Things are going well for me in Haiti right now. I took some time to set my room up, and make my space a little more comfortable. I have books and our project folders lined up on my desk, clothes hanging, and on the top bunk of my bed I’ve organized other clothes and stuff needed for showers etc. The water was running today, which may account for why I’m in such a good mood! I also went to the mache a (market) with two other volunteers, Kerry and Meredith. Kerry taught me how to negotiate prices in Creole, and how to pick ripe mangos, pineapples, and papayas out. I also tried this starchy, biscuit-like snack made from cassava root and ground spices which was very yummy and cost about 5 cents. It was a nice 50 min hike/walk to the market, so I got some exercise too. I tried putting all the fruit into a big yellow bowl I also bought and balancing it on my head for the walk home like the Haitians do, but I sucked at it. I settled on balancing it on my shoulder instead.
Tomorrow is Sunday, so Mike and I will be going to leglize in the Pepto-Bismal building (aka very pink church). Another long term volunteer, Meredith, is going with us. He warned us that church services last for about 2 hours or more, so he will instruct us as to where to sit so we can make a swift exist after communion. 200 people + 80 degrees= Erin leaves church ASAP.
Mike and I have been doing meetings and having conversations with APF members, and things are looking good for us now! Although people are enthusiastic in talking with us, it is slow going because we don’t speak Creole, yet. Our “official” lessons start Monday at 2. Many, many Haitian men are interested in giving me Creole lessons however, so I have been learning a bit more than Mike, lol. We have created a work schedule this week that mostly revolves around doing interviews with teachers and students at St. Antoine school via translator Maurice. The dinner bell is ringing now, bye bye to all
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