Santo Domingo.- The streets of Santo Domingo, usually crowded with all kinds of vehicles, could be traveled more fluently this Friday on the eve of the traditional festivity of the Good nighta deeply rooted tradition among Dominicans.
This Friday, commercial activities in the capital, however, continued their hectic activity with large stores full of customers looking for all kinds of items, including food, clothing, alcoholic beverages, and footwear.
The increase in people in medium and small businesses was also notorious, particularly those that offer roast pork -called in the country ‘puerco en puya’- a dish that is a permanent presence at Christmas Eve dinner, along with grapes, apples, dried fruits, rice and cakes.
However, the high prices per pound of this tasty product cause many Dominicans to prefer to buy chicken meat, which is cheaper and easier to prepare. A pound of roast pork was offered this Friday between 450 pesos (9.7 dollars) and 550 pesos (9.9 dollars).
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Another point of agglomeration of people were the bus stations that travel to the provinces of the country. At this time, thousands of Dominicans leave the capital to join their families in the interior and share dinner and Christmas, although this time the dates have coincided with Saturday and Sunday, which tends to limit the time for fun, since next Monday work resumes.
Another type of displacement is that of Dominicans residing abroad, particularly in the United States, who return to the country by the thousands to enjoy the holidays with their families.
According to the authorities, this is the main reason why they decide to expand the hours of sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the country. This year they decided that there will be no limits on December 24 and 31.
From last Wednesday until January 8, alcohol can be sold until 3:00 a.m. local time (7:00 GMT), from Sunday to Thursday, and until 4:00 a.m. local time (8:00 GMT), on Fridays and Saturdays.
Massive parties will once again be attractive to those who like merengue, bachata, salsa and urban rhythms such as dembow and reggaeton.
Dominican President Luis Abinader urged citizens this Friday to enjoy the holidays in the company of family members and to behave prudently and avoid excesses.
