Just a few guidelines to live life by here.
There are two rules we were introduced to regarding life in the Dominican Republic:
1. Don’t drink the water. Ever. Don’t even use it to brush your teeth.
2. Don’t flush anything paper or anything else that’s not “natural” into the toilet. Ever. Unless you want to be the one to clean it up.
“Rules” of the road:
Lines on the road are just there for guidance. Four cars adjacent on a two lane road is a normal occurrence.
Honk when you pass other cars or motos, just to let them know you are there.
If you want to pass someone, just go. Other people will get out of your way.
It is perfectly acceptable to jaywalk to get anywhere. Just be fairly cautious.
When riding in a public car, 6 passengers plus the driver is the limit. In an old Camry. When in a guagua, there is no limit, just as many people who can squeeze in as possible with the money taking guy hanging out the side. 22 people in a 12 passenger van? No problem!
A few more house rules:
Anything you are going to eat without cooking (like veggies) is washed and soaked in water with grapefruit seed oil. Something I had never heard of before, but if it keeps me from getting sick, I’ll do it!
There is no dish washer besides your own two hands, so if it’s dirty, clean it up! Otherwise the ants might come along to do it for you, but that is a less than desirable option.
If you want a hot shower, turn on the switch to the hot water heater 30 minutes before your shower. Or just when you get home at night as a courtesy to anyone else in the house who might want a hot shower as well.
If you want to do laundry, get started early, so you can get your clothes on the line to dry. Clothes left on the line overnight get damp with dew and can get moldy… yuk!
