PROTECTION OF LOBSTERS

From March 1 to June 30 is the lobster breeding period also in Las Galeras

The population grows, tourists increase and the lobsters decrease!

Unfortunately, every year the demand for lobsters increases, but if they continue to fish them even during the breeding season, we will come to extinction!

Each lobster may have some thousands of eggs, but if we give him no chance to reproduce, will no longer exist!

To continue to enjoy these delicious shellfish

we ask all tourists, not to ask for lobsters from March 1 to June 30 and owners of restaurants to give explanations about and follow the applicable law.

If these three months, there will be no requests, it will be easier for fishermen to respect the law.

We also ask everyone to report restaurants that do not adhere to the law, to address CODOPESCA

http://www.codopesca.gob.do or phone 809-547-3888

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic

  

TOURISTS IN SANTO DOMINGO

You are planning a trip to the Dominican Republic
and would like some advice?

Here is some information and tips for your stay:

1) The Dominican time is an opinion

If they give you an appointment at 10:00, you know that you may have to wait until noon. Consequently, when you make the appointment, it is very useful to specify whether the time is "Dominican time" or "gringo time", a precise time to the minute.

2) On public transportation (guagua) or a taxi, there is always room for one more person:
If you decide to take public transportation (guagua) or a taxi, you should know that there is no limit to the number of passengers.
Even when you think that there is no more room, you will see that the driver will continue to stop to load people. Even if it means hanging outside the door or on the roof, there is always room for one more passenger!

3) Beware of the motoconcho (motorcycle taxi):

The most frequently used means of transportation are motorbikes, but they are not used very differently from their four-wheeled cousin!

Just the same, there is no limit on the number of passengers or the type of cargo. Always negotiate the price beforehand to avoid arguments later.

4) Payments in "mint":
All types of candy are "mint" calls!
They are a form of currency, so if you go in a "colmado" (shop that sells a bit 'of everything) or a grocery store, and they don't have 5 pesos in change, they will give it to you in candy.
Get used to it, "the mint" are a form of currency!

5) Traffic and "music":
If you happen to be stuck in traffic you can blow your horn as much as you want!

This does not mean that you will unlock traffic, considering that you can not hear your own horn because everyone is using them. But if you want to try this experience, honk at will!

6) The rules of the road:

Often here the rules for traffic depend on the day and the fun lies in the fact that you respect them as you please.

The signs that say "no turn", for example, seem to have been made for decoration only. 

Just like those who say "one way" or "do not park on the sidewalk."

The Constitutional 175-05 clause reads as follows: "the rules have to be respected if at that given day the rule can serve."

A  progressive society!

7) When a girl claims to be 18 years old, do not believe her
The Dominican girls are very attractive and it is not difficult to run into a minor.
But laws on pedophilia exist here too.
Learn the phrase "muestrame tu cedula" (let me see your identity card) and, when you've seen it and confirmed the age, then you can have peace of mind.

8) Dominicans do not have umbrellas:

The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island where it rains almost daily.

But you will be surprised to know that most Dominicans do not use umbrellas or raincoats.

Some ladies have an umbrella, but I mostly use it to protect themselves from the sun.

In the capital, Santo Domingo, we have seen an umbrella salesman on the street put a plastic bag on his head when it started raining! 

9) The vendors selling everything:
You've looked for something in the most expensive malls in the city, but you are not satisfied? No problem, try to do some shopping on the streets.
You need a puppy dog, a bottle of rum, cigars? You suffer from kidney problems and are looking for a new pair of kidneys?
It sounds strange, but the hawkers can find anything, give him 5 minutes and you will see!

10) Se fue la luz! (the lights went out!)

Get used to it, because in many parts of the country the light suddenly disappears and the blackout can last for hours.

Always carry a flashlight with you!

11) Bribes:
There are countries where the bribes do not work, for everything else there is the Dominican Republic!

                                                               Other information:

To get to Las Galeras from Santo domingo line coach Caribe Tours, 27 de Febrero corner Leopoldo Navarro, every day at 8-10 am from 2.30 to 4.30 pm, up to Samana, Las Galeras guagua then every 15 minutes , last at 6 pm.
Or minibus from the bus stop to Samana in calle Barahona (behind Plaza Lama on Calle Duarte) to 7.12 am and 3 pm directly to Las Galeras.

A bit of history
Santo Domingo is the capital of the Dominican Republic, and was the first Spanish Colony in the New World.
The city has a metropolitan area with a population of 2,850,320 inhabitants. The original design of the city is visible today in the Colonial Zone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There are still some sixteenth-century buildings, that are among the oldest in the Americas, including the first administrative offices and the first cathedral of the New World.
In 1586 the English pirate Francis Drake invaded the entire island of Hispaniola, razing the city and freeing it only after payment of a ransom.
In 1655 the French invaded the southwest of the island, and part of the island controlled by the Spaniards was reduced by more than half.
In 1822 the Haitians, under the leadership of Jean Pierre Boyer, invaded the island and conquered it completely.
But 22 years later, after hard struggles, Dominicans were able to regain their independence.

                                                           

You can see 500 years of history of this city in 45 minutes, comfortably seated on the little train "Chu Chu Colonial"

  For more information: www.chuchucolonial.com

 Gift shop Franco y Barbara

 Las Galeras-Samanà

 Dominican Republic

n.115 cm. 76x101
semi-gloss on canvas

VALENTINE'S DAY

It is thought that "Valentine's day" is a modern invention, commercial, but that's not the case.

Since the 4th century A.C. Roman pagans paid tribute with a unique annual ritual, the 

god Lupercus. 

The names of the women and men who worshipped this god were placed in an urn and properly mixed.

Then a child randomly chose some couples who, for a whole year, lived in intimacy so that the fertility rite was concluded. The following year would then be started again with other couples.

The Christian bishops decided to put an end to this custom.

The emperor Claudius II believed that men without families were better soldiers, and forbade marriage to the young.

But the priest Valentine, did not agree and continued to marry young lovers in secrecy.

Valentine was killed and then martyred on February 14, replacing the rite to Lupercus god, and thus becoming the patron saint of lovers.

But we are in the Dominican Republic and here Valentine's Day is not only  Valentine's Day, but also the celebration of friendship ...

On February 14th we will exchange gifts, we'll go out to dinner and then to the disco. The important thing is to wear something red!

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic

n.109 cm.76x101

semi-gloss on canvas

                                                                     n.185 cm.51x61
                                                                 semi-gloss on canvas

MASTER OF OCEAN 2016

The event will be at Playa Encuentro, 4 km from Cabarete near Sosua, where in February and March, the open sea with a shallow and sandy ocean floor, stimulates the formation of large waves. The constant wind and the excellent climate make it possible to go surfing, SUP (variant of surfing where you stand on a board and move using a paddle), windsurfing and kitesurfing simultaneously.

In the morning, on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic there are waves without wind, ideal for surfing and SUP.

Then around noon appear the trade winds, creating good waves for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

All this has lead to the creation of Master of Ocean, the most important competition of extreme water sports in the Dominican Republic, which aims to overtake Hawaii and Costa Rica, attracting fans of these disciplines all year round.

                                   2015

                     Zane Schweitzer (Hawaii) won the title for the second consecutive year. 

                            The local athlete Samuel "Sammy" Hults Perez finished second.

                                                Fiona Wylde, won in the female category.

The award "Future Master of the Ocean" was awarded to Max Self, who, along with six other children, showed great skill in the "Kids Surf Expression Session".

During the event, in addition to the competition on the water, there will be internships, games and entertainment for athletes and spectators.

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic

                                                                   n.72 cm.76x101 
                                                               semigloss on canvas

CARNIVAL 2016

CARNIVAL 2016

In the Dominican Republic, Carnival is an important holiday:
a chance to exaggerate!

It's a celebration of freedom and integration.

The masks are original, sarcastic, grotesque and satirical.

The most famous: el Areito (Indian), el diablo Cojuelo (Spanish), and los entierros danzas (African).

In Samana, Carnival is celebrated every Sunday in February,

but the parade itself is on the 27th, Independence Day.

Parade floats, masks of typical characters and different interpretations of real-life situations such as the family, the dancing, the emigration (the "Dominican York", a category of Dominicans living in New York), etc ...

On the waterfront raffles and lottery are organized. Of course always accompanied by live music by different bands and wanton merengue, bachata and reggaeton.

n.98 cm.76x101 semi-gloss on canvas                        

                                                                                                             

171 cm.76x101

semi-gloss on canvas

                          

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic

FRANCO Y BARBARA

In this post, we would like to talk a bit about us,
our gift shop and the rooms we rent.

We live and work right in the center of Las Galeras.

We are on the corner of the main road that ends at Playa Grande, and a side road that leads to La Playita.

We are located in a "commercial area", with a restaurant on each side. The only bank is right in front of us, and a few meters down the road is a "supermarket"

It is hardly a haven of tranquility on the ocean, but we are just a few meters from everything: 

BEACHES ...

n.155 cm.51x62
semi-gloss on canvas

COCKFIGHTING...

n.15 cm.101x152
semi-gloss on canvas

DISCO

n. 74 cm.76x101
semi-gloss on canvas

The Dominican people are generally "noisy" ...

They speak in a loud voice, sounding their car horn for no reason, listen to music at impossible volumes, and love a motor without muffler, but it is the essence of this village and the true life in the Dominican Republic!

When we built our house, we decided to build a commercial space on the main street, which is now our gift shop.

Upstairs and above our apartment we have two rooms for rent, simple, clean, well-maintained and at reasonable prices!

A small room with a double bed and bathroom.

                                                                             

The largest bedroom

On the patio there is a kitchen that can be used in private or shared between the  two rooms.

Come and visit us, we're awaiting you with a smile, and if you have seen this post, let us know, we will also have a small gift!

Gift shop Franco y Barbara

Las Galeras-Samanà

Dominican Republic