Santiago de los Caballeros Local Custom Tips by REYNALDOPICHARDO

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$ 100 PESOS BILL, EASY TO SPOT IN THE BRIGHT COLORS!
SINCE THE DOMINICAN ECONOMY WENT INTO A TAILSPIN THESE BILLS ARE LIKE CARRYING CHANGE IN YOUR POCKET!
WHEN THE DOLLAR GOES UP, PRICES GO UP, WHEN THE DOLLAR GOES DOWN PRICES STAY UP!!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHH THE DOMINICAN ECONOMY!!
ONE OF THE WORLDS MYSTERIES!!!
LOL

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$1000 PESOS BILL, BY FAR THE MOST COMMON TO CARRY AND ACTUAL BILL TO DEPEND ON WHEN PAYING BILLS, THAT WAY YOU WON'T GET STUCK WITH A WAD OF BILLS FOR YOUR CHANGE!

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$ 5 PESOS BILL, GOING , GOING, GONE!
NO LONGER IN CIRCULATION, THEY ARE PRESENT AS COINS, AND THOSE ARE SELDOM USED!!!
I USED TO BUY A TRUCK LOAD WITH IT WHEN I WAS LIVING THERE BACK IN 1986!!!!

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$ 10 PESOS BILL, SOON TO GO THE WAY OF THE 5 AND 1 BILL!!!!
PAPER COIN!!!!!!!!!!

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$ 20 PESOS BILL, WHAT YOU'LL TO BUY SOME MINTS AND GUM FOR THE TRIP!
HONEST TRUTH! HONEST!

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$ 50 PESOS BILL, CONSIDER THIS ONE AS COINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT MUCH HAS THE RECENT BANINTER BANK FRAUD COST TO THE DOMINICAN ECONOMY!!!
CAN'T PRINT BILLS WORTH THE PAPER THEY'RE PRINTED ON LIKE THE US, OVER HERE YOU NEED TO BACK IT UP WITH GOLD OR SILVER, SO NO METAL? NO CIGAR!!!!

LOCAL BILLS

THE RD$2000 PESOS BILL, DON'T CARRY THIS TOO MUCH, THEY ATTRACT TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND IF YOU LOSE A WAD OF BILLS THEN YOU'LL LOSE A LOT OF MONEY NEEDLESS TO SAY!

LOCAL BILLS

THIS IS THE $1 PESO BILL, NO LONGER IN CIRCULATION AT ALL!!!
A VICTIM OF GLOBAL ECONOMY...

LOS LECHONES Y CARNAVAL

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This is what's called a "Lechon" is only viewed during the carnaval, and mostly in the Cibao region, most notably is the Carnaval de Santiago, this occurs during the month of february and it's something you should experience first hand!
The first Lechones arose like guardians of the order in the old carnivals of Santiago, according to the history. They paraded ahead of the Comparsas(Parading groups), to open them road before the multitudes and thus to avoid the indiscipline of the youth.
First they carried a stick in the hand, moving it constantly from one side to the other; subsequently they changed the stick to a Fuete (whip) of cabuya(Local plant, like Hemp-fiber). And finally, they added the Vejiga (air balloon made out of dried cow's bladders).
Just as the Lechones of uptown, the downtown Lechones dressed identical disguises (of fluff of two or three colors). At times of brilliant tafeta or silk's skins, adorned with small round mirrors and sequins.
When the Comparsas accompanied by their Lechones passed from a neighborhood to another, in the majority of the times fights broke out among the Lechones that accompanied them and the ones in that neighborhood. Then, they could not recognize those of a same side, and many times by misconception were attacked by themselves.
It was necessary to make a distinctive dress among the Lechones of uptown and downtown. That is to say, they agreed to differentiate themselves for once and always, the uptown began to be called PEPINEROS (wearing a mask with a completely smooth horn), and the downtown that were always called JOYEROS (by their proximity to the beaches of the river Yaque north), their masks flourished with thorns or puyas.
That's how they came to be as they are seen today, with their brilliant suits of colors in full heart of the Cibao, there by the year 1861, the Lechones of the Carnival of Santiago, famous and unique in the history of the carnivals of the country.

CARNAVAL

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This is what's called a "Negro" or "Pintado", these characters are meant to induce fear in those close to him, and they excell at it too!, they have burned oil and tar all over their bodies, you're supposed to give them tips not to stain you, and guess what? they make a bounty during the carnaval, and yes they will stain you if you don't cooperate(not really but why don't you find out) he he he.