Freedom in a Can: Adventures with Hamlet

Las Muchachas Estan Gritando! (The young ladies are screaming!) The Dominicans know how to party, anywhere; they also know how to keep a party going well beyond when stamina would call it a night.   I don’t know where they get their staying power?   Perhaps it is the diet? Perhaps the sun?   Or perhaps it is the national character which embraces the now in Taoist-like proportions.   Not thinking about tomorrow may be their greatest resource – the source of their happiness and fountain of youth – and simultaneously a leading factor in many of their social challenges.   But, it was great while the fun lasted? Tara, the intern from Germany, organized many outings for the students at our school.   Each week she’d enthusiastically tell us about all the options available and the cost of each.   We loved participating in this active social life of the school – some were free or very reasonable, while others were a bit out of our budget.   Since February was Carnival, we thought we

Senior Motoconcho – Motorcycle Taxi Driver Dear Senior Motoconcho, I fully concede that yours is the finest motoconcho in all of the Dominican Republic.   I also retain full comprehension of the services that you and your colleagues provide.   And yet, though I see you every day as I cross the corner of our street, you remain unconvinced of my faith in you on this matter.   Why must you again implore me to use your services when my feet are already taking me where they want me to go?   Rest assured that when I want your services I will not be ambiguous – for I will indeed, ASK FOR THEM!   Moto, Moto, Moto!?! This is the call of the informal economy which thrives here, alongside prostitution and recreational substances.   Not only do the 5-19 gentlemen drivers hover at important intersections waiting to drive Dominicans or better yet, tourists, anywhere they might want to go within the limits of a tank of gas, they keep up active side businesses in all kinds of other