We are in the Dominican Republic and we are smiling! Becky and I did not enjoy the towns of the Bahamas. Prices were high and the attitude was the rich Americans would be happy to pay my price. Plus there was a
true split between boaters and locals. Here in Luperon, walking through the town reminded us of Santa Rosalia, Mexico, or many towns in Guatemala or El Salvador. Everyone is very friendly, smiling and saying "hi" to you as you walk by. The town has its own existence not dependent on cruisers. That means stores and restaurant prices are true local prices and not inflated for cruisers.

Day one example:

Chicken lunch - $2.10
22 oz. beer in a bar - $1.87
12 oz. cup of ice cream $0.57

I'm still looking for gum drops, I bet there cheap!

When we were leaving the restaurant we had lunch at, Becky noticed a couple of local ladies sitting at a table. She went up to one of them and said, "me gusta tu ropa" (I like your pants), they were bright yellow. The
lady smiled, stood up and pretended to take them off, then Becky did the same. They laughed and hugged. I think Becky likes this place!

Today we had beer and pizza ($10), then walked the town, I found a barber and got my hair cut for $1.35, then we watched the locals play fast pitch baseball. It was very entertaining. Then we met Bev and Lew for a
beer at a cruisers hangout.

I went to a cigar store and hemed and hawed, witch are better the Cuban or the Dominican cigars. the cigar lady said the Dominican were better and gave me a sample to try. Becky thinks I worked her for a free cigar,
and maybe I did, but tomorrow I will buy a few so maybe the lady worked me.

Life is good on Kokomo

Denny