Hey everyone!
Welcome to our blog post written by your first student leaders of the day. Our fourth day in Constanza focused on working like a local and global business.
The day started off with an early 6:00 am wake up call but everyone seemed extremely excited to get out and experience the daily task that workers in the field face. We headed to a cucumber greenhouse owned by Alberto Quezada and everyone started to pick as many cucumbers as they could in the humid climate. Although all of us quickly grew exhausted from the labor, we remembered that all of the workers have to endure these hardships, earning approximately $5-8 per day, in order to provide for their families. You may be wondering, how many crates of cucumbers could 26 global glimpsers fill? And we are very proud to say that our total came to 103! Woohoo!
-Katelyn Wong (Hi Mom, Dad, Amanda, and Matthew! Miss you all!)
After eating a delicious lunch (rice with beans, salad, and meatballs), we got on the bus once again and headed to World Agro Marketing to focus on global business. We toured the facility where they package the small cucumbers which get sent to stores in the US and saw the workers sorting through the “good” and “bad” cucumbers. We were shocked to learn the sheer number of supposedly bad cucumbers which get wasted per day because of selling standards in the US (around 25%). We also learned that the Dominican Republic doesn’t have food banks so unsellable produce which might have gone to those in need of it is difficult to access, if impossible. I’m proud of our group for asking meaningful questions and staying engaged during the facility tour. I was inspired by all the facility workers and managers, including our tour guide Deyanira, for their diligence day in and day out in doing the work necessary to support their families. Being Lider Del Dia was a more difficult task than I anticipated, but I learned more about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader through the experience.
-Maya NA (hi Mom, Dad, and chamaco)
Once we came back from the Cucumber factory, we got three hours of highly anticipated free time! Time which we could spend exploring Constanza everybody was really excited, and carefully contemplated how they wanted to use their time and explore the city. Despite the intense labor at the cucumber greenhouses, all of the boys decided to go to the local gym. After the gym, they celebrated their workout with ice cream and bought trinkets and treats at nearby shops. The rest of the group spent their time visiting different establishments around Constanza. Many Glimpsers chose to visit A Punto de Nieve, a cafe with great food, and great backdrops for pictures! Everybody wandered into the grocery store at some point during their free time, and got to check out local snacks, and stock up on familiar foods from home. People also got ice cream, from Bon, a bright and open ice cream shop overlooking a park. Cotton candy was a popular flavor among some glimpsers, and coconut caramel was a surprisingly delectable flavor! After coming back from free time, we cooled off with refreshing cucumber face masks, putting the cucumbers we got from the factory to use! Then we had an unconventional yet scrumptious dinner of scrambled eggs, boiled potatoes, and fresh papaya and cantaloupe. We are now preparing for tomorrow, when we get to live like a local and not use running water or electricity!
-Taara R. ( Hi Amma, Appa, Sree, Akka, Kanmani, Nila, Serena, and Henry!)
Big Love from Constanza, DR!
Katelyn, Maya and Taara
Katelyn and Raul pick cucumbers
Maya and Katie pick cucumbers
At World Agro Marketing with Deyaniera and many cucumbers
Taylor’s cucumber haul
Maria’s cucumber salon at Hotel Mi Casa
Hi Ming!
My Princess ?
Wow! Cucumbers ? one of your favorite to eat! Another busy day for you guys. Hope you enjoyed it! It was Tita Holly’s baby shower today and everyone’s asking for you. Ok you have a good night sleep, iloveyou MingMing ko muuahh! ?
I wish they’ll take a closer photo of you ?
?Mommy ?
Love the relax time with well-deserved cucumber masks at “Maria’s Salon” after a hard day’s work picking cucumbers.
Sending big love to you mi’ja!!
Hello All,
Thanks for the update LDDs. After the long morning picking cucumbers, I’m sure the ice creams and cucumber facials were well deserved! Love the photo of the boys getting their pampering on.
Squid,
On the home front–we’re spending the weekend in Monterey. It’s gorgeous here, but your sister is driving us crazy. We don’t know how you deal with her daily. 😉 She misses you a lot and can’t wait for you to get home. She has a surprise for you.
Big LOVE….
~Mom, Dad,and Sam
Hi Kate,
Looks like you are working hard as well picking those cucumbers. Glad you have a chance to experience how hard the the local people have to endure every day to support their family. PoPo and Mama miss you! Good night!
Love,
The wong!
Hi Abby! What an incredible couple of days! I’m working this weekend and have been sharing your adventures in the break room. All the nurses at SFGH are so proud of you!
We all miss you very much! Agatha is head butting me right now so I will throw her hair band. She wishes you were here to play with her. Now she put her tail in my tea ?
I’m watching the World Cup with Dad and Bennett. They say to tell you they miss you and love you.
Enjoy soaking in all these wonderful experiences. Love, love, love you. Mom
Awesome job writing Katelyn, Maya, and Taara! You made us feel like we were right there with you during your day. The next time I buy a cucumber, I’ll think about the hard work that went into harvesting it thanks to your experience.
Jake – We can’t wait for your turn to be leader of the day. Keep living it up in DR! Sending Our Love!
Really enjoyed the blog today. Thank you!
Love you Zhonna,
Jay
Hola Emely el trabajo es duro pero siempre tiene recompensas seve que se divierten, te extrañamos mucho te amamos.
Looks like you guys had a great day. Working hard and playing hard. Love seeing all the pictures of your activities. Take lots of pictures of this wonderful adventure. Thank you for the awesome Fathers day card.
Love you Katie,
mom dad and bella
so nice to read your blog today ! Long day of learning ! Serena Kanmani Nila and Henry send their moews and barks over to you !! Miss you tons !
Looking forward to seeing your glowing skin! Love mom
Hi Jake! We had dinner with your parents and Jared this weekend and got to hear some of the stories from this blog. What an amazing experience. I can’t wait to hear more when you get home!!! Love, Jonna, Scott, Sam and Jack
Criseyda we miss u a lot pao pao mama E viejo ??