Life in the Dominican Republic: Santiago vs Sosua

I've been in Las Terrenas for almost 4 and a half months and it has been pretty great! I have enjoyed the beautiful beaches, building new relationships and just the overall relaxing vibe of this quaint beach town. I remember when I just arrived to Las Terrenas after exiting Santo Domingo prematurely because I had an  unpleasant experience there. 

This town has been like a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the big city. But now I feel like I'm ready to leave Las Terrenas and experience a new part of the Dominican Republic by either going to Sosua or Santiago.  

Sosua

Sosua is a beach town in the Puerto Plata province of the Dominican Republic. From what I have seen online this northern town is somewhat similar to Las Terrenas in the sense that it is a beach town and relatively small. However that is where all the similarities end. 

People have told me many different things about Sosua like that it is dangerous, crawling with hookers and many low life individuals. The way it is painted on social media makes it seem like a very seedy place. 

But recently I joined a Sosua facebook group where people post about businesses, social activities and other normal aspects of life in Sosua. I'm interested to know if this beach town is as wild as people say it is or relatively normal as it is depicted in the facebook group. 

Santiago

Santiago de los Caballeros, commonly known as Santiago is the second largest city in the Dominican Republic and the fourth largest city in the Caribbean by population. To be honest I don't know that much about Santiago other than what some people have told me about it.

 I believe it's very similar to Santo Domingo, but possibly there are some more cultured areas and less Americanized. But I find that hard to believe to be honest. The nightlife seems to be pretty alive from the videos I have seen on Youtube.  

Right now I'm trying to decide which of these two cities I should go to next. If you have any opinions or preferences on this topic please feel free to share in the comments section! Thanks!

How Fast Is The Internet In The Dominican Republic?

Recently someone asked me about internet speed in the Dominican Republic. As an online ESL teacher internet speed is very important to me and also something that I was definitely concerned about before coming to the Dominican Republic. 

Currently I use an Altice portable wifi device that has worked admirably for me as it specifically relates to teaching English online. I have never had a problem using zoom or any other video calling platforms. 

Even though my portable wifi device hasn't let me down work wise, it can be a little bit slow when I'm trying to watch a video or when I go on airbnb. I took an internet speed test the day of writing this post and my mbps was 1.02 and upload speed was 0.97.  

This is my experience with internet here in the Dominican Republic, but if you are interested in other internet options or hearing other people's experiences please feel free to comment below and I will post more about this topic. 

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Life in Las Terrenas: Playa Ballenas vs Playa Punta Popy

 

You know life is good when you have to choose between going to one beautiful beach or the other. But this is the case for many tourists who decide to come to Las Terrenas for a two or three day stay. 

Two of the main beaches locals and tourists alike enjoy are Playa Ballenas and Playa Punta Popy. Both of these beaches are really beautiful, but also have some differences that could be important to know if you are trying to decide which one you would want to go to. 

Playa Ballenas is a long stretch of beach that you can walk on for about 30 minutes until you reach the end. Along the way you can find a variety of pizza restaurants , outdoor bar lounges, lawn chairs and masseuses  

If you enjoy the feeling of having a lot of space and seclusion then Playa Ballenas is definitely for you.

On the other hand Punta Popy is a small beach surrounded by palm trees, a hotel called Afreeka, bars and restaurants. Because of the close proximity to the hotel and how small the beach is it can feel like there are a lot of people sometimes.  

This can be nice if you are trying to strike up a conversation with other travelers, watch some kite surfing or find companionship 

Overall you can't go wrong with either beach, but if you are on a time crunch and only able to visit one or the other hopefully this blog post will help you decide which one is the best for you! 

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Fun Photoshoot with Yanilsa in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

The most beautiful and picturesque part of Playa Ballenas is the very end of the beach. 
 

The times I have gone to this beach the water always feels good and is never too cold to enter. 

Very thankful to have a friend like Yani go with me. Makes the beach that much more beautiful. 

We stopped to get a pizza and Yani took a photo of me lol. 

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Annoying Parts of Las Terrenas | Reaction to Comments

 

A couple of weeks ago I reacted to a video made by Luna Soleil, a Las Terrenas Youtuber, about things that annoyed her about life in Las Terrenas. To my surprise some people took my video as an attack against her or me trying to belittle her opinion. 

The reality is I would never try to suppress someone's opinion or channel unless I thought they were involved in seriously harming others. 

Actually by making a reaction video and properly tagging her channel that could possibly bring her new viewers and subscribers, which is the biggest support one Youtuber could give to another. 

Obviously, in the video I had some different thoughts and points to make on what she found annoying, but that is the great thing about Youtube. People can talk about the same topic and have completely different viewpoints, which in turn allows viewers to formulate their own opinion. 

Finally, I have made a similar type of video before reacting to a Youtuber called The Dominican Route who is a man. So anybody can get the smoke. Man, woman or anything in between. 

  

Enjoying The Day At Playa Ballenas

Playa Ballenas, which translates to Whales Beach,  is located west of the central area of Las Terrenas. By walking it takes about 20 or 25 minutes to get there and if you use a mototaxi it's about 5-7 minutes to get all the way the end of the beach from the central area of Las Terrenas.  

I have been to Ballenas a couple of times and I have never been disappointed. If you want to sit on one of the lawn chairs it's about 300 pesos for two people. Also you can find ladies who have their own massage tables and you can receive a massage for about 40 USD. 

In between playing in the water and bathing in the sun you might get hungry. There are several pizzerias near the beach and a few other types of restaurants. The price for a typical pizza can range from around 350 - 450 pesos. 

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Will Las Terrenas Be The Next Digital Nomad Hotspot in Latin America?

When I think of cities that have earned the title of being a digital nomad hotspot I think of cities such as, Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Canggu, Tulum and many others. The common denominators that makes these cities great for those looking for an alternative lifestyle are reliable broadband, low cost of living, friendly locals, great weather and easy transportation through the city and to other spots in the country. 

When I look at the situation here in Las Terrenas I believe that it could eventually get on the list of a nomad hotspot. There's glorious sunshine, beautiful beaches all around and a growing cuisine scene that is pretty impressive. 

Also many of the locals are very friendly and appreciate how tourists and foreign digital nomads increase the value of the area. I remember talking to my barber about gentrification and if he thought it was bad thing that many foreigners were investing in Las Terrenas. He was very clear in saying that he thought it was positive for Las Terrenas. 

One of the only reasons why I think Las Terrenas has not taken the leap of having widespread consideration as a digital nomad hotspot is that the internet service here is not very reliable. Many times in various facebook groups I have seen people's posts complaining about the internet service. 

Another reason that possibly holds Las Terrenas back is that some people may see it as just a retirement beach  town instead of an exciting place for young remote workers looking for more action than just walking on the beach. 

Is Las Terrenas A Good Place For Single Men?

This question really just depends on what you are looking for as a single man and also what stage of life  you are in. Personally Las Terrenas has been pretty good for me, because I am able to work online without too many distractions. 

And when I say distractions I mean "working women" being here , there and everywhere. Fortunately I have been able to meet a few different women to enjoy, but I'm definitely not overwhelmed by the options. 

But if you are coming to Dominican Republic for a short time and you are looking for "dat action" then I would say Las Terrenas is not the best place for single men. Santo Domingo, Santiago and Sosua are much better options. 

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Is Life in Las Terrenas Boring?

 

Recently someone asked me  if life in Las Terrenas is boring in the comment section of my youtube channel. To give a short answer for me life here isn't that boring, but I could see how it could be boring for some people. 

After you visit the main beaches and do some of the excursions there really aren't that many other exciting activities. Also Las Terrenas isn't Santo Domingo or Santiago so at night there are only a handful of clubs to visit. 

So if you are a type of person that's always looking for the next big event or the coolest party to go to then I wouldn't necessarily recommend Las Terrenas as a place to stay for an extended amount of time. 

However, as I mentioned in the beginning I don't feel bored here. The biggest reason is because I am the type of person who enjoys walking along the beach everyday, playing beach volleyball, every now and then going out to eat with a nice looking chica and stuff like that. 

For me Las Terrenas has been a good place to begin working online as an English teacher and also make lots of fun videos. Even though this is a small beach town there are several layers to this place to peel back and discover. 

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ESL Expressions: Tiredness

1.  To Be Tuckered Out - to be sleepy, fatigued 

2. To Be Out Like A Light - to be so tired that you fall asleep very quickly 

3. Out of Gas - to be completely exhausted or to no longer have the energy to do something 

4. To Wear Someone Out - to exhaust; to make tired 

5. To Burn The Candle At Both Ends - to go to bed late and wake up early 

6. To Be Beat - physically and/or mentally tired 

ESL Vocabulary: Fatigue

1. Advocate - verb - to publicly support or recommend a plan or idea 

2. Mentor - verb - to train or give professional advice to someone 

3. Disproportionately - adverb - in a way that is too large or too small in comparison to something else 

4. Inclusive - adjective - including a wide range of different people, things, points of view etc

5. Mollify - verb - appease the anger or anxiety of someone 

6. Exhaustion - noun - a state of extreme physical or mental tiredness 

ESL Conversation Questions: Fatigue

1. What are signs someone is dealing with fatigue in the workplace? 

2. There are three types of fatigue: transient, cumulative, circadian. Which type of fatigue do you think office employees deal with the most? 

3. A study found that female office workers are more likely to feel burn out than male office workers. Why do you think this is the case? Do you believe this will ever change? 

4. What are some solutions for an employee to resolve exhaustion and fatigue? 

5. "Fatigue, discomfort, discouragement are merely symptoms of effort." Morgan Freeman. Do you agree with this quote? 

6. Why do people push through fatigue? 

Idiom of the Day: Throw Someone To The Wolves

 

Idiom of the Day: 

To Throw Someone To The Wolves 

Example: The salesman decided to throw his coworker to the wolves when he asked him to meet an angry customer 

Definition: to send someone into danger without protection; to sacrifice someone 

ESL Vocabulary: Localization

ESL Vocabulary (Localization)

1. Accommodate - verb - to adapt to someone or something 

2. Interface - noun - a device or program enabling a user to communicate with a computer

3. Launch - verb - to start or set in motion an activity or enterprise 

4. Demographic - noun - a particular sector of a population 

5. Mutual - adjective - held in common by two or more parties 

6. Indispensable - adjective - absolutely necessary  

ESL Conversation Questions: Localization

1. What is localization ?

2. What may cause some companies to decide to localize?

3. What are the advantages of localization?

4. What are the disadvantages of localization?

5. "Economic localization is the key to sustaining biological and cultural diversity - to sustaining life itself. The sooner we shift towards the local, the sooner we will begin healing our planet, our communities and ourselves." Helen Norberg Hodge. Do you agree with this quote? 

6. If you started a business would you aim to go global or stay local? 

ESL Expressions: Animals

1. Rat race - fierce competitive struggle for power, position etc. 

2. Take the bull by the horns - to face a challenge or danger boldly 

3. Fishy - odd or suspicious 

4. To ruffle feathers - to upset or offend people, either deliberately or accidentally 

5. One-Trick pony - someone who has only a single talent 

6. Loan shark - predatory lender 

ESL Vocabulary: Respect

ESL Vocabulary (Respect)

1. High Regard - phrase - to admire or respect someone or something very much 

2. Contempt - noun - the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration 

3. Callous - adjective - showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others 

4. High Road - phrase - a morally superior approach towards something 

5. Antidote - noun - something that counteracts an unpleasant feeling or situation 

6. Gratitude - noun - the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness 

ESL Conversation Questions: Respect

1. What is respect? 

2. Which three professions do you think get the most respect from people in your country? 

3. Is it possible to restore respect in a professional environment? 

4. Is it better for a leader to be feared or respected? 

5. " I can be hurt only by the people I respect." Mary Balogh. What does this quote mean to you? 

6. How do you react or respond to disrespectful behavior in your workplace or school? 

ESL Conversation Questions: European Culture

1. When you think of European culture what comes to your mind? 

2. What influences from European culture do you see in your own country? 

3. What are some of your favorite aspects of European culture? 

4. How is European culture disrespected in your country? 

5. " I do not agree with a word you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it." Voltaire. What does this quote mean to you? 

6. Which European country would you like to visit? 

ESL Conversation Questions: Sustainability

1. What is sustainability? 

2. How does your town or city try to maintain a sustainable environment? 

3. What are some ways people can individually help maintain a sustainable environment? 

4. Poland is being fined $580,000 everyday from the EU until they close their Turow coal mine. Do you think this is a fair punishment for countries who do not participate in maintaining a sustainable environment? 

5. "The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it." Robert Swan. What does this quote mean to you? 

ESL Conversation Questions: Traditions

1. What is you definition of  tradition? 

2. What are some common traditions in your country or in your family? 

3. Can traditions ever be negative? 

4. In Japan there is a tradition that only males can succeed the emperor and not females. What do you think about this tradition? 

5. "Tradition is a guide and not a jailer."  Do you agree with this quote? 

6.  Are there any foreign traditions you are interested in? 

ESL Conversation Questions: Dreams

1. What are dreams? 

2. Are dreams important? 

3. How can people avoid having bad dreams or nightmares? 

4. What are some differences between dreams and goals? 

5. "Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it you can make it so." What do you think about this quote? 

6. What are some of your future dreams or goals? 

ESL Expressions: Fruits

1. Cherry pick - to select the best or most desirable items, ignoring others 

2. Apples and Oranges - of two different classes, not comparable 

3. To Be A Peach - someone or something that's extremely good, impressive or attractive 

4. To Be In A Pickle - to be in a difficult situation 

5. Bear Fruit - produce results 

6. Bad Apple - to be a bad person 

ESL Vocabulary: Emotional Intelligence

ESL Vocabulary (Emotional Intelligence) 

1. Harness - verb - to control and make use of something 

2. Explanatory - adjective - serving to explain something 

3. Hasty - adjective - done with excessive speed or urgency; hurried 

4. Cultivate - verb - try to acquire or develop a quality or skill 

5. Intuitive - adjective- using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning 

6. Read The Room -  phrase - to be or become aware of the opinions and attitudes of a group of people that you are talking to

ESL Conversation Questions: Emotional Intelligence

1. What is emotional intelligence? 

2. What are signs that someone may possess strong emotional intelligence skills? 

3. How can people improve their emotional intelligence skills? 

4. In relation to starting a new business is emotional intelligence more important than cognitive intelligence? 

5. "IQ gets you hired. EQ gets you promoted." Would you agree with this quote? Why or Why not? 

6. Is it possible to be too self aware?  

ESL Conversation Questions: Studying Abroad

1. Why is studying abroad an attractive option for many people? 

2. A  recent study found that Canada was the most searched country for studying abroad. Do you find this information surprising? 

3. What could be some of the challenges of studying abroad? 

4. What do you imagine makes people want to study in your country? 

5. 'Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." Do you agree with this quote? 

6. Explain one positive and negative aspect of a foreign country you would be interested in studying in?

ESL Vocabulary: Cheating

1. Essay - noun - a piece of writing about a particular subject 

2. Mill - noun - a building that contains machinery for making a particular product 

3. Unethical -adjective - not considered morally right

4. Undermine - verb - to reduce the power, effectiveness, etc. of someone or something 

5. Take advantage of - to use someone or something, especially in an unfair or dishonest way; to make good use of something 

6. Cheat - verb - to break a rule in order to win or get something 

ESL Conversation Questions: Cheating

1. What is cheating? 

2. Why should students not cheat? 

3. Should it be illegal for individuals or companies to sell essay papers to students? 

4. Is memorization still important today? 

5. "If you are not cheating then you are not trying."  Eddie Guerrero. What are your thoughts on this quote? 

6. Do you think students who cheat will turn into employees who cut corners at work? 

ESL Conversation Questions: Tax Evasion

1. What is tax evasion? 

2. How can tax evasion hurt a country's growth? 

3. Do you think higher earners should pay more taxes than lower earners? 

4. Despite tax evasion being exposed by journalists do you think governments around the world will become more vigilant against tax evaders? 

5. Which is more helpful to a country's economy? A rich CEO donating a billion dollars to charity or that same CEO properly paying his taxes. 

6. "The bourgeoisie are today evading taxation by bribery and through their connections; we must close all loopholes." - Vladimir Lenin. Should all loopholes be closed? 

ESL Phrasal Verbs: Hold

1. Hold someone back - prevent from doing/going 

2. Hold something back - hide an emotion 

3. Hold on - to wait a short time 

4. Hold onto - hold firmly using your hands or arms 

5. Hold up - to rob 

6. Holdout - refusing to accept what is offered 

Phrasal Verb Conversation Questions 

1.Do you hear a lot of news stories about banks being held up in your city? 

2. What business principles do you hold onto? 

3. Is it better to hold back your emotions during a business meeting or to just let it all out? 

4. Have you ever felt like someone was holding you back? 

5. Do you believe strikes and holdouts are an effective way for employees to get what they want from owners? 

6. How do you feel when people tell you to hold on? 

Giamo's Thoughts: Identity

 

What is identity? 

Identity is the characteristics that determine who or what a person or thing is. It is a word that encompasses many different aspects of people's lives. 

Also there are several different types of identities such as cultural identity, professional identity, disability  identity and many others. 

What are some common ways people define their identity? 

I usually associate my identity to others as being a relatively young African American man who works as an online English teacher and who loves creating digital content. 

However there are other people who define their identity in terms of religion such as being a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc. Also there are people who do not define their identity in terms of ethnicity, but rather nationality. 

What does the "expression midlife" crisis mean? 

A midlife crisis is a transition of identity and self confidence that can occur in middle aged individuals, typically 45 to 65 years old. 

Physically as people age they are not able to do the things such as sports, exercise and other activities that they were once able to do which can cause a change in identity. 

Also mentally and emotionally people usually begin to change their perspectives and desires when  they are in the last half of their life. 

It is important to be able to  define your identity to others? 

In general it is not important to be able to define your identity to others. It is not necessary for strangers to know who you are or what you stand for. 

However, there are some situations such as an interview or a first date where being able to define yourself and explain who you are could be advantageous. 

What can destroy a person's identity? 

Failure can definitely destroy a person's identity. For example someone who thought she was a very good mathematician may not consider herself a mathematician if she fails many math tests. 

Also trauma can destroy a person's identity on a physical and emotional level. For example if a man gets into a motorcycle crash he may become physically disabled and he may not decided to identify himself as someone who loves motorcycles. 

 

 

ESL Conversation Questions: Trees

1. What do trees symbolize to you? 

2. Why are trees important for people? 

3. "When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind." What does this quote mean to you? 

4. Is it a good idea to go out on a limb if you strongly believe in something? 

5. How can we prevent deforestation? 

6. What do you think is the root cause of most crimes? 

ESL Expressions: Movies

1. Run The Show - dominate or be in charge of an area of activity 

2. To Be In The Limelight - at the center of public attention or notoriety 

3. Break A Leg - to have good luck 

4. Kick Off - to start an event or activity 

5. Get The Show On The Road - to begin an activity or journey 

6. Sell Out - to completely abandon your principles in favor of something such as money

ESL Vocabulary: Retirement

ESL Vocabulary ( Retirement ) 

1. Cognitive - adjective - relating to the process of thinking and understanding 

2. Decline - noun - a continuous decrease in amount, quality, etc. 

3. Model - noun - a mathematical description of a system, process, etc. that is used to help make calculations 

4. Regardless - adverb - despite or without consideration of 

5. Protective - adjective - intended to keep someone or something safe; having or showing a desire to keep someone or something safe 

6. Stimulation - noun - the action of causing someone to feel interested, enthusiastic or excited 

ESL Conversation Questions: Retirement

1. What is retirement? 

2. If given the choice, would you rather retire now or work your dream job until retirement age? 

3.What do you imagine you'll miss about working when you retire? 

4. Don't simple retire from something; have something to retire to. -- Harry Emerson Fosdick. What are your thoughts on this quote 

5. Do you think postponing retirement could slow down cognitive decline? 

6. Where would you like to retire?