cost of living

inexpensive items here:
- rum
- cigars
- cleaning ladies
- waxing
- dinner at el tigre/sandro's
- gua-guas - a taxi of sort that is usually a beat-up toyota/nissan sedan filled with a *minimum* of 9 people. 3 in front, 6 in back. you'd never think you could fit in the car, but somehow you do. just stand on the road and a gua-gua will come by like every 30 seconds. watch your pockets and close your eyes when the driver decides (often) to pass another car at an inopportune time to do so

expensive items:
- MOST stuff since it is an island, but in particular:
- BBQ sets
- gasoline
- suntan lotion
- peanut butter
- tampons

items that are a deal:
- real estate ;-)

exchange rate on the street today: 31 pesos to $1 USD (it was 27/1 when we got here)