Life and Times of the Dominican Gringa

Teli Greeting Me

Posted by rdgringa on May 19, 2012 No comments

I went out to get some fruit across the street. I left the apartment door open but did lock the gate. I wanted to see what Teli would do with the door open and being alone.

I was only gone at the most 5 minutes.

When I to the second floor I could hear her. She was waiting at the gate.

As soon as she saw me she got excited and ran into the apartment. As I steeped onto the 3rd floor she came running back out of the apartment.

Then I saw her big smile. I so love it when she smiles. I couldn’t wait to unlock the gate and greet her. She was just too cute. I was only gone for a few minutes and got a wonderful greeting.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE MY DOG?!

You can read about Telis’ own stories on The Dominican Dog Blog

Rainy May Saturday – View From My Balcony

Posted by rdgringa on May 19, 2012 No comments

We have a nice steady rain today in the Colonial Zone.

Everyone is taking cover wherever they are able.

The people taking a little tour ride on the ChooChoo Colonial are getting a little bit wet but they are still having a good time.
I heard laughter coming from inside the train.
Peace back at you my friend.

It has brought a reprieve from the heat.
I like the rain at times.
Now is one of those times.

Political Campaign Noise

Posted by rdgringa on May 13, 2012 2 comments

The Presidential Elections are in one more week here in Dominican Republic. All will return to their home town, where they are registered, and get their black inked finger. Place your vote and get inked. Then all know that you voted.

All the different political parties are out in full force this week. They play deafening music as they set up their posts in the parks, plazas and street corners. People waving their flags, yelling, dancing and showing their support for their chosen candidate.

They drive around with large trucks loaded down with speakers. Not just a few speakers but the truck beds are filled with giant speakers playing as loud as they possible are able. No important if people and babies are sleeping, resting comfortably in their homes, or hanging out on the street. The speakers are no respecter of persons. It is so loud that I cannot hear the tv in my own home. Teli, the dog, runs for cover. My windows have vibrated a few times. I cannot believe how loud these speakers are.

Here are a few videos I took out my window.

Cerezas For Me

Posted by rdgringa on May 8, 2012 No comments

Ok. As you can tell in my Blog I love food. Most all foods for me are yummy.

This morning after I took Teli for her morning walk and was settling down to work a bit I heard from the street “Cereza, cereza” as the vendor was pushing his cart down the street. I wanted some of this yummy fruit. So I yelled out the window down three floors for him to wait.

I grabbed my cash and bounded…well not bounded but walk briskly…down the stairs. I heard Teli barking her “where are you mommy” bark because I didn’t even tell her I was going out and I didn’t say goodbye. But I had no time to mess around. The vendor awaited.

So I got his large tin can full two times. $30 pesos per can. Then I was back up the steps with my loot.

Teli was at the door greeting me like I had been gone for hours instead of minutes. I love my dog.

Cerezas for me taste like a mix between a cherry and cranberry. Tart and sweet. They are high in in ascorbic acid and have the highest vitamin C content among all the cultivated fruits. Here people drink the juice when they have a cold or sickness.

I made me some juice and am now enjoying munching on the fruit. Teli will not eat it which is good. More for me! Isn’t it just too beautiful?

Mango Time!

Posted by rdgringa on April 24, 2012 No comments

It is mango season here in Dominican Republic. I have been watching the trees in the park laden with mangoes. A soft green color just waiting for them to ripen.

It finally happened. They are ready for pickin’ and eatin’. Oh yeah!

I cannot reach the trees from the park. All the mangoes fall into the Marine base grounds so I got this young boy that lives somewhere around there to get me some. I gave him a large bag from the Colmado and Teli (my dog) and I waited for Jimmy to return.

He came back in about 20 minutes with a bag full of mangoes! They smelt sooo good. I gave him some money for it. He was happy and so was I.

I was told that Dominican dogs love mangoes. My Teli is a Dominican dog but she turns her nose up at them. I kept trying to give her one and she finally gave me the look telling me “Thats enough! I do not want a stupid MANGO!”