Costanza, Vegetables and the Waterfall

We were invited three weeks ago on a Saturday morning to explore the agricultural region of the Dominican Region--Costanza.  Near this beautiful city, "nestled in the mountains,"is the famous waterfall- Salto de Aguas Blancas. http://guiaconstanza.com/gc_atractivos/salto-aguas-blancas

From Santo Domingo, we carpooled about three hours northwest into the

lush, green, "ag" country for an all-day cultural adventure.  Leaving the main freeway that connects Santo Domingo with the second largest city on the island, Santiago, we drove a winding, switch-backed road--gaining 7,000 feet of elevation--to the verdant farming  community Costanza.

Our group of 12 senior missionaries (Francis, Walters, from Santiago and Park, Duke and Fuller from S.D) scheduled a Daihatsu "tour truck" to drive around the mountain area viewing the massive acres of vegetables of every kind (potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes, etc.) and to deliver us to our ultimate destination--the Salto de Aguas waterfall.    What was so unique was the steepness of the sides of mountains on which oxen-furrowed farming takes place and how every available space has been used to grow a majority of the vegetables for the entire country.

We stopped to admire the vistas, the well manicured rows of crops, the native foliage and the natural beauty.  It was easy to recognize the garlic fields from the strong pungent smell.  The ride in the back of the "equipment truck" to the 100 foot waterfall was very eventful.  The extremely pothole-filled dirt road coupled with minimum quality shock-absorbers made for a very rollicking, "yeehaw" ride; a ride that we will not soon forget since they didn't supply seat belts with the "home made" passenger seats,  For over an hour going and an hour plus returning, we "rocked and rolled", holding on to each other and a few times to the overhead roll bar for dear life.  We now know what riding a bare back bronco in a rodeo feels like.   We all laughed at each other A LOT

having more fun than senior citizens are really suppose to have.  Didn't take much to entertain us tho.' I enjoyed this experience and would do it again in a minute.

Arriving at the waterfall, our expectations were definitely satisfied. Gorgeous! amazing! and spectacular! were our thoughts.  The pool of water below the waterfall was so clear but chilling cold. I tested the water temperature...definitely stimulating.  Feeling like I was on a Venture scout hike, I so wanted to jump in though from the rock ledge close by and cool off but didn't bring my suit.

A few picture moments, sharing our sack lunch with the tour guides, and spending this time with good friends and "my best friend" made for an exceptionally educational and memorable day.

This moment gave us an appreciation for the size and variety of food needed to support the people of this country and the amazing beauty of this part of the world.   Randy