Day 3

Welcome again to the random thoughts and semi-coherent jottings of the Dominican Republic Immersion Group, AKA Clan Kabadi. We join you today after quite the joyful day. Unfortunately, the day started much like all others, with a waking at first light and the convention in the cafeteria. Unfortunately, the writer is a bit dull and has forgotten entirely what we had for breakfast, but, they have just been reminded that it was fried cheese, salami, and papaya, the latter of which was forcefully fed to the writer, not that they can complain. But this day was quite the stir after that, as we were to hold a meeting with a Haitian activist and social worker, named Wendy. He went over the long and storied history of the republic of Haiti, from its dark roots as a slave colony, its name sharing with the Spanish side of the island of Hispaniola, to it being the origin of the concept of voodoo and the Malleus Maleficarum, to it being the first free black state in the world, and the price that would bring. After this rather informative presentation, we gathered onto the buses for a long journey to a set of banana and plantain plantations, tended to by Haitian migrant workers. Prior to our arrival at this destination, we stopped at a shop to purchase snacks and relieve ourselves. We shared a lunch with them, and despite a bit of initial awkwardness, we ended up enjoying the stay with them and growing more as servants of God. After this, we gathered onto the buses for the second time today, destined for another treat; a chocolate factory, run exclusively by women. The women of this facility were incredibly hospitable, as they shared homemade hot chocolate, cacao pods, and teaching us how chocolate is manufactured at their installation, giving us samples and a tour of the frankly amazing and intoxicatingly sweet-smelling place. After we finished the tour, we were given free rein to buy whatever we wanted to. And we went berserk, from beautiful jewelry, cute wooden carvings, to the sweets made in-house, to even chocolate wine (Sorry, Mom, I couldn’t get you some.). After we had these items, we began our journey back to the ILAC site, and began discussing movies and music, which was a lovely bonding experience. And when we got back, we ate dinner, consisting of casseroles, lasagnas, salad and chocolate cake for dessert. We really got our chocolate fill. After this, we had an extensive reflection and retired to our dormitories, as we were to begin our campo work tomorrow morning. And so we might not be able to keep you informed for the next three days. Regardless, we will do what we can. This is the blog crew, signing off.