By the way, I’ve tried to travel around a lot during my stay here. Here’s a map pointing out the places that I’ve been to until now (in red). The one in orange shows where I’m working.

Places I would like to visit before I fly back home: (marked in grey)

Santiago
Puerto Plata
Sosúa
Cabarete

Isla Catalina and/or Isla Saona

Update

Work

This last month hasn’t been that interesting, unfortunately. After finishing working as a concierge I decided to transfer to the restaurant department. It felt like a good time to change, especially since my last day of work was like hell. In the morning I felt ill and had to call to work and say that I would work in the afternoon instead of the morning. It was a good decision, not only because I felt bad, but also because we would have a lot of arriving guests in the afternoon. With me working in the afternoon we would have one extra person to take care of the guests. We had a lot of problems with the arriving guests that day, because of many reasons, so I was relieved when it was time to go home, knowing that it was the last day. I had a very good time working as a concierge though. The colleagues were very good and helped me with whatever I needed. It also gave me the chance to try out the job as a general concierge in the lobby, as well as a more personal concierge in our VIP section “The Excellence Club”.

The following day I had to organize with returning the reception/concierge uniform and get the one for the restaurant. When meeting with the person in charge of all the restaurants I was told that I would work in our French restaurant “Chez Isabelle”, supposedly one of the best and most popular restaurants in the hotel. When the French restaurant closed I would be alternating in our Mexican restaurant “Agave”. After the meeting I went to get the menu for the French restaurant and some utilities to be able to work. The rest of the day was off.

Working in the restaurants reminded me of the days in Les Roches. Every day I started at 15:00 with a briefing with the afternoon team, normally between 10-15 minutes long, where we went through what was going well, what needs to be improved etc. After the briefing everybody then went to the restaurants to set up tables and prepare for service. That included folding napkins, polish some cutlery, set up tables, get ice, wine etc. At 17:00 we could go down to the employee area to have something to eat and freshen up before the pre-service briefing in the restaurant at 17:40. Our restaurant opened at 18:00, so we used the twenty minutes to go through different things and do the last preparations before the guests arrive. I enjoyed working in the restaurants and the ones that I worked with were helpful and corrected me when I made mistakes. After working one month as a waiter I realized that it’s good to have working experience from a restaurant if you want to be a successful manager. The experience will help one to maximize efficiency and give you good ideas of how to run a restaurant in a hotel for example. I liked to talk to the guests while serving them and many were interested in me as well. They were always asking me where I’m from, probably because I was the only light-skinned person there. The hotel’s occupancy was around 45% during this time, so we weren’t too busy every night, which gave me the possibility to learn without stressing too much.

Illnesses

During week three of work in the restaurant I started to feel pain in the stomach. I went to the doctor in the hotel and he told me to wait a few days for it to wear off, otherwise I’d have to go to a clinic to run a few tests. The pain continued, which made me miss a couple of evening services, so I went to a clinic in Higuey. After receiving the results it was clear that I had some kind of bacteria that I got from eating something bad. The doctor prescribed some antibiotics that I needed to take for a week. During the treatment for the stomach I started to feel really bad one day when we were doing the pre-service in the restaurant. The following day I woke up with my throat aching and a fever. With no power at all I stayed at home and slept all day. I went to see the doctor again and she told me that I had an infection. I was prescribed with more antibiotics, again...

Now...

The manager of human resources told me to be off work for a week, so I’ve been spending a lot of time in my apartment. In the beginning it was good, I could rest a lot and recuperate, but the last days have been boring. The only times that I’ve left my room has been to go to Higuey to buy some groceries or to the hotel to eat dinner. The other day I was told that I seemed to have lost some weight, which is not that surprising, since I have not eaten to well because of my throat infection.

Lately I’ve been having the urge to finish my internship so I can be able to go home and continue the things that need to be done before going to Chicago. (Oh, yeah.. for the ones that don’t know, I’ve been accepted to Kendall College. That was around two months ago...) When I get home I’ll have a lot to do. Since my passport expires next year the school wants me to renew it so they can send the necessary visa papers. I’ll have to go to Finland as soon as I can to get it as soon as possible. Another problem is that we don’t have an apartment in Chicago yet.. Being stuck in the apartment has made me want to go home to fix these issues instead of being here.

Next

Well, next department is going to be Bar. I feel like a beginner in this area, so I’ll probably learn a lot. I’ll report on how things are going.

Vacation 2

Time off - Sabana de la Mar/Samana

Last week-end I went with a friend of the hotel to the north/north-eastern part of the island, to visit a place that none of us had visited before. We left the hotel on Friday afternoon, around 15:30. After four bus-changes we ended up in Sabana de la Mar, a coastal village where one can take a "ferry" over to Samana. Unfortunately(?) we had to spend the night there, because we missed the boat, arriving at around 19:30. We found a hotel in the middle of the village that cost us 300 pesos for the night, around 9USD. A bargain!! OK, the hotel wasn't a 5-star luxury resort, but we only needed a place to spend the night. That evening we only went down to have a walk around the village and something to eat before we went back to the hotel to sleep.

The following day we woke up early to get to the "ferry". After buying the tickets we had to get on board a small motorboat to get to the larger one that was going to take us to Samana. They loaded on whatever possible on that small boat, apart from people and suitcases! My friend and I were joking about that they even were going to load two motorbikes that we saw, and guess what, they did! Finally on board the bigger boat we sat on the top floor to enjoy the view and the nice weather. When we were getting close to Samana I started to feel that I had burned my whole upper body! My arms were flaming red and my shoulders were burning! Not the nicest thing..

In Samana we stopped to buy ice cream before jumping on a roofed "motoconcho" and I so felt like a tourist at that point! With my burned body doing what tourist normally do. The "motoconcho" took us to the market area, where we jumped on in the back of a truck. After stopping at El Limon we got to our final destination, Las Terrenas. During the trip on the truck we talked to lots of people. Everyone was friendly and told us stories, before they jumped off. Everything was pleasant until a group of Haitians and a high Dominican man jumped on. In the beginning we had fun, they were singing and rapping, but later the Dominican man became aggressive and started to become a nuisance. This went on until he decided to attack me. I pretended that I didn't listen to him until it became unbearable and my friend and I had to jump off the truck. Luckily we already reached where we were supposed to.

Thanks to my Lonely Planet-guidebook that I bought before coming to the Dominican Republic we found a French restaurant by the beach. We sat down and ate lunch, while planning where we were going to spend the night. After lunch we went to the hotel and checked in. This time the "hotel" was a bit more expensive than the last night, but we lived more comfortably and had breakfast included. Thanks again, Lonely Planet! We went down to the beach, just a three-minute walk from the place where we were staying and spent the rest of the afternoon there.

Later on, when in the hotel, we found out that we had to go to Playa de los Pescadores to find the best options of good restaurants and clubs. We had dinner in a very nice restaurant by the beach. I ordered a pasta carbonara and got the biggest portion of pasta that I've ever had! Although too much food and tired of too much travelling, we went out after the dinner. We started in a bar full of Haitian hookers and European men searching for pleasure, and ended up in a Dominican night club. We had other opportunities of clubbing in the area, but they were very touristic.

The following day we had a very good breakfast in the hotel, before starting the LONG way back to Punta Cana. We spent a couple of hours at the harbour of Samana, before going on the boat that was going to take us back to Sabana de la Mar. Due to the sun burn on our bodies, we decided to sit under the sun deck, with a roof covering us. On top of that, the trip over the sea was a nightmare! The sea was rough and constantly rocked the boat, during the 1 hour and 30 minute trip. I had to concentrate HARD on all the beautiful things in this world so I wouldn't be sea sick. I wasn't the only one though and it was fun to see everyone around us. No-one was saying a word..

Three guagua-rides later I got back to my apartment, exhausted. And sun burnt. Still, this was the best experience so far. I find it difficult to beat these days off, but I will try.

This is it for now; updates on how work is progressing are coming soon.

Til’ then, take care

Vacation 1

Wow, a loong time ago since I updated this blog! Sorry...

In the end I couldn't get an internet connection for my laptop. but it actually doesn't really matter. I can sit in the area of the employees after work, and doing so I save the money that I
would've spent on the internet, around 600USD...

Time off - Santo Domingo

In my last update I wrote that I was going to stay at Finnish friend's apartment in the capital, and so I did. The apartment where my friend lives was beautiful and had the greatest sea-view that I have seen in a very long time. During my stay in the capital I had the opportunity to experience something more civilized than ever before on this island! We went out to eat every night and I had food that I longed for every night, for example a decent steak. Unfortunately it rained when I was there, so we didn't do any tours around the city. Instead we visited a couple of shopping malls and hung around during the days. I got to buy a pair of sneakers and other stuff that I needed, which was good for me. In the evenings we went out to see what the capital had to offer and I liked it. I especially remember a modern -style bar in a shopping mall, popular for pre-drinks before everyone heads to the clubs. The music was great, not the usual merengue or bachata that you hear everywhere else and the drinks were good. This was early on Friday night. We later went back to the complex where my friend lives, because a girl at the bar told us that there was going to be a nice party there. We met up with a friend of his and headed to the party. Since we got there quite early we went up to his apartment and had a drink and talked, before we went down to the party. The party itself was a disappointment, but I had a good time anyway.

The following day, after a good night’s sleep and breakfast, we went to get our hairs cut. We were recommended to go there by the friend from the night before, so we decided to give it a try. After searching for the place for a while we had to meet up with the girl that was going to give us the haircuts so she could show the way to the salon. The girl was flirty and refused to shave all my hair off, as I wanted, because "I wasn't going to be as pretty"... After we were done she wanted to have my number so she could "show me around in town someday". A bit creepy.. For a moment I was going to give her the wrong number, but in the end I didn't, thinking that she wasn't going to call. Later that day, when I was in town with my friend, she DID call me and asked if I was happy with the haircut and to remind me that I could call her whenever I was coming back to the capital..

In the evening we went to a restaurant to have dinner and after the dinner we went to a place with several clubs close to each other. We ended up in a nice club which was quite small and packed with people, but they played good music, although mostly "their" music.

On Sunday we were just relaxing before I had to get to the bus to go back to the hotel. I will visit the capital again, for sure.

Pictures... My apartment, Punta Cana airport and hotel entrance

I'm aliveeee

So, what has happened since my last update..? Hmm...

I have been on the island since the 1st of July. The trip went all right, although it was a bit long, around 16 hours. I got to the hotel after I met with the driver of the hotel that was waiting for a couple flying in from the states. I was lucky because the person who was going to pick me up wasn't there and the couple were on a delayed flight. If they had been on time the driver wouldn't be there... As soon as I arrived they showed me to one room where I was going to spend the night. Sweaty I figured I would go to the beach, but I couldn't find my way out, so I went to have dinner instead. After dinner I went to lie in bed and slept right away. The following days I organized with my uniform for the reception, papers and get to know the hotel. I also went to Higuey, the largest city closest to us, to do a medical check-up. The experience from there was a bit different... We went to Higuey in a small bus that they call gua-gua. You can find them anywhere on the island and they are quite good and very cheap, but don't expect first-class... What you CAN expect are people traveling with live chickens, TV's or whatever your imagination comes up with.. While in Higuey we were riding on "motoconchos", those are normal mopeds/motorbikes and the drivers take you anywhere you want for a small amount of money. First time I went on them I was scared out of my mind. No helmet and the roads in Higuey were full of holes or bumps. My knuckles whitened when I held on to the back of the moped while cruising through trucks, cars and other objects. Luckily everything went fine, and we actually went on three other motoconchos that day... On the streets you could see people riding in the back of these mopeds holding big tanks of gas or even furniture.....

Well, I had a few days of vacation before I started to work. During these days I socialized with people or hung around in my apartment. One evening I was invited to a “babyshower” in the only bar close to us, and I had a great time. I met a lot of fun people and got to participate in a couple of competitions. I also wanted to go to the beach, but the day when I went I was stopped by the security man that said that I wasn’t allowed to swim because it was too late and the waves were too strong. Until today I haven’t jumped into the water. Yet...

The hotel

Excellence Punta Cana is situated next to the beach on the east side of the Dominican Republic. We are surrounded by fields of grass, trees and... nothing else... I was a bit surprised when I got to the hotel. I expected to have some kind of civilization close, but no. The hotel itself is very beautiful and not too big. Comparing to other resorts where you have to go in a golf-car between different areas, everything in this hotel is in a reasonable walking-distance. We have parrots and other birds walking around freely, which is nice to see. The hotel’s guests mostly consist of Americans. We also have some people from the UK, France and Canada. We receive a lot of guests coming for their honeymoon or to get married in the hotel. We have at least one marriage a week.

Around 3-4 km away from the hotel we have a “plaza” with a bank, a small convenient store, a few shops that sell touristic crap and a place with two computers that is said to be a place where you can go on the internet. What surprised me was when I got to the area of the employees. Apart from three buildings with rooms we have a big area where we eat our meals, buffet-style. The food is quite good and varying. We also have a big basketball court, which can be lit up when it’s dark, a gym, a pool-table area, a small shop and a place where you can get shaved or get your hair cut. Very surprising!! The “restaurant” is the meeting place, if not the pool-table area. I’m very happy with this and it’s very different from what I have experienced working in Spain.

My apartment

I live in “Carmen”, a complex consisting of apartments, around 3 km from the hotel. This is where some of the executives of the hotel live, for example the GM. We have someone from security guarding the entrance 24/7, a terrace with a big pool, sun beds and an area where you can grill. Excellent for pool parties! In my room I have a huge king-size bed, a sofa-bed, a kitchenette, fridge, air-condition, TV with satellite channels, bathroom and a small terrace with two chairs and a table facing the garden. I was very surprised about this but at the same time very happy to be able to live so comfortably. The only problem is that I don’t have an internet connection in the room, but as soon as I can I’ll try to buy me a USB-internet stick so I can sit at home. To get to the hotel I have to take a taxi. At 08.00, 08.30 and 09.00 we can ask the security guy to call us a taxi and they’ll take me without charging. To go back to Carmen I can call a taxi from the hotel at 20.00 and 21.00, without charge. If I want to go at different times I have to pay 100 pesos (around 3 USD), which is not a lot of money.

Work

I started my internship at the front desk, where I still am at the moment. Compared to Viva Bahia, the hotel that I worked for in Spain, we have a lot less to do. Even though the hotel has 452 rooms, and a 65-70% occupancy we don’t have much work. Since the hotel is an adult-only hotel the ambience is very quiet. Good for the people that come to relax. In the beginning it was nice, because I got to know the details without stressing, but now when I feel that I know a lot I get bored easily. The program that the hotel uses is exactly the same that I used in Spain, so I got into everything right away. Luckily I have great colleagues and we have a lot of fun! We spend the time talking and laughing and I know I’ll miss working with them when I’ll change to another department.

Time off

Everybody works 11-12 days in a row and then gets off for three days. Last week I had my time off and I was invited by a friend to stay with him in Baní, a small village around 5 hours of travel from the hotel. I had a good time and got to see more of the island than before. I liked that place and may go back again. In a few days I’ll be off for three days again and this time I’ll go to the capital, Santo Domingo. I was invited by a guest from Finland, who stayed at the hotel a couple of weeks ago. He told me that I could contact him whenever I wanted and he’d let me stay with him. I’ll try to visit the colonial part of Santo Domingo, where they have a lot of old houses. I also want to follow the steps of Christopher Columbus and see the remaining of that time.

Until then, take care. Hopefully I can be online more often.

Peace

Inauguration

Never thought that I would do this but hey, I'm blogging! ;D I'm doing this so I do something creative when I have time for it, and for people so they can follow what's happening in my life. I'll do my best to put some pictures here so you can see how my life is developing. I have to force myself to be better in this though, because I hardly ever take any pictures...

Background

Tomorrow (Wednesday) I am leaving for the Dominican Republic to do my internship. 5 months of work in a 5-star luxury resort, exclusive for adults, and I really look forward to this new experience! The hotel Excellence Punta Cana (http://www.excellence-resorts.com/) is located in Punta Cana, at the end of the island in the east, supposedly by one of the finest beaches in the Caribbean. Could it be better...? The hotel offers 8 different theme restaurants, 10 different bars, a full-service spa and a casino, among other things. Apparently most of the guests are honeymooners. Don't know what to say about this yet. I will let you know after some time.

Already in the beginning of the semester of HO1 in Switzerland I decided to see if there were any possibilities to work for this chain and they accepted me immediately. Ever since I worked for Viva Hotels & Resorts in Spain I was interested to work for their sister-chain Excellence; with two luxury resorts in Mexico, one in the Dominican Republic and about to open another resort in Oyster Bay, Jamaica. Although I didn't hear much from the hotel after they accepted me I wanted this all the time, unless something better would come up. I turned down offers from Ritz-Carlton in Barcelona and Hilton and Radisson BLU in Brussels. I was considering to accept the offer from Radisson, since they offered me an internship as the e-commerce manager, in charge of everything on their web page, setting the hotel's prices according to the market and time of year, "spying" on other chain's prices etc., plus reservations and other things. After long talks with my mom and friends I decided to turn down the offer. Mostly because Excellence were great with me and accepted my request to do cross-training in different departments of the hotel, they offered me accommodation, meals, laundry and money on top of that. Another fact that was in favor of the hotel was that I've never been in the Caribbean. My idea all the time was to find a good place to work but also have a decent life when I'm off duty, so this was the best choice. The island offers lots of things to do and I will try as many water-, land- and aerial activities as I can during my stay; such as visiting the capital Santo Domingo, walk in rain forest-like regions and maybe climb the highest mountain apart from laying by the beach. Another thing that I want to do is to visit other countries nearby, such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, (maybe) Haiti and Turks and Caicos Islands, where Mattias is doing his internship. Hopefully I manage to do at least some of the things that I want to do.

Preparation

Today I'll pack, get the last things that I need for the trip and just relax. My flight is at 06.35 so I'm thinking of not going to sleep so I easily pass out when I cross the Atlantic ocean. First I'll fly to Frankfurt and wait for 2h 30 min, before my flight is bound for Punta Cana airport. The flight is around 10 hours so I'll have plenty of time in the aircraft... I bought a Lonely Planet guidebook which I will read from the beginning to the end, and back, before I arrive in the DR at 15.10 (local time). Someone from the hotel will pick me up, but after that I have no idea of what's going to happen. Maybe they drive me straight to the hotel or to my apartment... I don't start working until the 6th, so I'll have time to get familiar with the hotel and the island, get my uniform and buy necessary things.

Well, updates coming when I'm on the island!