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Christian Black
THE
LIFESTYLE YOU DESERVE
Paradise is closer than you thought, less expensive than you imagined, and more beautiful than you dreamt. Warm breezes, soft sand, and azure waters are waiting for you. Whether to lounge poolside with a drink in hand, ride horses along the beach at sunset, learn to surf, enjoy spa pampering, or sample some of the fine international cuisine, Millennium Cabarete has the experience you have been waiting for, and all the luxury that you deserve.
RESORT & SPA 2
www.cabaretemillennium.com
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CONTENTS
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On the Cover Katie Bowcutt Current Junior World Champion Kiteboarder
CABARETE
Responsible Tourism and Investment Guide
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Editor-in-Chief & Director of Advertising Sales Patricia Suriel Managing Editor Sarah Fisher Special Contributor Julia Alvarez
46 18 TROPICAL FRUITS 24 DINING OUT 28 WHY ORGANIC MATTERS 33 SAVING ENCUENTRO BEACH 34 MARIPOSA CENTER FOR GIRLS 38 SO YOU WANT TO MOVE TO CABARETE? 42 GIRLS AND SPORTS 46 MEET KATIE & NICO 52 A NEW RHYME FOR GIRLS 62 BASEBALL: THE DOMINICAN DREAM 6
Contributors Arianna Baseman, Nia Fon茅y, Jen Furigay, Barbara Ofosu-Somuah, Ada Smith Sales Assistant Colleen Kavanagh Graphic Designer Pamela Cuadros Photographer Amy Martin To advertise your business in the 2015 Guide, please contact us at: promo@mariposadrfoundation.org (809) 571 0610 Deadline for submissions and payment for 2015 issue: April 11th, 2014.
f Mariposa DR Foundation f Fundaci贸n Mariposa
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WELCOME I
was riding my mountain bike in the foothills of Cabarete with a friend from Colorado in August of 1993. We had just spent five glorious sun-soaked days windsurfing, playing tennis, horseback riding, mountain biking, and dining and dancing on the beach. In the middle of the trail, at a place with yet another amazing view, he came to a full halt and turned his head towards me. In a very serious tone he said, “I am not telling anyone about this place.�
Well the secret is out; our little town of Cabarete has become famous worldwide. The best advice I can give anyone who travels here today is to take the time to meet the gracious local Dominicans who have lived here for many years and can tell you stories of the land. The town is magical; there is a reason so many of us have stayed and so many keep coming back year after year.
Cabarete: there is no place like it in the world. All proceeds from this guide go directly to fund programs of the Mariposa DR Foundation. Please support our advertisers!
- Patricia Thorndike Suriel Executive Director of the Mariposa DR Foundation 8
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A stunning view of the Cibao Valley, one of the most fertile valleys in the world and just one example of the natural beauty of this island nation.
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THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, which is shared with Haiti. The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean’s most geographically diverse countries. Made up of sandy beaches, fertile soil, lush valleys, and rugged mountains, the DR is a paradise for memorable vacations and island living. There is no place like the Dominican Republic. As a culture that captures a variety of influences, residents and visitors are constantly surrounded by Spanish, African, and native Taino cultures. While Spanish is the national language, you will surely hear many other languages during your stay, including English and Haitian Creole. The language of music is also everywhere in the DR and dancing is highly encouraged. The most popular genres are merengue, bachata, and reggaeton, all of which you will hear on the beach and public streets. As the Caribbean’s largest tourist destination, more than four million visitors flock to all-inclusive hotels and resorts annually and tourism remains responsible for fueling the Dominican Republic’s economic growth. Aside from tourism, the economy is highly dependent on the United States, which serves as the main destination for many Dominican exports.
FAST FACTS Capital: Area: Population: Sports and Pastimes: Main crops: Climate:
Santo Domingo 48,442 sq km 10.3 million Baseball, merengue, dominoes, cockfights Sugarcane, bananas, rice, beans, cocoa, coffee Tropical, little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
• The DR has the 2nd largest economy in Central America and the Caribbean. • The DR is the world’s largest exporter of organic bananas and cacao. • The traditional dish of the DR is called the “Dominican Flag” (La Bandera Dominicana) and consists of rice, beans, and chicken. • Famous fashion designer Oscar de la Renta is Dominican. • The city with the 2nd largest population of Dominicans, after Santo Domingo, is New York City, the third is Santiago.
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WHAT TO... What to buy in the Dominican Republic • Dominoes • Rum • Beachwear • Cigars • Coffee • Organic chocolate
• Higuero lanterns • Mamajuana • Amber & Larimar • Cacao • T-shirts • Hand-made jewelry
The last four items can be found at the Mariposa DR Foundation Center for Girls next to the entrance to La Cienega. A Mariposa t-shirt, Mariposa organic chocolate, Mariposa blend Cabarete Coffee Company coffee or jewelry made by a Mariposa girl make great souvenirs!
What to do on a rainy day
• Have a spa day! Get a massage or a manicure at Andari Spa, Natura Cabaña or N Day Spa • Go shopping for souvenirs
• Check out the wide variety of great restaurants in Cabarete • Go on a Coffee Tour with Cabarete Coffee Company • Play billiards or dominoes at a pool hall in town • Go surfing at Encuentro beach • Take a river tubing tour with Taino Organic Farms • Take a yoga class at Natura Cabaña or Andari Spa • Go fishing with Dominican Fisherman
What to do with kids • Take a surfing, windsurfing or kiteboarding lesson • Go horseback riding on the beach • Do an adventure tour with Iguana Mama or Kayak River Tours • Take a class at Kaiceitos Circus School • Explore the tide pools in front of Otra Cosa restaurant • Go on a Cocoa Tour with Cabarete Coffee Company • Get serenaded on the beach • Bargain with street and beach vendors for souvenirs 12
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MAKING SOMETHING COOL OUT OF TRASH - that’s exactly what’s happening at the Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding (LEK) school inside Millennium Resort in Cabarete.
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ll those beautiful kites dancing in the sky on windy days? Well, eventually they break or get old, and then discarded. Instead of heading to the landfill they are re-purposed into awesome, colorful, durable and fun bags.
It starts at LEK where kiteboarders can donate old kites and receive a bag made from their material. Along with old school kites, everything is cut into sections and any re-usable pieces like pulleys or bladders are stored for future repairs. The material then makes its way to Sabaneta, 9km east of Cabarete, where Haitian immigrant tailors work in their newly completed Kiters 4 Communities (K4C) sewing center. Each bag is 100% unique, and the tailors have full creative license over the color options. Once the product is finished, K4C buys the bags from the tailors which provide precious income for this underemployed segment of the community. K4C then sells the bags to retailers like Laurel’s kite school where people just like you can choose one to take home for yourself or as a great gift. Shopping for recycled kite bags at LEK is a fun experience, the shop is located right on beach, the LEK team are friendly, and digging through all the style and color combo options is a delightful way to pass some relaxing time here in Cabarete. Laurel and her team hope to welcome you soon!
Story provided by LEK.
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Kiters 4 Communities is a social business co-founded by Cabarete’s own female kiteboarding pioneer Laurel Eastman and Pete Richardson. 100% of K4C’s profit is invested in community education projects.
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Fresh pastelitos hot out of the pot.
Dough Ingredients: 3 lbs flour 1 cup vegetable oil (or Crisco) 2 cups water 1 cup cold water 2 eggs 1 tablespoon of sugar Salt to taste
Pastelitos
Pastelitos are a favorite Dominican snack and breakfast food You can find these delicious fried treats at stands all over Cabarete; try them all to discover your favorite filling! Bring this recipe home to recreate the pastelito experience even after your vacation is over.
Preparation:
Optional Filling Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mix the water with the sugar, salt, egg, and oil. Slowly add the flour to the bowl while mixing by hand, until all the flour is added, 1.5 lb ground beef the dough has thickened and it doesn’t stick to your hands. Cover the 20 eggs bowl with a cloth and let it sit in the fridge for 15-20 minutes or let it sit 1 lb cheese out on the counter for 30 minutes. Roll out the dough with a rolling pin on a large flat surface, adding a pinch of flour if the dough sticks. Cut the Mixed vegetables dough into circles of the size you prefer, the pastelito Rolling out pastelito dough with a will be half the size of the circles you make. Put the fillsoda bottle. ing of your choice in the middle of the circle (cooked beef, raw egg, cheese, or chopped vegetables), fold the dough in half, and seal the pastelito closed pressing a fork around the edge. Heat vegetable oil in a large pan until it is very hot, lower the heat on the stove, and put the pastelitos in the pan a few at a time. Fry until golden, let cool slightly, and enjoy! Serve Dominican-style with ketchup and hot sauce. Makes about 20 pastelitos 17
Tropical FRUITS Sampling delicious local fruits is highly recommended during your stay in the Dominican Republic. As tasty as a dessert, these fresh fruits are packed with Omega-3, antioxidants and iron among other nutrients. You can find these treats at local colmados, supermarkets, and fresh fruit trucks!
Avocado/Aguacate
Cocoa/Cacao
Avocados come from a jungle tree that bears fruit in abundance every 6 months. While sometimes getting a “bad rap” for being very high in fat, the fat contained in avocados is unique and provides many health benefits.
The Dominican Republic is the world’s premier exporter of organic cocoa. Cocoa contains more antioxidants and flavonoids than blueberries, red wine, and black and green teas. Interesting fact: the most important pollinators of cacao are bats.
Banana/Guineo The Dominican Republic is currently the world’s leading producer and exporter of organic bananas, with exports primarily destined for Europe. The banana “tree” is not actually a tree, but rather a giant shrub. The plant can produce up to 100 pounds of bananas in just 9-14 months!
Coconut/Coco
Breadfruit/Buen Pan
A lemon-shaped fruit with a pale pink pulp, the guava fruit has an intense tropical scent, making it popular for enhancing flavors and aromas. In the Dominican Republic, it is mostly used for drinks, jams and sweet treats. Guava is rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
Captain Bligh brought this giant jungle plant to Haiti from Tahiti in 1793. Highly nutritious and rich in Omega 3’s and 6’s, buen pan is beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels. Buen pan is usually served boiled or fried and has a taste similar to that of a potato.
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With its pure milk and healthy meat, coconuts are readymade meals just waiting to be picked up off the ground. Coconut is one of the most important, affordable and available food bases in the world.
Guava/Guayaba
Mango/Mango This delicious (and messy) fruit comes from giant trees. Mangos are native to India; from there they have spread all over the world. It is the most cultivated fruit in the tropics. As an excellent source of vitamin A and potassium, mangos have been found to guard against many types of cancer.
Papaya/Lechosa With its soft and buttery consistency, it is no wonder the papaya was labeled the “fruit of the angels” by Christopher Columbus. Almost always in season, this pearshaped fruit can grow up to 20 inches in length! Papaya contains a unique enzyme, papain, which is extracted to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements.
Passion Fruit/Chinola Passion fruit grows on a jungle vine that climbs up the sunny side of trees. Be wary of the poisonous leaves! The fruit grows to the size of a tennis ball, with a thick skin that turns yellow when ripe. Cut it open and you’ll find it is full of slimy seeds. Sprinkle a bit of sugar on them and you have a yummy chinola snack. Rich in ascorbic acid, “jugo de chinola”, or passion fruit juice, is very popular in the Dominican Republic.
Pineapple/Piña This sweet and sour fruit is very popular and abundant in the Dominican Republic. You can see acres of this fruit growing in the vast plantations that line the highway near Bonao between Santiago and Santo Domingo. Replacing many of the sugarcane fields, pineapple has become an important export commodity.
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A peek into a typical Dominican colmado.
COLMADOS An authentic Dominican shopping experience
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t is common to see children on a mission to the colmado with a few pesos to get something their mothers need, or to see middle-aged men sitting outside a colmado in plastic chairs sipping beers and talking. Colmados are an important part of every Dominican community. The Dominican colmados are small, locally-owned convenience stores that carry everything from rice to toilet paper to soda and more. People go to colmados to buy their daily necessities at a low price, within close walking distance. Colmados are everywhere, practically every street has at least one. Prior to 1990, the colmados were the only place in Cabarete to get groceries and for many families they continue to be the principle source of food and other essential items. Although most colmados carry the same basic products, each one has its own unique flair and regular customers. We recommend you stop in at the colmados all over Cabarete for a chance to practice your Spanish and an authentic Dominican shopping experience!
Shelves are always stocked with Dominican essentials.
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DINING OUT I
n a town like Cabarete, where sunshine and the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are your constant companions, dining out can always be an experience. Walking down the beach, you will easily be reminded about the many cultural backgrounds of our residents simply by taking a look at all the meal options available. The international cuisine boasted by our restaurants, coupled with candle–lit tables and live music, creates an atmosphere that is both romantic and family friendly! No matter what you are craving in the moment, the more than 100 restaurants in Cabarete will give you a lot to choose from!
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WHY
ORGANIC
MATTERS
When you walk through the rainbow of fruits and vegetables at the mercado or sit down to a Caribbean meal on the beach, do you ever wonder where your sweet bananas, succulent papayas, or tangy passion fruits come from? Are they from across the street or across the island? Are they organic or pesticide-laden? Does it even matter? “Organic” has become a buzz-word and a growing section in grocery stores in places such as the US, Canada, and Europe. While the movement has yet to make its way into mainstream marketing here in the DR, and you may not find an “organic” sticker on your produce, organic food has long been a way of life here. In fact, the country is fast becoming one of the world’s leaders in organic food production. So what is organic, why seek it, and where can you find it here in Cabarete? What makes organic food different is that it is grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones,
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Do you ever wonder where your sweet bananas, succulent papayas, or tangy passion fruits come from? Are they from across the street or across the island? Are they organic or pesticide-laden? Does it even matter?”
genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), or ionized radiation. In contrast, the conventional banana industry, one of the DR’s biggest exports, is notorious for its health impacts on workers. The cocktail of pesticides used on the banana crops are known to cause depression, respiratory problems, damage to the eyes, skin infections, infertility, and cancer among workers. Thus, choosing to eat organic decreases the presence of artificial chemicals and harmful toxins in your food. It’s better for you, the environment, and the farmers who produce these foods.
Mariposa staff and girls tending a local garden and learning about organics.
Organic foods are making their way into the markets, gardens, and farms of Cabarete! In our neck of the woods, organic produce is growing in the gardens at Millenium Resort and Spa, Blue Moon Restaurant, and Taino Organic Farm, among others. Taino Farm is producing a wide variety of tropical fruits, moringa, dairy products, chicken, guinea eggs, and honey using a specific “permaculture” design that closely mimics nature. Taino Farms and others are currently collaborating to establish a permaculture garden classroom at The Mariposa Center for Girls! The Mariposa garden is part of a grand vision supported by the Nell Newman Foundation to educate the younger generation in Cabarete about how their food choices affect their health, the environment, and the community through hands-on learning. Restaurants across town serve fresh fish from local fisherman, and some restaurants are even using organic ingredients. For example, Cabarete Coffee Company prides themselves on their local, shadegrown, organic coffee purchased from a select group of small farmers high in the mountains of Jarabacoa and their organic cocoa from local farms. Organic has made it to Cabarete; we’re excited to be part of the movement, and you should be too!
Local gardener Carlos showing off a giant Dominican pumpkin.
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SAVING
ENCUENTRO BEACH
A tranquil morning at Encuentro Beach, where surfers gather before the sun completely rises.
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uring the summer of 2013 over 400 people came together at Encuentro Beach to ensure that this surfers’ paradise did not get commercially developed and instead became an official “parque eco-turistico-deportivo” (eco-tourist-sport park). Community members including business owners, surfers, children, government officials, tourists and local residents all came together to protect the natural beauty of this beach that presents perfect conditions for learning how to surf. Kids as young as four, as well as adults of all ages, will continue to have the opportunity to learn to surf at one of the many surf schools at Encuentro Beach for generations to come. It is an important hang out spot for more expert surfers as well, who paddle farther out to catch the bigger waves. Here
the local Dominican and ex-patriot communities form one surfer community through their love of the waves. People who don’t surf can go walking or horseback riding down the beach, or watch the surfing from one of the many seating areas designed for relaxing and enjoying the view. Now that the area is preserved it can continue to represent what Cabarete is all about: enjoying awesome water sports in a way that doesn’t harm the environment! Encuentro Beach is a must see in Cabarete, go check it out and take a surf lesson with our partners 321 Takeoff or Pauhana Surf School!
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A volunteer helps Mariposa girls listen to their own heartbeats for the first time.
THE MARIPOSA CENTER FOR GIRLS
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rls? i g y h W ecently many different international organizations and news sources have been making the argument that investing in girls is the best way to fight poverty. Why? Because the numbers back it up.
Each extra year of primary school a girl attends increases her wage potential by 10-20%; while each extra year of secondary school increases it by 1525%. Even more compelling is the fact that when women earn, they invest more in their families than their male counterparts. The World Food Programme found that women invest 90% of their income back into their families, while men only invest 30-40%. If only 10% more girls go to secondary school, a country’s economy grows 3%. In Cabarete, less than 20% of girls make it to secondary school. At the Mariposa Center for Girls we are changing that statistic.
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Lots of classrooms for educating our girls, and a pool for learning how to swim!
The Mariposa Center for Girls is a 5000 m2 plot of land near the entrance to Cabarete’s largest Dominican neighborhood, La Cienega. Since the Mariposa DR Foundation moved in at the end of 2012 it has been transformed into a fun, beautiful, and safe center where girls ages 8-18 have their very own space to grow, play, and learn.
of generational poverty. A beautiful place that inspires dignity and pride in the Mariposa girls. During your visit to Cabarete please feel free to stop by the Mariposa Center to see the great work that is going on there, and see how you can get involved in changing the world one girl at a time.
The girls go to Dominican schools for a half-day (that’s the way school is in the DR), then come to the Mariposa Center for the other half of the day. There they receive important classes like health, English, job training, and swimming while also participating in many other sports and artistic workshops. The Mariposa DR Foundation currently sponsors 15 girls’ attendance at a private high school to assist them in receiving a higher quality education. Improving the quality and quantity of education that girls receive is essential for empowering them to be the leaders in their own lives and make important decisions, such as the decision to wait to have their first child until they have graduated from high school. This is especially important in a country with the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the Caribbean and one of the highest in all of Latin America, where teen moms and their children become trapped in the cycle of generational poverty. At the Mariposa Center for Girls we are building a model for the world; a place where volunteers, educators, and girl champions can share knowledge on how empowering girls will lift entire families out
The Center was in rough condition when we purchased it, but this room is already on its way to being part of our infirmary and health room.
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So you want to move to
Cabarete?
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So you want to move to Cabarete? Yeah, who wouldn’t – stunning white sandy beaches, endless summer, great surf, consistent on-shore wind.... the list goes on. Beyond the beautiful beaches, Cabarete has a very special sense of community created by underlying traditional Dominican values and the multicultural mix of ex-pats who’ve made Cabarete their home. Cabarete is home to people from literally all over the world: France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Canada, and Russia to name a few. Not only will you encounter a variety of languages, the international cuisine associated with those languages also exists! In downtown Cabarete alone there are delicious Italian, Sushi, Vietnamese, Chinese, Mexican, American, and traditional Dominican restaurants. Cabarete is also home to some of the best surfing and kiteboarding in the Caribbean! At Cabarete Beach there are various kiteboarding schools, where novices to experts enjoy world-class wind. Just a quick taxi or bike ride away lies Encuentro Beach – an untouched beach, spotted with local surf schools ready to provide expert instruction in a variety of languages. Beyond the ocean, there are wonderful hiking opportunities, mountain biking excursions, and endless rivers close by waiting to be explored!
So, if you’re ready to take the plunge, remember: • Exceptional real estate opportunities • Gorgeous beaches • Active lifestyle • International atmosphere • Delicious international and local cuisine • Friendly locals
The attitude and lifestyle of the people of Cabarete is best summed up by the Dominican expression “cogiéndolo suave” or “taking it easy.” It’s very easy to sit back, relax and enjoy a cold Presidente while watching a gorgeous sunset.
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Girls & Sports A Mariposa girl up to bat during a pickup softball game.
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oo many people believe that kids’ participation in sports distracts them from their academics. Even more are not convinced that participation in sports for young girls can enhance their academic success, and prior to the founding of the Mariposa DR Foundation only a handful of local girls participated in organized sports. Recent research from kids’ health and education organizations has proven how sports and education go handin-hand. Here are a few reasons why it is essential for girls to be involved in sports! 1. Girls who play sports perform better in the classroom. Girls who are actively exercising are simultaneously improving their memory, concentration, and learning skillsall of which are tools for an advantage in the classroom! Research also shows that girls who play sports are more likely to graduate than girls who don’t.
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2. Girls who play sports learn the skills of goal-setting and teamwork in the best way possible! It is no secret that success in the classroom and the workplace requires positive problem-solving and team players. Through working with coaches and teammates, girls are best prepared for the later competitive workplace and classroom environment. 3. Playing sports produces higher states of psychological well-being and self-esteem. When girls see their sport skills improving and are able to meet their individual goals, the effects on their self-confidence are huge. Getting fit and making friends also serve as self-esteem boosters!
The girls at the Mariposa Center are perfect examples of how sports are beneficial in every aspect of their lives. In daily programming, the Mariposa girls are involved in several sorts of sport instruction. The girls are not only leading active lifestyles, but they are also learning their skills from coaches who truly know their sport! Through kite-surfing, swimming, surfing, dancing, martial arts, soccer, softball, and tennis, the girls are working as a team, making goals, and truly learning that “practice makes perfect.� Cabarete is famous for its kiteboarding. This Mariposa girl is one of the first local Dominican girls to get out on the water with the boys.
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CULTURES
LANGUAGES PASSPORTS RISING STARS
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Katie and Nico
are part of a new generation of kiteboarders raised in the Dominican Republic, who happen to be both Dominican and American. Growing up with two languages and two cultures means they are twice as prepared to travel the world living their kiteboarding dream. When they are not traveling the world you can find this dynamic duo on the beaches of Cabarete. Here is what they had to say about their kiteboarding: When did you start kiteboarding? N: February 2009 K: July 2008 Who are your sponsors? N: Liquid Force, Mobe, Cabarete Coffee Company K: F-one Kites, Manera, Acaipur, and True Natural Cosmetics What tricks have you been working on? What is your best trick? N: My go-to trick is the Double S-Bend 3. My best trick is the KGB 5 with Indy Grab and I’m working on the Crow Mobe 5 and a few different types of grabs. K: I’ve been working on my execution of landing blind and working on my S-bends to blind. My best trick is a Switch Back to revert. Where have you travelled through kiteboarding? N: Venezuela, US, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Morocco, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the Canary Islands. K: Morocco, US, Spain, and Peru. What was your scariest moment? N: In France, having to compete on a 5m kite with winds between 45 and 65 knots in cold water early in the morning while I was jet-lagged. 47
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Learn how to do everything on land before taking it to the water”.
K: My scariest moment was kiting in Cabarete while a hurricane was passing with really strong, gusty winds, and out alone on the water. What was your best moment? N: Traveling Europe in the summer of 2013 to compete in the PKRA. K: My best moment was being on top of the podium in Spain, and it kind of sinking in that I’m Junior World Champ. What are your favorite spots to kiteboard in Cabarete? Where can we see you kite? N: La Boca is good for seeing me kite, I also like Bozo Beach, Cabarete. K: I really like La Boca, and Encuentro the best. 48
What do you do when you’re not kiting? N: I go to school, study, train out of the water, surf. K: I’m in high school so that takes a lot of my time, and also crossfit. What are your kiteboarding goals for 2014? N: Participate in all the PKRA events, get in the top 10, and travel as much as possible. K: To travel kiting, and improve my riding, defend all my titles, and to get new titles also. What advice can you give to kids that want to start kiting? N: Learn how to do everything on land before taking it to the water. K: To stay motivated throughout the learning process and remember you’re doing it for the fun.
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My scariest moment was kiting in Cabarete while a hurricane was passing with really strong, gusty winds, and out alone on the water.
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Need a break or a vacation by the b each? Book your stay in either of these beautiful residences in Cabarete: Ocean Dream, Ocean One, Olas de Oro or Harmony. Studios, 1 to 5 bedroom apartments, private villas. Come and discover our offers for an unforgettable stay. Cabarete is well known for being the spot for kitesurf, windsurf, surf, paddle, but you will also enjoy the international atmosphere and the nightlife on the beach.
Com e and liv e the Caribb ean dream!
Your Real Estate in Cabarete ! Rentals, Sales, Property management Tel: 809 571 0999 info@agencerd.com www.agencerd.com
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A New Rhyme for Girls By Julia Alvarez, Author in Residence at Middlebury College
I recall the first time I realized the dire situation of girls in my native country, the Dominican Republic. It was during one of our visits to Alta Gracia, our sustainable coffee farm in the central mountains. I was upstairs in our little casita, writing away in my journal when I overheard Miguelina and her friend, Anamery, both six years old at the time, playing a clapping game downstairs and reciting this rhyme. A la una yo nací, A las dos me bautizaron, A las tres supe de amores, Y las cuatro me casaron, A las cinco tuve un hijo, A las seis se me murió, A las siete fue el entierro, A las ocho divorcié, A las nueve tuve un cáncer, A las diez se me operó, A las once me rezaron, Y a las doce se acabo. I hurried to the window to be sure that the reciters were indeed two six-year-olds. Miguelina and Anamery chanted away merrily, but given their mothers’ and grandmothers’ lives, I was sure that these two little girls were unwittingly describing what lay ahead for them as females in an impoverished, rural village in a poor country. The clock of their lives was set to strike one grim hour after another. My husband, Bill Eichner, and I had embarked on Alta Gracia after meeting a group of small coffee farmers who were fighting to stay on their small plots. They were growing their coffee organically (by default-who could afford pesticides?) and under shade (the traditional way to protect the tender plants). When they asked us to help them, Bill, who grew up in Nebraska and has a soft spot in his heart for small farm52
I was born at one o’clock, at two they baptized me, at three I learned of love, at four they married me, at five I had a child, by six that child was dead, we buried him at seven, I got divorced at eight, at nine I had a cancer, the operation was at ten, at eleven final prayers, at twelve o’clock, the end. ers, pushed for us to buy some of the eroded farm lands, reforest them, and join the efforts of this small farming community. We felt heartened to be part of this grassroots movement to save the land from deforestation and the pesticides of the big agribusiness plantaciones. One of the surprises for me was the pervasive presence of women and girls in every aspect of the coffee business: the men might do the initial planting, and the heavy lifting, but women and girls were preferred for harvests--they tended to be more careful pickers. At the processing plants, women were also known for their sharp eye and dedication to the task at hand. As one of the staff of Grounds for Health, an organization dedicated to the health of women in coffee-growing communities, explained to me, “Cof-
fee is built on a culture of poverty, and you can guess who is at the very bottom of that ladder: women and girls.”
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Literate women are more likely to send their children, especially their girls, to school. By acquiring literacy, women become more economically self-reliant and more actively engaged in their country’s social, political and cultural life. All evidence shows that investment in literacy for women yields the highest development dividends. Every literate woman marks a victory over poverty. But while global illiteracy rates are falling, it is estimated that about one in every six adults still cannot read or write.”
So, when I heard Miguelina and Anamery chanting their rhyme, I knew that in addition to taking care of the land, we had to address the problem of education and illiteracy. There had to be a better clock of opportunities for girls like Miguelina and Anamery. So many of them drop out of school, start having children when they are only a little more than twice as old as Miguelina and Anamery when I first overheard them singing UNESCO report on Sept 8th International Literacy Day a rhyming song. So few of them escape the cycle of poverty in which many generations of women in their Bill and I did what we could from afar. We built a families have been caught. small school and library on the farm. Because of my But there is a way out. Down the line, results are in: connection with Middlebury College and a donawhen you educate women, starting with girls, you ac- tion from a generous alum, we were able to start a tually set them--and their communities--on a journey volunteer program for a graduating senior to be the teacher on the farm. These volunteers were wildly out of poverty. 53
successful, but the problem was that after a year, they left, and then a new volunteer had to start over. Additionally, after sixteen years of running Alta Gracia, Bill and I have had to face the reality: we are not getting any younger, and we have to move on to this slower elder stage of our lives. For sale: coffee farm--anyone interested? For both of us, one of the comforting things as we move on is knowing that we are not abandoning the cause. There are still ways to contribute, organizations on the ground which are addressing the need for education and empowerment, organizations with programs that don’t stop-and-start every nine months, with a hiatus over summer, but build year after year round the clock, thus making foundational changes possible.
declared the day of their murder, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a day that marks the beginning of a 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, ending with Dec. 10th, International Human Rights Day. Back in 1960, when they were murdered, who knew the story of these three women would inspire an international movement for women’s rights? Three women victims in a dictatorship in which thousands upon thousands had died, in a world in which hundreds of thousands were losing their lives in regimes and police states, wars and genocides. But this one story was working itself through the bloodstream of the imagination. A little thing here, a little thing there, under the radar, but it builds, reaches a critical point, a sea change happens. Seamus Heaney writes in his poem, “The Cure at Troy”:
But the only organization I know of in the Dominican Republic that specifically targets this vulnerable but History says, don’t hope promising population of young girls is the Mariposa On this side of the grave. Foundation. From academic tutoring to scholarships, But then, once in a lifetime environmental and health education classes, field trips The longed-for tidal wave and community service, the Mariposa Foundation Of justice can rise up, takes on the whole girl, a holistic approach, engaging And hope and history rhyme. her whole family and community, in the process. As some of you might already know, the Mariposa Foundation is named after the Mariposas, three sisters The Mariposa Foundation is working to make hope who gave their lives to topple the thirty-one year dic- and history rhyme, one strong, smart, winged girl at tatorship of Trujillo. The Mirabal sisters were known by a time. their code name in the underground, Las Mariposas. Copyright © 2012 by Julia Alvarez. Reprinted by permission of Susan Bergholz Years after their murder, in 1999, the United Nations Literary Services, New York, NY and Lamy, NM. All rights reserved. FURTHER PRINT OR ELECTRONIC PUBLICATION, DUPLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
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Service Learning Trips
The other Cabarete attraction The fastest-growing tourism market in the town of Cabarete doesn’t have to do with the beach or the wind; it has to do with service learning. Each year since the first non-profit was founded by Mariposa’s Executive Director in Cabarete in 1998, the number of service learning groups that visit this part of the island has increased exponentially. The most prestigious schools in the world are reforming their curriculums to include components of experiential and service learning, and many of them are partnering with the Mariposa DR Foundation. At the Mariposa DR Foundation we understand that true cultural immersion begins with respect, solidarity, sustainability, and compassion. We teach students to honor the ways of others, to learn from the poor and to value their wisdom and views even though they might be different, or, especially because they are different.
Our trip leaders live and work here in the community, and have for many years, so they are able to give visitors an authentic perspective. We know that the experiences we provide in the Dominican Republic play a significant role in shaping the worldviews of the compassionate young people who participate in our programs. We take this responsibility seriously and work diligently to nurture these relationships. It’s no surprise that so many of them want to come back! Hosting student groups is one way that the Mariposa DR Foundation works towards its goal of being fully sustainable. If you are a teacher, student, or other group interested in organizing a service trip, please contact us: 421 N. Aurora St. Ithaca, NY 14850 info@mariposadrfoundation.org Dominican Republic: 809 571 0610 | US Office: 917 435 1748
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@taino organic Farms
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Fa r m
LAZY RIVER
FLOAT
Come visit our Permaculture Farm in Los Brazos. Learn about an alternative way of growing food. Relax as you float down the Yasica River on an innertube. Finish off the day with a farm fresh homemade lunch.
Tours can be arranged for any day of the week. Minimum of 4 people per group. $50/pp includes transport from eXtreme Hotel, beer, fruit, and a farm fresh lunch.
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FARM TOUR
Massage Physiotherapy Hot Stone Massage Body Scrubs Body Wraps Facials Manicures & Pedicures Hair Removal
Location Millennium Resort & Spa Carretera Principal Cabarete
Hours Monday to Saturday: 10am – 8pm Sunday: 10am – 2pm
www.andarispa.com
Appointments +1 809-851-9399 skype: andarispa info@andarispa.com
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BASEBALL THE DOMINICAN DREAM
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ammy Sosa, Pedro Martinez, Juan Marichal, our current MVP of the 2013 World Series, “Señor Octubre,” David Ortiz: MLB Superstars and Dominican heroes. Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Beltre, Jose Bautista, Jose Reyes, Robinson Cano, and Albert Pujols. The list of Dominican baseball players that have “made it big” is staggering. In 2013, the Dominican Republic led all foreign countries with the most players in Major League Baseball with 89 players out of 856. All of the 30 MLB teams have state of the art training academies in the DR, and recruit players as young as 15.
Béisbol first came to the Dominican Republic from Cuba in the 1870s. During the mid-twentieth century many baseball stadiums were built throughout the DR, fueling passion for the game. In 1951, the modern league, Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana, was formed. LIDOM plays during the winter months from October through January. There are six teams spread throughout the DR, attracting the best Dominican players who play for professional teams. The most intense rivalry is between the Tigres and the Aguilas, who have both won the National title many times. Each year, the champion team goes on to play in the Caribbean Championship Series against Mexico, Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The Dominican Republic has won the Caribbean Series in 19 out of 37 contests. The dream of making it to the big leagues is extremely intense in the DR. A large portion of the population is living below the poverty line in the Dominican Republic, so the notion of lifting one’s family out of poverty with the swing of a bat can be intoxicating. Prospects as young as 12 sign contracts with buscones (scouts). Teenage boys leave public school to play in these academies, where 2% will be signed to minor/major league contracts.
D.R. Winners MVP Award winners: David Ortiz (W.S. 2013) Albert Pujols (N.L.: 2005, 2008, 2009) Vladimir Guerrero (A.L.: 2004) Miguel Tejada (A.L.: 2002) Sammy Sosa (N.L.: 1998)
Cy Young Award winners: Bartolo Colon (A.L.: 2005) Pedro Martinez (N.L.: 1997; A.L.: 1999, 2000).
Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year winners: Neftali Feliz (A.L.: 2010) Hanley Ramirez (N.L.: 2006) Angel Berroa (A.L.: 2003) Albert Pujols (N.L.: 2001) Rafael Furcal (N.L.: 2000) Raul Mondesi (N.L.: 1994) Alfredo Griffin (A.L.: 1979 co-winner).
Dominican pitchers to throw a no-hitter: Ervin Santana, L.A. Angels, July 27, 2011 Francisco Liriano, Minnesota Twins, May 3, 2011 Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado Rockies, April 17, 2010 Jose Jimenez, St. Louis Cardinals, June 25, 1999 Ramon Martinez, L.A. Dodgers, July 14, 1995 Juan Marichal, San Francisco Giants, June 15, 1963
Over 400 players have made it to the major leagues since Ozzy Virgil in 1956. Many come from the small towns in the DR; every region has their local heroes. If you are interested in watching baseball while you are here in the Dominican Republic, check out the schedule of the professional teams or stop by one of the local baseball fields here in Cabarete to see local boys chasing their dreams.
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HELPFUL INFORMATION 64
Transportation
To/from airport, around town, or elsewhere on the island Taxi Cabarete 809 571 0767 or 809 571 0824 Taxi Sosua 809 571 2797 Caribe Tour Bus 809 571 3808 Metro Bus 809 571 1324
Private Medical Clinics Open 24 hours
Centro Medico Cabarete 809 571 4696 Servi Med Cabarete 809 571 0964 Centro Medico Bournigal 809 586 2210 Clinic Abreu, Santo Domingo 809 688 4411
In case of Emergency Ambulance 809 412 5555 Tourist Police 809 571 0713 National Police 809 571 0810 Sosua Fire Department 809 571 2301
Embassies Canada 809 586 5761 or 809 262 3100 France 809 685 4300 Germany 809 542 8949 Haiti 809 686 7115 Italy 809 682 0830 Norway 809 586 1939 Spain 809 535 6500 Switzerland 809 533 3781 United Kingdom 809 472 7111 United States 809 221 2171
Important Dates: January 6th: Three Kings Day (Traditional gift giving day for all children in the D.R.) February: Carnaval every Saturday nd th 11th Annual Master of the Ocean Competition February 22 -27 : Dominican Independence Weekend February 27th –March 2nd: DR Open Kitesurfing Competition March 6th-9th: March 17th: Jose O’Shay’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Holy Week April 13th–20th: Mother’s Day May 11th: July: Cabarete Classic Butterfly Effect August 1st-2nd: November: Master’s Surf Reunion Cabarete Jazz Festival November 7th -9th: Mariposa Christmas Fair December 13th: New Year’s Eve Party on Cabarete Beach December 31st:
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