Thursday through Sunday we were given the opportunity to visit current volunteers to get a better understanding of what service is really going to be like. I was luckily paired up with Marissa who is serving in a Batey in the South. Not many people get the chance to see Bateys, so I was excited. Bateys are sugar cane fields and are known for both their social and economic complexities and hardships. Historically Haitians, mainly those who are not recognized by the DR, the invisibles, have worked the fields. Most still remain and continue to be the most marginalized population in this country. Needless to say, these communities suffer from little infrastructure and opportunities, and have the most need. She, and the others serving in Bateys, definitely have a dyanmic service with a set of unique challenges. The fact that they are only 2 hours from an amazing beach completely makes up for it though! We went to the beach on Saturday and Sunday and met up with a handful of other volunteers who were also being visited by people in my group! This beach is one of the remaining beaches left untouched by tourism here. There are only local rentals, restaurants and little stores. Check out the pictures, they’re gorgeous! Peace Corps or paradise…I’m not sure. And actually this area is the site of three volunteers. Could you imagine getting this as your site and living here for 2 years??? Unbelievable. The waterfall type thing is a fresh water river that flows right into the ocean and has been dammed in a couple of areas for swimming and recreational use. It was the greatest time. Coming back to the hot city was a bummer.
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