Saturday, December 16, (sabado, 16 de diciembre)
Transportation ... I have been accumulating a range of pictures to show the various modes of transportation here, from the most luxurious to the most basic. The following pictures are the result.
Every day as I pass about, I see the large tour buses passing through town. As most people who come here know, this area has many very upscale all-inclusive resorts. People come here and never leave the grounds of their resort except when they are travelling about from one place to another on this type of tour bus. I always look up at the people in the bus, who are staring down at life in the Dominican Republic. For most of them, this is the closest they come to actually experiencing life here. Then they return home and tell everyone about their Dominican vacation. I don't think they have a clue what life here is all about.
Here in the Dominican Republic the public bus system is efficient, modern and cheap. One can go from Sosua to Santiago for less than $250 pesos. Take your sweater with you. The air conditioning system will freeze you. But, the Caribe Tour Bus Line is a great way to travel about the country.
Transporte Del Cibao is another bus line that provides transportation on the north part of the island.
Small SUV's are very popular here with the expatriates and Dominicans who can afford them. These two guys stopped in the middle of the street for a little chat. In a couple of minutes traffic was backed up in both directions, horns honking, but no one gets in much of a hurry here.
Ahh, the gua gua. Now we are getting down to the forms of transportation used by the majority of the population. As you can see this one is getting pretty full. Whenever I travel by gua gua I always count the number of people on board. My all time record is 27.
I took this picture last week when I was returning to Sosua from Puerto Plata. There were only 20 on board on this trip. No one seems to think much about the extremely crowded conditions. The trip cost about 30 pesos ($1.00 USD).
There are two types of taxis. Most of the people travel in the publicos (public taxis). One is pictured above and one below.
The publico is also a very cheap way to travel. The cost is about the same as the gua gua and the crowded conditions are also the same.
This van is a private taxi (privado). They cost quite a lot more, but you can travel about in a new van and in uncrowded comfort. Instead of traveling to Puerto Plata in a gua gua for $30 pesos, travel in a privado will cost you about $300 ($9.00 USD).
A picture of the private taxi stand downtown in Sosua.
The motos (motorcycle taxis-on the right above) are everywhere and the most popular form of transportation around town. Also pictured here (on the left) is a low-end pasola that many of the dominicans have and also quite a few expats.
A picture of my British friend Alex on his very nice pasola (scooter). One day this is what I am going to invest in. But travel is dangerous even within the limits of Sosua and especially dangerous out on the main roads.
This is a picture of an increasingly popular motorbike. This type of bike, like the pasolas, has no gears and is very easy to drive.
Here is a very different form of transportation that some guy gets around town on. There are actually quite a few four-wheelers here in El Batay.
Now we are getting down to the most basic forms of transportation.
And finally, my form of transportation, safe and cheap ... on foot. Though I don't look as good travelling about as this young lady.
Word for the day ... detras ... behind
La direccion de mi apartamento es detras la officina de abogado. My apartment is located behind the lawyer's office.
Stay Tuned!
Transportation ... I have been accumulating a range of pictures to show the various modes of transportation here, from the most luxurious to the most basic. The following pictures are the result.
Every day as I pass about, I see the large tour buses passing through town. As most people who come here know, this area has many very upscale all-inclusive resorts. People come here and never leave the grounds of their resort except when they are travelling about from one place to another on this type of tour bus. I always look up at the people in the bus, who are staring down at life in the Dominican Republic. For most of them, this is the closest they come to actually experiencing life here. Then they return home and tell everyone about their Dominican vacation. I don't think they have a clue what life here is all about.
Here in the Dominican Republic the public bus system is efficient, modern and cheap. One can go from Sosua to Santiago for less than $250 pesos. Take your sweater with you. The air conditioning system will freeze you. But, the Caribe Tour Bus Line is a great way to travel about the country.
Transporte Del Cibao is another bus line that provides transportation on the north part of the island.
Small SUV's are very popular here with the expatriates and Dominicans who can afford them. These two guys stopped in the middle of the street for a little chat. In a couple of minutes traffic was backed up in both directions, horns honking, but no one gets in much of a hurry here.
Ahh, the gua gua. Now we are getting down to the forms of transportation used by the majority of the population. As you can see this one is getting pretty full. Whenever I travel by gua gua I always count the number of people on board. My all time record is 27.
I took this picture last week when I was returning to Sosua from Puerto Plata. There were only 20 on board on this trip. No one seems to think much about the extremely crowded conditions. The trip cost about 30 pesos ($1.00 USD).
There are two types of taxis. Most of the people travel in the publicos (public taxis). One is pictured above and one below.
The publico is also a very cheap way to travel. The cost is about the same as the gua gua and the crowded conditions are also the same.
This van is a private taxi (privado). They cost quite a lot more, but you can travel about in a new van and in uncrowded comfort. Instead of traveling to Puerto Plata in a gua gua for $30 pesos, travel in a privado will cost you about $300 ($9.00 USD).
A picture of the private taxi stand downtown in Sosua.
The motos (motorcycle taxis-on the right above) are everywhere and the most popular form of transportation around town. Also pictured here (on the left) is a low-end pasola that many of the dominicans have and also quite a few expats.
A picture of my British friend Alex on his very nice pasola (scooter). One day this is what I am going to invest in. But travel is dangerous even within the limits of Sosua and especially dangerous out on the main roads.
This is a picture of an increasingly popular motorbike. This type of bike, like the pasolas, has no gears and is very easy to drive.
Here is a very different form of transportation that some guy gets around town on. There are actually quite a few four-wheelers here in El Batay.
Now we are getting down to the most basic forms of transportation.
And finally, my form of transportation, safe and cheap ... on foot. Though I don't look as good travelling about as this young lady.Word for the day ... detras ... behind
La direccion de mi apartamento es detras la officina de abogado. My apartment is located behind the lawyer's office.
Stay Tuned!
posted by Miguel at 8:26 AM
2 Comments:
Hola Miguel, I also prefer walking when in Sosua, like you say it's safer. Your word of the day is very helpful. I speak Spanish but we can always learn new words. I learned from you, Tira piedra and modo and I'm adding them to my vocabulary. I've you started playing around with the "diminutives"?
In Spanish they normally indicates either small size or affection and can be used for emphasis.
ahora - ahorita
corto - cortito
blanco - blanquito
barco - barquito
amigo - amiguito
hermana - hermanita
café - cafecito
mujer - mujercita
and so on....
Hola amigo Miguel...;) This 4 wheeler is the "fatmobile" to ROY..from Norway. Even Roy is not the real Tick one..he he..he`s a skinnny bone..but has trouble walking..Thats why...
Regards from Leif.
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