Have you ever felt like a T.V. program or a radio station turns up the volume of their commercials? Sound cars are exactly what they sound like cars that make sound. You will hear one here even if you are here for only a week or two. These cars are exactly like the T.V. commercials except that they take it to a whole new level.

The sound cars are usually advertizing anything that you can imagine. You’ll hear them talking about a new type of deodorant or a promotion that they have in one of the different cell phone companies. You can often hear them belting out Claro promotions.

Sound cars are one of the more important forms of advertisement here. This is because many of the people here are too poor to have a TV where you would see your normal forms of ads trying to get you to buy their product. This is the same problem for radios which can end up costing about twice the amount that you would pay for them in the United States. (more…)

Dancing is more of an institution that a past time here in the DR. Walk down the streets in the evening (if it is safe in your area) and you will hear music coming from dozens of different sources. While often the night club music (there will be at least a couple in every town) dominates the night air, much of the music will be coming from houses lining the streets.

As you pass by even the 2 year olds are learning to shake their booties to the music. Parties and gatherings are usually dominated by dancing. You pretty much see it everywhere.

So it is no surprise to see the First International Bachata Festival being held in Santo Domiingo February 24 – 27 2011. (more…)