Tuesday, December 19, (martes, 19 de diciembre)

Great News To Share ... I have a new grandson. Born last night in Edmonton, Canada at 11:41...6 pounds 12 ounces...mother and baby are healthy. Pictures coming soon according to my son. Hope to share tomorrow.

Today's Post ... The Barrio

Interesting story to this picture. It was the first picture I took when I came to the Dominican Republic to live. This is a mostly Haitiano barrio in Cabarete. I took this picture April 4, 2005. My good friend Bruce, who lives in a very nice penthouse condominium in Cabarete, was putting me up for awhile until I found a place to live. After I got settled in, I went out on his back deck and looked down. This is what I saw. I was struck by the difference between the 'haves' and the 'have nots.' I was staying in this luxurious penthouse condo looking down a few feet away at absolute poverty.

The next few pictures are of el barrio Policlinica (I am not positive of the spelling). This is the barrio where la familia de Angela live and is located down the side road from the colmado Zoilo.

One thing for sure that you will see lots of during the day are tons of clothes hanging everywhere to dry.

Just about everything is used as a clothesline.

El barrio Policlinica is made up of 100s of little casas similar to these.

The ever-present spirited domino game.

Charina playing dominos.

This barrio is down the sideroad from Scotia Bank and is the abandoned condominium I posted pictures of yesterday. Wires and laundry!

These people, for the most part, have no jobs, pay no rent and steal their electricity and cable television. I don't think they see this practice as stealing.

There are guys who make a few bucks in the barrio hooking people up to the local electrical supply.

The deck of what was formally a very nice condominium.

Words for the day ...

caro - expensive
barato - cheap

Life is Good ... Stay Tuned!