The last week I have noticed more little crabs running around everywhere. I thought they were roaches at first until I got a closer look. They were all hanging out at the drain area where all the Colonial Zone waste water enters the sea.

Hundreds of tiny crabs dot the cement wall.

The crabs are always making little crab holes in the sand hear to the water line but a few days ago they were way up from the line. They were running around, not hiding in their little hidie holes like usual. For me this was a baffling mystery. The mystery was solved yesterday.

This little guy thought he was hiding from me

I was looking at the crabs running around and there was a man sleeping under a palm tree on a piece of cardboard. I was thinking about how he would have those crabs running all over him very soon when he jumped up grabbing his pant leg and shaking. I wanted to snicker as what I was thinking seemed to have happened but I kept my snicker to myself.

The man finally took off his pants, stripped down to his boxers, and laid back down. I went over to him and asked him if he had crabs. Then I did laugh because I heard my self ask a stranger if he had crabs…

Anyhow he started to explain to me about these little alien looking creatures and why they are all over the beach.

First he said they are not Cangrejo (crab in Spanish) they are called Jaiba. They come up onto the beach way above the water line to lay their eggs so they are not washed away and they have the warm sand to incubate. I kept telling him to repeat the name jaiba so I could remember it because my brain has a hard time remembering stuff.

Finally Fernando was finished jogging around the beach and he came over. Then we were talking about the turtles and this laying on the beach said he was on a beach somewhere on the island and a giant turtle came out of the water. He said it was so big that he sat on it and it walked with him on its back. It was a giant sea turtle and he said that the people protected it and its eggs. I was hoping he would say that so I didn’t have to go on about protected creatures.

So anyhow, I learned something new about the yummy crabs that I love to eat. They lay eggs in herds. They lay eggs far from the shore line. They are called Jaiba here. oh, and do not lay on the beach with baggy clothing when the crabs invade unless you want to get crabs (in your pants). LOL. I do need to remember this.

A Jaiba up close and personal

We were told that we are not permitted to take the dogs to the Fortaleza Ozama any more in the mornings so our little morning dog group and the 3 Dogeteers (like the 3 Musketeers but doggie style) had to find a new place to play.

We now go to the Playita at Montecino. We have to cross the pedestrian bridge over the Malecon which wasn’t easy at first as Teli was afraid of it. Then one day when Teli saw her friends Blanco and Lula crossing she overcame her fear and now she crosses without me having to carry her.

This walk is a bit rough for me somedays. First I have to go down the three flights of stairs at my apartment.

Teli looking down from the stairs

Escalinatas Las Damas

Bridge over the Malecon

Stairs inside Montecino

But all the stairs are worth it when I see Teli playing and running and enjoying herself.

Teli and some of her friends

Teli, Blaoco and Lula. The 3 Dogeteers

Now I have to get ready to take Teli out. It is 6:30AM and she keeps looking out the window and then looking at me. She is telling me to common mom, its time to go out and play.

Sand in my shoes. Sand in Teli ears. A little sweat but it is all worth it for my baby

So I decided to check and see what this Jamette was being so close to my name.

Here is a quote from a web site www.2nails.gov.tt in Trinidad Tobago where they celebrate this Carnival.

“The “Jamettes” occupied the barrack yards of East Port of Spain. They were the stickfighters, prostitutes, chantuelles, matadors and dustmen. They lived in appalling conditions in areas which were rife with all the conditions for social instability: crime, vagrancy, disease, prostitution, unemployment, sexual permissiveness and dysfunctional families.”

All I can say is thank you sooo much mom and dad for not naming me Jamette! Wiping the sweat off my brow saying a big sscheewww. lol.

Teli really does not like change so it was a bit of a trauma for her to take a right instead of going straight, her normal morning routine. We hit the stairs at Calle las Damas all the while she is looking at me asking “Where are we going mommy?”.

I decided to cross the bridge at the port instead of trying to walk across the road with all the traffic. I made a mistake. I ended up having to carry Teli as she was afraid of the open sides on the stairs. I did not want to take the chance that she would slip out of her collar and run into the traffic so it was best to just carry her. I realized this was a mistake half way up the long…long stairway. I am not in good shape anymore. In my younger days I could have made it up all those stairs, no problem. I need to remember that I am not living in my younger days anymore which from time to time I seem forget.

Walk-way over Malecon to the Port.

I tried to put her down on the top but she was afraid of the open railing which I knew she would be. I just did not want to take a chance of her getting frightened and bolting so I carried her across the top and down the first flight of stairs. That was it for me. She had to walk the rest of the way.

We entered Montecions Plaza and she was doing fine. I was having the problem remembering the last time we were there when Teli jumped out the 2 1/2 floor window. (This is the story – Taking the Jump From Montecinos). Then Blanco and his dad came across the street and Teli was content. Her friend was there to play with her.

We made it to the beach and she and Blanco were romping having a good ole time. Chasing and dodging each other like they love to do.

Teli and Blanco romping on the Montecinos Beach

Then Telis other friend Lula came. The three dogs were having a great time running around in the sand. Playing like they love to do.

Finally, they were starting to were out a bit. Taking a lay-down break here and there.

The dogs were slowing down a bit

I was trying to get Teli to get a little wet in the sea. She wasn’t going for it. Teli was fast at getting out of the way of the wave, I was not. So I got wet. Just my feets and shoes.

I was done after the shoes got wet and went over to the group to share my wet foot story and WAM!! The dogs that I thought were tired were still romping and Blanco crashed right into me! Normally I am aware where the dogs are because Blanco is known for her haphazard crashes, but I was so into my wet feet I was not paying attention.

Stupid me. Down I went on my butt! I am so happy it was soft sand and not pavement. It would have been a big owwie if it was cement but it was just a tiny owwie instead. I even got a scrape where the dog hit me.

Dog crash booboo

I was sitting on the sand with wet shoes, sand all over me, a booboo shin and laughing as the friends pulled me to my feet. I was a bit sandy but all was fine. I will probably be a little sore tomorrow from the fall and more sore from carrying my chicken dog up all those stairs. My poor old back cannot handle alot these days.

Now the thought..Last time Teli and I were at that beach Teli jumped out the window and fell 2 1/2 stories to the, thank goodness, the soft dirt below and only had a few scratches and was sore. This time we went to the same area I fell down and got a little boobo on my leg. Maybe that place should not be blesses with our presence any more. The Booboo Beach does not seem to like us much.

Food price comparison Dominican Pesos to US Dollars

3pound can of Butter Flavored Crisco $RD 340 (exchange rate $39 pesos to $1us dollar) $US 8.72

12oz. non-name brand Peanut Butter $RD 150 (exchange rate $39 pesos to $1us dollar) $US 3.85

16oz. Tahini $RD 260 (exchange rate $39 pesos to $1us dollar) $US 6.67

How do these prices compare to those in United States?

Merry Christmas from Teli and Janette

I even made some Hard Tack Candy..known as HEART-A-TACK because when you make it you eat so much that all the sugar makes you feel like your having a heart attack.

I also made Peanut Butter Cookies. The first time I have made cookies in this country in 11 years. I was so proud of myself. Maybe I will make more for next year.

This is our Christmas video card.

See our older videos on the Colonial Zone web site here: http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/christmas-video.html

365 Days until Christmas 2013

Last time I went to renew I just needed to pay the money, leave a few copies of my documents and wait for the new card. I think it was $2500 pesos.

This time no one had me prepared for the new stuff. No ex-pat forum I checked had the new changes correct. Even the Dominican Migracion site did not have the new laws (the people working at migration said to not pay attention to their web site).

Well, I was so shocked and did not save up enough cash in my renew residency cash stash that when they told me about this new stuff I stood there and cried. I tried to not cry but it was such a shock and more than triple that what I expected to pay. Plus I would need the services of a lawyer.

They told me that I should do the medical exam at the cost of $4500 pesos (right now the exchange rate is around $39 pesos to $1 dollar), because it takes about a week to get the results and see if you can get residency. I know they check for drug use, TB and whatever else. So first I had to pee in a cup. The nurse lady kept the bathroom door open I guess so I didn’t sneak someones clean pee into my little bottle. It is not easy trying to hit that cup especially when someone is peeking at you. Then came the blood test. I’m not real good with needles and blood but I did good. I wish she did as good as I did. There was a giant bruise and mark in my elbow pit for a week!

While I was waiting for my taxi I called my lawyer, Wilson Rood and Associates to tell them what happened. They did not believe me about what I had to do for my residency so they came there to check. It was correct. They were just there 2 weeks before and these laws were not in effect.

Then they gave me my receipt and the guy that worked there gave me a number to call in 6 days to find out my results. I had to go to another place for the chest ex-rays. I called my taxi (JC Taxi) and we were off to the place. I got my Xrays, called the taxi and went home. I was finished for now.

Clinica Gomez Patino where Migracion sends you for chest ex-rays

I had to find a Guaranteer/ Garantía (a Dominican citizen to take responsibility for me), get a good conduct report from the police, and make bunches of copies and get all legalized. I was a bit stressed. All this paperwork, running around and the extra MONEY I had to come up with.

Thank goodness I have great friends. I got my Guarenteor, Declaración de Solvencia Economica $3000 pesos then paid for the notary $500 and $330 pesos (thanks Fortuna & Asociados, Santome, Zona Colonial – 809-224-6862 and 809-687-2080). Then the good conduct papers. I did not have to go to the police and do it myself. Wilson Rood and Associates did that for me, the notary cost $330 (the $330 pesos has to be paid at Banco Reservas). So now I have these documents all done.

Have to make 4 copies of each document. My passport, my cedula (Dominican ID), my residency card, all the copies of the witnesses cedulas, the guaranteer and his property, and the form paper (cost $100 pesos). I got all this in order, copied, copies for me. All set to go and hoping my medials stuff passed inspection (I called the number they gave me to check on my medical stuff many times and there was never any answer).

So now it is early Monday morning September 3rd. I was heading back to Migracion for with all my documents in hand and all my cash in my pocket.

Entrance to Migration Office in Santo Domingo

I first traded my cedual in for a pass card. Then went and paid for the face pictures they wanted. I go these in the passport office on the other side of migration for $150. Nasty looking pictures but I do not care. I just want this over with.

I go inside to a window, called a caja here and ask what i need to do now. They asked for my medical receipt. I did not have it. I left it at the ex-ray place. When the ex-rays were done I asked if there was anything else. They said no. I said do I need anything else. They said no. So I left. They did not tell me I needed to get my receipt back from the. So anyhow, I had to call the taxi and go back to the ex-ray place and get my receipt. Thank goodness they still had it. They had many of them. I guess I am not the only one that did not now I had to keep that receipt.

I went back to Migracion and back to the window. They told me I had to go to the medical office, located inside the Migracion office, and give them my receipt. Then I had to wait for them to find my records and stamp the receipt that I passed or failed.

I passed.

Back out to the same window with the same lady asking the same question..”What do I do next?”

I needed to go to the Procuraduria Office outside the back door to stamp a document that I already paid for at Banco Reservas. They did his just fine but someone locked the door back into the Migracion office. Everyone was trying the door. It looked like it was some TV joke program. I did not even try the door. I walked around through the passport side and back into the office I needed to be in.

I had to get the form to fill out, $100 pesos. Filled it out then back to the window to get fingerprints on the form. Then had to go and get copies, $50 pesos.

Back to the window and she looked at all my documents and put one bunch in the roper order and gave me paper clips and told me to get the other 4 copies in the same order and get a few more copies, $40 pesos.

Went to a table and arranged all my stuff in the correct order then back to the same window. She looked at them again, stapled them then told me to go to the original window in a half hour to check and pay more cash.

I waited, talked to a security guard, helped a man that was doing his stuff the first time without a lawyer at his side. I remember when I did my permanent residency all alone. It was so confusing. Funny how that Migracion building brings out the tears in people.

After a half hour I went back to the window, the lady had my file. She said all was good and I needed to pay for the residency $4000 pesos and if I wanted the VIP service (my residency card today, $1000 pesos) I could pay for that also. I was not going to pay for VIP. It will be cheaper to get a round trip taxi, under $350 pesos, than to pay this money. I opted to return for my documents. I traded my pass in for my id card and called the taxi.

So, now I need to return on the 10th and get all m blue residency card. All this cash. All this time. A little bit of tears. A good learning experience. All is good. Next time I will try and go for my Citizenship then I will never have to worry about another renewal.

This is a copy of the new requirements for right now. This could change tomorrow. One never really knows.

Requirements for renewal of Dominican permanent residency 8-2012

If you use a lawyer to deal with all the headaches, documents, requirements and stuff it is much easier than doing it your self but it is also more expensive. Did I mention that it is much easier, less headaches and tears with a lawyer? lol…

These 2 pictures were taken in a small alleyway in Colonial Zone. I love the art.

It looks like these may be new police recruits. I am not really sure but the park was full on nice looking young men all in white shirts.

This tree is in front of the Church and Convent of Las Mercedes in Zona Coloniallove life. I love the poles lovingly holding up the branches that provide welcome shade for so many.

We had a bit of rain off and on. This is a neighborhood boy, Jimmy, waiting for the rain to stop so he and his friends could continue their game of ball in the Parque Rosado.

Teli, The Dominican Dog, posing with the gargoyle statues in front of the oldest cathedral in the Americas, Cathedral Santa Maria. These statues are lined up along side of the immense building. The thing that really struck me was that Teli has some Greyhound in her. In Spanish Greyhound is Galgo. It is very close sounding to Gargoyle, which is what i thought people were saying when Teli first came to live with me. I did not understand that they were talking the bread of dog not the nasty monster type creatures.

I tried to get her to sit on the pedestal there to pose but she would not do it. I will keep trying.

It was a great week! I wrote this and stuck it onto a picture takes in the central mountains of Dominican Republic.

Having a Birthday Party in the Colmado

Sitting and relaxing in the park.

The big boys playing in the water from the fire hydrant

The kids playing in the water.

Sitting relaxing in Parque Colon

Getting ice cream form the Bon Man.

Taking a little nap in the Colmado

Hanging out in the Colmado with friends and a cold drink.

Having a snack of Potato Chips with ketchup. What else could one want??!!LOL!

I miss him so.

Here are some memories I have of him. A few picture collections of his life.
Billy Jay Keys Life on Flickr.
Billy Jay Keys Memories on World Is Round.

You are always with me Billy Jay!