Our closest neighbors harbor many exotic delights.

Isn't it the most delightful facade: Pristine beaches, crystal, aquamarine water, adorned seafronts lined with invitingly luxurious five star villas, city lights, salsa music, casinos, girls; this is your wild weekend away. Where can we find such bliss? Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic.

Western Tourism paints the Dominican Republic as a favorite holiday destination. It boasts paradise amidst culture, such as its unique status as a UNESCO world heritage site. Santo Domingo is "a city of old-world charm and modern Latin flair", an intricate blend of energy and modernity beside five century old stone forts and magnificent architectural wonders that won't leave you disappointed.

Alas, a deeper look says otherwise, as in many Caribbean nations the backdrop of the tourist scene is one largely impoverished and desperate country. Unemployment is rife, Prostitution is legal and widespread. Inconsistent to the glamor of tourism magazines are the crowds of scantily clad girls waiting along the sea front and around the center of town; street workers awaiting their next client.
Who are the visitors to this fine isle? Not surprisingly most are American's on a quick weekend away, the greater percentage of those are men. Wandering the lively city streets, a common sight is a group of western men, accompanied by local street workers for the evening. The language between them is money.
Not surprisingly the level of education in the Dominican Republic is low and most local girls speak limited English. As the level of education is poor, ignorance extends beyond language skills. Girls often end up working in "the profession" with little knowledge of exactly how to expend themselves. They peruse along the streets hoping for as much as $50 American in exchange for a nights "entertainment" or up to $85 for the more desirable dancing girls. Hotels are obliged to offer rooms by the hour and there is little to question that these services are appreciated.
Girls on the streets of Santo Domingo don't always have access to condoms. Many stated they are frequently requested not to use protection. Therefore the health and future of both parties is at risk. Many girls work the jails on weekends, which are at a higher risk as the jails are assessed and said to be five times more affected by HIV and AIDS than the streets. The girls work for money in both places, with little discrepancy.

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