department store called La Sirena. It has just about everything you can imagine there. Well we pulled into the parking lot and Larimar stops at the entrance for her parking ticket. She is handed the ticket and says Gracias (thank you) Instead of de nada (your welcome ) she gets: I love you. Well we hooted with laughter. This country is so very good for your ego....

We went to the home of a friend here and his wife. They have a two bedroom apartment they rent as a bed and breakfast. What a wonderful couple they are! I adore them.

Later we were picked up by Mr. A. who was taking us to meet up with Mr. B and his girlfriend for a chat, drinks, dinner and then dancing. It is the first time I have spent any time with Mr. A. - he is a real impressive guy. What you see is what you get. What he thinks is what he will say. He holds nothing back and I love that. You don't have to agree with him but you have to respect his right to speak his mind. Great thing is you can do the same. He is also very very funny!!!

Mr. B and his girlfriend are fabulous too, very funny, very open people who are comfortable to be with. But Mr. B, where is my chocolate this time???

We had a fabulous dinner at Parrellita, means little BBQ, good food with good prices. Then off to a club to see Tono Rosario! It was great but we were about an hour later getting there then we should have been. We had seats well in the back. We enjoyed the music and the scenery (if you know what I mean girls.....) Mr. A. dances pretty good! He has lived here for 8 years. I think he met his new wife to be on Saturday night.

Sorry Mr. B, you dance like a white boy. But you get an A for effort!!! I danced a little but we were too far in the back. It was great fun and we will go back there again.

Sunday morning we were made breakfast by our hosts. His lovely wife regaled us with stories. This woman is a professor of Mathematics. I am impressed. He is a history professor, also impressive AND he can cook. Makes him a star in my eyes.

We did more shopping Sunday morning then headed back. We were here in Puerto Plata by 4. We had a really good time and Iknow we will go back.

So then I met some friends who are visiting from Canada, visited with them for an hour then home to change as the Blondes were going dancing.

My friend brought me this lovely red top so of course I had to wear it out that night. Me and Larimar headed to the club. I was bored silly for the first 1 1/2 hours, not sure what that was about. No dancing hardly, wierd crowd.

Then this nicely dressed man asked me to dance. Hmmmmmmmmmm then more and more and more. I danced the rest of the night. Now I was having fun. 5 minutes before he asked me though we were thinking of heading elsewhere. Then Really Tall blonde showed up. She is always entertaining.

We always seem to have a good time. Must be something about 3 blondes at a table...... Well I went home with 3 phone numbers, 3 offers and 1 date! Just one evening in paradise. Funny thing is - the 1 date is with a fellow here from Santiago.......... I thought that was quite ironic.



Here is a photo of the new traffic light in Santiago. Larimar and I saw this and had to take a picture. It isn' t the best but you get the idea. the numbers count down from 65 to when the light will turn green. Then it starts at 65 and counts down to the red again. Way cool. My comment: Gentlemen start your engines.


Do you know the Dominican definition of Split Second? It is the time between when the light turns green and the horns start blasting.

That is all for today folks.... Until next time.

Who am I? Why am I here?

I'm not a doctor, but I try to live my life informed by an oath to do no harm and to leave each place I inhabit a little better than I found it. I believe medicine practice was originally based on love, compassion and the care for human beings and I like to think that these virtues inform my life from time to time, when I’m not “working it” on the dance floor.

Music and Dance

I love the music and dances of the Dominican Republic -- merengue and bachata. And now I also know what is the margarena. I didn't have any big intentions when I chose to visit DR. It was merely a vacation destination where I could practice my Spanish and engage my love of dance while enjoying the sun and sand with my daughter. We share of love of dance and we see it as a form of spiritual expression. Sometimes we lose ourselves and connect with that inner infinite centre that is the source of love. Sometimes to see us together dancing in the kitchen, we are just two blondes “working it.”

Los Corbanitos – take me there!

As for my visit to DR, I met some lovely people there in my all-inclusive prison guarded by the animation team. I obtained a tiny glimpse of life on that island and it left me wanting more. The natural beauty, the language, music and the people; as well, the juxtaposition of wealth and poverty call out to me on so many levels. Some force within me is pulling me south. I can’t explain it, but I keep revisiting it. I feel I’m coming full circle, as clichéd as that sounds, returning to some original plan I had a young woman to make the world a better place. For a couple years now I've been joking with my friends about traveling, studying Spanish and teaching English just so I can get my salsa fix. But my brothers who know me more for my past than my present, all comment that one-day they are sure I’ll be happily handing out blankets somewhere during some disaster. There’s something about the Dominican Republic that intrigues me. I want to be there at that point where the sky meets the sea, where the sun warms the earth. Somehow all the colours seem more saturated, intense and jewel-like on that little island. I find that intensity stimulating. I want to go to Los Corbanitos with someone I love and never see the water. I will definitely return to the Dominican Republic.

Where is my home?!

I met the Blondes, through some strange technologically mediated introduction over the Internet. Someone told me to search for Dancing Blonde because she would have the answer to my burning question – “Where is the salsa in DR?” So in some way my communications work that uses Internet technology to share information with laboratories and physicians has connected me to a new community unlike any other -- The DR Blondes. Through my contact with Laramar Blonde, Long Distance Blonde, Really Tall Blonde and Dancing Blonde, I’m seriously considering the possibility of relocating to DR. Maybe sometime in the near future, you’ll see me on the dance floor of La Canita with the beautiful blondes of Puerto Plata. Since I visited that beautiful island and returned to Canada, I can't help wondering if I need to leave my country to find my home.

Until next time, take care....
and dance like no one is watching! ;)

Long Distance Blonde has finally checked in to blog. I am a petite lady with short, very curly, blonde hair. With the DR humidity my hair has no chance of ever being straight. If I can get my bangs straight with a flat iron, I'm good to go. The rest of the head is free to do its own thing.I've been to the DR at least 22 times over the last 11 years and plan on moving there, soon, for at least 6 months of the year. Right now I have to be happy with occasional trips.

My next trip to Puerto Plata will be in about 7 weeks. Can't wait to see the new changes on the beach and go dancing with the girls. In the mean time, I am making changes to my house in Canada.

I'm redecorating bedrooms and trying to downsize my stuff. I have been a collector all my life and I have realized that I don't need all this stuff anymore. They are just unnecessary items that need to be stored or dusted and the time to deal with is now. I plan to have it all gone before I fly to the DR in November.

The first room that I tackled has been changed from navy blue walls and a sailing theme to light yellow walls with a colourful plaid fabric for bedding and curtains. The colours now are fuchsia, yellow, green, and blue. It is very bright and cheerful.

The next room to tackle is the lowest level where I used to have a pool table. Some how it has become the catch all for every thing that I no longer need. I bought 4 new shelving units 2 days ago that need to be put together before I can start to organize this space. My brother has promised to help me put them together this week. Once they are up I can store bins and boxes on them. Can't wait to see the floor again.

So I guess you could say that Long Distance Blonde for the meantime is Decorating Blonde. Until next time - keep loving the DR everyone. I know I do.