Its hard to believe August is finished. Last day. End of summer? Time to start new calendar. This is the first time I have spent the whole of August in Haiti. In general is was not any hotter than July- and actually somewhat cooler, but I do miss my summer trip to the river and hanging out with my cousins as we float around enjoying some Mike's Hard Lemonade. We started out the month with a house full of guests but ending with just 3 of us here. The tropical storm that threatened to become a hurricane caused cancelation of a couple of trips. Thankfully for us and for Haiti, the storm did not become a hurricane and cause the devastation it has caused in Louisiana, it did wreak havoc in Haiti. With still over 300,000 people without proper homes it caused enough damage to kill 24 persons, and disrupt lives and lively hood of many, many more. The government mobilized and found shelter for the most vulnerable yet homes and crops were destroyed. We at the guest house had safe shelter and sustained no damage with this storm. We are the lucky ones.
I went to Canada this month to attend a board meeting but also was able to enjoy some rest and relaxation and see some good friends. Colleen and Jeff have been inviting me to visit for years to come to Fredricton, New Brunswick. As it is about as far from Portland as Haiti is, it didn't seem like it would happen. Even though I have been going back to the states several times a year, it continues to strike me the diversity I encounter every time. The trees, the yards, the homes, the clean streets, the driving all still have an effect on me. It almost feels 'other worldly' and makes me sad for those that continue to struggle day to day. I recently viewed a you-tube video of Haiti in the 1940's, with its clean, wide streets, so few people and cars, beautiful art deco buildings and neon signs flashing- ahh, they had electricity to light up the nights. It looked more like what South Beach might look like in the 40's but with street vendors selling their mangos and coffee beans. Will Port au Prince ever be able to rise to that level again? Port au Prince, the cosmopolitan city of Haiti, of developing nations, needs to fill a few 'potholes' to get there.
Our prosthetics and orthotics workshop opened this month, filled with our staff and with students enrolled in the University of Don Bosco long distance training program. Its good to have our staff back and activity in the workshop.
The beginning of autumn. Here there isn't much of a change from season to season. No trees to change color. Hurricane season picks up its threats. School will be starting up again soon which means traffic increases and children in their colorful checked school uniforms, the little girls with matching hair ribbons and little boys with shiny shoes will be once again walking to and from their school.
Tonight is a full moon, actually a Blue Moon- which we won't see again for 3 years. I'm hoping for clear skies tonight. No storms on the horizon, no howling, just appreciation for the universe.
