So for my Design Class, we had a competition where we had to create some sort of connection between a border, typically between 2 countries. This also had to take place during the year 2074, so much of this is based on our creation. My group decided to create something for the Haiti-Dominican Republic border. We had to create a narrative to go along with it, to basically walk someone through our project. We created a bridge that also acts as a market, as we chose 2 towns that have an existing trade. 

I would also like to put a disclaimer that none of my group, neither me, are from these countries. One person has family in the DR, but we do not have any personal experience. That being said, we all put in a lot of research to make sure this was authentic and true to the 2 countries. I know there is major unrest between the two at the current time and in history, so remember that this is a work of fiction, of something we created for design class. 

If anything we have created offends anyone, I am deeply sorry. It was not anyone's intention to hurt or offend. This was literally the only non-stressful part of this assignment, so it was for fun. 

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Merging Markets

Globally, climate change is occurring, posing serious problems for the present and future. Internationally, sea levels are rising, droughts, hurricanes, and deforestation are occurring all due to the use of fossil fuels.

Haiti, a nation defined by poverty and its barren landscape. Poverty has led the country to deplete the natural resources on their side of the island. On the other side, the Dominican Republic is surrounded by lush forests. The Dominican Republic has access to fossil fuels allowing for natural life to be left untouched. The two nations inhabiting the island share similarities but are divided by access to resources. As time passes climate change takes over. In 2060 all fossil fuels have been depleted and the Dominican Republic has had to lift its felling restrictions and begin using their forests to maintain their lifestyles.

By 2074, both nations look the same but are feeling the effects of climate change badly. An agreement between the two countries is created to try and maximize their efforts to renew and recover from climate change. A pilot program crossing is planned, using the idea of markets, like the ones they used to have, as well as art and performance to bring the two nations together.

Sitting at the edge of Haiti is the town of Ouanaminthe. In Ouanaminthe lives Mirlande, a struggling yet wise woman who is saddened by the effects of climate change on her town. Across town, her husband is working on one of the few sweet potato farms left in the area. She approaches her small home with her family after trading at the local marketplace down the street. Her kids, having just arrived home from school, welcome her home and take the items from the market. Before going in, she briefly looks out in the direction of the old bridge that used to stretch over the Massacre River. In its place was the new crossing, a bridge with multiple spaces for markets, dances, community gatherings. Mirlande just looks at it, waiting for the day she can travel to it and experience the crossing for herself. Little does she know, that time is coming much sooner that she ever thought.

In Dajabón, Brigham, a prideful family man looks out on the barren landscape that was once plentiful with trees. He stands in his fields tending to his cocoa trees after briefly returning home to greet his family, his wife, a stay-at-home mom, is cooking with her in-laws, who live with them. The kids are running about the house helping out with daily chores after arriving home from school.

After eating, he returns to his farmland to prepare for the market. He begins cutting down the cocoa pods and loading them into a wooden crate. After filling the crate he decides to carry the crate to his stand at the marketplace to begin his preparations for trading. He journeys down the dirt-covered path running along the Massacre River. Arriving at the market, he locates his stand and sets the crate down under his tent. As he turns to return home, he notices the new crossing both Haiti and the Dominican Republic have created. Remembering that tomorrow is the day he can go to the markets to sell his crops, he continues on his way, looking forward to his trip.

In the morning, Mirlande gets ready for the day. Discussing what the upcoming day will hold for the family, she gets a shock. Needing more food for the house, Mirlande is to go to the bridge and see what the people at the markets have to offer. Gathering a few baskets, she sets off on her journey. Passing through the town, she greets people on the way, trying to get to the market as quickly as possible.

Brigham woke up at sunrise, ready to harvest the last of the crops before heading to the markets to sell. After gathering all the cocoa together, he grabs several crates and makes his way down to the bridge. Arriving at the bridge, he finds an available stall and sets up his stand for the day. Looking around him, Brigham notices all the other sellers, stalls full fresh fruit and crops from both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Eventually, he will get a chance to walk the market himself, and buy the products his family needs.

Mirlande, finally arriving at the bridge, is in awe of what she sees. Five market spaces, with a range of products, stand in front of her. Feeling overwhelmed, she didn't know where to start. Walking around to get her bearings, Mirlande holds her baskets tight. Deciding to start with the fresh produce, she sets off the look at what each seller has.

Brigham, at his stand, sees a woman looking slightly overwhelmed. He can understand, as he was the same when he first came to the market. Deciding to lend a helping hand, he beckons her to his stand.

"I noticed you seem a little overwhelmed. Is this your first time at the market?" he asks.

Mirlande looks relieved as she says, "yes, I have only ever seen it from afar. I never realized just how big it is. How do you ever get used to it?"

Brigham thinks for a moment before responding, "one day, it won't seem so scary. It will simply become a place you can buy what you need and be on your way."

Mirlande glances around the produce area once again. It all still feels overwhelming for her, so she decides to continue asking Brigham questions. "Are you from Haiti or the Dominican Republic?" she asks.

"The Dominican Republic. I come from Dajabón, the town this bridge crosses into. Where do you come from, if you don't mind me asking?"

Mirlande smiles, "I come from Ouanaminthe, the town in Haiti this bridge crosses to." Both look around the market, seeing that many are still setting up. Brigham then has an idea.

"Would you like me to show you around the market before it gets too busy?" Brigham offers.

Mirlande looks taken aback. "I wouldn't want to keep you from your stand, you have produce to sell. Cocoa pods, am I correct?"

"Yes, I have a small farm where my family and I grow cocoa. And it wouldn't be any trouble. The market can get overwhelmed quite quickly when you don't know where to go." Brigham offers Mirlande a smile, gesturing to the market around them.

"Well then, we best be off so you can get back to your stand as quickly as possible," Mirlande replies with a smile of her own.

The two walk around the market space they are currently in, Brigham explaining that it is used to see fresh produce, like his cocoa pods and fruits.

Mirlande began to feel more relaxed as Brigham explained the ins and outs of the marketplace. She was starting to understand how to navigate through a space. Once they are done in the produce area, Brigham directs her to the next market, where the food vendors set up. While walking over, Mirlande notes how the roof above the market is orange. Looking around, she realizes that all the roofs have different colors. Making a mental note to remember which color belongs to which market, she asks what this next space is.

"Well, this area is for the different food vendors to sell their culinary creations," Brigham responds. "A place for the foods of both Haiti and the Dominican Republic to reach the people from both countries."

One man was selling the traditional rice and beans, another woman selling a fruit parfait collection. Quite a few stalls had different types of bread, while others had some local candy for the kids. Something Mirlande noticed was just how many kids were beginning to show up. Some were with their parents, carrying the items they bought. Others, she realized, were setting up stands of their own.

"Oh, do children sell at this market too?" she asked.

Brigham nodded, "Yes, the children set up in the middle of the market areas so we can keep an eye on them. But don't let that fool you, they know just how to make you buy their product." Brigham laughed, noting how one child was already haggling with an older man on his food.

Moving on down the bridge, they walk until Mirlande spots some eye catching clothes. She is drawn to the colorful scarves being hung on the side of a station beneath a red awning, "as you can probably guess this is where you can find clothing," Brigham remarks. Mirlande nods, "everything is so vibrant. It seems like everything is from Haiti, do you see anything from your country?"

"Yes, the market is organized so there is ample space for both countries." Brigham states gesturing across the aisle, "Over there you can see there are people from Ouanaminthe and Dajabón are setting up next to each other. This market is a good neutral space for everyone to trade without favoring one town over the other."

As they begin to move to the next market space Mirlande looks up taking note of the yellow roof above her. They approach the next market, which was covered by an expansive purple roof, passing by the tall cattails and mangrove in the openings in the bridge. "Here is where you can find art. You can also find people entertaining the crowds with music," Brigham mentions seeing a woman setting up with her guitar. "I can't even tell which art is from which side of the island. I never expected everything to be so similar," Mirlande comments as they navigate through the various stations and aisles.

"Well, we have reached the end of this side of the bridge. There is one last market, shall we head in that direction?" Brigham asks.

"Sure. It is hard to believe how much fits on this bridge." Mirlande says as they navigate to the other end of the bridge. They pass all the colorful marketspaces, seeing the stands filling with product and people weaving through the aisles with full baskets. "It is so convenient for everything to be organized like this. Markets back home are so unorganized with everything scattered throughout the market."

They enter the open market covered by a blue roof where people are moving fences for their livestock. "I don't know how much we want to linger near the animals, the smell can become a little too potent." Brigham jokes. Mirlande smiles, "Yes, the combination of pigs, cows, and chickens can be a bit much. Shall we go back to your stand before it becomes too busy?"

Brigham agrees, leading Mirlande and himself back to where he had set up. "Well, I hope that was helpful." Brigham states.

"Absolutely, I am sure I would have gotten overwhelmed without your help. Thank you." Mirlande states.

As they parted ways, both going back to their original purpose for the day, the walk discussions they had had during their walk stuck with them. Mirlande continued on her way through the market, gathering fresh foods for her family, as well as buying a painting to brighten up her home. Before leaving, she stops by Brigham's stand once more.

"I just wanted to thank you again for everything you did for me today. I honestly don't know how I would have never found my way around if it weren't for you," Mirlande thanks him.

Brigham just shakes his head. "I know just how crazy it can be on your first trip here. I just did what I wished someone would have done for me. I am glad I could help."

"I do hope to see you again someday, Brigham. I would like to consider you a friend, so hopefully our conversations can continue. I would love to continue learning about the Dominican Republic, and I am sure my family would too," Mirlande said, gathering all her things.

Brigham smiled brightly, "I would like that. I wish you a great rest of your day and look forward to our next meeting. Goodbye Mirlande."

Mirlande journeys home, thinking over everything she had learned that day. When she arrives home, she immediately calls over her family and begins telling them everything. The kids take in her stories with excitement, absorbing as much information as possible, while her husband just listens. All of them would like to go down to the market one day, to be able to experience all of this for themselves. Maybe even one day, one of the kids can have their own selling station.

Brigham arrives home, bringing what is left of his cocoa pods back with him. Greeting his wife, they prepare dinner with food he purchased at the market. When the whole family sits down to eat dinner, Brigham recalls his day, how he met Mirlande, and all he learned from her. His wife seems excited, hoping to meet Mirlande herself, as she wants to learn more about Haiti and its people.

On the next market day, Mirlande arrives early in the morning with one of her children in tow, explaining all Brigham had told her the previous visit. Catching sight of a familiar face, Mirlande waves to Brigham, who has set up in the produce area, and continues on with her shopping. 

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What did you think?? It was my first time doing something like this, but I think it came out fairly good.

Also, let me know if I should include an image of our final design. This narrative is the intro to our project, but I cannot share our entire board. But I would be happy to add a visual aid if anyone wants one.