The colorful Parque Central is a good place to anchor from as anything interesting is within a 3-block radius. (Public restrooms are under the Park's central gazebo.) Along the southern side of the square is a Western Union and stores that sell used clothing and goods at cut-rate costs to the local poor. If looking for inexpensive new shoes, including a lot of Italian leathers, check out Los Muchachos on the street heading south off the square. It's across from Banco Popular.

Heading north along the west side of the church and then all behind it, you'll find the city's thriving open-air market. For those who've seen them before, this one's typical. But if you've never had the chance to experience such, I highly suggest miandering through for the sites, sounds and smells as everything from freshly plucked and gutted poultry to the latest knock-off fashion copies are being sold. While locals aren't aggressively pushy in trying to make a sale, they are more interested in your buying something than trying to take photos. It's about respect - the untainted experience IS better without the tourist mentality.

When you're ready for something to eat, head back to the northeast corner of the square and along Calle Eugenio Miranda half a block off is the TRIGO DE ORO cafe obscurely hidden behind a wall...though a huge banner was tied over the street in front. This upscale French bistro seems all but out of place operating out of a refurbished historical home with veranda-sized porches and cafe seating in the yard shaded by canopies and lush vegetation. Inexpensive sandwiches and pastries dominate the menu and I'd wager this is about the most upscale thing you'll come across outside of the nearby confines of Casa de Campo.

Male rituals include Dominicanos having their weekly haircut/shave for 100 pesos at local barbershops, (where they can also cut straight hair!), and their 5-peso shoe shine from any of the young lads saturating the Parque Central. Seasonal semi-pro baseball and basketball teams play in stadiums west of town.

If you find La Romana overwhelming from the bustle of city living, I'd definitely advise rethinking a trip into Santo Domingo which is 10+ times more of the same. Whether for the essentials or pleasures of looking around, visiting any city is better and safer if you've got a local guide along for the ride.

The publicos make several stops into town, though I suggest staying on until it arrives at Parque Central which is the focal point of the city. The Codetel office is located on the eastern side of the square as are three smaller bank branches which can serve you without the wait...unlike always crowded Banco Popular which is located south on the street on which you'll enter the square.

For transportation transfers on to larger regional gua-guas and private lines, the station for buses headed to Higuey and San Rafael de Yuma/Boca de Yuma is on the street heading north out of the center and located across from the east side of the church. Buses heading west for San Pedro de Macoris, Juan Dolio, Boca Chica and Santo Domingo depart from a station off the northwest intersection of the square.

If you need to purchase anything not found in the local colmado, there are two megastores equivalent to our Wal Mart Supercenters. Directly behind the church is the open-air city market and one block north of there is a tall pastel-orange building which contains ORENSES Department Store. An even larger selection can be found at IBERIA - a pleasant walk through the city two blocks west from Orenses and then three blocks left/north along Calle Francisco Ducoudrey. Both stores readily accept major credit cards. Be advised they check all bags...and while I never had anything missing, you might consider leaving any valuables that won't fit into pockets back at your hotel and to carry your camera.

One block north of Iberia where the street is the large public hospital center, though unless dire emergency, you'd be wise to seek out a private physician.

If not walking, taxis are everywhere; motorconchos even more abundant. Anywhere on a motoconcho in the city cost RD10 when with local friends, RD20 when a tourist by myself. Might I suggest for motoconchos you at least wait until you can flag down an older, more experienced driver to minimize risk.

*For maps, Lonely Planet's DR Guidebook has about the most detailed one for the city.

The new airport has a large, enclosed processing area when arriving where you''ll purchase and fill out your mandatory $10 tourist card. Thankfully, its air-conditioned as the speed/efficiency of clearing customs has not improved! Luggage is lined and waiting in a grand hall before exiting the terminal. Perhaps the biggest new bonus is there''s a Currency Exchange Center located seperately outside in the front of the terminal so there''s no need for independent travelers to make the peso run into La Romana as in the old days.

A spacious, open-air check-in are for departures is now available with plenty of seating outside or air-conditioned inside once you''ve cleared security and customs. Concession vendors are located both inside and out as well as a large Duty Free Shop beyond the security checkpoint.

*Mandatory departure tax, now accepted in Pesos or your country''s currency, was $11.

American Airlnes is till the only States'' carrier serving La Romana-LRM with daily flight connections through Miami-MIA, San Juan-SJU, or Regan-DCA. I still highly advise calling to reconfirm you flight within 24 hours of departure so TAKE NOTE - I''ve AGAIN called AA to let them know their printed contact number of 200-1122 for La Romana/Puerto Plata airports is STILL not a working number, nor has it ever been when calling from Bayahibe. Use the number listed inside your ticket envelope for contacting bilingual agents in Santo Domingo.

Resort tourist are picked up by bus/vans. Otherwise, there''s no publico/gua-guas, so independent travelers take private cabs which can be rather expensive unless you''re willing to haggle...which I wasn''t in just wanting to get home paying $30/RD500; the same I''ve paid for the older, farther away airport. Make certain they understand you want to go to "el centro de Bayahibe pueblo".

When returning to the airport, make arrangements in the village center. They''ll send a publico to where you''re staying to pick you and your bags up for RD200. Remember this so it can be your bottom-line haggling point when catching that private cab when you arrive. This is also where speaking confident Spanish CAN make a difference.