2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
2 - QVI Club
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
REPUBLIC<br />
Cultural Capital of the Americas<br />
Over the centuries, the Dominican Republic<br />
has come under the rule of the Spanish,<br />
the French, and the Haitians, and even<br />
experienced 8 years of US occupation in<br />
the early 20th century. The influence of<br />
these colonialists, blended with that of the<br />
native Indians, has created a unique identity<br />
in every aspect of their lives, from food to<br />
music, art, sports and religion.<br />
Some say that Santo Domingo is the<br />
Caribbean New York, being the city that<br />
never sleeps. Santo Domingo is a mecca of<br />
nightlife with trendy drinking establishments,<br />
bars and restaurants which stay open till<br />
two in the morning on weekends. Try the<br />
locally produced Dominican rum which they<br />
are well-known for!<br />
The short occupation of the US has also<br />
resulted in baseball being the national sport<br />
- or national obsession - of the Dominican<br />
Republic. Even more amazingly, the<br />
Dominicans make up a larger percentage of<br />
players in Major League Baseball than any<br />
country outside North America. If you are<br />
visiting this baseball-loving nation between<br />
October and January, be sure to catch the<br />
Dominican Winter League Baseball season.<br />
It is something definitely not to be missed,<br />
even if you are not a fan!<br />
With the mixing of indigenous Tainos,<br />
Spanish and African workers who worked<br />
in the sugar cane plantations, the cuisine<br />
on the island has become an interesting<br />
combination of influence and spices from<br />
the different cultures. While Santo Domingo<br />
has a large selection of both local and<br />
international-style restaurants, the best<br />
way to explore the gastronomy is through<br />
the small mom-and-pop establishments. La<br />
bandera, the national dish, is a combination<br />
of white rice, red beans, fried plantains,<br />
vegetables, and some meat, usually broiled,<br />
grilled, or fried chicken. Do take time to<br />
indulge in the mouth-watering local fare.<br />
Shopping in the Dominican Republic is<br />
exciting as you will be treated with great<br />
finds such as handmade cigars, Dominican<br />
coffee, rum and handmade jewellery. In<br />
Santo Domingo, check out the El Mercado<br />
Modela market stuffed with local crafts.<br />
For a jewellery spree, visit the Southern<br />
Coast where you will find some of the most<br />
intricate hand-crafted jewelry made from<br />
semi-precious stones. Best buys include<br />
amber jewelry and decorative pieces.<br />
These are a national specialty; some pieces<br />
encase insects, leaves or dew drops within<br />
the ancient fossilized pine resin. Above all,<br />
remember to haggle with the street vendors<br />
on your purchases to ensure you get the<br />
best deal.<br />
The country is all about fun and colours!<br />
The Dominican Carnival is one of the most<br />
dazzling and animated festivals whereby<br />
the locals come together in the city streets<br />
to dance, share and delight in a celebration<br />
of joy. Costumes worn by those who join in<br />
the carnival differ from region to region but<br />
often mix elements of traditional African<br />
and European styles and fabrics. However,<br />
most participants come dressed in diablo<br />
conjuelo, a brightly coloured layered suit<br />
covered with small mirrors and bells and<br />
worn with a devil mask, usually with many<br />
horns and teeth. The Carnival takes place<br />
every weekend in February and nothing can<br />
match its intensity, enthusiasm and creativity<br />
brought together by the Dominicans.<br />
Everywhere you are in the country, you<br />
will be surrounded by a constant infectious<br />
rhythm that gets your hips moving and heart<br />
racing. ‘Merengue’ is a fast-paced, rhythmic<br />
dance music created by the people of<br />
Dominican Republic and is an exotic mix of<br />
native South American, Spanish and African<br />
rhythms. Interestingly, merengue was<br />
once slowed down to accommodate the<br />
Americans who couldn’t dance the difficult<br />
steps of the music.<br />
Not only does the Dominican Republic<br />
have the best beaches, resorts, beautiful<br />
people and extraordinary attractions, it also<br />
embodies the culture of various countries to<br />
make this a truly unique place to visit.<br />
Explore this fascinating island nation through XchangeWorld! Check out our resorts at http://www.xchangeworld.com/xplore.html