The "I Wants"

I've noticed something since being back in the land of plenty. It doesn't take long before you get sucked into the culture of wanting more.

I gave up a lot of my material things to move to Haiti knowing that I could always start over if/when I move back north. I haven't missed my stuff at all... okay, at night I occasionally fantasize about my queen size, pillow-top mattress.

I've done a fair amount of shopping since I've been home. I won't be back for quite some time so I needed to stock up on lots of things. When I first got back, going in the stores and seeing all of the choices and watching people spend, spend, spend on essentially frivolous items was kind of sickening.

As I've spent more and more time in the stores working through my "needs" list, I've been battling with increasing desire to purchase lots of things I really don't need.

I had a flash of realization that I was being impacted by the culture of consumerism when I was sitting in the parking lot at the grocery store and saw a brand new VW Touareg. My heart leapt. I WANTED one!

It would definitely not fit into a 28" duffle bag.

7 days and counting...

After howling winds all night, I woke up to 35 cm of snow this morning and a temperature of somewhere around -22 C. I had to dig out the car that my brother-in-law is letting me use while I am home. I heard on the news that this will be the first Christmas in 37 years that all of Canada will have a white Christmas.

All I can say is that in a few short days I will gladly leave all of this behind.

Little Luxuries

I'm sitting here staring at my feet yet again.

I woke up this morning with a silly little flurry of pleasure. My friend treated me to a pedicure last night as a Christmas present. I've rarely spent money on pedicures and have been doing them myself in Haiti as almost all of my shoes are open-toe. I wanted to have one while I was home but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on something so decadent.

Hmmmmm, do I buy the vitamins/ibuprofen/soap that I'll need in the next six months, or do I spend the money on pretty toes?

One thing I've discovered since I moved to Haiti, is that the little luxuries are necessary. When I initially packed to go, everything I took was sturdy, plain, and durable. When I returned in June to visit at home, I packed up some prettier, girlier items and bought a few new clothes. I never realized how much it means to at least occasionally dress up a little - or to put on some nice underwear - until after I had deleted the option. I'm still not a girly-girl, but I hope that I at least look as though I spend some time on my appearance.


Add: Its been difficult to look nice since I came north - I have only a couple of changes of clothes and hiking shoes until I get to my Mom's, and am bundled up in a sweatshirt and old winter jacket all the time. Another reason I can't wait to get back to Haiti :)

Traveling

I left Fond des Blancs on Wednesday, and flew out of Port au Prince with sadness in my heart, even though I'll be back in a few weeks. Internet access had been limited before I left so now I'm trying to get caught up.

As usual, it's strange to be back in the land of plenty. I'm staying at a friend's house in Maine until I go to Canada in a few days. I have to go shopping today, which I don't really want to do. It's difficult to reconcile the two worlds I live in.

I'm cold and can't seem to get warmed up. My feet feel numb. I located some of my winter clothes and was very happy to find that I had left my winter coat at S's house when I left for Haiti last March.

I did laundry today and forgot that a couple of cotton items were new when I took them to Haiti, and they've never seen a dryer. Now they're a couple of sizes smaller. I need to buy a few more things to take back to Haiti with me, but I'm not sure how much luck I'll have finding summer clothes here this time of year.

I'm going to try to keep up with this blog while I'm traveling, but posts may be a little more sporadic for a while.

Security

I was just down at the front gate on my way out for a quick errand. The security guard was joking around with everyone about his back-up security today. He pointed to a rock by the hedge.

It's already dead because no one let's them live for long. I occasionally will see a dead one on the road. This one actually isn't very big. The body was about 2 inches long.

If you're coming to visit, don't worry. We don't see them that often and never indoors.

Christmas Gifts

Apparently Christmas is drawing near. It's a very odd feeling to be so close to the holidays and not see any evidence of it. I'm pretty sure I will get slapped in the face with the commercialism when I get off the plane next week.

I don't usually use this blog for fundraising, but I think during the holidays many people are looking for ways to give gifts that have meaning. I also am very aware that with the downturn in the economy, people are giving less to charity. Our organization is certainly feeling the effects of it, and that in turn is being felt by our community here in Haiti. After the hurricanes, the situation really is quite dire.

If any of you are looking for something to give the person who has everything - or just doesn't want any more things - please consider visiting the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation website to make a donation in your loved one's name. The options are:

• Gift to be used where needed most - any $ amount
• Medicine for a sick child - $25
• Send a child to school for a year - $100
• Goat for a needy family - $50
• Ambulance ride for a woman in labor or a sick child - $50

You can visit St. Boniface at www.haitihealth.org

Click the red "Send a Gift to Haiti this Christmas" button at the top of the home page to make a secure donation.

Last Night

It was after dark when my friend called me.

"Come down. I'm working with the dipity to bring electricity".

"The what?"

"The dipity is bringing electricity."

"Do you mean the deputy?"

"Yeah. They're bringing electricity."

"Where are you?"

"Santon. Come down."

"Santon's a large place. Where are you?"

"Santon."

"Are you in the kafou mache?" (The carrefour marche, or market crossroad).

"Yeah, yeah. Walk carefully in the dark."

So I walked carefully from the hospital to downtown Santon. My friend was standing on top of a building in the crossroad, holding up some wires, while a bunch of other men were on the ground looking for the next place to hang it.

They had already done part of one street and had turned the corner and now hanging lights up the next one. Every 50m there was an energy saver light bulb dangling. I watched as they moved from tree to tree, pulling down some branches, climbing up and attaching the wires.

"So, why are they hanging the lights?" I asked my friend.

"Because of the fet."

(It's the feast of St. Francis, patron saint of Santon, and there's lots going on this week)

"But why didn't they do it yesterday or this afternoon? It's after dark and things have already started." (seemed like a rational question)

"Because he was in France."

"Oh, okay." (I've given up on trying to clarify answers that aren't really answers) "How long will they be up?"

"Until after Christmas. He's running for re-election."

"Oh, okay."

They finished hanging the lights, and then headed back to hook them up to the generator that was hidden behind a cactus hedge.

I must admit, it looked great to have a little light downtown.

This morning at the breakfast table, we were wondering how long it will be before all the bulbs get stolen.




To better describe my wonderful friend, he's intelligent, educated and somewhat sophisticated. Just a little ambiguous at times :)

Haiti launches malnutrition survey - Miami Herald

This article in the Miami Herald references the rapid nutrition assessments that we took part in after the storms. A more accurate survey is underway.

The article has a very good video and a some great slideshows. Please check it out.

World Aids Day

Today is World Aids Day. Please take time to do something to help.

We will be marking it in Fond des Blancs with some special events in the market area in "downtown" Santon. Photos to follow!

Update: The events that were scheduled to start at 3pm didn't get underway until 6pm - after dark. No point in taking my camera. Se konsa.