The Dominican Republic July 31, 2007
I’m leaving the DR tomorrow morning. Next planned trip is Kosovo this winter.
Slum Tourism
The Sydney Morning Herald has this article on Slum Tourism, an industry that is apparently taking off.
Haiti
Puerta Plata July 23, 2007
Puerta Plata, the Dominican Republic. These two photos were taken within a couple of miles of each other.
Puerta Plata July 21, 2007
Nagua July 20, 2007
Nagua, Dominican Republic-
Fernando de Leon sprinkles cooked rice on the ground in three places every day before lunch.
On the patio. On the grass behind the outdoor dining area. On the grass along the side of the house.
He’s generous with this offering to the birds and as they come souring in he excitedly names each by its breed and laughs along with their chirping.
“I like a small glass of wine before my meals,” he says presenting an enormous bottle of chilled Spanish wine. “Its good for the heart.”
Just retired, Fernando considers himself on the verge of starting a new period in his life. He has a daughter learning English in the US and his successful automotive businesses are now in the hands of his sons.
“I’ve computerized the systems,” he says. “There’s no way they can forget the prices or how to order more parts.
Most of Fernando’s time is now spent in various church and community activities and working as a coordinator for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. “I have the time and the money now,” Fernando says. “We all most do what we can.”
Situated in the north west of the country Nagua has always been a city heavily affected by the Dominican Republic’s frequent hurricanes which often leave hundreds of the cities residents homeless or dead.
Many of the cities streets are crumbling and the river that runs through town is heavily polluted.
But a drive through Nagua and into the neighboring El Factor show that there is more than hope.
There is a good amount of construction going on, pretty much everywhere. Houses built by organizations such as Habitat for Humanity seem to be everywhere.
In Nagua one morning I spoke with eight families who had all received Habitat houses. Each considered the help from Habitat, a block house built at low cost and with low interest monthly payments, to be a life changing gift.
“Working with Habitat was an incredible experience,” each of the families told me.
“The house is stable and will withstand a hurricane.” With the houses each family had more than a measure of hope.
The Dominican Republic July 15, 2007
Santo Domingo July 11, 2007
Santo Domingo July 7, 2007
Santo Domingo
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