Pomme's Paradise

On Monday we went to go see Pomme at his Paradise. Pomme is a man that lives in a clearing surrounded by mountains in the middle of the Dominican jungle. He grows all of his own food (fruits/ vegetables) and herbs, and raises goats, chickens, and horses. Pomme lives in a similar fashion that Moses does in that they both grow their own food and are very resourceful with living off the land. Pomme however, is completely off the grid. He and his wife do not have electricity running to their house, and they also have very little, if any modern items. Another difference between Pomme’s Paradise and where Moses lives is the accessibility. Moses lives at the trail head of the Victoria Falls Trail and cars can come all the way to there. On the other hand, Pomme lives quite a ways from any roads. On the way to Pomme’s we had to cross multiple fields and rivers, and climb up a steep, stone walkway. It took our group around one hour and fifteen minutes to reach his land and house. It is quite possible that we were slower on this hike because many of us hiked the Boiling Lake Trail on the previous day which was a six and a half round trip hike.

Pomme had a strong opinion on health and felt that prevention should be the focus. He mentioned that Doctors and Pharmacists make money prescribing and selling medications that help treat diseases, but not cure or prevent a disease from occurring. I feel that this is a very important concept that many of us in the modernized western cultures sometimes forget about. Many of us do not take time each day for personal time and to unwind. Also, when we are in a crunch for time, many times our own health is put on the back burner. Going along with that, stress can cause and exacerbate many health conditions and is something that everyone should learn how to control. Pomme also spoke about he feels that we as human’s need to get back to how Adam and Eve lived. We only need food, shelter, and clothing to survive. Everyone wants more and more stuff, but many times we do not stop and think about those who are less fortunate and do not have at least one of the three necessary things for survival. Pomme said that we need to get back to loving our neighbors, wherever they may be found. This was the biggest message that I have learned during this rotation.

I’m sad that there are only four more days until we have to leave Dominica!

Eric