Getting ready

I'm having my last day at the office. I am full of mixed emotions. I will miss my colleagues so much! I will also miss being in the middle of the busy work of guarding human rights here. But at the same time I'm longing for more freedom to move, colder weather, certain food, and loved ones of course.

We made it through hurricane Tomas with less damage than expected - thank God! I ended up going to the training in Arcahaie on the Saturday, and had a great time. I got adopted by a group of women who thought I was funny. They spoke slowly to me in Creole, made me part of their sassy little gang, and brushed my reddish blonde hair with great excitement and fascination.
I did end up sick one more time, but thankfully not as bad as the last time. It gave me the experience of being cared for by beautiful haitian nuns though; yet another fun fact to add to my CV.. I also talked to two cute little girls with big smiles who lived next to the training center. They stroked my arms, very fascinated by my skin. In both cases I was very happy to be able to speak some Creole.

After the training there has been some slow days, where I've felt like I've pretty much counted the days until departure. I have spent my time on research for the coming thesis I will write in the spring, talking to colleagues - learning as much as I can these last days.
Today I have finished up my evaluation. I have payed my bills.
Now I have two small goodbye parties to look forward to. Then I will do my last bit of packing and prepare for lift off.

I am very greatful for my time here, and I will attempt a more extensive summary and wrap-up some other day, when my mind has taken it all in a bit better.

On another note, the cholera is taking hold of this country more and more, and people are getting a bit scared, and also angry. It has been proven that the strain of cholera came into the country with a troop of nepalese UN-soldiers; the disease has actually never appeared in this country before. So you can only imagine what kind of emotions this information awakens towards a UN-operation already called "occupation" here.
That together with the elections getting closer and closer calls for a bit more insecure environment here. I hope it won't get worse.

Writing my evaluation has shown to me how much I have learned here. It has been really tough - most of the time actually - and yet I feel like what I take with me are only good memories.
As I said, I will try to put into words something more comprehensive and thought-through on my stay here. I hope to also get some pictures online soon.
In the meantime I will leave tomorrow afternoon, and I will have a weekend in Chicago before landing in Stockholm on Monday night.

Take care, and I'll see many of you soon!
/L