Http://www.lifeinthedr.com/forum

I put this picture up just to give you something to look at. I know the one on the right from a place she used to work at so posted the picture instead of just writing.

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Check out this website if you are interested in or about the Dominican Republic. Http://www.lifeinthedr.com/forum . They just went over a thousand members and now up to 1022 a few days later. I am active and post and moderate the board there.

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It was tough growing to a thousand because there are people who look to detract from a message board and just try to disrupt but it has matured into a great informative message board.

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The fellows that own it also own a Dominican Dating Website so you will see lots of pictures of Dominican women who happen to be stunning. When you sign up just say Escott referred you.

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Business is real slow now and will be till the middle of May when we have a lot of people coming down. Going to try and make some changes at the restaurant soon so stay tuned.

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My project in Cabrera is finishing slowly. Now it is just a question of finding customers to purchase the villas. Getting it together to presale the 17 condos we will be building there also. Stay tuned on that also.

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Hasta Pronto

Finca again

Yesterday while I was up at the finca looking around, feeding my goats Yucca tops and just enjoying myself I got a call from a fellow from Iowa who is looking into moving down here with his family. . It must be an exciting time for the family with the planning of something so different but it is a big move to move to a third world country which is far different than it was back in Iowa. You know the saying, "You ain't in Kansas anymore Toto"? Man "You ain't in Iowa anymore".

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They have never been here before which kind of freaked me out. I would never consider a move without visiting at least a few times. I actually knew I would be living here at some point on my second trip down but on the many more trips down establishing myself I could have changed my mind with no harm or foul. These people are shopping for housing on the internet and already speaking with people. I tried to tell them to walk slower and that all the people you will talk to do NOT have their best interests in mind.

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Most times I feel that people don't want to listen to advice that they ask for and sometimes wonder what is the use. As far as I am concerned the more the merrier here. I love the large and varied vibrant expat population here on the north coast and the larger it gets the more life this place has for me.

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I feel like projecting the sound of brakes screeching to a halt but can't do much other than advise people to be very careful and doubly more so than they would be where they come from.

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I had a customer who got their pocket picked by a Dominican Gal. The strangest part of this for me was that the customer was a NYC Police Officer with 15 years on the JOB! I looked at the guy and asked, "Does this happen to you in NY?" and he answered "Of course not, I know the game". I shook my head in amazement. Sometimes I think people check their minds at the door when they come here and that is the last thing you should be doing here.

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I know they are reading this and that is how they found my number so I hope they are getting what I am saying. I would also love for them to move down, be a customer in my restaurant at least once a week and be friends with them but to be cautious is prudent when moving to a third world country and things here are more difficult at times then they are where you come from.

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I love it here and wouldn't consider moving anywhere else at this point and certainly not back to the United States but... Be safe out there!

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Hasta Pronto!

Veggies you allo

These are from my mini-finca/farm. First is a Pineapple growing, second is a basket of fruits and vegatables I picked to take home and eat.

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There is no much that gives me more pleasure than to eat what I grow on my property.

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That night I had fried sweet potatoes and they were great. Each week we pick a bunch of stuff to eat and there is nothing like fresh!

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I have Cashews growing now and should have hundreds along with a very sweet smelling fruit that comes with it. I love Cashews.

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I just found flowers on a fruit tree yesterday. I was wondering if it would ever grow fruit since it has been years and it is large.

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I am not even sure what type of fruit it is but I have had it. Bigger green fruit and the tree looks like a Mango tree with bigger leaves but same shape as Mango.

Hasta Pronto!

Beaches

These are a few of the beaches I went to on Friday with a couple of friends. One is Ivan who is an Engineer from Boston and the other is Leo also an Engineer from NY. . Had a nice day showing these guys around the entire north coast. . I told these guys to get out of Sosua and see the country. I ended up going with them also. Had a great day which was topped off stopping at a typical Dominican Restaurant on the highway coming back for some fresh fish and beer. I of course had a nice time and I am pretty sure these guys enjoyed themselves also. . These are a few of the beaches we stopped at. First one was Playa Diamonte or actually the first beach in the post is, the second one is La Entrada which is about 15 minutes away. . The last picture is on the master bedroom balcony of the two story house I am involved with in Cabrera. How can I show these guys the North Coast without showing them things I do? Ain't possible:) . Hasta Pronto!

My mini farm

I have been posting pictures of my mini finca (farm) for quite a while and found these two photos from the beginning when I first started doing work up there.

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Today you can hardly even see the small white house and you won't possibly see the field after it. Now there is both a house in front of it and another on across the street from it.

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When I first started with my landscaping project people were telling me I was crazy. Why plant trees and shrubs when you have no house there people would ask.

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Today these trees are matured, I have fruits and vegetables to eat every day and the place looks simply amazing. . Whenever I take people to see the property they tell me that this was one of their best experiences since they have been in the country.

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Now that compliment brings joy to my heart because I get so much enjoyment from this project I can't even describe it. Before I opened the restaurant I was on the property every morning for at least an hour. Every day I would discover additional fruits and vegetables I didn't notice the day before. I now have fruit and nuts getting very big on my Cashew trees. Can't wait till they are ready. The fruit is so sweet smelling it is unbelievable. I drove around with a fruit in my car last year so my car would smell nice. I didn't know that it was even a cashew tree and threw away the nut:) NOT THIS TIME!

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This second picture was taken later on when I had more plantings. Possibly a year later. I will try and take another picture today when I am finished at the restaurant from the same angle and post it tomorrow. Man what a difference.

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Last night I hung out with a friend Jackie Quontree at the restaurant. He eventually lost interest in my and found someone a little better looking than me and moved on. It was great to see him though.

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My Friend Mario gets in on the 11th and stays to the 15th. It will be great to see him although he has a lot of plans and I probably won't be seeing much of him.

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The day after another friend gets into town. The BigEarlie otherwise known as Earl.

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Looking forward to hanging out with all of these people. It is always nice to have these guys return to the DR and hang out with them.

Hasta Pronto!

Kids

These are the greatest kids. I love taking pictures of kids.

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They are all special and have their own things going on and it is expressed in the photos! . Hasta Pronto!

Rock house's Brother

This first picture is the artists conception of the home being built in Cabrera I am involved in.

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Go down a bit and you will see a picture of the home developed from this. Very close to the conceptual picture.

. The next picture is of a home being build next to Rock House in Cabrera. It is up on and beside a cliff. I am guessing it will also be a very unusual home and will update the pictures as it grows. I am expecting something different for sure. .

I am guessing it is being built by the same guy also.

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Hasta Pronto!

Congrats John and Wendy!

I want to wish my friends John and Wendy all the best!

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They had the good taste to get married on my birthday in Aruba last week.

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Congrats guys!

I know, I haven't blogged in a while....

This is the big house I am involved with in Cabrera. It is 95% complete and it is turning into quite the home.

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At 470 m2 and over 5000 sq ft it is a large home with 4 bedrooms, HUGE office, 5 Bathrooms, Kitchen, Maids work area, planta room and a GREAT Room.

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It has an pool that ends in a waterfall right in front of the cliff. The pool also starts under roof so if it starts raining you just swim under roof. If there is lightning I recommend leaving the pool:) . The next picture is from a point on the cliff which is perfect for a Gazebo looking back at the house.

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On the right side is the master bedroom suite which is lovely and outstanding views. On the left you can see the guest bedroom wing with 3 large bedrooms right in a row with insuite baths. .

The next picture is looking out to the gazebo which is on the cliff. Magnificant view is all I can say!

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I liked this area so much after going here every week for a couple of years now I purchased a like property on a cliff overlooking the ocean.

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This town Cabrera is known for high end villa tourism with homes costing as much as 16 million dollars to build in this town.

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If you would like information about this home or another home in the same community let me know. Outstanding area and nice homes make for a great place to live.

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Hasta Pronto!

Condo for sale

This is my friend Herberts Condo. He bought this place and renovated it and is now selling it. I have the keys to the place so I am the "GO TO" guy for the realtors that have the listing. .

The first picture is of the Bedroom which has a 18k BTU A/C. Leave the bedroom door open and it will cool the whole condo!

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He is selling the condo for 89,000 US Dollars which is at least 20% less than his neighbors paid a year ago for condos that aren't as nice.

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All the furniture is NEW as well as the tile and everything else.

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This is a view of the living room from the Breakfast Bar.

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Next picture is of the bathroom which is HUGE. The counters are Granite and the most expensive Granite available here. All the tile and cabinets are new also along with the toilet and sink.

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If you want to view the property just stop into the restaurant and we will make a time which will probably be around 2pm most days when I finish at the restaurant. . New pic is of the new kitchen and front door. EVERYTHING is new and this also has a new Granite Counter top along with the Breakfast Bar. Of course all appliances are new. .

Next picture is of the view from the living room and from the balcony. This ocean view won't be blocked in your lifetime! You can also see one of the two pools you will have at your disposal.

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The Real Estate Market is doing great here and we are still WAY under any other island in the caribbean for real estate. The Dominican Republic overtook Puerto Rico as the most visited Island in the Caribbean last year. If you haven't been here come for a visit and find out why that is!

Hasta Pronto!

Sisters

Now this gal should be a model for a dentist. What a wonderful smile on that puss! Even the Mustashe doesn't take a thing away from this smile. .

This is one of the things I love about living here. These women are beautiful and always have a smile on their faces. .

They are also hams and love to be photographed!

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If they have a new outfit they ask for the camera to come out.

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Even in the last picture you can see how pretty she is!

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I love this country!

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Hasta Pronto!

Two sisters

After having a great dinner of Chivo (Goat) at a new restaurant I found on a side road in Cabarete I returned home with the two sisters.

They both had their hair braided last week and they both look absolutely fabulous!

They also both taste great. Less Calories also!:)

I found this small tipico restaurant on a side street across from the new Condo/Shopping complex.

It is always nice to find a new place to eat. There were 5 of us and we had beers, juices and sodas and the bill came to 1050 Pesos which is under 35 US dollars which of course I was happy to pay.

Left this restaurant feeling very satisfied with a full belly. I will try and get the name next time there but there isn't a name outside the restaurant and don't think it will be a big help.

When you make a right heading into Cabarete to the caves it is on the left about a block or so past a bar that advertises Jazz. There is actually a sidewalk across the street and I pull most of the car on the sidewalk when I park there. Good service, food and prices for a tipico.

My last favorite Dominican restaurant started charging me 16% on my bill and they don't even have the required invoicing so I know they aren't paying it. Too bad, they lost me as a customer because they also raised their prices. There food was also good. Only reason I will go again is if this place is closed!

Hasta Pronto!

Say Hey to Henry

This is my buddy Henry who is from NY and staying in my other condo.

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Yeah I know you have seen this house many times. It is still amazing though! I will continue to take people to the house because I think it is one of the most unusual homes I have ever seen in the world and certainly in the Dominican Republic.

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I showed Henry the North Coast and I think this was the first time he left Sosua because he didn't even know where Cabarete is but now he does. Henry is going tomorrow and I will haul his fat arse to the airport. He is a great guy who I enjoy hanging out with. Matter of fact everyone I know likes hanging with Henry!

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Got to get him to move here. He would be a great addition to this area! He is a corrections officer in NY and it would be great to have him keep the landrones in line here:)

. Hasta Pronto!

Poor Burro, Rich Burro

These kids were showing off with their burro. They all jumped on it to get their picture taken. Look below.

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Burro got smart and threw them off. He was a little guy and even the 5 kids were too much for this beast of burden!:)

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The kids are real cute and I enjoyed the horse and burro show:)

. . This was by the house that was built on a rock you just saw with my buddy Henry who came for the ride with me. We stopped on the way back for some Dominican Tipico food and Henry had the largest Red Snapper I have ever seen someone eat at one sitting:)

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Hasta Pronto!

This is the view from a lot I own in Cabrera. I bought this piece of property believe it or not off of Ebay. Well I got in contact with the owner who lived in Vermont when I was in the states for an extended period of time trying to get a property I have a accepted offer closed on.

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It took me about 9 months to actually purchase it because the seller didn't want to use my attorney and insisted on hiring his own. He used Fabio Guzman firm and they wouldnt even quote him on a price to close a lot and only wanted to charge him by the hour. He ended up using my attorney in the end:) People should just listen to me in the beginning instead of trying to reinvent the wheel!:)

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This is the property from the road to the cliff. The cow is at the top. I will build the house on the top so the 1/2 acre will feel more like a full acre because it will only have a pool and a home in the rear. Privacy is assured unless they build an Empire State Building over the cliff:) .

It was overgrown when I bought it and I am just having it cleaned up now for the first time.

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The property goes up gracefully from the road to the cliff and then falls off several hundred feet. This will make a nice homesite.

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Hasta Pronto!

Clinic in Maranatha

These pictures are from a clinic in Maranatha. I donated 1,ooo US dollars to them from the money we raised at DominicanKids.com. Paypal would only let me transfer 500 US dollars a month for some reason so I had some money left which went here. .

It was nice to get these pictures via email. It is nice to see the money helping some kids now instead of waiting for the other clinic to be built. I have some more money I am going to take out of paypal next month that will also go here.

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This clinic is run by missionaries from the States. They seem to be doing a nice job. When I visited there were many many people lined up for care.

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Until the new dental clinic gets built in Puerto Plata I am going to be raising some money for this place. If anyone wants to contribute you can drop the money by QuiXotes Restaurant in Sosua, Dominican Republic. I would also be happy to take you to the clinic to see where your money is going.

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They can also use some volunteers to do crowd control so if anyone has some time on their hands Tuesday and Thursday afternoon let me know.

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Business has really picked up at the restaurant. Now even the slow days are good days. I guess we finally hit the high season. At least if I have to be there I want to be busy and it is BUSY now.

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Hasta Pronto!

My man Rellosk has hit the DR!

I picked him up on Friday and he is leaving tomorrow. I miss the SOB already. Good thing is he can't stay away so he will probably be back in a month!

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We went to eat at a few restaurants and hung out. We didn't hang out enough but it was great to see him.

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Pictured with him is the Girlfriend/wife of the week who is a cutie! It was nice hanging out with her also.

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Come back Soon EDD!

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Hasta Pronto!

View from my finca

The first picture is of two Cashew trees. I didn't know it was a cashew tree and threw out the nut and ate the fruit:) live and learn!

. It is in flower now and I should get a lot of fruit and nuts off of this baby. Two trees side by side.

. The last time the fruit was the sweetest smelling fruit I have ever smelled and I am looking forward to it. The cashew is above the fruit and is green and the fruit is a nice red.

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The next one is a fan palm. If you look behind that bad boy or girl as the case may be you will see a offspring which we transplanted. It will grow real fast! .

Next picture is a hedge row I started as tiny tiny. I have three different hedge rows in three different colors of the same plant .

In one year they will be twice the size! It is amazing how fast things grow here. When I take people to see the finca who have been here before they can't believe how beautiful it is the following year.

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The last picture is of a flowering tree I don't know the name of but the leaves are purple on one side and green on the other. Big Balls of pink flowers every year that are just magnificent.

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Hasta Pronto!

Carnival in Puerto Plata with the Sisters, Fidel and Fred...

I am in Puerto Plata to go to the beach and what do you know they are having Carnival in Puerto Plata. I normally stay away from these drunkin fiascos where they beat your ass with big hard balloons. Usually they beat the Gals arses thank Gawd and leave my scrawny arse alone.

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The costumes are great, the people are having a great time and it is a laugh a minute. I am with the 4 sisters, Fred and Fidel We took two cars because we also had a couple of kids with us as well.

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They had all sorts of stands selling booze and beer and Rum which is the national drink here in the DR!. . We had some of each but mostly beer.

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Really had a nice time despite the fact I am not into crowds. I think the sisters life easier for me when I am hanging out with them! .

Look at these kids. I love em! Negra's daughter was completely terrified. I put her on my shoulders like I use to put my daughter on my shoulders but I don't think that gave her any comfort like it use to give my daughter. .

I actually felt terrible that she was so terrified but I had a very nice time anyway.

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Hasta pronto!

Escott and the 4 sisters

I had the good fortune to spend the weekend with these four sisters whom I had a great time with. What the heck, the smiles are worth the whole thing! .

This is dinner on Saturday night at a restaurant in Sosua. No, not mine and not nearly as good but it was a decent meal. Hell look at these smiles, I couldn't care what I had to eat!

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These gals are from Nagua and did I happen to mention I love Nagua?

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Hah. I love this place. I am at QuiXotes in Sosua which is on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic with my buddy Jackie Quontee. He has probably bought a whole bottle of Don Julio and there doesn't seem to be any end in site tonight. Not only does this guy have booze and food on his bill but he bought the flower guy out of all of his flowers. Two thousand pesos worth of flowers and then since he is broke he has another 2000 pesos on his bill for pocket money. Poor SOB is working two jobs now to pay his liquor bill and when he returns to the reservation he needs to find a third job.

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SOB is such a sober drunk, only way I can tell if he has been drinking is I become the best guy in the world. Most guys when they get drunk are just nasty, this guy starts to sing my praises.

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This guy gives drinking lessons to Drunks. He shows them that they don't do what they do well because my goodness, he can put the rest of the drunks to sleep with the exception of my buddy Rellosk. He drinks from when he wakes up in the morning to when he goes to sleep tonight. Sometimes he doesn't go to sleep and just keeps going into the next day. .

I want to get Rellosk, Jackie Quontee and my other buddy Tony Tequilla together for a week and lock them in the restaurant. I can then buy the rest of the town if I can only capture them for 1 week.

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These pictures were taken the night before we went to Carnival in Puerto Plata. Man I had a great time. The sister in the Gold top had a birthday and it was a absolute pleasure to spend her birthday with her! Real sweetheart who came to Sosua to hang out for the weekend.

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Hasta Pronto!