The Dajabón Markets are the biggest in the entire country. They are situated right on the border with Haiti, and are held every Monday and Friday. The city that holds the market is only 40 minutes away from Monte Cristi, and although we have been there before with banking tasks, this was our first time to the market. It is notorious for its multitude of pickpockets and an enormous crush of people, and therefore the markets are not really that enticing to many foreigners. But being Easter we figured it would be slightly less intense and went to check it out.
This market accounts for a major part of the trade in Northern Haiti. You see, the market is a border market, a huge tax-free shop if you will. Haitians can come there to sell their goods, and pick up much needed supplies from the much larger economy of the DR. A massive line of people with wheelbarrows are constantly crossing the footbridge that spans the river and connects the market to Haiti, loaded to the brim with goods bought and sold, keeping the market going. But a huge number of Dominicans also go to the market. Especially for the excellent selection of clothing and shoes. We have been told that much of what Haiti receives in terms of aid is in the form of clothing, which in turn gets gathered together by enterprising people there and shipped off to the market where the Dominicans buy it. It is a pretty amazing spectacle.
Several thousands of people pack the market area, and sell a larger variety of wares than what we have seen so far in this country, although its hard to tell, as the crowd flows like a river and stopping for too long will almost certainly get you hit in the shin by a rusty wheelbarrow, run over by some vendor on a motorcyle or pickpocketed blind by passersby. It feels almost more like a carnival ride then a day out shopping.
But I loved it. What a great experience, the vibe was surprisingly positive, and although it being one of the busiest places I have been, it still felt friendly and relaxed. And although this part of the country most of the time feels far removed from the goings-on in the rest of the world. The market buzzes with trade, business and life, and feels like a place with real impact and significance to scores of people on both sides of this border.