Saturday, May 14, 2011

Inaugural Day in Haiti

Clear blue skies on the morning of a new president taking office, voices singing in neighborhood soon were drowned out by sounds of construction below my apartment.
The current group of guests made an early morning trip to Kenskoff for site seeing and adding to the economy by making some purchases
I spent a little bit of time to relaxing on my lovely faded yellow pool lounge surrounded by the sounds of the day- contruction workers dragging rebar is intermingled with a motor of something, helicopters buzzing the skies like a bee hive, waterfall from the pool fountain all muffle the bird calls. Gray and white clouds occasionally block the sun and cause a slight breeze to temporarily brush aside the heat.
The past 2 days traffic has been intense with dignataries arriving from around the world to witness the inaugeration of Haiti's newest president- kompas king Michel Martelly. The city has been busy sprucing up some of the walls with portraits of Martelly, adding pink painted backdrops.
For 30 minutes I watched a hummingbird flit and hover over the flowers focusing on the beauty that is in front of my eyes this morning. I can't but wonder what changes will occur over the course of months (and years).
In the eyes of Haitians everywhere, there is hope, hope leads to inspiration, inspiration brings change. The challenge will be to create the change that stimulates the economy, improves schools and health systems, build infrastructure, and gets people back in to homes and out of tents.
The King of Kompas, President Michel Martelly is up for the challenge!