My trip to the Dominican Republic

[dolphin]

Hey everyone!  How's it going Sisko?

I got back yesterday from Santiago, DR.  Wendy and her mother, sister, and brother were at the airport to pick me up.  It was very nice to meet Wendy at the airport.  When I arrived (at 9:30 pm), Wendy suggested to me that I stay at her house for the evening.  I said, "great with me."  The next day, Wendy made breakfast for me and then went to work (she is a pre-school teacher) I thought that was very, very nice.  That day, I stayed at the house with Mom and talked to her with my broken spanish.  When Wendy got home from work, I was so glad to see her and gave her a hug and a kiss.  

Well, at about 5:00 pm, I asked Wendy if we could go look for a hotel for me to stay in, however, she said that she had a better idea?  I said, "what do you mean?"  Wendy then said, "My family and I would like it if you stayed here with us, in our home."  I thought that was great, but I also thought it would be a bit difficult staying there for two weeks.  To make a long story short, I stayed with Wendy and her family and it was great.  Wendy's mother cooked some really great Dominican food that I've never had before. The only negative experience I had there was when Wendy's mother took a live chicken and slit its throat.  That same chicken was served for dinner that night.  I couldn't eat it.  But overall, It was nice. I fell in love with the family, and they with me.  What a great experience.

Wendy is a very special woman.  She went out of her way to make me feel comfortable in her home.  She was very polite and made me feel special during the whole time that I was there.  When we visited her sister, who has two children, Wendy interacted really nicely with them.  I saw that she was good with children and that's a big plus. Two days before I left for home, I asked Wendy if she would marry me?  She said, "SI, si, si, si, of course I will!"  

Dolphin

[Looking4Wife]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Congratulations!

Please refresh my memory, how did you meet this girl again?  It's obvious you had everything set up in advance, and it sounds like maybe you had actually spent time with her before?

[Mazu]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

With all the horror stories it is nice to hear the nice ones for a change.

[Jake]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

this is good to hear , good trips with good results ......
It is always good to hear how the families accept us into there home . They always have so little but have so much to give .... I also just enjoyed some good home cooking from Brazil and it was very very good .......
Jake

[Ricardo]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Congratulations, thanks for posting.  Glad to see that it worked for you after rocky start in BAQ,
Ricardo

[Dan Las Vegas]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Hey Dolphin,

Congratulations!!! It is always great to hear about someones trip going exceedingly well!!! Good luck !!!

Dan

[bjsisko]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Wow Dolphin --- Awesome!!!

You know, I stayed with My fiance's mom for a week while she had to work.  I have to say that week I must have gained 10 pounds!!! ha ha ha ha.  We got along GREAT, even though she knew ZERO English, and my spanish was, and still is uuuh broken.  This was LAST summer and already at that time my fiance was already TRANSLATING for us!

Her mother couldn't talk to me, so she F E D me, and FED me and FED me!  Overall I had a great time!

I am really happy for you Dolphin.   Now post some PICS dude!

[Brazilophile]

... in response to My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Thanks for your report, Dolphin.

I have been to Santiago, DR.  One of the things that struck me about the city was the small size of its downtown.  It seemed that few blocks around the tower was the only happening place in the city.  

Another thing that struck me was how spread out the residential areas were and their distance from the downtown area.  I wandered around some of those areas durng the day and found myself praying that I never get caught out there alone at night.  These residential areas seemed poorly served by public transportation and there were few well functioning street lights.  Those streets seemed be very dark and very isolated at night.

I had been told that Santiago is a wealthier city than SD, in that there are many more high income long-established families there than in the capital.  I didn't see much of that.  

Tell us more about the city and your opinion of the availability of eligible women there.  I believe there used to be an agency based in Santiago run by a woman named Daniella.

[dolphin]

... in response to Re: My trip to the Dominican Republic, posted by Brazilophile on Jun 16, 2005

Yes, the area was quite remote, where I stayed.  I went running a few times and it was Hell!  The roads, many which were not paved, had pot holes and were difficult to run on.  The stores! I could not believe some of the prices for every day things like a pair of sun glasses for $300.00.  Wendy didn't have a pair of running shoes to run with me so we went to get her a pair at the mall.  I saw a pair of decent New Balances for her.  The price was $3000 pesos.  that's over $100.00 bucks.  The prices were comparable to those here in the US.  I thought for sure that it would be cheaper there.  I Was wrong.  Well, I got Wendy the sneakers anyway because I knew she needed them.  That's another thing I liked about this special lady.  She wanted to share my love for running eventhough she was not "into" running.  Actually, she jogged with me for the first 1/2 mile and then would walk.  I'd run and meet up with her later down the road.  

The women in Santiago were fairly attractive, however, I did not see too many of them.  there seemed to be a lot of younger girls (teenagers).  Perhaps this was because we were Downtown on Saturday.  I spent 80% of my time at Wendy's home.  It was interesting because there were two boys who were cousins of Wendy's who pretty much kept me company while Wendy worked.  Francisco was 13 and in the 7th grade.  Wilson was 17 and finishing the 10th grade.  Both boys were very polite and seemed to want to spend as much time as they could with me.  We played cards a lot, specifically tres y dos and Casino.  Checkers was also a popular game.  It was interesting learning about their schools and what they thought about the United States.  For instance, in the Dominican Republic all students must wear a uniform.  I'm a teacher here in Florida and I teach in a middle school where students can wear what they want as long as it's appropriate.  Anyway, it was an interesting trip as well as a romantic one.

Dolphin

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: My trip to the Dominican Republi..., posted by dolphin on Jun 16, 2005

Dolph, glad to hear things are going well. how do you plan to proceed? thinking K1/K3?

[dolphin]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: My trip to the Dominican Rep..., posted by papi on Jun 16, 2005

Hey Papi:

I'm going with the K-1 visa.  Actually, I've sent the application and bio info already.

Dolphin

[papi]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: My trip to the Dominican..., posted by dolphin on Jun 17, 2005

my last novia changed her mind when the k1 petition was approved. i hope your lady is ready

[sisko]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: My trip to the Domin..., posted by papi on Jun 17, 2005

papi considering all, I think dolphin is wise to apply for his K1 early.  Santo Domingo is notorious for L O N G waits to get a consular interview.  Once his K1 is approved in the US and sent to Santo Domingo he has at BEST a 4 to 6 month wait!  Mine was arrived in Santo Domingo in December of last year and as you know I ONLY got an interview in early JULY and I needed my Congressman to intervene to get this!  I am hearing lots of stories like this, it really isn't their fault, they have a VERY high case load and they are extremely understaffed.  A high rate of fraud does not help as well.  I jost hope that things go well for me and my fiance in early July.  Dolphin take advantage of the time to REALLY get to know your lady.  They will ask you questions that will no doubt take you by suprise, and you better answer them correctly.

sisko

[latinadreaming]

... in response to He has LOTS of time!, posted by sisko on Jun 18, 2005

Just looked at your pics and thank you for posting them.  That is one fine looking woman.  Good luck with her.  May the both of you live happy!!

[sisko]

... in response to Re: He has LOTS of time!, posted by latinadreaming on Jun 18, 2005