Dominican Republic Heritage and Culture Month

Dominican Republic Heritage and Culture Month
-January 26 through February 27, 2010
















I was born in Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic, and have my family's summer house in Jarabacoa, providence of La Vega. I have a double citizenship (American & Dominican), and have I have been raised and living in New York City since I was 13 months old. It's a great honor to be both American and Dominican, and as such, I am proud to honor my native homeland during Dominican Heritage month in New York City.

New Yorkers recognize that the Dominican community has had a positive impact on life in New York State and America, and it continues to be a growing presence as Dominican Americans contribute significantly to many areas such as the arts, education, industry, science and community service; and the people of Dominican ancestry demonstrate a strong work ethic and tremendous perseverance that have enabled them to find success and to improve their own community as well as others, making New York State & City a better place for people of all backgrounds; and during this month-long observance, our Dominican communities host activities that promote awareness of their heritage through religious and patriotic celebrations such as the national observance of  “La Virgen de la Altagracia” (Our Lady of High-Grace), a special day of tribute to Juan Pablo Duarte – founding father of the Dominican Republic – and the 166th anniversary of Dominican independence which was officially attained on February 27, 1844 and, in doing so, they help reinforce the Empire State & City’s reputation as a cultural capital of the world and invite all people to join in recognizing their history, customs and good-will displayed throughout the year.

I believe it is fitting that New Yorkers join in this commemoration of ancestral pride and tradition, and extend appreciation to all of their Dominican friends and neighbors for the meaningful contributions they have made and continue to make daily to New York State & City and America.

In the Dominican Republic, “Patriotism Month” begins on January 26, commemorating the birth of Juan Pablo Duarte, a national hero, and ends on February 27 with Independence Day. It’s a month to celebrate Dominican heritage, heroes, history, music and culture. One of the most common celebrations is the Carnaval, the most famous one takes place in the northern city of La Vega, and every Sunday during February, the streets are lined with people eager to see the festive and creative customs paraded on by traditional Carnaval characters. Other traditional celebrations are the community marches that take place on Independence Day.

Washington Heights constitutes one of the largest Dominican settlements in New York and the United States. The Dominican community of Upper Manhattan (which grew to also include Inwood) grew steadily until the 1990s, when it exploded into a vibrant, established community and an economic, political, and cultural force.

The growth in the Dominican population of Washington Heights has unquestionably changed the neighborhood's physical, social, and political scenery. Dominicans have established unique social, religious, and community-based organizations to address the needs of the community. This community is also a diverse economic enclave for Dominicans with labor opportunities that range from street vendors to small business owners, especially grocery stores (bodegas), beauty parlors, gypsy cabs, restaurants, and travel agencies. As these businesses continue to grow, visible Spanish signs advertise their services throughout the neighborhood.

In New York City, there is a statue of Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founders of the Dominican Republic located in a triangular paved area along Sixth Avenue between Canal and Grand, right near the entrance to the Holland Tunnel. Duarte’s statue is one of six commemorating historical figures from the Americas along the avenue from SoHo to Central Park. The statue was made by the Italian Nicola Arrighini. It is a gift of the Dominican Republic to the people of New York City. The statue of Duarte was dedicated on Jan. 26, 1978. Juan Antonio Paulino, founder of  the Instituto Duartiano, told C.C.N.Y. that the statue and the formation of the Instituto Duartiano were “my greatest contributions to the Dominican community in the City of New York."






















Also, in New Jersey, the bust of Juan Pablo Duarte was installed in Juan Pablo Duarte Park, located at 24th Street and Central Avenue in Union City, NJ, in the summer of 2004.

Let's Celebrate Dominican Pride and Culture!

Starting from when you read this and up until the 27 of February 2010, go visit Washington Heights or Inwood's uptown neighborhood restaurants & clubs, and have a Mamajuana or Presidente, and dance some Merengue. You can also visit your Dominican friend's house. Or better yet, hop on a flight to Santo Domingo or Santiago, Dominican Republic and experience one of the world's best carnivals and beaches. :-)

God bless you all, and enjoy your patriotism, nationalism and liberties in life!

God bless and keep America and the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic Mamajuana

Dominican Republic Mamajuana

It seems that anywhere you travel in the world; each country has its own native drink. The native drink of the Dominican Republic is known as mamajuana and amongst Dominicans; this tasty drink has gained somewhat of a mythical status. Legend has it that mamajuana acts as somewhat of a cure all from everything from “la gripe” (the Dominican term for the flu) to a variety of ailments ranging from prostate to ovarian disorders. However, mamajuana has gained specific notoriety among Dominicans for its rumored ability to increase vitality. It is said to be an extremely powerful natural aphrodisiac. Some even go so far as to describe it as a type of natural “liquid Viagra”.

What is Mamajuana?

So what exactly is in mamajuana? Well, when you first see a bottle of it, you may be somewhat surprised as it looks like a bottle full of sticks and leaves. Upon first glance, it doesn’t exactly look like something you would want to drink. Exactly what is in each particular bottle depends on who is making it. You see there is not any specific recipe for making mamajuana as making it is somewhat of a craft. There can be any variety of ingredients included in any particular bottle.

The sticks, leaves and roots that you see are taken from various plants and trees in the Dominican Republic such as Canilillea leaves and guyacan plants and are used to fill about half of the bottle. Then about 90% of the remaining space in the bottle is usually filled with dark rum. However, when making a new bottle, before adding the rum, you need to “cure” the wood. One way this is done is by adding cheap gin to the bottle and letting it sit for a minimum of 6 weeks to get the bitterness out. Then you can pour out the gin and add your rum. Any harmful bacteria that may be present in the ingredients are killed by the strength of the rum that is added. The rum is generally 40% proof or 20% alcohol.

Another way it can be done is to cure the wood with red wine and honey. Sometimes, instead of using mostly dark rum, people use mostly white. Also, the length of time needed to cure the initial bottle is debatable as is the length of time required for the finished concoction to settle before drinking. Sometimes, the first batch still comes out a little on the bitter side; however, with each additional batch made, the concoction is supposed to get smoother.

It is also debatable how long a specific bottle can last and how many times it can be reused. Some people claim that the average bottle can be refilled 15 to 20 times while others swear that there is no limit to how many times a bottle can be refilled. As you can see, there is much debate as to what is the “right” way to make a bottle of mamajuana.

Aside from the woody ingredients and the rum, there are a number of other ingredients that can be added. This is where you can get creative and what makes each bottle of mamajuana unique. One of the most common additions is honey. Others are cinnamon, raisins, red wine, molasses, and lemon or lime juice. Many Dominicans also add various natural wild Dominican herbs such as Marabeli, Osua, Timacle, caro, Brazil and Anamu. Another popular ingredient is the addition of mariscos (shellfish) such as conch, octopus snails and even the private parts of a sea turtle! Undoubtedly the combination of these ingredients is what provides mamajuana with its rare powers.

Although dark rum is the most popular, you can use and mix in different kinds of rum to flavor your bottle of mamajuana to your liking. Some people like to add a percentage of “ron blanco” (white rum) to the mixture and some who like an extra kick, like to add something stronger like some 151 proof rum. So, as you can see, there is no specific way to make a bottle of mamajuana.

How is Mamajuana drank?

Most people drink mamajuana either as a “shot” in a shot glass or they sip it as a drink. It is generally stored at room temperature and when taken this way, is usually served as such. Some people like to drink it over ice, dilute it with water or mix it with coke. Sometimes it is enjoyed on the side with a beer or is taken as an after dinner liqueur. Whatever your preference, there is no wrong way to drink mamajuana.

In recent years, as mamajuana has gained popularity, it seems like it is everywhere. Just about any bar or restaurant is sure to have a bottle of mamajuana readily
available. As you visit different bars and restaurants in the Dominican Republic and sample each ones respective mamajuana, you will notice how each one has its own distinctive flavor.

You can also purchase mamajuana from a number of different sites on the web. Mamajuana also makes a great gift. If you are a tourist visiting the Dominican Republic, bringing a gallon of mamajuana back to family or friends can cause quite a bit of curiosity and intrigue as the concoction full of sticks and leaves will surely be unlike anything they have ever seen before. Upon explaining mamajuanas mythical effects, their curiosity is sure to be piqued even further. After trying the mamajuana, it is quite likely that they will quickly become fans of the delicious drink. They may even decide to visit the Dominican Republic themselves to learn more about the country that created this unique beverage.

Transporting Mamajuana

Although it is legal to bring a gallon of mamajuana into most countries, the sight of one might arouse the suspicions of a customs agent. After all, with the scrutinous attention being paid to airline safety nowadays, at first glance, the bottle of mamajuana might appear to be some kind of a bomb! However, upon explaining to the agent what it is, he more likely than not will allow you and your bottle of mamajuana to proceed with a wave of the hand.

If you are traveling with mamajuana, you should take caution when packing it as any impact on your luggage may cause the bottle to crack. A common way to do this is to wrap the jug in a generous amount of newspaper and tape. Then, to provide added safety, it is a good idea to wrap the bottle inside of a thick towel. This covering should absorb any shock created by impact and prevent your bottle from breaking and mamajuana from spilling all over your belongings.

After repeated trips to the Dominican Republic and enjoying mamajuana numerous times, one can develop quite a taste for it and a long absence away from the Dominican Republic can result in quite a longing for the drink. This is a good reason to bring a bottle or two back home with you after a vacation. This way, not only will you be able to enjoy a mamajuana in your native country whenever you want to, doing so can also make you feel closer to the Dominican Republic.

So, next time that you visit the Dominican Republic have a shot of Mamajuana. Hey, it does wonders & miracles, and does a body good.

Bring back a bottle too.

-Stay thirsty my friends!

Cigars and Football -both passionate topics

Hello Family, friends, social media colleagues and the rest of you:

Happy New Year!

I have been MIA since the last time I posted anything, and I guess other social media venues have preoccupied my time. But it only takes a simple conversation or post to get me back into action. I was just in Facebook, and a fan page I joined named "Dominicans" commented on my post to their page that they realized I had a blog spot, and well, behold I am back writing right now. LOL! :-)

So, my topics for tonight will be Cigars and Football because those are the recent topics that I just recently experienced and are a joy in my life. I know tonight is the Obama "hear me out and believe that I can make good changes in trying to help & unite America, so please believe in me" speech. But, I rather just wait to hear what America media needs to say about his grand talk, because I am sure it is exactly what I think about him.

Anyways, enough politics since I will probably post something regarding that soon enough, and let's get to Cigars and Football.

So, needless to say, I am distraught at this football season. My beloved NY Giants just crumbled to dust in the wind after having a promising & glorious 5-0 start. They were undefeated & unstoppable until they play another good team, and well we all know what happened in the remaining games. So, the NY Giants need to re-group and change defensive strategies, as well as, that defensive coaching squad in time to make the run for the next season.

So, the last hope for New York, was the Jets. Really??? Yes... I mean really? Yes, and as Obama would say- let me be clear: the Jets.

This past weekend, my brother and I, along with a few good friends headed to a local sports bar & lounge to see two great football games. This is the time of year where every game matters, every yard on the gridiron is fought for with passion & anger, and you either win or you go home. And the only way to really watch these big games is with great drinks and fine cigars.

Football and cigars go hand-in-hand. Well, come to think about it, in my life, cigars pair well with many things. Now back to the story-

As I said earlier, I'm a New York Giants fan, so normally I don't root for the Jets. But the Giants dropped the ball this year, so when I lit up a Fuente Fuente OpusX Lost City last Sunday afternoon, I was rooting for the Jets, hoping big, lovable Coach Ryan would have a chance to light up a celebratory smoke with his team after the game. The Jets did come out strong, taking the lead over the Colts, but Manning's team adjusted to the Jets defense and their offense proved to be just too strong. The Jets lost, not that I'm highly upset, but I hope they smoked cigars and enjoyed anyway, for they played a great game, went deeper into the season than just about anybody thought they would and did themselves proud.

I lit up a Padrón 1964 Anniversary for the second game, Vikings vs. Saints, and was treated to another beauty.

Cigars and football- you can bet I'll be back to the smoking lounge in two weeks ready to watch the fireworks when the Colts take on the Saints in the Super Bowl. I hope you'll get to do something you enjoy as you watch the Superbowl.

Till next time... -Stay thirsty my friends!

***Some pictures from the sports event***