A DAY IN THE LIFE

Sent you a PM

Bob K

got it and sent you one right back......LOL

Please call when in Sosua.
I have your number now as well

Bob K

Update on Closet Boy -  he showed up at 10:30 this morning. He just came to ask me how long he can work.  I told him 12:30 you are leaving. Oh he says, I need more time. Then I guess you should have been here at 9am. At 12:30 you are leaving,  I have a conference call at  1pm and then I am out of the house for meetings!  It is his last opportunity until after the holidays. IF he does not complete then the landlady will NOT pay him.  Tough luck for him!   

Let's hope he gets it done and out of here!  I will then need to clean up his mess one last  time.  I really should add up all the visits and all the hours I spent cleaning up after he was done for the day.....  No,  it will just make me mad.....

Cross your fingers he finishes!!!

I hope you are not holding your breath you don't look good with a blue a blue face.

BobK

Closet boy showed up -  1.5 hours late, which is almost on time here. BUT I was serious about the timing, I had other things to do with my day,  he had until 12:30.  RIGHT - he made a huge mess, did NOT get finished again and I threw his ass out of here at  close to 2pm after adjusting MY WORK and my needs.  So he is not getting paid before Christmas and I do not care.  It is his own fault.

BUT the rest of my day yesterday was MAGICAL.  In and out of PriceMart in 45 minutes,  3 more stops where parking was just where we needed it,  no lines, no issues AND they had every single thing I needed and almost no traffic issues!!!!.  In 2.25 hours I did PriceMart, groceries, insurance errand and pick up at another location!  AND home again.  Unheard of.......  It was a great afternoon!

Holes, holes, holes everywhere.

So we got our new cable for the internet and all seems to be working well. Except the cable is lying on the ground and not buried. The guy who was going to burry the cable in PVC pipe did not show last week.  Called him Monday and he said to have the gardener dig the trench and he would be here yesterday.  So trench dug (about 100 feet of trench through the lawn and gardens).  And guess what he was a NO SHOW.  He said he would be here today (this morning) and I am not sure if I should hold my breath or not

Second we are having problems with clogged drains in the kitchen and one of the showers.  So the plumber came out yesterday and we could not find the outside buried drainage pipes with the clean outs.  They were not where the plans on the house said they were.  So more holes dug. We now have a 3 foot deep large trench in the garden and lawn (about 10 fee long) to finally find the pipe.  Plumber to return today.

Starting to sound like the "closet boy" has relatives working here on the north coast as well.

It should be an interesting day.

Bob K

I am back with another update.  OMG  where exactly to start.....

I left Santo Domingo on Thursday morning headed for the north coast.  I took the Metro bus -  370RD, so about $8 or $9.  The bus is a clean highway bus with a bathroom on board.  We left on time, its about  4 hours to Puerto Plata depending on traffic. It was an easy ride and the air conditioning was reasonable.  Yay.....

On arrival  hopped in a taxi for Costambar to meet some friends and do some business.  Taxi 200RD.  US $5
Nice visit and a drink and nibblies,  time to head back to Puerto Plata,  I walked to the taxi stand in Costambar, not far and they want 350RD to take me back to Puerto Plata. So in rapid fire spanish they get blasted!!! I am not a tourist I live and work here and I am NOT paying inflated rates..... I then got the....oh things are so expensive. Bullshit they are the same price as Santo Domingo and you are trying to rob me....LOL I got it for 200RD.

I often stay at  Hotel Montesilva, it is near the  courthouse on the east end of town. Nice clean room, air conditioner, cable and really good strong hot hot water...oh yes....   1,000RD about  US $22 a night, can't beat it AND it is very very quiet..

Friday I was off to Cabarete for meetings and business.  All good, back to Puerto Plata and  caught the 2pm  Metro bus back to Santo Domingo. I did not want to be on a later bus, with Friday traffic it can be a nightmare.

First of all this bus made me think I was in Canada again, bloody freezing. I always travel with a pashmina and that did the trick. We arrived late at 6:30 pm to bad Friday night traffic, last Friday before Christmas, pouring rain and dark..... yuckkkkk. Oh it gets worse............no taxis! Anywhere!  none at the Metro bus (there is always a lineup of them) none on the streets and the taxi companies seemed to have taken their phones off the hook.  Traffic backups everywhere.  That is one of the few things I hate about SD,  traffic.  You learn to pick the times to be out there.

It took me almost 2 hours to get a taxi!!!! Arrived home to pitch black. Apparently  our electricity went out at 3pm and was still out. In fact it was out until  9 am this morning. BUT only a 4 block area was out. Something blew up and they had to replace it...... 

My inverter and  batteries lasted until 7:30 this morning, so a fan for sleeping and we are good!!!!  Quite the adventure that apparently I need to make again next weekend, but will stay the whole weekend!!!!!  I can meet for coffee or drinks,  go dancing, catch up with friends......

The stores and streets are getting crazy this time of year.  I think I will not venture out after Monday for a few days.

Bob K

Sounds like a good plan Bob!! I will do my last shop tomorrow then I am done. Now looks lime 11 for Christmas dinner at my house. Woooo hooooo....

We are doing an early Christmas tomorrow with 14 coming over.  How do I let myself get talked in to these things????

Bob K

Bob it seems to just happen.  I am not much for cooking, I hate cooking for just me. BUT I love cooking Christmas dinner! Go figure.....

Enjoy Bob!!!!

You as well.
We will have a good time if we get our septic fixed.  Right now the yard and terrace looks like groundhog day with multiple holes looking for registers and tubes to find the blockage.  So far a 2 day project and no where near done.  Who puts drainage pipes under a huge pool terrace....answer....Dominican builders....

Bob K

It is amazing the construction  stupidity in this country!!!  I once did a huge project for a group of hotels and resorts. At one resort we asked the engineer for the  layout of their "lines and pipes underground".  He simply asked what we wanted to know?  ALL the info was in his HEAD.  Nothing was on paper.  Imagine if he was not around..... that is job security.....

Lets hope you find your blockage before you need to rip up everything!

Well, we plans but of the plumbing and  pipe layout but the blueprints have nothing to do with the actual location of anything.... go figure

Bob K

Yup,  that makes sense here.....LOL  For everyone else who doesn't live here - take note - things are rarely as they seem!!!!

The Dominican way. Also the workers motto here is:
"never do once what you have the opportunity to do many times over"  Kind of a  built in job security.

Oh and they are starting on hole number 7 as I write this......

Bob K

Yes it amazes me the lack of planning!   I remember when they dug up the main street in Puerto Plata to lay down new sewer pipes.  If memory serves me, they dug the same places up 4 separate times!!!! what a MESS they made.

Good luck Bob,  what lousy timing for you!

Ok I thought we were done and ready to repair the pool deck....but seems they forgot to check the last leg of the pipe system.  So today they get to dig up the last couple of hole again and test the last section.  ON top of all the kitchen sink drains still don't work.
Anything that does not get fixed today will be waiting till Thursday or Friday if we are lucky.
And here in the DR.... life goes on.....

Bob K

Hey Bob how is the back yard / sink drain situation????

For me the closets are still not finished but they are functional.  Closet boy will be allowed back one day next week and then I am booting his butt out the door, never to be seen again.

One thing I would like to bring to people's attention is how things work when you are in rental accommodations. I mean long term rentals, not tourism rentals.

People are always shocked to learn that once you move in, many repairs are now your responsibility! Right - drain gets plugged you fix it.  Tap comes off in your hands - you fix it.  Ceiling light doesn't work - you fix it.

It is very very important to note all these things BEFORE you move in or before you sign that contract.  IF you cannot check (ie no electricity) you make sure there is a clause that says these items are pending.

I am very very fortunate in this regard.  I signed a contract with the lawyer acting on behalf of the owner.  We agreed in writing that anything not working within the first month would be their responsibility to fix,  anything due to age of the building would continue to be their responsibility. They put in writing that water filtration of any ceiling would be their responsibility.

Ongoing repairs and maintenance are a given in this country.  Something is always needing to be fixed or updated.  I plan to be here for some time so I spent time and money working on the yard,  painting the entire inside of the house and other things.

In early December I met the owner of the house,  She lives in Italy with her husband.  She is thrilled with what I have done and the plans.  Now our agreement - anything needing doing - get it done and deduct from the rent. So now I can go ahead and get the roof resealed, I can do the back patio (remove old paint on cement patio, repaint) and replace all the taps that are as old as I am (yup 29 years old those taps....LOL) 

You can bet I will not be hiring anyone like Closet Boy!!!!!   I will update what is happening here for anyone interested!

Planner 4 days or work (work by DR standards) and 10,000 RD later (he wanted 12000) we are functional again. We had to have two areas of he pool deck redone and this was the biggest cost between sand, stone, and cement.

Now if I can just get the guy who was supposed to burry our new internet cable here that would be great. So far it has been either today or tomorrow for 3 weeks.... and the beat goes on!


Bob K

Sorry lost the internet for a second.

I want also to add that Planner is correct in if you rent it you fix it.

When we first moved here we rented a very nice little villa while we built our own villa.  Well the fans (three needed to be replaced as they actually fell apart (spit blades all over the place).  We made a deal with the landlord that if she bought the fans we would pay have them installed.   The same thing when after 4 month the water heater failed and flooded the place.

Bob K

Hi again.   Whew!!  Where on earth does time go when living in DR.   O'k, just a quick update.  Still haven't replaced the invertor or batteries.   BUT, I've had a change to talk to a ton of other expats, and instead, I'm going to get a 'tool shed' built in the yard.  One of my neighbors mentioned that in the 4 years he has lived in Sosua, the power has only gone out a few times.   We have to make a trip back to the frozen tundra of western Canada so I might just bring back a good quality invertor from home.

Otherwise, we've been busy enjoying the Christmas and New Years festivities..........and they have been everywhere!!

Ended up enjoying New Years at the resort in Sosua.  For 2500 pesos, they provided one heck of a night.  Open buffet with lobster, etc, etc, evening dance show, champagne for the New Years toast, and awesome fireworks right over our heads.

Went last night to another German restaurant located in the "Dominican" part of Sosua.   Wow!!  350 pesos for an open buffet.  Incredible meal.........extremely tasty.   We're going to have to start jogging or buy new LuLu Lemon clothing (LMFO) ............

Planted three pinapple trees in the backyard, two banana trees and three ferns.   Its starting to look like a jungle back there LOL..................

Wow Bob, New competition: closet boy is back next week. Which completes first: my closet or your cable????

Your are such a newbie LOL enjoying all the parties.... good for you!!!! On the inverter, never heard anyone who bought one and brought it with them!  You and Bob need to start walking! Ok me too!

A pineapple tree??? Really, I didn't think they grew on trees???

Watch how fast everything grows here, it's amazing.

Bob when do you two head back?  I actually will be heading to Edmonton next Wednesday to visit our friend who is not done well and has been readmitted to the hospital there.

I will have to borrow some gloves from our gardener

Bob K

I too have started walking. Pat and I are now walking 2 miles every morning..... my legs are killing me.

Bob K

Nice Bob. I walk the dogs everyday but I need to do more dancing!!!

Bob........
Sorry for getting back to you so late.   Busy, busy, busy.     We've extended our stay in Sosua until the 23rd of January.  I am NOT looking forward to living with 2 months of winter with the snow and cold temperatures LOL.....

Our back yard is looking great.   We bought and had installed 7 fan palms, 1 mango, 3 banana, 2 pineapple, and 2 papaya's.   Now just to wait another year and see what it looks like!!   

Roof is done.   All exterior walls are painted (LOL....looks like someone took a bright yellow highliter to the house).  Just a couple more little reno's in the backyard, and one in the front yard and we're done!

Met a British gentleman who looks after smaller construction projects in Sosua area.  He's doing some work for another Canadian friend of ours.   Very nice work.  He sent his electrician over pronto to hook up our new water fountain in the back yard.  As well, we have found a wonderful long-term renter for our villa.   He's one of the dive instructors in the area with a wonderful wife and a newborn.  We will be extremely sad to leave, but knowing that our little shack is in good hands will help.

Great update!!!

For me today is cleaning day. I  have  friends coming to stay for the weekend, we are going to go play tourist,  go dancing,  maybe some restaurants but for sure my Canadian friends want to go to IHOP..... I find that hysterical that we come to the DR to eat at IHOP.  But, damn it is good!

Updates coming if I live thru this weekend!!!!

Freedom,
Great job!  Sounds like you did well with the renter. I love it when a plan comes together!
I am in Edmonton now and actually will return to DR on the 24th.So we will miss you.  Do keep us posted and let us know when you are coming back.  We need to have you over  for a BBQ

Bob K

Hello Bob.     LOL.......I hear that you're enjoying the great weather Edmonton has to offer mid-January.    Wearing shorts and a t-shirt I presume?

I'm sorry to hear that you will be leaving Alberta prior to us getting together.   How is your friend doing?

Now that the yard is planted and the house is painted, its time for some good old R&R until we leave.  We will definitely keep you posted on our return (we can't wait).   

David

David,
Looks like I will be here for a couple of weeks..Yippeeee!

You and Rita have a good time while in the DR and safe travels home. See you soon

Bob K

Ok, probably wrong forum, but............

Can anyone tell me where I can purchase parts for sliding doors in or near Sosua?  (runners, wheels, etc)

Does anyone out there need any trees?    I happened upon a wonderful Dominican gentleman who is selling all types of trees (including fruit).........most are upwards of 12 ft high already.   I bought 9 trees for myself.   His prices include 1 year guarantee (here's hoping LOL)........delivery AND installation.     Send me a note if you're interested and I'll give you his name and number.     For example, I bought 3 'fan' palm delivered and installed for RD$6000.

O'k, off to try and find the large market in Puerto Plata without getting lost !!

I just had  company for better part of 3 days.  We had a blast,  from shopping to playing tourist and of course we went out dancing.

Saturday night was a visit to a "rancho typico" style club.  It was fairly full and lots of people watching for us. Unfortunately not a lot of dancing, just not many singles to dance with. It was "date night" in the club it seemed!

Here in the capital there are so many choices for places to go, things to see.  We spent most of a day in the Colonial Zone checking out the little stores,  the buildings and architecture and some  time  people watching!!!!   Later that night it was Las Ruinas for some live music. It is my favorite Dominican place to go on Sunday night!!!! It was amazing.

Then we did something totally different. We went to a local "colmado" for some drinks and more dancing!  Yup the corner store - that is what a colmado is!  We danced for 2 hours with a variety of people.  Lots and lots of fun! 

My friends left Monday afternoon,  quite happy with their time in the capital and a promise to come back soon!!!!

Anyone wants to visit Santo Domingo just let me know, happy to play tour guide for you.

Great post planner. It is good to hear some positive news after all the negativity that has been swirling around the capital since the new year. Keep the posts coming :-)

Grew up in morris county NJ! are you originally from there?

Belu where in Morris county.  I actually grew up in the Dover area (Rockaway Township) and went Morris Hills High School.  We lived there for 15 years.

Small world

Bob K

Planner sounds like you had a great time. Visitors can sometimes be sooooo much fun!

Still freezing my butt off in Edmonton but today it will actually be about 42F here.  A big change for them

Bob K

Grew up living in Ridgewood then mendham ! I spent a lot of time at rockaway Mall in High school lol!

Sounds Like an absolute blast! I love to go dancing