During my trip, I made several observations about the Latin American Spanish and culture of “la República Dominicana,” especially how it differs from the Spanish and culture of Colombia.

The “gente” or people of “la República Dominicana” were “amable” (nice), but not nearly as “amable” as the “gente” of Medellin, Colombia.

One thing that really stands out about the Spanish of “la República Dominicana” is
the accent. Dominicanos, like “boricuas” (Puerto Ricans) or “puertorriqueños (Puerto Ricans) — and from what I heard “cubanos” also — have a tendency to cut off the letter “s” from words. So “estoy bien” sounds more like “toy bien” and “está bien” sounds more like “ta bien”

And “qué dijiste” sounds like “qué dijite.” Dominicanos and Cubanos also speak really fast. Much faster than Paisas (the people of Medellín, Colombia). But when I lived on the Atlantic coast of Colombia in Barranquilla, I noticed that the “costeños” spoke very fast. When I lived in Barranquilla, I used to joke with my “costeño” (coastal) friends and tell them that they spoke like “dominicanos.”

From living in Nueva York (New York) most of my life, I am already accustomed to hearing the Dominican accent. According to an article that I read online at NewYorkDailyNews.com in 2013 there were 747,473 Dominicans in New York City, compared to 719,444 Puerto Ricans living in New York City – which means Dominicans
have now surpassed Puerto Ricans as New York City’s largest Latino group.

De hecho (in fact), 60% of the Dominicans that live in the U.S., live in “Nueva York” (New York City).

And in Nueva York, you will hear both Nuyorquinos (New Yorkers) as well as “dominicanos” refer to “la República Dominicana” as D.R. I guess D.R. is a lot easier to say than “la República Dominicana” or “the Dominican Republic.”

Another thing that stood about “la República Dominicana” is the “gastronomía” or cuisine. Dominican food is a lot more “picante” (spicy) than Colombian food. But what I noticed most about the food in “la República Dominicana” is that it was less “picante” than the Dominican food that I am used to eating in Nueva York.

I also noticed the same about the Colombian food in Nueva York. The Colombian food in Nueva York is a more “picante” than the Colombian food that I am used to eating in Colombia. The food in Colombia actually tastes bland.

I guess the reason that the “comida latina” in Nueva York has more “sabor” (flavor) is because the Latinos en Nueva York are accustomed to cooking with more “condimento” (seasoning).

One thing that I did learn during my trip to “la República Dominicana” is that the Dominican “comida” (food) that I have been eating in Nueva York is not as authentic as I thought it was.

One of my favorite Dominican “platos” (dishes) from Nueva York is “arroz amarillo” or yello rice. “Arroz amarillo” is served in EVERY Dominican restaurant in Nueva York.

When I ordered “arroz amarillo” in “la República Dominicana” the “mesera” (waiter) asked me “Qué es esto?” (what’s that?)

A “dominicano” who I met during my trip to D.R. and who has lived in Nueva York explained to me that “arroz amarillo” is not a typical Dominican dish. According to him, it is actually a dish from Puerto Rico and the Dominican “gastronomía” that I am accustomed to eating in Nueva York has been heavily influenced by “boricuas” (Puerto Ricans) or “puertorriqueños.” Which makes sense since there are over 700,000 Puerto Ricans living in Nueva York — making New York’s Puerto Rican population larger than San Juan’s — the capital of Puerto Rico.

He also told me that in “la República Dominicana” the “gente” eat “arroz blanco” (white rice).

About the “música” . . . .

I heard a lot of the same “música” in “la República Dominicana” that I hear played in Colombia. Including, salsa, merengue and reggeatón. The major differences are that I heard a lot more merengue music in “la República Dominicana” than I hear in Medellín. Which doesn’t surprise me since merengue music originates from “la República Dominicana.”

But I did NOT hear any “Ranchera” music in “la República Dominicana.” “Ranchera” is Mexican music that is often associated with mariachi groups. But Ranchera music is hugely popular in Medellín. It’s as if the Paisas have adopted Ranchera music as their own.

The only other observation that I made about the “música” of “la República Dominicana” is that I heard a lot more bachata music than I hear in Medellín. Which also doesn’t surprise me since “la República Dominicana” is the home of bachata music.

Bachata music is guitar based music with romantic “letras” (lyrics) often involving tales of heartbreak and sadness.

Bachata happens to be my favorite class of music – for listening as well as dancing. So I truly enjoyed “la música” of “la República Dominicana.” By the way, if you want to improve your Spanish by listening to music, then I highly recommend listening to bachata music.

The world’s most popular bachata group is a group called “Aventura.

” You can find their music on Itunes.

Can you guess where Aventura is from?

If you guessed “la República Dominicana,” then you guessed WRONG.

Aventura is from Nueva York (New York City).

I know that most my readers are not interested in my last and final observation that I made about D.R. — but I have to cover it because if I don’t, I will receive 5 or 6 emails from male readers with the same question.

And that question is:

Which of the two countries has the most attractive Latinas?

Of course, the “repuesta” (answer) is a matter of personal choice in “mujeres” (women). But if you leave the choice up to me, I have to say “las colombianas” — especially “las paisas” (women of Medellin, Colombia) — win hands down.