You can take a Dominican out of the DR but you can’t take the DR out of a Dominican. By Led Black

The part that I dread the most of my every few years trip to DR is the plane ride.  It’s not because I have post-9/11 jitters or even that I am afraid of flying in general.  The reason that I Hate, with a capital H, flying to DR is the thought of flying in a plane full of Dominicans.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my people and their never say never, can-do spirit.  Dominicans can literally make a dollar out of 15 pesos.  The thing with Dominicans is that we are organizationally challenged to put it mildly.  Most of us don’t like rules, regulations or authority for that matter.  Chaos is our calling card.

The torment begins as soon as you get to the airport.  The lines for the Dominican flights wrap around endlessly.  It would seem everybody brought about 4, packed to the brim, suitcases apiece.  American Airlines, the most popular carrier to the DR, has a 50 lb weight restriction on each luggage.  Well guess what, most of the people traveling to the country never bothered to weigh their suitcases at home.  Now you have them opening them up trying to get some of their extra stuff on to their carry-on bags and fighting with the Airlines Reps about how unfair these rules are.  I told you, Dominicans are allergic to rules.  I actually over-heard one guy telling the AA rep to let him slide because his suitcase was only 15 lbs over the limit.  Another thing, Dominicans love hook-ups.

To make matters worse, I’m traveling with my 2 daughters, ages 6 and 1, and my very pregnant wife.  Dominicans are also known for having lots of kids but at least mine are with 1 woman, no outside kids that I know of.  Our destination is the Santiago airport in the heart of the Cibao region.  A little info is required here.  Unlike some of the other airports in the country that have a mixed Dominican and tourist clientele, the Santiago airport caters mostly to Dominicans, which means no gringos to add a little order to the whole ordeal.  Once you’re done with checking in your luggage, it’s on to the waiting area to board the plane.  By the time you get to the waiting area, all the seats are taken because everyone decided that their carry-on bags are tired and deserved to be seated as well.

Tomorrow...the plane ride continues...

Tags:Travel | Dominican Culture | Dominican Republic | Santo Domingo | República Dominicana

Comments

[Joselo]

This seeems more like a bitching session than a travelogue. I mean dude come on...everbody knows this shit, why do you have to put it out like that putting YOUR people down?

[Raul Mariduena]

You know what I like too. Everyone stands up and starts forming the line to get into the plane, no matter what "group" number is called. I think its hilarious! Jaja

[nino]

dud! like, everybody didn't know that shit!

[Jonny Nadie]

Even though we knew it, its good to bring it up. Its a beautiful thing to see and hear the things that our people do. My favorite part is clapping when the plane lands.... it never gets old.

[keko]

if u are really dominican.......
shame on you gringo apatrida.

[Mr.Bones]

Reminds me of the time I went to D.R with a Studio2000 MC Hammer sweatsuit. As soon as the plane landed I was escorted to a little room by three D.R cops then frisked.

[El buen dominican]

Hi fucking gringo you are so traitor make sure next time you going to write something it make some kind of fucking sense.

[BR]

Why are some posters so upset about what was written in the travelogue? I don't understand. It's actually fun to kind of read this stuff and laugh at it. Alot of the things that are said are true. I'm as Dominican as any other person, but to tell you the truth, there are just some people that overdo it with certain things. In general we dominicans like to do things our way, but you have to know when it's time to be civilized and some people just don't know. I'm sure I will enjoy this. :)

[Leo Queloquen]

ohh men.. .i guess people can't stand when the truth is spoken outloud...i speak for many when i say .. i will be back tomorrow to laugh some more....

[republica]

No gringos here my friend...100% Dominicano, del alto Manhattan, Washington Heights para el que no sepa. Por favor, tengamos un discurso inteligente sobre el tema del Travelogue. De len una oportunidad y lean los 7 capítulos. No hay razón porque tengamos que faltar el respeto usando palabras feas y ofensivas. Dejen le saber al mundo que no todos los Dominicanos son como algunos del avión. Somos inteligente y intelectuales también. Step up your game, Dominican's are here to win.

[el pariguayo]

I also don't understand why so many angry posters. Why is "unDominican" to put ourselves in the mirror and realized that while most of us are well intention, hard-working people, there are certain areas that we need to improve upon. What's wrong with point out our flaws so that we could improve? Who knows? Many one day we'll stop taking bags over 50 lbs to the airports. And beside, he's not writing it (a least I'm not taking it) as put-down.

[el pariguayo]

Rafael Jimenez: Yo no lo hubira podido decir mejor. You're 100% right!

[chula-nj]

i agree with nino, about the claping that sh!t is funny but that us , we can't be ashamed of our culture... and also us REAL DOMINICANS we go dressed up from head to toes with our bling bling like if we going to a party mean while u see the gringos with sweats and a t-shirt

[republica]

This Travelogue was in no way, shape or form written as a put down to our people. It was one Dominican's experience as a traveler. I'm glad that it has started a discussion amongst our people.

Here is a sneak peak to Part II:
http://www.republicaupdate.com/2006/05/dr_travelogue_t_1.html

Con mucho respeto,

-R

P.S. I'm gonna try and have the writer Led Black comment on all this.

[Led Black]

It seems my innocent writings have touched a nerve. As a life-long Dominican, I am simply holding up a mirror for us to look at ourselves a little better. It’s all in fun, besides this is just the first part. Anyone who has ever been on a plane full of Dominicans can relate, even if you don’t feel I should be airing our dirty laundry in public. You’re entitled to your opinion. I am actually glad that my travelogue has sparked some honest and candid debate because that was my intention. Stay tuned for more. Peace!

[JBueno]

Our habits are formed early in life and are hard to break. I remember as a young kid growing up in "El Cibao" how when we traveled to the country side to visit our grandparents we had to share the ride with goats, chickens and other sundry animals. My guess is that there are some rules that we do follow. I have not yet had to fly on a plane with animals seating next to me.
E pa'lante que vamos. I just cannot wait for the next installment

[Bracuta]

Good luck with this log. I get bitched at and called names everytime I wrote something regarding the DR.
Nevertheless, I like your writing so keep on with it.

[A Savage Just Like You...]

well, my dominican savages, someone has finally pulled your cards...what did you expect to happen.. how long will you savages go on playing your muic at 3am a todo lo que da...not knowing how to make a line...so the next time you svages decide to act up in public and bring shame to the rest of us, have this travelogue with your mangu....suckers...

[M.Tony Peralta]

I would just like to congratulate Led Black on a fine job on this very funny but true story. I guess the people that have posted negative comments about Led not being a real Dominican or some sort of sell out are probably the ones that take 5 luggages that weigh 75lbs each to DR. Like Led Black, I'm not a fan of the type of savagery that goes on in the sky on the way to DR. It's actually pretty embarrasing. I love my Dominican people and I love being Dominican but damn, we can be pretty backwards and uncivilized sometimes. Like Rafael said, Step your game up!

[Ed Rosa]

Ok enough stress heres a commercial break!

Click on the UrL Link

Bong Bong!!

Ed Rosa

[Ed Rosa]

Enoug Stress Were all One Big Family!

click on the URL Link for your a commercial break an event for a good cause.

Ed Rosa

[Rich Liriano]

Led Black,

I totally support your Travelogue, 100 por ciento. Looking forward to the other parts of the logue.

As for the negative feedback.

Let the haters keep hating. That's what they do best.
--------------------------------------------
Rafael Jimenez,

You said: Step up your game, Dominican's are here to win.

I agree. Pero...

I think Dominican's have been here for quite some time and were just waiting for our time to shine.

[jose silverio]

cant wait for part II.Por lo que veo el dominicano no puede recivir una critica constructiva..The man hit the nail on the head..

[Raft]

Esto no es noticia nueva. Todo el que ah viajado en algun tiempo sabe todo esto!!

[caminante]

Bien hare este comentario en español para que los dominicanos me entiendan, en parte comprendo porque algunos reaccionan furiosos con el tema y es que este valida la mala imagen que se tiene de los dominicanos, por ejemplo el dice que tiene dos hijas de la misma esposa e implica que la "mayoria" de los dominicanos les gusta tener mas hijos con diferentes mujeres,esto no es cierto en el ambiente en que me desenvuelvo la mayoria son monogamos, porque manchar la imagen nuestra en el nombre del humor?acaso no vale la pena el esfuerzo que realizamos muchos por limpiar la imagen deteriorada que existe de los dominicanos como tramposos, desordenados bullosos sucios, ladrones y muchas cosas mas?