Owning a Vacation Home in Caribbean

All photos courtesy of HGTV Our casa! We were on Caribbean Life!  It was sooooooo much fun.  I'm sure you have read elsewhere online that it's somewhat staged...and you kind of already need to own a place to even go on the show to pretend your looking for a place, but it was a great experience and one that Thomas and I will never forget...mostly because HGTV sent us a DVD copy...but, we don't acutally have cable TV. So, we had to watch our episode at friends' house.  I have to tell you, as someone who doesn't even like pictures of herself...a whole filmed episode is torture.  But, in 10-15 years, I'll probably think I looked fabulous! HAHAHA. Interview from on our pool deck! So, as an avid watcher of Caribbean Life/Beachfront Bargain Hunt/House Hunters International I ran across a link on HGTV to apply to be on one of these shows. I was absolutely CONVINCED we were going to be on the show.  I think my husband thought it was a long shot.  But, they pum

It captures the essence... My husband now drives like a DR local, but with a fully functioning car, working head lights, blinkers and all.  But, you will need cat-like reflexes to respond to his quick indicators. I've begun to offer to drive whenever we are here in the States to avoid people in the back becoming car sick.  But, when in the DR I'm happy to let him take the wheel, because...  A.  He seems to win the many games of "chicken" that ensue when driving the one coastal road that connects all the towns               B.  To the locals, it seems like a crazy fellow Dominican driver at the wheel when we cut past everyone               C.  I just want to give him the satisfaction and release driving like a crazy person obviously                       gives him. And, contrary to what many might tell you...you CAN drive there. You just need to be on your toes and realize no rules apply.  For people who have driven in developing nations around