TOMAS

We've been laying low the last few days, waiting for Tomas to hit us here in Haiti.  Late Wednesday afternoon one of the teachers mentioned that he heard on the radio that schools should close for Thursday and Friday.  Of couse all the students and the rest of the staff had already gone home for the day, so it would be difficult for us to inform them all about this change of plans.  When I got home I called my co-director and we discussed the pros and cons and another friend called to say that the government was now strongly recommending that all schools remain closed for the next two days.  So we got on the phone and started calling all the staff to inform them.  The gatekeeper agreed to go to school early to inform students and their parents when they arrived that they needed to return back home.  I went down to the school as well to help out.  When we arrived there were no students and the gatekeeper said that most students didn't bother coming because they had already heard that schools were closed.  We spent the morning, cleaning up loose pieces of tin that could easily be snagged by the wind.  Several staff members worked on the big tent that was set up in the back yard, making sure it was tightly secured.  The government then announced that all businesses should close at noon.  We went home and took it easy for the rest of the day.  It rained on and off the remainder of the day with some strong winds coming through from time to time.

Today (Friday) it has been raining gently all morning with the occasional wind but nothin severe.  We've recieved word that areas in the south were hit bad and low areas surrounding PAP have experienced flooding.  It appears that we may be alright for the most part here, but time will tell.

I'm staying home again today and taking it easy.  The internet is actually working so maybe I'll get caught up on some work and write some e-mails.  It feels like a snow day, it's even actually a bit cold (26 degrees), I'm swearing my warmest clothes and huddled under a blanket!