Now, I hate to complain but things are not going so smoothly these days. No hydro, no water, no invertor and a crazy dog. So far my new house has only added more stress to my life. Hopefully everything is fixed soon. I've heard that in between presidents there is often not much hydro so maybe in March we will receive some hydro. We had someone come today to hopefully fix our electrical wiring, right now even when we receive hydro things don't work and the invertor doesn't charge. The water pumps aren't working so there's no water on the roof which means so showers or running water. (we have to take it from the resevior) Ysmaille was supposed to make barriers for the dog (to contain him to a certain part of the yard) before Jenny went away for 5 days but things keep interrupting his work and they are still not in place so I will have to find another place to stay for the next 5 days. Fun, fun and more fun.
On top of all this, yesterdayYsmaille's truck broke down in the middle of a busy road. All sorts of helpful people drove by and informed us that we were blocking the road and needed to move. In my nicest voice I thanked them so much for their help:) There were about 20 people standing around doing nothing. No one was able to find us water for the truck and no one was willing to direct traffic. So I stood in the middle of the road directing traffic. I think everyone was saying "who is this crazy blanc?" but I didn't care.
So, no hydro also means no internet so if I haven't written in a while please don't be mad. I'm hoping in the next few weeks things start improving and I'll start responding to e-mail again.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Preval is President
Preval has been declared the new president of Haiti. People are VERY happy and the celebrations went on all night long We woke up at 5:00 to A LOT of noise on the street. Things seem really peaceful right now. Apparently after the elections, two different kidnapping took place but when the kidnappers arrived at Cite Soliel they were told that they must release their captives. The gang members announced that if Preval became President they would put a stop to the kidnappings. Now whether this is true or not... we will see.
Things look hopeful with Preval as president. He did manage to accomplish some positive things when he was in power last time. The tricky part is that the gangs wanted him in and therefore are expecting some kickbacks from helping him get in power.
On a personal note. I spent the week at my friend Heather's house waiting to figure things out with my new best friend "Max". Ysmaille took some measurements today and will start making two barriers on Monday. We will keep Max contained in a section of the backyard and I hopefully won't have to worry about him. However, Jenny is going away next weekend (for Carnival) and I'm not crazy about staying there by myself. I guess I'll just take each day as it comes.
It'll be nice to open school again next week. We basically lost 2 weeks of school. I managed to get a lot of work done with very little distractions, however, it will be difficult for the teachers to finish all the curriculum by the end of the year.
Saturday morning Heather and I went to visit "Sisters of Charity" a orphanage run by Nuns. It was very sad. Rooms full of children crying out for attention. We picked up a few children (with VERY wet diapers) and held them for a bit but when we put them back down they started crying even more. I think I will try my best to visit there on a regular basis and give at least a few of the kids the attention they so badly need.
Things look hopeful with Preval as president. He did manage to accomplish some positive things when he was in power last time. The tricky part is that the gangs wanted him in and therefore are expecting some kickbacks from helping him get in power.
On a personal note. I spent the week at my friend Heather's house waiting to figure things out with my new best friend "Max". Ysmaille took some measurements today and will start making two barriers on Monday. We will keep Max contained in a section of the backyard and I hopefully won't have to worry about him. However, Jenny is going away next weekend (for Carnival) and I'm not crazy about staying there by myself. I guess I'll just take each day as it comes.
It'll be nice to open school again next week. We basically lost 2 weeks of school. I managed to get a lot of work done with very little distractions, however, it will be difficult for the teachers to finish all the curriculum by the end of the year.
Saturday morning Heather and I went to visit "Sisters of Charity" a orphanage run by Nuns. It was very sad. Rooms full of children crying out for attention. We picked up a few children (with VERY wet diapers) and held them for a bit but when we put them back down they started crying even more. I think I will try my best to visit there on a regular basis and give at least a few of the kids the attention they so badly need.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
From Bad to Worse
Things are pretty crazy right now in Port-au-Prince. Rumours are flying and tempers are rising. Here's something I read today in a CNN article today:
"PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Hundreds of smashed ballot boxes and bags apparently used to carry vote count sheets were scattered across a garbage dump Wednesday, more than a week after Haiti's disputed presidential elections.
U.N. officials sent troops to the garbage dump five miles north of the capital to recover the election material, according to U.N. spokesman David Wimhurst, who called the discovery "extraordinary."
The word on the street in Haiti is that the UN were the ones to dump the votes here, and several street kids claim they found them. Basically the whole election has turned into a sham and the rumour is that very soon the presidential house will be stormed and the people will declare Preval president themselves. Surprisingly, things remain calm and all the parades look like they are more part of Carnival than of a manisfestation. I had no problems getting to work today and some stores are even open. Schools have been closed for a week and a half now and we're losing lots of precious teaching time. I've managed to get lots of work done due to no interruptions, but the students are getting very behind.
On a personal note. Jenny has decided that she doesn't want to lose me as a roomate. We are going to ask permission to build two gates that will keep Max enclosed whenever I am home. We will let him out at night so he can still guard the house. Problem solved.
"PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Hundreds of smashed ballot boxes and bags apparently used to carry vote count sheets were scattered across a garbage dump Wednesday, more than a week after Haiti's disputed presidential elections.
U.N. officials sent troops to the garbage dump five miles north of the capital to recover the election material, according to U.N. spokesman David Wimhurst, who called the discovery "extraordinary."
The word on the street in Haiti is that the UN were the ones to dump the votes here, and several street kids claim they found them. Basically the whole election has turned into a sham and the rumour is that very soon the presidential house will be stormed and the people will declare Preval president themselves. Surprisingly, things remain calm and all the parades look like they are more part of Carnival than of a manisfestation. I had no problems getting to work today and some stores are even open. Schools have been closed for a week and a half now and we're losing lots of precious teaching time. I've managed to get lots of work done due to no interruptions, but the students are getting very behind.
On a personal note. Jenny has decided that she doesn't want to lose me as a roomate. We are going to ask permission to build two gates that will keep Max enclosed whenever I am home. We will let him out at night so he can still guard the house. Problem solved.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Exaggeration
We just received "current" (aka hydro) and I had a chance to check the international news. I thought I'd better write one more entry so that no one takes the news too seriously. The events of Port-au-Prince are very much exaggerated. The protests have been very peaceful and despite the one incident where 4 people were killed there was no other violence. There was a very LARGE group of people that marched up Delmas today but they only held signs and waved tree branches. Now, tomorrow who knows. The longer they take to announce the results the more upset people will become. I will keep you updated. Today we closed school just to be safe and it will be closed tomorrow as well. I was unable to get to my new house today so I am staying at Coram Deo. I didn't come with a change of clothes but my sweet little brother Cadeau is lending me some:)
To answer Gwen's questions. The oven mitts plan, although seemingly foolproof, did not proof to be successful. As to the type of dog, I think it's a German Shepherd but it may be mixed with something else.
Something Fishy???
So as I mentioned earlier the elections were a "success" and everyone was feeling pretty positive. Kidnappings had ceased and the streets seem ed very calm and safe. We had school Thursday and Friday last week but very few students came because all the other schools were still closed and people were still afraid to venture out.
So, we expected the results to be announced Friday night, maybe Saturday and at the very latest Sunday. Today is Monday and there is still no official word but lots of rumours. Today there is choas on the streets. There are many manifestations and most roads are blocked off. People are walking in large groups on the streets protesting the fact that no announcement has been made. Preval's percentage of votes seems to change every minute and everyone is getting pretty suspicious that something fishy is going on. I am being safe and not venturing out (except to the internet cafe I am sitting in right now:)
As far as my living situation... things are not looking good. I spent some major time this week bonding with Max and trying to convince him that I'm not a threat to him. So Sunday afternoon I was actually playing with him by myself (Jenny was inside.) All was going well when all of a sudden he freaked out again and attacked me. So I have fresh bite marks and I will never feel safe being near him again. It appears that I might have to move back to Coram Deo but Jenny is trying very hard to think of another plan... barriers, a longer chain, possibly even another house. She is not excited about living alone again, especially with all the uncertainty these days.
On another note. We had awonderful day on Sunday. We went hiking in the mountains and attended a church on top of a mountain (literally). One of my friends is afraid of heights so she waited on the bottom until the church service was over.
So there's a quick update. Don't worry about me I won't let curiously get me in trouble. When I hear noise on the street I will stay safely inside.
So, we expected the results to be announced Friday night, maybe Saturday and at the very latest Sunday. Today is Monday and there is still no official word but lots of rumours. Today there is choas on the streets. There are many manifestations and most roads are blocked off. People are walking in large groups on the streets protesting the fact that no announcement has been made. Preval's percentage of votes seems to change every minute and everyone is getting pretty suspicious that something fishy is going on. I am being safe and not venturing out (except to the internet cafe I am sitting in right now:)
As far as my living situation... things are not looking good. I spent some major time this week bonding with Max and trying to convince him that I'm not a threat to him. So Sunday afternoon I was actually playing with him by myself (Jenny was inside.) All was going well when all of a sudden he freaked out again and attacked me. So I have fresh bite marks and I will never feel safe being near him again. It appears that I might have to move back to Coram Deo but Jenny is trying very hard to think of another plan... barriers, a longer chain, possibly even another house. She is not excited about living alone again, especially with all the uncertainty these days.
On another note. We had awonderful day on Sunday. We went hiking in the mountains and attended a church on top of a mountain (literally). One of my friends is afraid of heights so she waited on the bottom until the church service was over.
So there's a quick update. Don't worry about me I won't let curiously get me in trouble. When I hear noise on the street I will stay safely inside.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
February 7, 2006
February 7th was a big day for the Gringhuis family as well as for the entire country of Haiti.
Olivia Ann (without an "e", although I'm sure she'll change that when she's older) Gringhuis was born just after 5:00am on Tuesday morning, weighing just over 8 pounds. I saw pictures of her this morning and of course she's absolutely beautiful.
February 7th was also election day here in Haiti. And despite what you might read in the newspaper the day was calm and peaceful. I had the opportunity to visit two voting stations and despite really long lines and hour long waits people were in good sprits and came out in droves to participate in the voting process. Some stations had a bit of violence with people shoving and police hitting those in line. One or two people were shot but overall, and in most places the election went very smoothly. It was well organized (for Haiti). The actual voting ballot was HUGE. It had a large picture of each candidate (all 33 of them) for those who cannot read.
We won't know the results (offically) until Friday or Saturday but many already see Preval as the new president. The actual results should be interesting.
Things seem really calm on the streets and we are opening school today. How many students will arrive is yet to be determined.
Monday, February 06, 2006
Good News and Bad News
Let's start with the good news. The move to my new house went very smoothly. I actually have very little stuff here so it didn't take much time to pack and move my stuff. The weekend was action packed and a lot of fun. Saturday night we were invited for dinner to a family's house and had a delicious meal there with lots of wonderful conversation. Sunday we went to church and then invited over several friends for lunch. We enjoyed a lazy day of sitting around, eating and talking. In the afternoon we went for a walk and took pictures of all the campaign posters. At night we went next door to a super bowl party. Of course I was really quite serious about cheering on Seattle. Unfortunately they didn't win.
Now for the bad news. The house I am living in comes with a dog. I am not normally afraid of any dogs and when people make comments about being afraid of this dog I never understand why. Max is a big dog but relatively calm... or so I thought. Well, Sunday afternoon we had him tied up because one of our friends is afraid of him. When we went to go Jenny was going to untie him but I offered. He's always been pretty calm around me. As I walked behind the house he was very calm. I petted him in the head a few times and talked to him and he was perfectly still. When I went to untie him he sunk his teeth into my arm and wouldn't let go. I had to pull my arm free. To say the least I was quite shook up. We cleaned the wounds and they look alright. Unfortunately, I am now terrified of the dog. All I could think of last night was the dog and how I am going to make myself unafraid of him. What drama!!!
Other than that things are pretty calm. The government told all school to close last Friday and all of this week. (for the elections) We are closed Monday through Wednesday this week only. Today the streets were very calm and I came into work. Although there's no students there's always work to be done.
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