Tomas among others

Tomorrow afternoon (Thursday) I will leave Port-au-Prince to go to Arcahaie , a small town right by the water up north. It is to take part in one of the trainings in human rigths that RNDDH carries out. I'll be away until Tuesday, and I won't have access to internet - in case anyone tries to contact me - but my cellphone should still work.

I think it will be interesting. It will be fun to see a new part of the country. I'm longing to see the sea, and I hear it is really beautiful there. I also think it will be an excellent opportunity to work on my creole further. But I'm sure it will be a bit tough also, as always when there's only a language I barely speak to use..

And there's also the threat of hurricane Tomas. We'll see tomorrow if we'll leave at all. But I just checked the latest news and it seems like it will pass over Haiti without upgrading from a tropical storm to an actual hurricane, so I think we'll be alright. But as always the people in the camps, as well as the poorer people in the countryside, will be greatly affected, so send them a thought or a prayer if you want.

Besides that I would love to share with you two things that brings me great amusement in this country:

1. The fact that a majority of stores here have 'christian' names. Like 'Son of God Dry Cleaning' or 'Christ is Capable Groceries'. It just cracks me up.

2. The water trucks. They play tunes, similar to the ice cream truck back home. Here there are three to choose from:
- "Ole Ole Ole Ole, we are the champions"
- "We wish you a merry christmas"
or my personal favorite
- "My heart will go on"

And I LOVE the evenings here. I try to really enjoy them, as I will miss them when I go back to the cold and dark. I sit on the balcony in the hammock. I watch the stars. And the lights on the mountainside. Often there's a bonfire on the hill straight ahead. Sometimes there's singing and drumming. Especially these past days when they've been celebrating 'fete Guede'. There's a breeze in the palm tree. And there's no need for a sweater.
I sit out there and think. I love having just the sky above me.

One last thing.
I decided a while ago to go back home a bit earlier. So I'll be leaving already on the 17th for Chicago, and I'll land in Sweden on the 22nd. I am very happy with my decision. I've loved it here. But the difficulty of the social life, the non-specific tasks at work, and the miles between me and my loved one has really been tough on me. I didn't see that coming! I thought the poverty and the culture shock would be it, but no.. I feel good though. I've learned so much and I'm ready to take it home.
And after last week with the swedish delegation, I got invited to attend the meeting they'll be having on the report that's coming out. The meeting is in Stockholm the very week I get back. So it feels like good timing.

Now take care Y'all!
And Happy Birthday tomorrow Gustav!

/L