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?