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TikiIslandByrdMan

TikiIslandByrdMan

Member

American expat in Dominican Republic

Forum posts

14

Contacts

8

About me

American

Lives in Sos煤a, Puerto Plata

Speaks English - American and British, Hawaiian, Spanish, Norwegian, Danish, Swedish

Registration: 28 June 2017

About

I was born in Hawaii. Lived in California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, and the Florida Keys. Lived in Norway/Scandinavia for 25 years. I am a musical enthusiast, not a musician, professional writer, and singer of songs. I am a traveler of life's highways. A life-long adventurer who enjoys the great outdoors, beaches, mountains and deserts, and who more often than not feels a gnawing need to write about it all.
Interests: water sports, Writing, food, mountains..., reading, outdoors, drinks, music, nature, Wildlife, history, culture, deserts, travel, science, beaches

Occupation

I am Employed.

My expat journey

usausaenglandnorwayusausadominican-republic
Sos煤a, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Sos煤a, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA

Mar 1992 - Oct 1994

Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA

Promoting my album and living as a singer-songwriter playing around town and the range.
Troubadour singer-songwriter and leader of the band The Simpletons. Principal songwriter. Playing clubs, resorts, restaurants, bars, hotels, and events all around the range. Opened shows for Rickie Lee Jones, Sheryl Crow, and Poco...
The sense of community, the land, the rivers and lakes, mountain biking. The change of seasons. Pretty much loved everything. Friends, the town itself, great food and lots of activities and events.
The Cost of Living!!!

Gold Canyon, Tempe, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Mar 1989 - Oct 1994

Gold Canyon, Tempe, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Signed a management contract as a songwriter
Lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, principal songwriter.
Just loved the desert itself. Everything about it. The colors, vegetation, landscape, wildlife, heat, weather, clubs, cafes, the dynamic difference of areas and regions from the Valley to the Mogollon Rim country, Sedona, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, all the lakes, the rivers, the town and area of Tempe, the Heard Museum. Tucson, Tubac, Nogales, I just loved the whole Arizona experience.
Traffic. Crime. Sherrif Arpaio, too many police.

Oslo, Norway

Nov 1983 - Mar 1989

Oslo, Norway

Signed to CBS/SONY Norway as a recording artist
Lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, principal songwriter.
The history, culture, architecture, society, the moodiness of the weather. The long, warm summer days and cold summer rains. The autumn season. The fish, seafood, and national dishes, cheeses, and certain local food items were delicious. Very clean and intimate town that's not too big to walk across its entirety in a matter of hours. The crisp, clear, clean Nordic air. The waterfront, the many rivers and ponds and the fact that one could be in the pristine wilderness of the Norwegian forested hills in ten minutes from downtown via the streetcars "trykks" and "T-bannen." Though Oslo is very urban it still has at its heart a very village feel and aesthetic. There are myriad fantastically cool, atmospheric cafes, pubs, and restaurants all throughout its labyrinthine layout. So many parks and green spaces as well. Additionally, there are many scenic and tranquil islands dotting the entire Oslofjord.
The expenses! The lack of proper parking and traffic can be insane. But I guess that's true of most cities. I loved Oslo and a part of me will always remain there. If I was going to be picky I could say that the weather can be challenging. And the winter days are SHORT!

London, England, England

Mar 1982 - Oct 1983

London, England, England

Playing and touring with my bands AWOL and then 100 Days
Lead vocalist, rhythm guitar, principal songwriter.
The vibe, history, and weighty atmosphere. The subtle yet pervasive melancholic ambiance of the city. The moody skies. I also loved the small village feels of certain districts and enclaves within London such as Camden Town and Brixton. The ethnic foods of the many cultures of the city. The clubs, the pubs, the architecture, the social scenes.
The expense! The congestion of certain parts. The grit that would be on your skin at the end of a day riding tubes and busses. The seedier old buildings in winter where the bitter cold winds blow through resulting in one's never being able to get warm. The lack of dynamic countryside.

El Toro, California, USA

Dec 1965 - May 1982

El Toro, California, USA

Childhood from age 5, California school system, surfing, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, gliding, graduating, joining bands, working the clubs playing all over the state and beyond...
Landscape and irrigation foreman, YMCA counselor, driver, director, Lion Country Safari, Many bands playing Orange County, the Beach Cities, L.A. Hollywood clubs and venues. Became a professional musician in 1970 but full-time by 1980.
The landscape - the land itself, and the sheer variety of activities and geography, the nature, and seemingly endless options and choices for pretty much anything from foods, cultures, and music to climate and environment.
The congestion of Southern California, the traffic, the pace, the pervading sense of materialism, "toys," and things over experiences and inner-value. The rate of development at the expense of the land.

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Nov 1959 - Dec 1965

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Born, adopted. Spent first formative years on the windward side of O'ahu on the US Marine base at Kaneohe.
Experiencing, learning, growing
Everything!
Leaving

Activity

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
brodies2013

Is the DR loud? by brodies2013

We live next to a busy road and have to deal with pretty loud traffic from 7 am to like 9 pm but then it calms down. Now having spent 5 days about a kilometer up hill from Cabrera, the music is deafening! I guess we didn't realize that being ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Exactly! No Pinche Reggaeton Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
brodies2013

Is the DR loud? by brodies2013

We live next to a busy road and have to deal with pretty loud traffic from 7 am to like 9 pm but then it calms down. Now having spent 5 days about a kilometer up hill from Cabrera, the music is deafening! I guess we didn't realize that being ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

With its computer-generated mechanical beat, Reggaeton removes one of the quintessential traditionally most engaging and enticing elements of Latin music: varied multi-faceted organic rhythms! In one fell swoop, an entire percussion team has now ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner

We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Aw, c'mon Planner - add a comma to the title and the title will be fully truthful: 'Confirmed, issues with OVERSTAY OF TOURISM VISA' would indicate, quite rightly that it is, in fact, confirmed that there are issues regarding the ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner

We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

And the crazy just gets crazier... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
B

Conceal carry by Bigtuna0128

Greetings to all, As a retired Army veteran and a law abiding citizen that believe in our 2nd amendment, i want to protect my family no matter what country i live in. I am curious to know if anyone here has gone or is going though the process of ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

"I will say this in closing. I left the United States to get away from the "everyone is out to do me harm" mindset, that has permeated the culture. How about looking at the Dominican Republic with a fresh mindset." Well said, ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
B

Conceal carry by Bigtuna0128

Greetings to all, As a retired Army veteran and a law abiding citizen that believe in our 2nd amendment, i want to protect my family no matter what country i live in. I am curious to know if anyone here has gone or is going though the process of ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

There is no Second Amendment in the DR. And I guarantee you that as a foreigner -- if you shoot someone here you will be the one going to prison or you will be dealt with by your victim's relatives and friends before the cops drag you away. ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner

We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Precisely! The DR would do well to pattern its policies along the lines of what Panama, Mexico, and Portugal are offering expats. Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner

We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

In the context of what is being brought up in this discussion, your statement, that "you stand by," is irrelevant. No one has said anything about willfully breaking any laws here. We have been discussing the need for the government of the ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Immigration and Overstay Issues by planner

We are posting this more prominently so people do not miss it. We can confirm that tourists are being turned away at the entry points who have "overstayed the tourist visa multiple times". Please be aware that this might happen to YOU! At ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Absolutely agreed, Planner! There is a vast difference between expatriates who bring money into the country via pensions, investments, savings, other income sources and illegal immigrants who come with nothing and seek work -- and that difference ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan created a thread
8 years ago

Legal Residence in the DR

In a thread regarding legal residence, one of the members posted the rhetorical question: "Think about it; you cannot stay in the US without getting a green card. Why should things be different here?" That got me thinking. And this is not ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
P

Temporary Resdidencia - first steps! by planner

As a regular person, not applying for work visa or a retirement special status recidencia, you can apply for the temporary residencia. The principal difference is that you will require a local sponsor to vouch for you and your family when applying ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

I have heard many similar stories about expatriates trying to get their legal residence status. It does make one wonder... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
L

Year round rentals and work by Lisa464

Hi my name is Lisa from The United States. I鈥檓 looking to get out of dodge. Ten years ago I asked a friend who frequently vacationed the Caribbean what the most beautiful place he had been to. The Dominican Republic was his reply. I鈥檓 ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Spanish is an absolute necessity here, jobs are scarce and very poorly paid while costs and expenses are high. If you don't have an established source of income and cannot speak Spanish it would be extremely difficult to try to live in the D.R. ... Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
Caribbean wantabe

Dangerous animals and insects in DR by Caribbean wantabe

When considering a move to a new location, I'd like to have some idea of what dangerous wildlife I may possibly encounter. I am originally from a large NE city in the US and I don't recall ever having to be worried about poisonous and/or ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

Hey Bob K, For all members TikiIslandByrdMan = Renn Loren. Melinda and I had dinner with you and Pat at El Conte back in October. Thanks Read More

TikiIslandByrdMan
TikiIslandByrdMan replied to a thread
8 years ago
Caribbean wantabe

Dangerous animals and insects in DR by Caribbean wantabe

When considering a move to a new location, I'd like to have some idea of what dangerous wildlife I may possibly encounter. I am originally from a large NE city in the US and I don't recall ever having to be worried about poisonous and/or ...

TikiIslandByrdMan

In the DR tarantulas are fairly common, their bite is somewhat painful -- akin to a mild bee sting -- but harmless. The only way to get bitten by a tarantula is if you were to inadvertently step on one (though that would likely kill it before it ... Read More