How To Pronounce Jarabacoa

How do you pronounce Jarabacoa?

Listen to this audio file to hear two ways to pronounce Jarabacoa in Spanish. The first way is more of a ‘gringo’ way to say it with a harder ‘r’ sound. The second way is more of a ‘Dominican’ language way to pronounce the Jarabacoa city name where the ‘r’ is lightly fluttered over. Continue reading →

Cock Fight in Jarabacoa

Video of roosters fighting in the Dominican Republic. Forced Gallo Street Fight in La Javilla, Jarabacoa!

I encountered this yesterday as I passed by on my pasola (scooter) on my way to have lunch at a comedor (a diner where you can get your typical rice & beans with choice of meat for lunch.)

The poor rooster tried to run away a couple of times. I’m not sure if they fight to the death or if one taps out and says ‘uncle’… Though running away could be interpreted as saying uncle! I didn’t stick around long enough to watch one die, though, cause I didn’t want to get to the comedor too late, or the chicken might be gone!

Jarabacoa Cock Fighting

Jarabacoa Rooster Fight

Dia de la Virgen de la Altagracia in Dominican Republic

It was pretty interesting today, like every January 21st in Jarabacoa, to see the religious culture of the Dominican people celebrating the day of the Virgin of Altagracia (the Virgin Mary.)  Here is my story and some images of the event. Continue reading →

Drag Race in Constanza – Dragueo de las Alturas – October 2011

The nice thing about living in Jarabacoa is the fact that you can get to the North Coast beaches, like my favorite, Cabarete in less than 1 hour and 45 min, you can get to the Capitol city, Santo Domingo in about 2 hours… and to a drag race in Constanza in under 2 hours (the road is being paved at the moment).

Here are 2 videos I compiled from videos I shot on my iPhone of the Dragueo de las Alturas in Constanza, Dominican Republic the other week on October 29th-30th, 2011 at the Constanza airport. Continue reading →

Dominican Slang Translation

I came across this website where someone made digital flash cards to learn Domincan slang words. I really enjoyed it.

Living Life In Jarabacoa – In Videos

What is Jarabacoa like? Here are several short Jarabacoa videos showing what life is like living in Jarabacoa. Continue reading →

Felling, drinking and eating Coconut in Jarabacoa

Here’s a couple of videos from Jarabacoa showing the process of ‘felling’ coconuts from a tree after climbing it with a machete then drinking the water and eating the coco flesh inside. What a hoot. It was such a cultural adventure! Continue reading →

Kids Going Crazy for Fruit Falling from Trees in Jarabacoa

Here’s a video of kids excitedly gathering fruit from a tree in Jarabacoa that some men were trimming or harvesting fruit. The whole barrio was in on it! I am told they are “limoncillos” (literally translated: ‘little lemons’ but are called “Spanish lime” or “honeyberry” elsewhere.) Continue reading →

Sunrise, Noon and Sunset in Jarabacoa – Looking South to Jamaca de Dios Mountain

This is a time lapsed view of the mountain where Jamaca de Dios residential development is located using Google Earth and satellite imagery. Jamaca de Dios is the road going up the middle of the photographs. The road to the right, I was told is the ‘Marte’ development. To the far right is Mogote mountain, which is a great morning or afternoon excursion in Jarabacoa, to hike up and down (bring water and snacks!). Continue reading →

Huelga en Jarabacoa Dominican Republic (Strike)

“E’ jarto k ‘toy!”

E' Jarto K 'Toy - Loose Translation: "I'm sick of it"When I heard that there was going to be a Huelga in Jarabacao today (July 11th, 2011), I asked on Facebook last night “So, tell me, what exactly is being protested in this particular strike?”

Here are a couple of replies that I received from Dominican nationals and/or expats: Continue reading →

Helicopter Ambulance Landing at Motocross Race in Corocito, Jarabacoa

During the motocross race in Corocito, Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic on July 10, 2011, a helicopter ambulance landing kicked up quite the dust storm. The hill where it landed was packed full of spectators… ‘eating dust’. I believe that a racer was injured when he fell off his bike and got run over by another motorbike driver. Watch the video here. Continue reading →