Can you hack it? Life in the Dominican Republic (part 1)

There are quite a few home and lifestyle differences between the Dominican Republic and the United States.  For some people they will be deal breakers🚫.  But for others that have traveled or  would like to experience how most of the world lives, they won't mind too much😃

1. Air Conditioning/Heater
2. Electricity
3. Tap Water
4. Toilet Paper
5. Showers 

Air Conditioning/Heater

The average Dominican home does not have air conditioning at all. They have fans. Most have floor fans not ceiling fans. There are air conditioners in homes/apartments but usually they are room based. I have not come across an apartment or home that has had central air conditioning. There are no heaters but why would you need them, right?🔥

For teachers coming to the D.R., please ask if the classrooms are air conditioned. All public schools do not have air conditioning only fans and some private schools as well. The private schools that do have AC, only have it in the classrooms so not in the hallways,bathrooms, cafeteria ect... (Stay tuned for a cafeteria/food blog)



Electricity

In the United States, you pay for your electric bill, you have electricity. You don't pay, you don't have electricity.  Here in the Dominican Republic paying your electric bill doesn't mean you have electricity all the time.  The lights💡 in the barrios go out frequently everyday.  Usually not for a long period of time but enough to be inconvenient.  In gated communities the electricity goes out usually once a week for🔨maintenance-repairs.  In Pantoja,Santo Domingo it goes out on Saturday's usually for 6 hours. In wealthy areas, the electricity rarely goes out but it does sometimes. In a month, maybe once or twice.  If you can afford it, I would recommend an 'inversol'.  I guess it would be an invertor so that when the lights go out you still have electricity. 

Water

Tap water 🚰is used for washing clothes, dishes and showers.  Nothing else.  Drinking water is bought at a corner Colmado/Bodega/Store. It is called a botellon.  All cooking and drinking must be used with botellon water. Some women even have to bath with botellon water especially for private parts.  I have met women that have repeatedly had yeast infections using the tap water to bathe.
***The pump attachment has to bought separately. I bought it at La Sierna which is like the D.R. Walmart for about $500 pesos or $22 dollars.

Toilet Paper

From my understanding after speaking with many different Dominicans and the maintenance supervisor at my school, the plumbing pipes ⛕ in the Dominican Republic are not too good.  Therefore ALL toilet paper must be put in a trash bin after whipping. It MUST NOT be put in the toilet bowel🚽. On a side note, you would think it smelled terribly but I just empty it every day or every other day.  It really isn't that bad😜. You get used to it.  

Showers

Water🌊 is not an unlimited supply. There are plenty of times when I have run out of water. If you would like to have water consistently I would recommend getting a tinanco (huge container that stores water on your roof) and/or a cisterna (well). That way when the town water shuts off you still have your reserve.***Click on the word tinanco/cisterna for a video-picure.

Welcome to cold showers🚿.  The average home does not have a hot water heater.  If you do have a hot water heater, you press a button, wait 10 minutes for the water to heat up, then take your shower. Unlike the United States, it is not instant,
immediately turning on the facet to have hot water.

Again, hot water showers are a major luxury💰 here.