Night Life in the Dominican Republic

  

Soooo I know ma friends! And I know that my reallll asss homies have been waiting on a post about Dominican men and the night life aka the night clubs here in the DR!!!

Hahhaha so here it issss

 Hahhaa

Dude night life here is fucking greatttt

I was about to say…compared to Hollywood nightlife is almost up there..but I reconsider and Dominican nightlife is just at another level than American nightlife will EVER be at…simply because of the existence of LAPD and by the way FUCK the LAPD (for those of you who don’t know what LAPD stands for it’s los angeles police department..)

so yeah fuck LAPD

Ive been to all kinds of clubs up in the city of Santiago.

I think I have this energy around me that attracts down ass people aka d.a.b.’s because my first day in the DR I met my new D>A>B> addition…..I will call her Ofe.  down ass bitch from Chicago Illinois…..chicago bulls fan and shit

The first week I got here I started going out….lost no time at all

I meannnn

U know this mamacita and any invitation to go out means GETTTTING IT!!! (as Ruben would say)

And hell yes ive been getting that shit

Ive been to mad/hella clubs out here….most of them play electro, American, bachata and other traditional music. But the club that I have been interested in the most is ‘las colinas rancho tipico’. This club plays all traditional Dominican music. I went with my host cousin. He is bomb.com. and super fucken funny.

We danced most of the night to typical Dominican music.

Since I got here I been going out to clubs that play mostly American slash top 40

So I was like wtf?? If im in the DR I want to listen and dance to typical Dominican music u know??? Soooo that’s exactly what I went looking for this past weekend.

The club entrance for women was 100 pesos  (like 3 dollars) and 200 for men (6 dollars)

There is 2 pistas to dance and to get it on.

We sat in the first row near the stage where the guest band was going to play….so automatically we had to buy some expensive drink

My host cousin bought a whisky bottle which we mixed with some cranberry juice

The band was fucken amazingggg dude!!

That shit was traditional and sazon up the asssss

I LOVED IT!!!!

I danced until I couldn’t feel my feet no mo

I even got some foo’s number

( some HAWT ASS PART OF THE BAND DOMINICAN’S NUMBER)

Ya tu sabe (u already know) (wat It is)...and no it's not the same guy who gave me the flowers

Nightlife is HEAVY 

Ive been out in the city like 78% of the time ive been here…..

For reals

I loveeee Dominican life and culture

Their music is sensual and full of sentiment

It's passionate and dancing moves make u feeeeeel the music

Tu sabe (u know?)

I have even been to a gay club. I forgot what it’s called and I wouldn’t be able to tell you where it is or how to get there since I visited during my first week in the DR…. I really liked this club because the ambiance was GET IT! GET IT! GET IT!

One of the things that I was attracted to the most in this club and all others that I have been to is that as soon as some fast beat merengue or salsa song gets played, everyone starts looking for a dance partner to get it on with. In Los Angeles if a fast beat merengue or salsa songs starts bumping the dance floor gets cleared because most people are intimidated or simply don’t know how to follow to the beat..NOT IN THE CARIBBEAN HONEY>>>>and this turns me on.

I look around me and see most of the people in the club smiling, shaking their hips and the couples turning to multiple turns in place or around each other (like the earth around the sun, turning on its axes while it circles the big star)

I have decided that I may have some direct ancestors who were Caribbean because when the DJ starts playing to the many mixes of bachata, salsa, merengue or reggaeton my body starts vibrating from the top of my head, down to my shoulders, engaging my hips and ending at my feet, turning side to side to the rhythm of the music. And when I dance, I smile, a smile that comes from within me, closing my eyes I feel this eternal happiness in my heart and soul.

And there is nothing in the world I’d rather do than dance to the music.

I come ALIVE! Sazon sazon sazon!!

Men in the DR are SEXY SEXY SEXY

I don’t know what they eat or what they are made out of but damnnn I need to know because im planning on making one….jk

Not really

I am attracted to them because I have a deep appreciation for dark skin and because they are really really good dancers < it’s difficult to find a Dominican man that doesn’t know how to dance and guide you in the dance floor> <<also not all Dominican men are dark. Just like in most of Latin America, the people are light, as well as brown, browner, brownest, dark, darker and so on..>>

Plus they speak my native language just in a different accent than myself…..auuuchhh!!!

I have added the first Dominican reggaeton song that stuck to me....enjoy it.....the guy's singing the song are basically saying how if he doesnt pick up his cellphone the girl gets desperate, and thinks he is with someone else, doing what he does to her (wink, wink)....it's a Dominican hit at the moment, played in all clubs and in the radio stations. I have this on my ipod already making it's way to my 'most played' playlist....hahaha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwkiI5gdxhU

PLEASE COMMENT ON MY POSTINGS!! I WANT TO KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND WOULD LIKE FEEDBACK! 

I hope all of you have a GREAT, SUCCESSFUL SEMESTER/SPRING....

love!

-Aguanile

First Day(s) of Classes, Race/Ethnicity in the DR, America, n Kudos

First Day(s) of classes went real smooth. I was almost able to find most of the buildings with no problem.

I had an interesting experience in my Dominican-Haitian relations course. The class has a handful of Dominicans, mostly all ‘American’ students, and one Haitian. I put quotes on American for reasons that I will elaborate on after my anecdote.

Sooo…..the professor was giving an introductory discussion on the current Dominican-Haitian relations, history on the establishment of both countries and the impact of the European unwelcome take over….

For the most part, there is tension between Dominicans and Haitians. Some Dominicans bluntly discriminate Haitians…Haitians are assumed to be all dark skin and women’s hair not chemically straighten like Dominican women. At some point in his lecture the professor wanted to make us think about how dumb our assumptions of other people are and how our prejudices can affect our relations with other people. He pointed to a couple students and asked would you assume he/she was Haitian? Etc. One Dominican student stood out to all of us as being opinionated and not intimidated by discussion. The professor at some point turned to her and asked how she would identify a Haitian individual in the street. He proceeded to put her on the spot and asked by skin color? At this point, she lost some confidence and hesitated to answer as easily as she had commented before. Then she said, …….”for example they are all extranjeros”…(strangers, foreigners, aliens)…while she pointed at the light skin, mostly blonde international group...”obviously I wouldn’t consider them Haitian”….she said this with what I would interpret as passion, emotion and intensity.

On one side I felt attacked (and I know that the other study abroad students did too, at least the ones that were able to fully understand what was going on) and on the other I empathize with her because I too have been there.<<feeling such electricity, anger and frustration while talking about a topic in class>> the way she pointed at us and expressed herself made me feel as if I was invading her space, her territory. And I by no means blame this young woman. In fact I support her.

Anywho, the reason why I quoted “Americans” is because eventhough citizenship wise I am “American” sometimes I reject that title for the negative associations of being an American woman. Some perceptions of American women here in the DR and in a lot of countries, are that American women are easy, fast and loose. Who wants to be associated with that? Not me. Hell no, no me.

Additionally, so far!! I have not been called “American”. To Dominicans I am Mexican. Simply Mexican. 

I know this through my daily conversations with friends, family and the people I meet in the street/stores/clubs 

It’s interesting to me how fast Dominicans quickly identify my accent, and ask “eres Mexicana, verdad?” (you are Mexican, right?) Of course, I don’t deny my ethnic origins. I do clarify (sometimes) that I was born in Los Angeles and that my parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico, therefore I AM Mexican.

I want to add that, even if I don’t always identify solely as American, sometimes I use Mexican-American, (depending on the context) being American is and always will be a privilege. There is always an advantage to be discovered and abused from being American, and that must never be overlooked or taken for granted. I am grateful for this.

I just hate what America symbolizes sometimes, and who America has stepped on in order to be America. U know? I hate how America was build and all the innocent people who have died, been displaced and suffer because of the early Americans. Ffjkffkfkfkfkfkfk that shit

In terms of how Dominicans perceive me…I have been called “rubia” “india clara” and “blanca” (all of them meaning ‘white’ ‘light-skin’)…..Dominicans pay attention to facial features and the texture of the hair….I have been complimented a lot on my hair and my ‘captivating’ eyes

So far I loooove love looooovee the Dominican Republic!! I cannot believe I am here yet. For reals! I have been asked why did I decide to come to the DR when I could have studied abroad somewhere else….but to me it’s like why NOT the DR?

Growing up, I have ALWAYS admired the Dominican Republic! ALWAYS! Because of the culture and music/dance. To me visiting the DR was always a dream and now it’s a reality!

I know I have expressed this before but I will say it again, I am TRULY BLESSED to be here!

I am grateful for this opportunity and want to make the best of it!

I am learning soooo much about Dominican way of life, cuisine, culture, dance, music everything!! …..and finding many similarities between my Mexican heritage and the DR…its very interesting….I am more amazed at the similarities than the differences.

I find differences in diction and ways of expression, but that is normal (to me at least)

I am always surprised at Dominicans grasp of the term Latina/o.

I have heard the term very frequently. I guess I just didn’t expect for the term to be used anywhere else but in the U.S. But I am actually glad that it’s this way because it makes me feel more closely related to Dominicans than different….and to me! I want Dominicans to know that we ARE more alike than different….we have more things in common that u could imagine....

Being a fluent Spanish speaker has helped me immensely integrate myself to Dominican culture/society because I am able to fully communicate with everyone I meet and understand what they say to me (compared to the non-Spanish speakers).

It’s also helps me not be intimidated or shy to interact with the people I encounter.

For the homies and friends going abroad….Frances, Rosa, Asia, Asha, Francisco, Alma, Ally (brown), Kanika, Cecilie…I wish u the very very best! I hope u fall in love with ur host country/family like I have….dont dwell on being homesick because remember that at some point this is what u really wanted…don’t be afraid to ask questions, try new food and just be totally immersed in the host culture. Take mosquito repellent lol it comes in very handy…cuz fresh meat is attractive to the little creatures. From the bottom of my heart, I wish yall all the best on ur adventure.

Blessings to everyone!! From the Dominican Republic!!!

-Sazon

First Week in the DR

FIRST WEEK IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

add me on skype ezamora88!!

The first week of my stay I have been in orientation, organized through the study abroad program. Classes at the university don’t start till Tuesday of next week. I already got my notebooks!! ; )

I have a feeling I will be very dedicated to school this semester!! Muahahaha (evil laugh)

Monday, we spent most of the day on a trip to La Vega, a town outside the city of Santiago. We went to Casa Club which was like a country club that is used for events like quincean`eras, meetings, etc. I went into the pool as soon as I had an opportunity. The hosts of Casa Club were playing all kinds of native Dominican music while we chilled. Some students even started dancing.

I want to talk about los Estudiantes de Apoyo (translated as Support Students). Estudiantes de Apoyo (EA) are a group of 30 Dominican and a few Haitian university students who volunteer as guides and mentors for international students. Throughout orientation week they have participated in some events and even coordinated activities for us. Their function is to help us out in anything we need, answer questions, give us tips on how to integrate ourselves to Dominican culture etc. All of them are very friendly and open to help us in anything we need.

On Thursday some EA students gave us a private lesson on native Dominican dance! Aaaaahhhh!! Merengue, Salsa and Bachata.

 I was pumped!! One of my goals while in the DR is to learn how to dance!

I learned a couple things when I partnered up with 3 different Dominicans muchachos (young men).  All of them told me that I already knew how to dance, and that it was obvious that I had danced to these styles of music before. It made me feel proud to hear their compliments but encouraged to learn more complicated steps.

On Wednesday we were tested to evaluate our language fluency. The test consisted of a listening part, fill in the blank part, write a five paragraph essay part, and an interview. I scored a 98 in my oral part and an 89 in the written portion. =)

Receiving a high score allowed me to directly enroll into classes of the university with Dominican and Haitian students. <<<whoooop whoooop!

I have already registered for classes. I will be taking: Advance Spanish 3, Political and Social Processes, Dominican and Haitian Relations, Dominican Dance, Latin-American Social Cultural Relations, and Latin-American Film/Society. (Not the best translations, but you get it)

I am very very excited to start!

On Friday, our program organized something special for us. Accompanied by two EA students (Julio and Andrea), study abroad students who live around the same neighborhood went house by house to eat a different meal/snack. We went to 6 different houses. In the first we ate salad, 2^nd – soup, 3^rd – main course (spaghetti), 4^th- dessert, 5^th- tea/coffee, 6^th- juice.

I was sooooo full!!

Good thing that we walked from house to house therefore we had some exercise and time to digest. This activity allowed me to see how close I live from other girls in my program, taste amazing Dominican cuisine, get to know other host families and their beautiful homes, and learn more about family functions. I noticed that every home had a delicately decorated Christmas tree, Christmas decorations and nacimientos (I don’t know the translation but here is a picture).

In my house, my host mom, served tea/coffee. It was really nice to have my fellow study abroad friends and EA students in my host home.

I am looking forward to the rest of my semester here in the Dominican Republic! I am very very happy that I decided to apply to study abroad. I am grateful that Oxy (administration/IPO) permitted this eventhough I am a senior on the verge of dippin out their school.

Eventhough I will miss (and maybe at times feel sad) about not spending my last semester with all my buddies at school, I have no doubt that spending my last semester in college abroad will be of most benefit to me. At this point in my life I feel much more prepared and mature to handle whatever is thrown at me. I am growing spiritually, mentally and intellectually. Because I am getting older (in age, but not in spirit), I feel that spending this time in another country will give me space and time to reflect on my last three and a half years in a private liberal arts college. Furthermore, this semester will help me think about where I come from, who I am, and what I am becoming, my purpose and passion. This is very important to me. I will make the best of this wonderful experience! And as Marlynne told me, absorb as much as I can.

I appreciate every one of you who reads these postings. I thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. I am grateful for the time you spent reading what I have to express. So thank youuuu!!!! From the bottom of my heart, it really does mean a lot to me!

Many many blessings from the Dominican Republic!!

-Sazon!

Arriving at the Santiago, DR Airport and Meeting Host Family

Hello!

It’s been a while since I have written anything about my stay in the Dominican Republic (DR) so far so and I figured it was time.

I got here and was picked up by the director of the program at the Santiago, DR airport. I had no problem getting through Dominican customs nor getting my ‘visitors pass’ lol. 

Coming out of the airport, I was surprised to see a big crowd of Dominicans behind a gate waiting for relatives to arrive. I felt all the looks and quivered at their stares. Once we met with all the CIEE (study abroad program) students and the program director, I sensed the looks from Dominicans, the group of all women, mostly light skin and blonde, attracted attention. I even heard a comment from some Dominican muchachos (young men) who said “dales la bienvenida” (give them the welcome).

Next we were taken to the university where our host families were waiting for us. Arriving at the university parking lot, I was warmly received by Mercedes M., a super sweet, intelligent and charismatic Dominican muchacha (young woman) who studied at Oxy during the 2008-2009 school year. I often contemplate on how life works in unexpected ways. Who would have thought that one day I would be studying abroad in her city and country just like she did in my native city of Los Angeles. God works in mysterious and amazing ways! Everyday that passes by I think of how blessed I have and continue to be.

My host mom is amiable, caring, talkative, outgoing and very understanding. I have to say that I am definitely grateful and blessed to have been randomly assigned to be her host daughter. She lives with her husband, and nephew. In the house we have three dogs, two of which are adorable, the other is not so friendly.

The house is elegant, very well organized and thoughtfully decorated. It is located in one of the nicest neighborhoods of the city. There is a balcony, 3 or 4 bedrooms, several living rooms, several dining areas, kitchen, an outdoor pool surrounded by a lemon, orange and coco tree. I have my own bedroom in the first floor of the house. The bedroom is well furnished full size (or maybe queen) size bed and my own bathroom, a small desk, a small t.v. and a huge closet. I have a night lamp and a very cute dresser. As you can tell I am very in love with my family, house and room.

I spend a lot of time talking and interacting with my host mom and her nephew. She is everything I wanted and more! I am very excited to spend more time with her and her family for the rest of the semester. 

Saying "see you later" and Arriving in Miami

Sunday January 2

Miami International Airport

First of all, I must say that saying bye to my mom at LAX was one of the hardest things so far. As the oldest and ONLY daughter, I feel responsible to stay close to home and be there for my mom. The decision to make this trip has been difficult for me because my mom recently lost her mommy and I felt guilty leaving momz so soon.

Eventhough I am frequently traveling, this time around was different because I will be in another country…..with people that she doesn’t know. (when I say other country, I simply mean, not Mexico. LOL)

Yes, I have been in Puerto Rico (PR), but since PR is part of the U.S. I was able to contact mami everyday through my cell which got reception in the island. In the Dominican Republic (DR) on the other hand, I won’t have this privilege, making communication between us more challenging.

Well, I don’t want to keep thinking about it because it brings my mood down. I know my mom is a strong woman and will eventually adjust to the change.

As for myself, I have been raised by a strong woman TO BE a strong woman, so even through the melancholy; I know that deep down, I GOT THIS!!

Nowwww to MIAMI!!

>>>When leaving LAX, the attendants announced the flight information…the word MIAMI sent chills down my spine and back up again dude….’oh my kitties’.

It was EXHILIRATING to think about being in MIAMI!

Growing up, I remember always watching shows that headquarters’ were anchored in MIAMI. More specifically, El Gordo y la Flaca, Sabado Gigante, Cristina, Despierta America and the list goes on. Miami is also the host to countless Latin Grammy’s, Premios Lo Nuestro and Premios Juventud. !!!!!! <<<exactly!!

 I AM IN MIAMI TRICKKkkk!!

Slash, if the names above ring no bell to you, that’s because you probably don’t see channels 34, 46, or 52 aka the Spanish language channels on a daily basis. And that’s fineeee but basically in the Latino/a community Miami is definitely an important city in the development (and preservation) of our culture in this country.

The first thing I noticed and paid attention to in Miami was the accent of all the Spanish speaking gente (people). Their distinct Spanish accent has had me smiling since I got here! Oh mannnn I don’t even know how to explain it. Yes, I am a native Spanish speaker but the way I speak Spanish (or the dialect my ears are used to) comes from other regions of the hundred different Spanish speaking countries. I can definitely feel the strong Cuban community through my observations walking around the airport and small stores.  I feel like a creeper paying close attention to the airport employees’ conversations between each other, but I am passionately interested in hearing their sexy as fuck Spanish accent!

Double –slash…while some of my MSI trained thinkers may perceive my interest as an exotification of the Cuban/Latino/a accent and may want to purple this posting, let me tell you that if you would hear them speak you would be thinking “dammmmnnn papi, your accent is sexy!”

Papi- noun. An attractive male. Most often used to describe guys of Latino descent. Pronounced ‘pah-pee’. It also means daddy. Or as Saude and I would say, Li-ddo Da-DDy!!

Interesting facts of the day!

Spanish (language)

In 1999, there were 358 million people speaking Spanish as a native language and a total of 417 million speakers worldwide. Currently these figures are up to 400 and 500 million people respectively. Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, after Mandarin Chinese and English. But  the second in the most widely spoken language in terms of native speakers (after Mandarin Chinese). Mexico has the largest Spanish speaking population followed by the US, Spain, and Colombia. Spanish is the official language in 20 countries as well as the United Nations and the European Union.

Thank you Wikipedia.com 

I will edit this posting throughout Sunday evening if I can. 
Meanwhile enjoy =) .http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBRhoB5V_fA

                                                       I AM IN MIAMI TRICKKKK!