What do I call this posting for November? A month of fun, foolishness, frustration and its not over...My pictures are not in order of all of this but maybe in order after all.
Despite traffic insanity - there is no other name for it and manifestations (demonstrations) daily for the past weeks we've managed to keep our perspective and have some fun at the end of the day. We sometime have to remind ourselves its important to keep a balance for our health. We have found ourselves going 'back' to work after dinner, to continue what we couldn't finish during the daylight hours.
All Saints Day into AlI Souls Day started with Gedes celebration at Oloffson- the place to be on this night. You have to be prepared because it is a long night. and long wait for RAM to come to the stage. However, sometimes the crowd can be part of the show and the fun. We stayed until 3:30 because some of us still had to work the next day.
But I will write around the photos...and start with the ring. Jake is an architect working for Msaada, a project manager of the cholera hospital being built north of Port au Prince. He has been here since July. His girlfriend has been waiting patiently in Minnesota and decided to come for a visit during Thanksgiving week. Jake decided to propose...and here is the ring.
We had all week to help Jake plan how to and when to propose. We wrote a list on the white board...Should it be a romantic sunset at Boutillier or the Montana Hotel? With the afternoon clouds coming in chances are it would be raining and Jake wasn't sure he wanted to wait. So we decided we would make it memorable in another way. And involve some 'friends' Waiting for Maria at the airport.
We offered the Red Caps a Prestige if they would help us. Once they understood what was happening they were excited. We had 10 signs all with her name. They were quite cooperative and orderly- not quite the usual for them...
With Jake standing back against the wall when Maria came through customs, the men started chanting Maria, Maria and soon surrounded her as Jake came from behind, gave her flowers, went to his knee and proposed. The men cheered! She laughed and said yes!!
Maybe a bit of shock and awe expressed in her face and obvious relief on Jakes' face but before we could begin to celebrate we had to go back inside to get her bag. Maybe the first proposal at the airport- At least for Hermann Demanche who is 77 years old and told me he had worked at the airport since 1934. He gave his sign to someone else but asked if I would still buy him a Prestige.
The newly engaged couple- Jake and Maria
Driving to Jacmel for the funeral of Noel's mother. Driving in the country is a much different experience than driving in the city. Often for me much more nerve wracking. There is less traffic, true but with the 257 curves over the mountain to Jacmel, you never know who will be passing on that blind curve in front of you. For distraction, I took some photos along the route.
We see everything on moto's here. A dog on a moto is only extraordinary because its a dog on a moto. There are a lot of dogs in Haiti, ignored or abandoned in the street, or behind the cement walls guarding someones property, a few as pets. We see all kinds of things being hauled on motos- including goats, chickens, pigs, cement, tv's, 3 passengers plus a driver- still seeing the boy with his dog made me smile.
There are still so many tent communities- these actually look newer or in better shape than most especially after the rains and storms we've had. Hurricane Sandy and the after effects of flooding have added more devastation to the country this fall. Crops in so many areas were destroyed and will take at least a growing season to recover. Food shortages and spikes in the cost of food are being felt by everyone, but so far I have been able to purchase the fruit and vegetables I need for the guesthouse without too much change in costs. I've been able to get the Haitian price instead of the blan price. Now I am also getting a few gifts from some of the other merchants as they recognize me as a regular customer. The hope next time I will purchase from them.
Swimming suits for sale next to the entrance of a beach.
You can buy just about anything you might want on the street.
One reason I'm nervous driving in the country is these big trucks...they just know you will get out of their way. The drivers are fearless. Too often too reckless unfortunately and someone can not get out of the way.
Views are spectacular.
Difficult to see there are 'stick' plants on this hillside that will grow roots strong enough, fast enough to stop soil erosion in the next rainy season. Too bad they are basically stick plants- they probably are never going to be beautiful leafy bushes. Hopefully, they won't become next seasons charcoal.
Crest a hill, turn a corner and drive into rain. The wipers couldn't really keep up.
But at least we were dry inside the vehicle.
Gedes night...Oloffson.
A Latina band provided some entertainment- singing, dancing at the beginning of the evening.
So as we enter Thanksgiving week, we here at the guesthouse do have a lot to be thankful for- the camaraderie of friends far away from family. We can appreciate the sacrifices made at both ends and be thankful for the support and love received. We will have turkey and mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole and pies.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!
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