Monday, October 14, 2013
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Eating Mangoes Over the Kitchen Sink...
Having Friday off, not because of Cholera as I expected but probably more along the lines of severe indigestion-slash-heat exhaustion, I was entitled to a three-day weekend. Needless to say I was spent on Friday and spent most of my time in bed and then doing laundry, so I was ready to venture on Saturday. Genevieve was unavailable for our usual market strut because she was leading an orientation for the free English classes she gives in St Marc. So, at breakfast I tagged along with Patrick who was going into St Marc to go to the bank. The bank in St Marc, and I'll go ahead and assume in the rest of Haiti as well, is like the DMV only without numbers. The wait, and disconcern for your human nature is the same. Afterwards we sauntered to the market in St Marc. I hadn't been here for awhile and I only say 'sauntered' because the sun was beginning to make it's mark. Earlier in the morning I fluffed my feathers and thought, "I can go to the market alone, I speak French, I've been before, I can do it." And, no. Especially in St Marc where Creole is the norm and French does only lend itself to those who could afford to learn it. I bought papayas to make more fruit leather, always avocadoes, and found a new character, a man selling machetes that he casually (Patrice) slung across his body. I let him make way through the throngs; followed him through the mosh pit. We found a moto and came back to the school. I only got to pit one of the papaya's, one was horribly over-ripe to the point that the seeds were grey. So, I did get ripped off in that sense. So, this morning I asked the chef in the cafeteria here how to tell when a papaya is ripe. No more of that nonsense. The fruit leather I started yesterday morning is still in the oven. Either I mixed something wrong or the power really has been fluctuating that much this weekend; I say the power, but that's just me.
We came back, got lunch and went straight to Montruis. Patrice had gone yesterday with Marc Andre (not Anthony as I would have liked to have believed) during his bike lesson. Everyone here knows someone who knows someone who is a property manager for a "beach front property". So, we rode in on Marc Andre's coattails (kind of literally, we were on his bike for about a 30 minute ride, yes about 50-60 mph, open road, no helmet, God is with us...) and strode into an amazing property. The house was idyllic. I knew at that moment if I could live there, I would never leave. It is owned by a couple who live in Port-au-Prince and rarely come on the weekends, leaving it open to...us! There was even a pool that was said could be filled for 500 Gourdes, or, I'm estimating here, around $12. Not bad. I found mangoes on the way in, we bought some cold Prestige and were set. We stayed until the sunset. Montruis is my favorite beach so far because the shoreline is really rocky and covered in sea urchins (Chacos, best invention EVER!) and coral and fish so tons to see. We walked around the cove and stumbled upon Indigo Bay, which is a private resort on the coast. It was a stark, stark difference to what we know so far in Haiti. I thought, imagine coming here and this is your only idea of Haiti, obscene. So, we stole a chair, bought some coconuts and pretended we were there too; until we got kicked out. Fine, we can swim for free, in the same ocean, about 500 yards away. We also figured out a way to get on the salt boats that skim the coast and end up in Port-au-Prince. They're gorgeous and remind me of Somalian pirate boats--at least the photos I've seen. I'm dying to go down the coast on one.
We finally made it back to school in the dark and grabbed our saved plates from the cafeteria. On our way back, we came upon a parade of sorts. The St Marc soccer team had just won their league standing. I felt like I was riding through the reports you see on TV, uncontrolled people in dark streets, gas torches shooting into the night sky, random people screaming, "blanc! blanc!". I thought it was the end. And I was just on the back of a bike! Luckily I was on the back of Marc Andre's bike and everything was fine; still alive Mom!
Today I woke up early, put laundry in and made coffee at home!! Ah, the little things. After breakfast I cleaned the lot of shells we collected in the beach in the washing machine (don't tell anyone) and cleaned a trashy corner in our house. Somehow this house 'accumulates' things from previous inhabitants. Nothing is thrown out because: they don't know whose it is, it was here when they got here, or I think she's coming back next year. Vunderbar, I'm throwing it away. In the midst of all that I found business envelopes I needed, more stickers for the kids I needed, Bananagrams which I was craving to play (already started Doran and Sumpter!), a FAN that WORKS, and....snorkling masks and flippers! What!! Which is what I've been dying for at Montruis. So, chalk it up, great day, finished by digging into those mangoes over the sink (cutting like Cheatham!). Tasty devils. Here's hoping your Sunday was as equally rewarding and fantastic!
We came back, got lunch and went straight to Montruis. Patrice had gone yesterday with Marc Andre (not Anthony as I would have liked to have believed) during his bike lesson. Everyone here knows someone who knows someone who is a property manager for a "beach front property". So, we rode in on Marc Andre's coattails (kind of literally, we were on his bike for about a 30 minute ride, yes about 50-60 mph, open road, no helmet, God is with us...) and strode into an amazing property. The house was idyllic. I knew at that moment if I could live there, I would never leave. It is owned by a couple who live in Port-au-Prince and rarely come on the weekends, leaving it open to...us! There was even a pool that was said could be filled for 500 Gourdes, or, I'm estimating here, around $12. Not bad. I found mangoes on the way in, we bought some cold Prestige and were set. We stayed until the sunset. Montruis is my favorite beach so far because the shoreline is really rocky and covered in sea urchins (Chacos, best invention EVER!) and coral and fish so tons to see. We walked around the cove and stumbled upon Indigo Bay, which is a private resort on the coast. It was a stark, stark difference to what we know so far in Haiti. I thought, imagine coming here and this is your only idea of Haiti, obscene. So, we stole a chair, bought some coconuts and pretended we were there too; until we got kicked out. Fine, we can swim for free, in the same ocean, about 500 yards away. We also figured out a way to get on the salt boats that skim the coast and end up in Port-au-Prince. They're gorgeous and remind me of Somalian pirate boats--at least the photos I've seen. I'm dying to go down the coast on one.
We finally made it back to school in the dark and grabbed our saved plates from the cafeteria. On our way back, we came upon a parade of sorts. The St Marc soccer team had just won their league standing. I felt like I was riding through the reports you see on TV, uncontrolled people in dark streets, gas torches shooting into the night sky, random people screaming, "blanc! blanc!". I thought it was the end. And I was just on the back of a bike! Luckily I was on the back of Marc Andre's bike and everything was fine; still alive Mom!
Today I woke up early, put laundry in and made coffee at home!! Ah, the little things. After breakfast I cleaned the lot of shells we collected in the beach in the washing machine (don't tell anyone) and cleaned a trashy corner in our house. Somehow this house 'accumulates' things from previous inhabitants. Nothing is thrown out because: they don't know whose it is, it was here when they got here, or I think she's coming back next year. Vunderbar, I'm throwing it away. In the midst of all that I found business envelopes I needed, more stickers for the kids I needed, Bananagrams which I was craving to play (already started Doran and Sumpter!), a FAN that WORKS, and....snorkling masks and flippers! What!! Which is what I've been dying for at Montruis. So, chalk it up, great day, finished by digging into those mangoes over the sink (cutting like Cheatham!). Tasty devils. Here's hoping your Sunday was as equally rewarding and fantastic!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Me & Rose Darline...
I spent naptime today with Miss. Rose Darline. How can you choose just one? Everyday I say, this one, no this one, or this one, until, by the end of the day I've named each one my favorite. Even Olwitch who never, ever stops fidgiting or bopping or talking or mumbling; never. Yesterday Olwitch was one of the few in the class to say, "one red circle" when we were using my flash cards to talk about one and two and weave together the words we knew already with a new one. He got it.
Anyway, it was hot again and everyone was dragging. We all have our upcoming vacation at the end of October (a whole week! drool Americans!) and these days and weeks are taking just a little longer to get through.
But, today, I relaxed with Rose. She cracks me up. I understood absolutely none of her Creole. Well, I take that back, since I started Creole lessons this week with Lulu who works in the cafeteria, I could pick up on about five and try to piece together what she was saying. But, her expressions are priceless and like Keen from my first year at ISC, I think we're going to start sharing a few very shortly.
The booming thunder just burst into torrential rain. Which is good because the water they've been shipping in is incredibly hard. The kind of hard water where you never feel clean. Which really sucks here because after being sweaty and sticky and having kids cough and sneeze and clamor all over you, you really just want to get clean in the shower. Also a haircut is approaching...which will be interesting. I think I would freak the kids out if I shaved my head.
Enjoy these videos, I'm going to get in bed with a book and the rain (yes, it's 8:30). Bonne nuit!
Anyway, it was hot again and everyone was dragging. We all have our upcoming vacation at the end of October (a whole week! drool Americans!) and these days and weeks are taking just a little longer to get through.
But, today, I relaxed with Rose. She cracks me up. I understood absolutely none of her Creole. Well, I take that back, since I started Creole lessons this week with Lulu who works in the cafeteria, I could pick up on about five and try to piece together what she was saying. But, her expressions are priceless and like Keen from my first year at ISC, I think we're going to start sharing a few very shortly.
The booming thunder just burst into torrential rain. Which is good because the water they've been shipping in is incredibly hard. The kind of hard water where you never feel clean. Which really sucks here because after being sweaty and sticky and having kids cough and sneeze and clamor all over you, you really just want to get clean in the shower. Also a haircut is approaching...which will be interesting. I think I would freak the kids out if I shaved my head.
Enjoy these videos, I'm going to get in bed with a book and the rain (yes, it's 8:30). Bonne nuit!
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
First Month in Haiti
The kids came to school in their uniforms on Tuesday. Officially, school does not begin in Haiti until the first of October. The kids here soldiered on straight from summer camp into their first week of school September 2nd. But, they couldn't wear their uniforms because, I guess, it was illegal for them to actually "be in school." So we called it a 'camp' and they came in 'civies'--VMI? Military School? Small children? French director? Matilda? Hmmm.
Anyway, they came on Tuesday. I had totally forgotten about it as I try to stuff everyday into the bottom of my bad as I head up the hill for my shower. It isn't that bad, but if you're reading this and are also a teacher of 25+, even 5+ small children, you know what I mean. They are cute as buttons but as Elvis liked to say at times the "Devil in Disguise", oh yes they are. It's hard in the midst of the morning (I feel like I've been sent to the Congo 50 times by 11am) to reflect back on all the little cute things they did in the past four hours that ripped your heart out and made you squeeze them until they begged you to stop (which they never do, they always ask for more affection); but you try to. And at the end of the day, when someone asks you how your day was, you begin to stifle your first response of, "What day? You mean my war zone?" or, "I feel like I was in a car wreck, I just shut my eyes and held my breath until it was over and then after tried to forget that it ever happened," and instead replace it with some of the videos and pictures below.
(just a short note, one of the videos shows Lorvens, yes Lorvens, in front of the class leading a small group of classmates in some of the animal yoga poses I do with them after recess. The flash cards he is using aren't even the same ones I use, but he found the same animals on them himself and wrangled up his classmates and did a great job. This was a turning point for Lorvens and I to say the least) (oh, also Rose Darline singing "Merrily, Merrily" from "Row, Row, Row..you get it", on her own. She was doing it better earlier but is very camera shy, you'll remember her from our little photo shoot and also a photo below of her very frilly bloomers. Which, in the spirit of Rose, she loves to show off first thing every morning. She beams right at me when she sees me and says, "Mademoiselle, look at my pretty skirt, look at my pretty shirt, look what my mom bought me," caressing all of her clothes as if they were made of velour. And today, "Mademoiselle, look at my underwear." So of course, that initiated a chorus of skirts being lifted and everyone showing their underwear. I don't care if your Haitian or American, all 3-year-olds love to show of their panties. That she falls out of the trashcan at the end of the video is an added bonus).
What else is here...photos from dinner out last night in St Marc for my roommate Christina's 21st birthday (yes, 21), and my Shrimp with 'Haitian Sauce', it's all the waiter would tell me. Lots from the first day in their uniforms and at breakfast. And a few from naptime today and "Mr. Ham" himself, Manndy. He asked me (Vinene translated for me) to buy him a soccer ball. Out of the blue, this is what he said. Then he said he wanted coffee and bread. So, I drew him a cup of coffee. He scoffed at me, "This isn't what I asked you for!". So, we made him color it to keep him busy for at least 5 minutes until nap was over. Oh, and a photo of John Kerry completely passed out, please notice the puddle of urine under his chair, really caps it off in describing naptime here in PSB. Gotta love 'em.
Anyway, they came on Tuesday. I had totally forgotten about it as I try to stuff everyday into the bottom of my bad as I head up the hill for my shower. It isn't that bad, but if you're reading this and are also a teacher of 25+, even 5+ small children, you know what I mean. They are cute as buttons but as Elvis liked to say at times the "Devil in Disguise", oh yes they are. It's hard in the midst of the morning (I feel like I've been sent to the Congo 50 times by 11am) to reflect back on all the little cute things they did in the past four hours that ripped your heart out and made you squeeze them until they begged you to stop (which they never do, they always ask for more affection); but you try to. And at the end of the day, when someone asks you how your day was, you begin to stifle your first response of, "What day? You mean my war zone?" or, "I feel like I was in a car wreck, I just shut my eyes and held my breath until it was over and then after tried to forget that it ever happened," and instead replace it with some of the videos and pictures below.
(just a short note, one of the videos shows Lorvens, yes Lorvens, in front of the class leading a small group of classmates in some of the animal yoga poses I do with them after recess. The flash cards he is using aren't even the same ones I use, but he found the same animals on them himself and wrangled up his classmates and did a great job. This was a turning point for Lorvens and I to say the least) (oh, also Rose Darline singing "Merrily, Merrily" from "Row, Row, Row..you get it", on her own. She was doing it better earlier but is very camera shy, you'll remember her from our little photo shoot and also a photo below of her very frilly bloomers. Which, in the spirit of Rose, she loves to show off first thing every morning. She beams right at me when she sees me and says, "Mademoiselle, look at my pretty skirt, look at my pretty shirt, look what my mom bought me," caressing all of her clothes as if they were made of velour. And today, "Mademoiselle, look at my underwear." So of course, that initiated a chorus of skirts being lifted and everyone showing their underwear. I don't care if your Haitian or American, all 3-year-olds love to show of their panties. That she falls out of the trashcan at the end of the video is an added bonus).
What else is here...photos from dinner out last night in St Marc for my roommate Christina's 21st birthday (yes, 21), and my Shrimp with 'Haitian Sauce', it's all the waiter would tell me. Lots from the first day in their uniforms and at breakfast. And a few from naptime today and "Mr. Ham" himself, Manndy. He asked me (Vinene translated for me) to buy him a soccer ball. Out of the blue, this is what he said. Then he said he wanted coffee and bread. So, I drew him a cup of coffee. He scoffed at me, "This isn't what I asked you for!". So, we made him color it to keep him busy for at least 5 minutes until nap was over. Oh, and a photo of John Kerry completely passed out, please notice the puddle of urine under his chair, really caps it off in describing naptime here in PSB. Gotta love 'em.
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