Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Dominican Countryside






I took a tour of the Dominican Countryside, today. Technically to do some shopping at the marketplace. It was wonderful. First we stopped at the primary school. School is only mandatory for ages 6-8years old. Then secondary school is optional for ages 9-12yrs. High school is 5 years optional and the final 2 years are to teach a technical skill. Only 10% go on to a university. The public university is $30 a semester and the private Catholic university is $650 a semester. The government allows only a certain number of doctors and lawyers in the country.
The next stop was the Higuey Basilica. In the 1200s the cathedral was built by the people of Higuey. The tallest arch is 240ft and symbolizes the hands of Mother Mary praying for us. Those of us wearing shorts or showing our knees were greeted by an altar girl who had skirts for us to wear to cover our knees.

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