Calle El Conde, Santo Domingo

Sights, smells and sounds... all walks of life in all types on condition... and being from NY I though I'd seen it all.

There's a fair share of beggars and such, as in every poor country, specially elders... but they don't bother as much... well guarded, eventhough Santo Domingo is a safe city, there are tourist policemen in every corner... be ready to bargain for prices, that's half the fun... actually the shopping is not what's so great, there's plenty of sophisticated shopping elsewhere in Santo Domingo, it's peeking into a culture, getting the pulse from a social artery second to none... just sitting in a small cafeteria drinking a great dominican coffee (forget Starbucks, this is the REAL DEAL) it's just awsome, almost hipnotic to watch the people and things that make you feel you're in some Fellini movie.

A big plus is that nearby there's the colonial city... it's more than what you see in a brochure... I was actually surprised, there are some amazing gothic churches carved out of coral stone, monuments, amazing houses, and a great nightlife... I'd only come to resorts in Punta Cana and Puerto Plata... but coming here is what really showed me what makes this unique country tick.... and it's all so cheap and near, it's a steal... a must see... El Conde gets my thumbs up.