One thing that is very different here compared to the U.S. where I am from is the inconsistent electricity. Since living here, I have stayed in five different areas of Puerto Plata. The only places where there is electricity pretty much 24-7 is in the center of the city or near large resorts or companies. Where I live now and have lived for over a year and a half we have electricity about twelve hours a day. The schedule fluctuates but generally lights come on around 10 or 11 p.m. and go off around 11 a.m.
Sometimes there are periods where the electricity goes on and off in shorter intervals. For example, last night we came home to find that there was electricity at 9 p.m. I began working on the computer but the electricity soon went back off. Having nothing else to do in the dark, I lit citronella incense in an attempt to keep mosquitoes away in the absence of the ceiling fan, put it by my bed, and laid down. Everything kicked back on again around 10:30 p.m. and stayed on until the morning.
Some people deal with this situation by purchasing and installing inverters and batteries. When there is electricity, the batteries are charged. When there is no electricity, the charged batteries power the inverter which converts direct current to alternating current, powering light bulbs, fans, outlets, and more. Inverters come with different voltages so the higher the voltage, the more electrical equipment they can power. We did purchase an inverter shortly after moving into this apartment and it served us well. (Although the time span that we are without electricity is too long and the inverter normally lasts, at most, six hours.) We have since moved the inverter to a building where we have night school, and where its service is even more needed.
Correcting science exams by candlelight - March 2008
I never exactly understood why this inconsistency exists. Just like most everyone else and many other situations we face here, I accepted it as something out of my control that I should just learn to deal with. What I gathered after asking around is that the power company, Edenorte, appears to be losing power from various sources and perhaps doesn’t know how to correct the lost power or doesn’t take the necessary steps to do so. They make up for it by cutting off electricity several hours each day. I was not surprised to learn that this was another example of a poorly run institution, with the result that those living honestly by paying their monthly electricity bills are punished and those living dishonestly and stealing are left unpunished. This is the definition of corrupt.
Last night, I reflected on the physical effect this electric situation has on me. After arriving home to a lit up apartment at 9 p.m. I attempted to get some work done on the computer. When the lights went out I had no real choice but to go lay down. When they popped back on, I wiped the sleepiness out of my eyes, moved my eleven-month-old son to a little nest I made out of a comforter on the floor by the computer without waking him, and got back to work.
Last night I got back to work but there are nights where this type of situation occurs, sleep already has a hold of me, and I miss the opportunity to work. To me, this depicts the challenges faced by someone truly wanting to work but constantly interrupted by the corrupt society they are a part of. It’s an uphill battle. To those of you fighting it, stay strong and unite with others to create change. To those of you who have never had to face it, count your blessings and think twice before passing judgment. I, having been a member of both groups, try to follow my own advice.
Caitlin McHale is currently living in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic as the co-founder and executive director of Project Esperanza. For more about her experiences, check out her blog.
Latest posts by camchale
- They Call Me La Morena: Race in the Dominican Republic - January 18th, 2012
- Doing Fair Trade in an Unfair Society and World - December 15th, 2011
- The Maestro Took the Money! - December 3rd, 2011
- ¿Qué es "el sereno"? - November 8th, 2011
- Our New Bundle of Joy! - October 4th, 2011
- The Case of the Missing Laptop: Part 2 - September 13th, 2011
- The Case of the Missing Laptop: Part 1 - September 6th, 2011
- Reproductive Freedom in a Different Light - August 27th, 2011
- Diabetes and High Blood Pressure: Deadly Diseases on the Island of Hispañola - August 23rd, 2011
- Machismo Madness: Strong to the Point of Weakness - August 16th, 2011
