Happy Haitian Independence
Trip Start
Aug 19, 2003
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13
14
Trip End
Feb 20, 2004
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Mamonde,
Haiti
Friday, January 2, 2004
Today I am sitting in a beautiful American style house with some Baptist missionaries from Texas. I have been since the 28th and it is so nice to have all the amenities and home cooked meals over the holidays. Originally, a group of us were going to help doctors from the University of Miami but they decided not to come because of the political strife in Port-au-Prince. So we were not sure what we were going to do when we ran into Sam and Dolores, who needed help with translating for a group that is here from South Carolina. Every day, we are up at 7am to Southern-style breakfasts and out in the backwoods by 8:30am distributing medicines and handing out eyeglasses. Handing out glasses is rewarding when someone finds a nice fit and can read again or thread a needle for the first time in five years. But some people just want the free stuff eventhough they can see fine so you have to weed those people out. We are back at the ranch-style compound that is Sam and Dolores house by 4pm. They have healthy horses, four wheelers, a german shepherd, tv, movies, internet and hot showers, all of which are a rarity anywhere in Haiti. I have been spoiled for the last few days but I am looking forward to getting back to my home tomorrow because I do miss it.
Christmas! A group of us celebrated Christmas in my town. We cooked a lot of food, went to a dance party at the school I work at, attended Midnight Mass and woke up early Christmas morning and cooked more food! We raided some of the American markets in Port for stuffing, green bean casserole, potato salad, pumpkin pie, sugar cookies and chicken and beef.
Consultation
For these holidays, when we can not go home, we try our best to replicate what we would normally experience. When we were still figuring out if we were going to have the group from Miami or not, we attended a vodoo festival in the mountains. It was interesting but highly unbelievable. People were becoming "possessed" but they were doing nothing more than acting drunk and dancing around dazed. I have to say that they were not very convincing. I have heard of other fets when people do extradorinary things like old men climbing trees and kids jumping 6 feet in the air but I haven't seen any of that. To me, its pretty hoaxy and full of superstitions that often contradict each other. Suprisingly, its pretty cool where I am at right now which is also a treat. Its been getting into the high 60's. That's kinda cold for me these days. I have actually been chilly at night and during the day I usually need pants. I believe that this is becuase we are at a higher elevation. Today is the 200th anniversy of the independece of Haiti. The second oldest independent republic in the Western Hemisphere behind only the US. The first independent black republic ever. They are extremely proud of these achievements so today is the biggest holiday of the year. We are not going home until tomorrow becuase no one travels today. Aristid spent millions of dollars that he did not have for the festivities instead of feeding of the starving children. The protests resulted in the deaths of more students. A lot of people think that this is it and Aristid does not have a chance with his limited popularity. Some think that he will be run out of here soon and rumour has it that South Africa has a ship off the coast that he can escape to if he believes that he is in danger. The US does not have the resources (Iraq) or the desire (they helped Aristide before and failed) to help Haiti again and I believe that there is not a chance that the US would intervene. Where I am, people are too worried about there next meal to care about the political situation. I feel absolutely safe and I know that my community would look out for me if any protesting took place.
While I am not worried about my personal safety, I am worried that Peace Corps might be pulled out. Other volunteers have said that these rumours of evacuation have been circulating for the last 5 years and have never surfaced. I hope this is try but in Peace Corps, rumours run wild! I guess this is what happens when you don't have TV! Happy New Years to all and I hope that the coming year rewards you with many successes! I am excited to spend a full year in Haiti and I look forward to it full of hope.
