Between trips to the interior and celebrations at home: this is how Christmas will be

Santo Domingo.- With the arrival of Christmas and New Year, Dominicans begin to define how they will celebrate these festivities, and in the streets of the capital there is a clear division between those who will travel to the interior of the country to meet with their families and those who choose to stay at home, motivated mainly by the economic situation and road safety.

For Emanuel Hernández, spending Christmas Eve away from the countryside is not an option. “I always, always go to the countryside. I live alone here in the capital, my family is there, and I go for my family,” he expressed, reflecting the feeling of many who consider these dates as a sacred moment for family reunion.

In the same vein is Julio, who assured that he will celebrate Christmas Eve with his loved ones and participating in religious activities. “I plan to spend it with family and at church,” he commented. However, not everyone will be able to leave the city. Héctor Melo explained that this year he will stay in Santo Domingo for economic reasons. “There is no trip, there is no money to leave. We are going to stay here, taking advantage of the fact that there are no traffic jams. There is no way out this year,” he affirmed. Víctor also indicated that he will stay at home, quietly, with no plans to move. “I am going to stay here in the country, there in the house, calm,” he said. The concern for safety and traffic accidents is another determining factor. Percy Pineda pointed out that many people in his sector prefer not to travel. “The situation is very difficult and everything is expensive. We prefer to stay here at home, with family, to avoid any accident”, he expressed.

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Edwin, for his part, was emphatic in explaining his decision: “I have never left my house on Christmas Eve. There is a lot of tragedy on the street and many accidents. Better to stay home, take care of yourself.” The opinions gathered reflect a latent reality in these Christmas festivities: while some keep alive the tradition of traveling inland to share with their families, others prioritize prudence, economy, and safety, choosing to celebrate Christmas from their homes.