Food Festival in Santo Domingo

The Santo Domingo Food Festival organized by the Santo Domingo Hotels Association is set for 22 March 2015. The gastronomic event is set to begin at noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on the Malecon, Santo Domingo's seafront boulevard. A jury of national and international culinary experts will choose the best dishes.

Ready For Cuba?

If you are like many people and want to get to Cuba before commercialization takes over, you may wish to consider insightCuba. Visit their website and sign-up for email notifications. They sent me the following info.

insightCuba and many of our American guests celebrated the New Year across the island of Cuba. It was a night they will never forget. They didn't waste any time, why should you?

After 50 years of travel restrictions, a new era of travel to Cuba for Americans has begun, and there simply isn't a better time go. Cubans across the country raised their glasses to celebrate the New Year and a new beginning.  The spirit of Cuba is now even closer. Capture it for yourself.

Join us for this unprecedented chance to make history and discover Cuba on one of our acclaimed people-to-people tours, before it changes forever.

You've waited long enough. Grant yourself the greatest New Year's resolution of all!

From all of us at insightCuba, we wish you a Happy New Year!

Coco Shortage

It appears that the people at FlavaWorks have some issues keeping the famed Cocodorm up and running. The Dorm, once the flagship of the company and the premiere site on the web for live shows featuring black & latin men, has had serious legal battles in recent years.

Though the courts ruled in the company's favor in those cases, it seems damage control has not been as favorable. There is often a lack of models at the Dorm or they rehire past models who may not be as popular anymore with viewers. Some models have even had extended stays, remaining in the Dorm for months at a time. Even then, the once revered scheduled shows and late-night activity have become lukewarm at best or non-existent.

The multi-million dollar company has appeared to shift its focus to earning even more money by charging for the product once included with a membership to the Dorm. They have a new site, a spin-off, that now features the scheduled shows for a separate fee. That site hasn't seemed to catch on with customers en mass, according to popular opinion.

Further frustrating customers, old & new alike, is the lack of updates at the Dorm. The "Streams" section, formerly updated daily, has not been updated for many months. The live cams that allow viewers to take a peek inside the daily (and nightly) happenings between models in the Dorm are often malfunctioning or "Down For Service" for days at a time. Speaking with anyone about concerns is futile. The phone number provided for customer service is never answered by personnel, a return call from management never happens. Some sites place information on their homepage so members or potential members may be aware of current issues, not so at the Dorm.

I hope FlavaWorks can pull themselves together and return the Dorm to it's former glory. At this time however, it appears as though the Dorm, once filled with hot gourmet Coco, is just a cold Swiss "miss."

Ambassador To DR Weds Partner

On Friday, 22 November, at 7pm on the same day as Texas-born James "Wally" Brewster was sworn in by US Vice President Joe Biden as the US Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, he married his long-time partner, Bob J. Satawake. Brewster is the senior managing partner for SB&K Global, and Satawake is a managing partner at Sotheby's International Realty's Chicago Luxury Group. They were living in Chicago prior to taking on this new challenge. Brewster is a National LGBT Co-Chair for the Democratic National Committee and is on the Board of the Human Rights Campaign fund. The wedding and reception took place at the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C. overlooking the South Lawn of the White House. 

http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/wally-brewsters-really-big-day-sworn-in-as-a-us-ambassador-marries-bob-satawake/politics/2013/11/22/79170#.UpMr4xZ6VUQ

Panama Independence!

Panama celebrates its Independence Day today. They revel in two centuries free of colonial rule, however it was on November 3, 1903 they called for independence and entered into treaty with the United States. There are actually two "Independence" days for Panama, November 3rd and November 28th. The former being the day they celebrate freedom from Colombia. The latter is when they were freed of Spanish rule.

Sweet On Santiago

The Ministry of Culture announces the celebration of the Regional Biennial of Dominican Sweets in Santiago for Wednesday, 24 July and Thursday, 25 July. The event is specially dedicated to Zunilda Guillen, Dona Nenita. It will take place at the Palacio Consistorial in Santiago, facing Duarte Park. Some 30 participants from 14 provinces of the central region will present their sweets all day. This is an event that should not be missed.

MyVidster Warning!!!

PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN BROWSING CONTENT ON MYVIDSTER OR VIEWING CONTENT UPLOADED TO OTTHER SITES FROM MYVIDSTER. THEY HAVE A SERIOUS INVASION OF MALWARE AND RANSOMWARE THAT WILL INFECT YOUR COMPUTER AND BLOCK YOU OUT OF IT.

World AIDS Day

No Reservations in D.R.

Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations Season 9, Episode 9 was filmed in the Dominican Republic. In his show prepared for The Travel Channel, Bourdain tells it as he sees it. The show aired on Monday, 29 October and included visits to traditional 50-year old 24/7 sandwich place Barra Payan in Santo Domingo, at Daniel's in Playa Rincon, Samana, to Boca Chica, and to El Cabito in Las Galeras. Bourdain also ate salami street breakfast and roasted pork. His conclusion was that you visit "for the beach, the food, the people and the food!"
www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/anthony-bourdain/episodes/dominican-republic

Happy Birthday To Me

Big For Boxing!

This is big news for the world of boxing and for sports in general. Thanks to Rod 2.0 for the heads-up!

Puerto Rican featherweight champion boxer Orlando Cruz has come out and become the first openly gay, active fighter in the sport's history. The 31-year-old Cruz represented Puerto Rico in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and boasts a strong professional record of 18-2-1.

Cruz said that he hopes to become a "role model" for youth, reports USA Today.

"I’ve been fighting for more than 24 years and as I continue my ascendant career, I want to be true to myself. I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man."

12 YEARS

I can't believe it's been twelve years since I first visited the Dominican Republic. Me and my friends had begun planning for it before the millenium and hoped that the gods would spare us so we could make our trip.

I'm so glad we were given mercy because that first trip was so exciting and intoxicating that we continued to return year after year. The first year was spent in Juan Dolio at the Coral Costa Caribe thanks to a travel agent who didn't quite understand our needs. We made the trip work for us though with several day and night excursions into the capitol via a wonderful taxi driver who was friendly and open-minded. The following vacations we planned and booked ourselves.

There is no way to truly experience the D.R. in one trip. But once you've had a taste you will definitely want to go back for more. It's a given that the hombres are muy caliente and accomodating, but the history and culture of the island is just as fascinating. If you need a break from the nightlife there are so many sites and places to discover in Santo Domingo as well as throughout the island.

I have met some wonderful people through the years, both Dominicans and ex-pats. They have been hospitable and helpful, some are quite entertaining. There is nothing I would trade for my experiences in the Dominican Republic, even the ones that turned out to be life lessons.

It's been a few years since I last visited the island. I can't believe that either. Time flies. And even though I am planning a trip to a different caribbean destination I truly miss my beloved Santo Domingo.

Olympic Pride!

As the Olympics conclude the caribbean nations are celebrating one of their best showings ever! There were several memorable moments and great achievements. One of the leading stories from the 2012 London Olympics was the finals of the mens 400 meter run. Kirani James won the first ever medal for the island nation of Grenada, and it happens to be gold! Kirani led an all-caribbean sweep of that race, which included the silver medal going to the Dominican Republic. Felix Sanchez, also representing the DR, had an emotional gold medal win in the 400 meter hurdles after having a lack-luster showing the past few years. Usain Bolt of Jamaica proved once again that he is the fastest man alive by winning gold in both the 100 and 200 meter sprints and setting an Olympic record in the process.

Here is the overall medal count of the caribbean nations: Bahamas 1, Brazil (who hosts in 2016) 17, Columbia 8, Cuba 14, Dominican Republic 2, Grenada 1, Jamaica 12, Puerto Rico 2, Trinidad & Tobago 4.

The video clip below shows the excitement of caribbean natives living in South Florida.

Jamaica Celebrates!

I first visted Jamaica when they were celebrating 25 years of independence. It was my initial venture out of the U.S. and it is where I first fell in love with all things caribbean. I was just getting out of school and had traveled there to tour the country with a community theater group. We performed in Ocho Rios, where we visited the great open-air market and Dunns River Falls. We then spent several days in Kingston visiting the Bustamante Children's Hospital, the University of The West Indies and being received by local sponsors and the Governor General.

The Jamaica I remember was welcoming and kind, unlike the homophobic terror it is portrayed as today. We were instructed then not to venture into parts of the city of Kingston due to high levels of crime in general, as opposed to today where having a perceived lack of a certain swagger might cause suspicion of homosexuailty, therefore bringing threats of beatings or death.

I haven't fully jumped on the bandwagon of the Boycott Jamaica movement, though I realize the human rights violations are severe and numerous. I can't seem to ignore the many anonymous gay faces who work in the tourist industry, who study at the universities to make a better life and a better Jamaica, who toil in the bauxite mines alongside unsuspecting coworkers while dreaming of a different way of life.

Each time I wrap my leftovers in aluminum foil I count my blessings that I have more than enough and I remember that I am providing work for that anonymous face in the bauxite mines and I pray that his Jamaica becomes the one that is welcoming and kind for ALL people.

Art Exhibit in New York

NY Times:
'Caribbean:Crossroads of the World' spans 3 museums. In size, cultural scope and freshness of material, the three-museum exhibition is the big art event of the summer season in New York, itself one of the largest "caribbean" cities.

The exhibit requires traveling between the Studio Museum in Harlem and El Museo del Barrio, and across the East River to the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing. Any single segment is dense and vivid enough to give you the flavor of the whole. But if you can see all three, absolutely do.

While not strictly speaking a masterpiece show, its like won't be attempted again on this scale and in this depth for some time.

Is there a caribbean culture? Are Florida and Columbia as much part of it as Cuba? And even if the caribbean is defined as a state of mind, a mood, how do you capture that in an exhibition, when so much of that mood has traditionally been expressed in music and performances.

The historical picture starts at the Studio Museum, 18th century. The exhibit moves through different eras and influences as you change venues.

Thepiece above represents the skin bleaching phenomenon which has become prevelant in Jamaican dance hall music.

Learn Or Leave?

He's not very happy with me right now because I've been witholding the goods lately. I gave him an ultimatum, either learn english or I'm out! I'm not trying to be cruel. I only want what's best for him. He says he wants to come to the States to live. Well, that requires a bit more than just looking good. When I returned to my small vacation villa I found him by the pool with the language kit I purchased for him. I guess the power of the booty wins.

Hope For Cuba?

AP- After controlling its citizens comings and goings for five decades, Cuba appears on the verge of a momentous decision to end many travel restrictions, with one senior official saying a "radical and profound" change is weeks away.

Ricardo Alarcon has residents, exiles and policymakers abuzz with speculation the much-hated exit visa could end, even if Raul Castor's government still carefully limits the travel of doctors, scientists, military personnel and others in sensitive roles.

In the past 18 months, Castro has removed prohibitions on some private enterprise, legalized real estate and car sales, and allowed compatriots to hire employees. Scrapping travel controls could be an even bigger step.

Even half measures such as staggeringly high visa fees or ending limits on how long Cubans can live abroad would be significant.

"If Cuba ends the restrictions on its own citizens' travel, that means the only travel restrictions would be those the United States imposes on its citizens", said Philip Peters, a Cuba expert at the Lexington Institute in Virginia.

Rumors of the exit visa's demise have circulated for years. The whispers became open chatter last spring after the Communist Party endorsed migration reform at a crucial gathering. Alarcon's comments published last month revived hopes.

Tropical Desires Uncut

For those of you who desire your caribbean adventures a bit more hot and steamy, you can now visit Tropical Desires Uncut over at tumblr.

Getting Around Cuba

Letter For Kevyn

This pic best represents how you've allowed us to see you in ways that most people would never allow. I thank you for sharing your humor, your candor and your vunerability. The pic also reminds us that we are made to digest what life gives us, the bitter and the sweet. We must thrive from its nutrients and eliminate the waste.

I have come to respect and admire both you and your work. What you have given us as Venom is incomparable. I mean, WOW! Don't ever allow anyone to downplay or belittle your role in the industry and the impact you have made. You will be able to spin those experiences into something even greater.

But I have also been blessed to witness Kevyn M growing and branching out. You have many talents and have discovered a platform for them to be displayed. You have people that love you, a loyal fan base that is watching and waiting for the next thing.

I want to encourage you to be you. Don't get caught up in others expectations. James Baldwin said "you must go the way your blood beats. You must live the life you have. If you don't, you won't live some other life, you won't live life at all."

In your YouTube video you mentioned certain "issues." We all have issues and situations. We must not let ourselves be defined by them. But it is how we work through them and overcome them that identifies who we are. For we are more than conquerors.

Keep your head up, keep pressing forward, keep working on your dreams. Remember, you are loved and we are watching and waiting.