Most of the Dominicans who have never been off the island believe that everyone living in Canada, United States and Europe are rich.
This is because of two forces, the first is the tourists they see spend money like water and second is, returning Dominicans want to impress all their friends as to how successful they have become.

The contrasting mistake made by the tourists is not appriciating that the average worker makes less than 200.us per month. Cars, clothes, shoes, radios, televisions and even food costs more than in the states. The only thing that maybe cheaper is housing and that could be debated as most tourists would not be content to live in such small homes.
Don't be fooled by thinking they they are poor though, if you want to compare quality of lifestyle, they live in the country that most tourists work all year just to spend two weeks holiday there.

The average Dominican, man or woman wants nothing more than to leave the island, through marriage is the easist way. But they soon find out that life in Canada or the States isn't all it's made out to be, with a little effort they can have a better lifestyle in their own country.

A Dominican couple, Papito and his wife Christina on the way to the church for "their" wedding.
Click on their photo for more of my photos on the Dominican scene.