Where I Live

Rio San Juan is probably about 15,000 in population, but still basically a very poor town. It used to be a fishing village right on the ocean, but now is growing from tourism. But, it's not exactly a tourist destination, at least by American standards. More Europeans than Americans come here. Possibly in part, unfortunately, for the sex tourism/trade. Nothing is overt like maybe in Las Vegas, but it’s well known that there's a big problem. And the biggest problem is that young girls and boys are often at the center of the trade. Tourism is big dollars compared to anything else that someone could do around here.

There is the usually mix of mostly poor, but some rich folks. Mostly basic housing, but some amazing homes on the hills overlooking the ocean. Lots of opportunity to help.

I live in a barrio known as “hospital” (pronounced “ospital”; drop the “H”), because it’s behind the local hospital (Note: if you need a hospital, DON’T go to this one!) I’m about ½ mile outside of town so it’s much quieter than living in town. Still very loud by American standards, but quiet by DR standards. Easy to walk to town if I need to.

My apartment is like a duplex; with mine being the upstairs apartment. 2 Bedrooms, large living room/dining room; large bathroom, decent size 2nd bedroom, tiny kitchen, front balcony, and large back terrace/patio; probably around 1200 square feet or more. Fairly new, possibly one year old, Nice size. Tile everywhere, which is nice. Tacky tile, but tile none the less.

The owner and his wife live downstairs and run a small colemado (tiny store). He’s from Spain and she (much younger) is from the DR. Having them living down stairs from me is actually good in that he’ll keep a very close eye on my place when I’m gone (which I’ve been gone a lot lately to Santiago, etc.). And, he has a generator which is necessary to run his refrigerators at the store, which basically insures that I have some level of electricity 24/7. It’s nothing to rave about in terms of strength, but does make the fan go around, mostly, during the night. We’re used to about 110 in the States, and I probably get may 25-50 during the night, so things like fans run much slower and fade in and out, but again, GREAT in comparison to most people around me.

I also have cable TV, which is included (probably 50 channels, of which about 10 or so are US channels including CNN, major networks, etc.). I have a front patio overlooking the local sports park. And, again while nothing like American parks, there’s a great view of all the kids playing baseball with sticks. Plus a huge, very nice, covered basketball court/stadium. Also great view from my front patio. Other houses in the area range from a few like the one I live in, to much smaller, many unpainted CBS block. The neighborhood would be considered one of the nicest in the area, excluding the “all foreigner” neighborhoods up in the hills. Some of those are unbelievable!

The apartment was furnished, all the way to dishes and towels. I had to get a lot of “American” conveniences, but mostly had the stuff I wanted. Including two TV’s, living room furniture, small refrigerator, stove/oven, great master bedroom furniture, and extra bunk beds in the 2nd bedroom. Some say I have one of the nicest bathrooms in RSJ. You’ll have to judge for yourself when you see it. Here’s a hint: the landlord is from Europe.

Weather here has been absolutely amazing. Beautiful. If you want to visit (and please please do) and you hate hot weather, come in the winter. It really is very mild. It has surprised me how nice the weather has been. Almost like south Florida. Warm in the day and cool at night. Humidity is lower now. Incredible breezes blow through my apartment. It’s been great. (Note; no screens yet, but hopefully my brother (Wanda, pass this to Eulice) can send me the supplies to make them. The bugs are HUGE. Not to mention the occasional rat!

Oh, and did I mention that is comes with a housekeeper. Yep, like all places like this, the guy downstairs has a housekeeper, so she cleans my apartment as needed. So far once a week, but that just because I’ve not really needing it more. She’s offer to clean more often. And, she does my laundry. So, not so rough so far.

Most people in RSJ would consider this an extremely nice apartment. I would agree. Very blessed.