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.
I love the Carnival but from afar. I am amazed at the creativity of the humans that design costumes and floats. Some of the masks are so intricate and imaginative.
I was nervous about going down to the Malecon in Santo Domingo to watch and take pictures. A few years ago my camera was stolen right out of my hand. I cannot afford this to happen each year. I had asked a friend to come and be my Guachiman but he could not make it. He said his daughter was visiting and in their barrio, near to Zona Colonial, they were having big problems with thieves and tigres coming in from other areas hoping to take advantage of and rob non-suspecting spectators. He said there were even gun shots. So he did not make it to be the guarding of my camera.
When I got to the spot where I wanted to take pictures I scoped the area for the police and there was a man inside the fence. I asked him how I could get inside and explained to him about my fears. He let me come in to the press area and take pictures. I was so grateful. He kept laughing at me at first when I lifted the camera to take a picture. I would check around me, making sure it was safe. He kept telling me it was not necessary and that I was safe inside the fence.
I stayed and took pictures and videos until close to dusk. I wanted to be back home in my own area before dark hit. I was so glad I left when I did. It took me forever to go 2 blocks. The people were jammed in tight. There was no sneaking through the crowds. I just pushed forward trying not to bump into too many people. I really am not into crowds.
One masked man stopped me and told me not to go down one street as there was trouble happening there. I asked what was happening but he was talking so fast in Spanish I could not keep up with his words.
I got home and all was safe. I only got hit on the butt once by a little boy with his rubber ball called a vejiga. I did come close a few times to being whipped with one of the latigo snapping masked creatures. I took Teli, The Dominican Dog, out for her evening walkabout. Came home and went to work uploading all the pictures and videos to share with the world.
Hurricane Irene is all gone for the most part. she is leaving us with a nice breeze, humidity and no sun for the day.
I took some interesting pictures from my rooftop in Zona Colonial this morning around 5:30AM. I posted a few on the Colonial Zone News Blog. The header for the blog that is there right now I took this morning also.
A small panoramic view from my rooftop at 5:30AM after Hurricane Irene passed looking towards Rio Ozama. Click to enlarge.
I have been trying to post all morning and each time I got a few pictures fixed up and the electric went off again. So here goes again. I guess the breeze is messing with the lines as the lights only stay out for 15 minutes or so.
We did not get hit here in my side of Dominican Republic. Irene was gracious to us. We got some rain, mostly sprinkles and some drizzle. there is a nice breeze, not too strong but it picks up at times. The sky is gray and the Caribbean Sea is a bit choppy and dark. But all in all, it has been fine.
I went out around 8 this morning to walk down to the sea and see what was happening there cause I could see there were some white caps from my balcony view. There was one spot where some spray was coming up onto the Malecon but that was it, at least for the Colonial Zone area.
The sky from my window north towards Parque Colon.
The sky over Colonial Zone at 6:30AM facing east
The sky facing south toward the Caribbean sea at 6:30AM
8:45AM Irene passing by on the Caribbean Sea in Colonial Zone
8:45AM Irene passing by on the Caribbean Sea in Colonial Zone
It is 10:20Am and the electric went out for about 10 minutes around 9. Not hurricane related as this happens alot these days just for about 10 minutes. I think they are doing some type of construction and shut the electric off for this.
Just got a big wind burst. My ladder is on the balcony ready to put up the plastic and it blew over. The guys on the scaffolding are taking it down right now. I heard a few big “¡diablos!” being yelled after the gust. I think it was the guys on the scaffolding. They are working fast taking it down.
We had a shot of rain but now nothing. The sky is getting darker as I am typing.
The third picture you can see the sea in the distance. Hard to make out in the picture but I can see some movement in the water and it is really gray looking.
The sky from my window north towards Parque Colon. The tree is waving slightly.
The sky when Irene is on the way at 10:20AM facing east.
The sky facing south toward the Caribbean sea at 10:20AM. Irene is on her way.
Woke at 6AM to do what I need to do to get prepared for Irene when she comes to visit our island. I was happy to see the direction turned a little from last night. This will for sure be a good thing for us on the southern side of the island and also for Haiti which does not need any storms this year.
Remember, I am not a forecaster. I see all the models and write what I think. I am wrong alot but then sometimes I am right too.
So as long as I have electricity I will post pictures taken at different times off my balcony to give the progress report.
