A Toast for Happiness, Haitian Style

I am a few days late in updating my 'weekly' blog. But then again, its been pretty quiet around here. Most of the volunteers, board members and guests departed and Andrew the PT that has been with us for a month is leaving on Saturday. I think he is ready to go as he has been talking about the Superbowl on Sunday and watching the commercials. Since we don't have a television yet, we won't even be watching Haitian soap operas.

Saturday is a pretty big day around here. John (Jean) aka Frankie Superman is getting married to Modaline. He's getting pretty excited- a bit distracted even at times. Its easy to tease him. He seriously replies 'oh I understand madame gail' but its obviously I would have to explain further so we just laugh. Al and I are the Best Man and Best Lady (or Mother or Lady in Waiting) which means we get to be in a Haitian wedding. This is another first for us both.

I asked John, 'will we get to actually eat some of the wedding cake?' I explained that at the reception following the wedding it is traditional for the bride and groom to cut the cake and feed each other the first bite. Then their guests will each get a piece of the cake. He very seriously said ' Oh no we don't do that but you are my moder so you will get some of the cake. '

I have been to a reception in 2009 and then to the wedding and reception of Mercia's daughter last December- neither time did they cut the cake or eat it. Apparently, it is traditional divided and given to special people and family members and eaten the following week. Not sure I should mess with tradition but holy cow who wants to wait a week to eat wedding cake?

Today the Haitian electorate council is supposed to make the announcement of accepting or declining the OAS recommendation for the presidential run off race in March. Who will be running in the second round election? We know Mirlande Manigat won the first round but not by enough votes to win outright. Thus the necessary run off elections. The 2 runner ups, Martelly and Celestin were mere thousands of votes and percentage point apart. Because of suspected fraudulent balloting, OAS became involved with a recount and review. All of the people we talk to say that Martelly should have won, he is the more popular candidate. Celestin is Prevals' party candidate (and in fact, seems to be in a relationship with one of the presidents daughters). No one wants more of the same...from the ineffective government of the past year and not more of the same of the past 5 years. Interesting to note, Preval is the only president that has completed both of his terms. So while he probably has been ineffective in many respects, during this two terms, it has been relatively peaceful and he has obviously not skipped to France or South Africa with millions of Haitian tax dollars. So we watch and wait and expect that with the news, there will be manifestations again. Helicopters are crisscrossing the clear blue skies since early morning, no doubt looking for possible trouble spots.

One can only hope that the Haitian people will accept the news peacefully but determined to elect the president of their choosing in March 27. It means that they need to be strong enough in the face of the challenges they will meet as they go to the polling stations. They have the strength as we have seen this past year, but only if they can see the benefits that new leadership can bring to Haiti. For most, this is the difficult part. People in Haiti tend to live for the day; past history doesn't give them hope for a better tomorrow.

So for John and Modaline, I will toast their happiness, wish them many better tomorrows and hope they will voice their desire for this by voting in March. Love to them, peace to Haiti.