How about a simple picture narrative of the past few months interspersed with little stories? Please excuse my slacking on the blog. Although change and weirdness is constant here, I am finding that I am much more “acustumbrada” (accustomed) to most things Dominican, and forget that you might enjoy reading about them. I’ll get back on the blog.
Llegó Travis! (Travis arrived) This pix is from his first day here—he pirated the sunglasses that I found on the beach, as his Midwestern eyes couldn’t handle the Caribbean sun.
Peace Corps Eco-Tourism Workshop—a weekend in the Cibao for sometimes-long workshops, a hike, zip line, a donkey that we enjoyed visiting with, and discussions about community-based eco-tourism. I must admit that prior to living here I had never spent much time considering the impacts of mass tourism. This experience has changed forever how I view resorts and tourism. When not developed with the community, tourism often exploits both natural and human resources. I see a lot of that here and it is a shame. On a positive note, there are several groups working in country to explore more sustainable tourism—including community guide groups and funding for small businesses that will bring tourists out of the resorts and into the community. I was able to meet a few weeks ago with folks from one of USAID’s newest international programs. It is called the Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance and the idea is that the community is integrated into the tourism market and that both the resorts and local community benefits from the Euros & dollars that enter here.
Environmental Ed in the schools—working with the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation and the University of Miami, I have begun helping with an environmental ed campaign. The pilot program includes three schools. We’ve completed the first and are on number two. The modules that I helped design include 8 sessions related to marine ecology—mangroves, sea grass, coral reefs—and human impacts on them. Part of the program includes painting a mural. Somehow in my ambitiousness, I chose a 20 x 8 foot mural – but it turned out great – the kids did most of the painting and an artist I know helped me design and draw it. In the last week we took the kids on a field trip to the National Park of the East to see caves, snorkel and enjoy the playa. A few girls and I spent our beach time collecting sea glass.
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Visiting Betsy—my friend Betsy lives in a campo a few hours from here, so Travis and I ventured out one weekend to visit her. The campo is a small town situated with mountains all around. There was a beautiful river to visit, 1 peso mini-bananas to gorge on, and tons & tons of free avocados. In our 24 hours with Betsy we made scrambled egg & avocado, avocado & cheese sandwiches, and pasta with avocado & tomato. It was cool to see what her life is like—showering outdoors, working in an internet center, and teaching the obligatory English classes.
Llegó Travis! (Travis arrived) This pix is from his first day here—he pirated the sunglasses that I found on the beach, as his Midwestern eyes couldn’t handle the Caribbean sun.
Peace Corps Eco-Tourism Workshop—a weekend in the Cibao for sometimes-long workshops, a hike, zip line, a donkey that we enjoyed visiting with, and discussions about community-based eco-tourism. I must admit that prior to living here I had never spent much time considering the impacts of mass tourism. This experience has changed forever how I view resorts and tourism. When not developed with the community, tourism often exploits both natural and human resources. I see a lot of that here and it is a shame. On a positive note, there are several groups working in country to explore more sustainable tourism—including community guide groups and funding for small businesses that will bring tourists out of the resorts and into the community. I was able to meet a few weeks ago with folks from one of USAID’s newest international programs. It is called the Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance and the idea is that the community is integrated into the tourism market and that both the resorts and local community benefits from the Euros & dollars that enter here.
Environmental Ed in the schools—working with the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation and the University of Miami, I have begun helping with an environmental ed campaign. The pilot program includes three schools. We’ve completed the first and are on number two. The modules that I helped design include 8 sessions related to marine ecology—mangroves, sea grass, coral reefs—and human impacts on them. Part of the program includes painting a mural. Somehow in my ambitiousness, I chose a 20 x 8 foot mural – but it turned out great – the kids did most of the painting and an artist I know helped me design and draw it. In the last week we took the kids on a field trip to the National Park of the East to see caves, snorkel and enjoy the playa. A few girls and I spent our beach time collecting sea glass.
=Visiting Betsy—my friend Betsy lives in a campo a few hours from here, so Travis and I ventured out one weekend to visit her. The campo is a small town situated with mountains all around. There was a beautiful river to visit, 1 peso mini-bananas to gorge on, and tons & tons of free avocados. In our 24 hours with Betsy we made scrambled egg & avocado, avocado & cheese sandwiches, and pasta with avocado & tomato. It was cool to see what her life is like—showering outdoors, working in an internet center, and teaching the obligatory English classes.
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