Today our theme was Working Like a Local Day. That means we spent most of the day working as if we were a local here in Constanza. We started the day at 6am and ate breakfast. After we headed to the bus where we traveled to Alberto Quezada’s greenhouse located in Los Paleros, Constanza. We worked side by side with the locals as we picked weeds in their fields of cucumbers and onions. Only working three hours today we soon realized how hard a day of this work really is. The farmers work from 7am to 5pm and it was a little difficult for our delegation to do only 3 hours of work. Everyone was reminded that this is someone’s job and many work 10 or more hours and receive around 250 pesos ($4 US) a day. As for us we only did 3 hours of work which should be equivalent to 7000 pesos. We became aware of how a day of work in a developing country is, and how unfair the wages are.
Later we bussed to the World Agromarketing Company where we got a tour and got to see where some of our food comes from. We saw the process of how cucumbers are cleaned, selected, and packaged. We learned what some of the unintended consequences of produce exporting are. During this trip we gained knowledge on how much food is wasted based on the US’s strict preferences on the vegetables and the random bacteria searches performed by city inspector. In result, most of the produce is wasted.
Along with our busy day we also had English tutoring class, our second class of the trip, which had its progress. One of the highlights of the day was finally being able to venture the city a little more and visit the super market during our free time. Many of us enjoyed getting snacks local to the city that we desired. Overall it was very eye opening seeing behind the scenes of where our food comes from and the work that they do. Also working along side them, which was an interesting experience most don’t get to be apart of.
P.S. Happy Birthday Momma Krizay!
Sounds like another good day. It is important to know where our food comes from and what that really means. I’m sure there were so many other lessons while working like a local and visiting the agromarket. Hi Alexis hun. Hope your seeing the DR with eyes wide open. BTW, pics would be nice 😉
Loves❤
So happy you made it! Can’t wait to hear about these local snacks. My dad said he was sure you would learn a lot about the food there, lol. Love ya and be safe!
Hello Devon, I know waking up early as had it’s challenges…lol
Keep up the good wake…. and Myles misses you he is starting to notice your absence! We LOVE you !!! *insert nickname here* …… type ya later…xoxo xoxo ?
Oh wow you guys are awesome! Sounds like an eye-opening experience! Keep up the good work and continue to learn as much as you can ?
Good job Grace. Love and miss you.
Hola mi sisi que bien que estas aprendiendo como se trabajan la Tierra,es Bueno saber como se siembra y se recoge la cosecha.aprende todo lo que puedes son buenas experiencias nuevas para ti.te Mandan saludos tu nina maria y tu tio pilo ya esta mejor de su brazo.tu abuelita gela tambien te mando saludos bueno cuidate y no se te olvide el repelente.te quiero mucho mi sisi y el Chico tambien
What a great experience! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventures! I love you sister and I’m so proud of you!!