Poverty & wealth in Cabarete

Just a moment ago, I was happy about differences in opinions and views. Today, there is one difference in the Dominican Republic that really gets to me: The one between rich and poor. It’s not that it’s something new. There has always been poverty and wealth here. What strikes me now is the gap in between, which is widening dramatically.

The average per capita income has doubled in the last 10 years. 20% of the rich earned five times more, 80% of the poor half as much. What did José, the exiled Dominican on holiday, say? He had never seen so many Hummers and Porsches. The luxury castles are growing everywhere in Cabarete, but only rich foreigners live in them. The peso fluctuates unrationally in relation to economic power.

The price of beer in the kite camp has doubled within four years – now it is well above the German level. I think that’s good, it moderates my consumption. But I wonder whether the employees have also seen their salaries double in the same time. A blue Porsche is parked outside in the sun.

The Dominicans seem to be getting poorer and poorer at the same time. The best way to notice this is to go shopping with the locals. I have never heard such crazy prices as I did during this visit. 30 euros for a beach ball or a pair of copied sunglasses. It seems as if the outrageousness increases with the need. And this has clearly grown.

There have never been more desperate attempts to get money. A chain vendor sees my rejection of the first one. It doesn’t stop the next three from joining the presentation queue. I’m walking home from a jazz club on the beach in the evening. After the third “Ola Chico”, I don’t even say “No gracias” anymore The motoconcho drivers now resemble frenzied robber barons. If you offer a normal price, you sometimes run the risk of being beaten. Everyone takes what they can.

I’m not accusing anyone. I just don’t know how the gap between rich and poor could have widened so drastically so quickly. Tourism brings a lot of money into the Dominican Republic. But only a few people benefit from it. I no longer feel comfortable here. I would like to see a fairer country. With wind, please.