Some years ago, my wife and I were vacationing in the Dominican Republic, and made arrangements to meet a friend who was also staying in the area at the home of some Dominicans.

We met at a local bar that we found back a dirt road in an agricultural area. As we were going to the bar, I became concerned that we were very much off the beaten path, and I wasn't sure how safe the venture would be.

It turns out that we found our friend, and enjoyed the evening very much, mingling with the locals who were very friendly, asking me first, before asking my wife to dance. Of course that wasn't necessary, but my wife found it kind of charming.

We had a great time, enjoying a unique experience with cheaper drinks than the ones in the tourist areas. By the way, our cab driver joined us for beers, and bought a round... :_b_link__:

tha must have been a real nice experience taggart...I think more often than not..we percieve that things are going to be bad for tourist ith the local..whereas mostly locals are very good to tourists and they do help them out...and make them feel comfortable...

We also felt a bond with the Dominicans at the time, because there were some active Toronto Blue Jay stars from the DR, such as George Bell and Tony Fernandez.

I've always enjoyed the Dominican hospitality. We've spent the most time on the north shore, in the smaller towns than Santo Domingo.

That's a wonderful story about that out of the way bar. Those are the experiences that feed our love for travel.
None of my family has ever visited the Dominican Republic; our daughter was stationed in Haiti during a period of unrest. It sounds like the differences between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are like night and day.

mollyL wrote:
It sounds like the differences between Haiti and the Dominican Republic are like night and day.

I get that impression too, mollyL.

We've been in the Dominican during the time that they celebrate their independence from Haiti.

I think that's in February, if I'm not mistaken.