NATHALIE RAMIREZ COMUNICACION VISUAL

Friday, November 27, 2009

Se Soltaron Los Toros!

Being at a baseball game in la Romana is like being hit by a typhoon, tidal wave and earthquake all at once. Whew! Give some dominicans a baseball team, banging devices (i.e: drums, cans, chairs), trumpets, horns and of course some Brugal rum and you've got yourse'f a PARTAY! Not being a fan of baseball myself, I was overwhelmed at the beggining, but the energy is catchy and by the fourth inning I caught myself chanting along "AQUI NO HAY LICEITA! AQUI TO SOMO TORO!"
As much as I get angry at this country of mine, at moments like these, when I see everyone genuinely having a good time I can't help but be proud of that roudy, loud blood that runs through my veins.

Chavon, Chavon

It's always nice to go back and visit my old beloved art school in Altos de Chavon. There is something magical in the breeze that endlessly blows from the river and around the stone village. This little gem-town was modelled after some Italian villa and it carries that old European rustic charm. Now, in order to spice it up for the tourists, locals have been hired to walk around in "costumes d'epoque" smiling and offering to pose for pictures, nothing any self respecting European tourist can say no to.

I'm happy with this new addition since I get free, excentrically dressed models, yet I can't help but feel a little sorry for them when I see those girls walk around in those stuffy feathered skirts, and the guys mopping sweat from off their foreheads with hankies.

As for the tourists, they get their share of the heat too, but they can always stop on one of the small cafe-bars and have nice cold beers with their caddies.