Hotel Cyvadier Jacmel

... I’m not really under the covers.

Electricity. We take it for granted in the U.S., and we panic when it’s taken away. I remember nights under the stars in Benin being thankful for the lack of “fake” light.

I could see the Milky Way.

As a practical matter, though, electricity is grand. The other night when the battery must have been on its last legs, I sat on my ...

... landed.” He seemed slightly disappointed that no one clapped on our plane. As we skidded past dilapidated remnants of crashes past, I too wondered if maybe we should have kept the tradition.

I was met at the airport by Innocence, an IDEJEN driver, and Lionel, another staff member.* IDEJEN (also known as the Haitian Out-of-School Youth Livelihoods Project) is the youth development project I will be working on for the next year. The project trains low-skilled, out ...

... pas grand chose, sinon du bel artisanat local, des artistes peintres très intéressants, une algérienne devenue haitienne avec les années, qui est prête à convertir tout passant à sa religion (Bahia, on vous en avait parlé lors de notre voyage en Inde) avant même de nous vendre ses produits artisanaux! Mention aussi pour l'architecture locale, vestiges des temps coloniaux ...

... of the UN (this is why we still don’t have a car, even if Rich’s been here already for 2 months), NOT the local people. Richard finds the local people he meets (ministers, industrial people, union leaders) very optimistic, (((&%#@#!?!?!***_*fuc*** : just had the bad news that we’re NOT moving tomorrow in the new house. After already a few postponings, the owner –again- pushes back our time to get in our future home… It has to do ...

... I hit the restroom and then go shopping. I pick up 6 bags of Café Rebo. I love the stuff. I wonder if I'm going to be able to fit it all into my carryon bag. I also purchase some vanilla and almond extract. We finish shopping and rejoin the rest of the group. There is not much to do at the Haiti airport. I buy a coke and a pastry. Paul says it is ok to eat the food here since they cater to foreign travelers. We play cards with Jerry ...

... Dominican Republic. We were told of a forecast for rain that night. So I was hoping that at least the rain would hold off for our drive back to Port-au-Prince on Sunday, as mudslides are common. The travel back was good - roads were clear. Not until I arrived back to New York City late that Sunday, did I catch on the news that this rain - was really forecasted as a tropical storm ...

... better life. Their faith is unshakable. We've been welcomed with open arms by everyone. This is the first night I've had trouble falling asleep. Must be that midafternoon nap. I hear lots of animals all night. For some reason the roosters here think it is sunrise twenty-four hours a day. Travel Tip: If you get an idea after dark (i.e. walk up a rocky mountain with a wind-up light) abandon it. It's probably not a good one!

We had our final meeting of our traveling Haiti group tonight. I can definitly feel the excitement building as we are days away. Saturday will be our send-off at 5:00 Mass. Then Sunday morning we will pack the van to take to the airport (22 large duffles of supplies). We received an email from Chris today (SJV parishoner) who is in Haiti with another group. We found ...

... with confessions, and so I went with him. Milot is a wonderful town, where King Henri Christophe built two palaces and one fortress. I share with you pictures from the Church and Palais Saint Sousi. I did not get a chance to climb up to La Citadelle. LE REVEILLON Each year Haitians celebrate Christmas with a traditional party called "Reveillon". We have many different groups in our parish, and each one of them wants to organize their own Reveillon ...

... The clinic receives oil, flour and some other food stuff, which are handed once a week. ON OTHER THINGS Though it is still warm, it has really cooled down. We have had a lot of rain, and the damage that comes with it: in late October, a rock detached from the mountain (from the rumble, it sounded like it was just around the corner). The rock damaged at least two houses and killed two of their inhabitants. Last Sunday the country held local ...