You know, I have not written about the ride itself to and from work everyday, so I'll write something about it now. I used to complain about the road condition back home, especially during spring, when it is the multiplication of the potholes, but I'll be more tolerant now. I promise!
The roads (when there are roads) are in such bad condition, it is not even laughable. I get a little bit of sea-sickness everyday from rocking back and forth in the car! I kid you not! On our trek from the appartment to the embassy, one part of the road is just gone! I tried taking a short film with the camera, but it bounces so much that it is hopeless to try to capture it on video. Also, the pedestrians are allot more bold here than back in Canada! I can't believe there are not deadly accidents everyday! Pedestrians basically throw themselves in front of moving vehicles and get away with their lives! If somebody would try that maneuver back home, he/she would be a pancake on the pavement in no time!
Hey, if you are reading this, post a comment. I'm curious to see who's out there. ;-) Seriously, I find this day hard! Ah well, its almost over and tomorrow they'll be a brand new day to set things right. ;-) (How's that for being optimistic).
Tonight, we had another BBQ at Mike's and tomorrow night, we are having a potluck dinner in the penthouse! ;-) Okay, its called a penthouse by name, but its just a two bedroom appartment instead of a one bedroom. Anyways, since I don't cook, my contribution will be booze. I'll bring over some beers and a couple of bottles of wine.
The internet connection is so sporadic! Aaarrrgghhhh!!! Okay, that't it for tonight. (What I've been doing most nights is writing this in notepad and then pasting it online when the connection is back).
While I'm in Haiti, you can always write to my work e-mail or drop me a line at louisgaulin@gmail.com.
Ciao!
;-) LIL
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Monday, August 2, 2010
Luc's summer in Haiti...
When you have a moment, check out this blog:
http://lucinhaiti.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of my collegue Luc. He's already been here for three weeks and he's got three more weeks to go. He's got an FAQ on his site that might answer some of the questions you have about Haiti and PaP (Port-au-Prince).
;-) LIL
http://lucinhaiti.blogspot.com/
This is the blog of my collegue Luc. He's already been here for three weeks and he's got three more weeks to go. He's got an FAQ on his site that might answer some of the questions you have about Haiti and PaP (Port-au-Prince).
;-) LIL
Haitian shirts
Well, tonight, just before the BBQ at Mikes, the tailor showed up. Now, you know I'm not great on shopping. Imagine, instead of you going to the store, how about the "store" coming to you! I could not pass the opportunity up! I asked the tailor for 4 shirts. They should be here for this friday. Which means, they'll most likely be here by next friday. ;-) I can't wait to see them!
The BBQ was great! Some steaks, hot dogs and vegetables (and, of course, beer)! ;-) Mike, like I mentioned, is a Military Police. Since he's been here (three weeks), he has lost 15 lbs by limiting his carbs (similar to Atkins, I guess).
Oh, one last thing. Look up the following coordinates on Google maps:
18.502503,-72.282029
When you zoom in, you'll see where I'm currently living while in Haiti. The building I'm in is the grey rectangle you see on the map. The building to the right is where the pool is (the pool is on top of the building).
;-) LIL
The BBQ was great! Some steaks, hot dogs and vegetables (and, of course, beer)! ;-) Mike, like I mentioned, is a Military Police. Since he's been here (three weeks), he has lost 15 lbs by limiting his carbs (similar to Atkins, I guess).
Oh, one last thing. Look up the following coordinates on Google maps:
18.502503,-72.282029
When you zoom in, you'll see where I'm currently living while in Haiti. The building I'm in is the grey rectangle you see on the map. The building to the right is where the pool is (the pool is on top of the building).
;-) LIL
Another day, another 38.5 Gourdes (1 Canadian dollar is equal to 38.5 Haitian Gourdes)
What a day! I'll begin where my day began and that is at around 5h00 this morning. Between the roosters calling out to the rising sun and a dog somewhere which kept barking and barking and barking and barking... (come to think of it, he was probably barking at the roosters to get them to shut up!) Alas, it did not work, the poor creature, and me, had to endure.
I wondered, half-sleepily, how come this morning was different than then other mornings since my arrival. I quickly realized that I had not turned on the air conditioning unit in my room (it was not terribly hot). Now I realize that it servers a double purpose...it is not only conditioning air, but it is also a white-noise generator. Got to remember to turn it on tonight!
The interesting item of note this morning, as me and my collegue Marou were shuttling our way to work, was a completely naked fellow walking on the sidewalk. Of bold steps, he marched, his equipment flapping in the wind. What I think bothered me the most was not the naked guy himself, but everybody else's lack of reaction.
I mentioned this at work and my collegues just said "Oh, yeah, the naked guy..." At this, Marou said "What?" She was looking elsewhere at the time and completely missed the scene. Ah well. ;-)
Oh, there goes the barking again! Maybe the dog is barking at the generator that is currently running to power this building. The building (and the neighbourhood) looses power several times a day. We do not notice any loss of power since the generator kicks in automatically, but when it runs, it is a constant drone.
Anyway, the day went fine, and before you know it, I was back "home" and writing this entry. I will have more later, but for now, I have a BBQ waiting for moi (Mike, the MP is a great BBQ cook).
;-) LIL
I wondered, half-sleepily, how come this morning was different than then other mornings since my arrival. I quickly realized that I had not turned on the air conditioning unit in my room (it was not terribly hot). Now I realize that it servers a double purpose...it is not only conditioning air, but it is also a white-noise generator. Got to remember to turn it on tonight!
The interesting item of note this morning, as me and my collegue Marou were shuttling our way to work, was a completely naked fellow walking on the sidewalk. Of bold steps, he marched, his equipment flapping in the wind. What I think bothered me the most was not the naked guy himself, but everybody else's lack of reaction.
I mentioned this at work and my collegues just said "Oh, yeah, the naked guy..." At this, Marou said "What?" She was looking elsewhere at the time and completely missed the scene. Ah well. ;-)
Oh, there goes the barking again! Maybe the dog is barking at the generator that is currently running to power this building. The building (and the neighbourhood) looses power several times a day. We do not notice any loss of power since the generator kicks in automatically, but when it runs, it is a constant drone.
Anyway, the day went fine, and before you know it, I was back "home" and writing this entry. I will have more later, but for now, I have a BBQ waiting for moi (Mike, the MP is a great BBQ cook).
;-) LIL
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A sobering thought
Yesterday, when we saw some of the devastation of the city of Port-au-Prince and Pieton-ville, a very sobering statistic was mentioned. I confirmed this number this morning and it put things really into perspective for me.
Between 250 000 and 300 000 people died in the earthquake that struck Haiti in January of 2010. This is the entire population of Gatineau (from Aylmer to Buckingham). Think about it... The equivalent in numbers of the entire population of Gatineau...gone. That's all I have to say on that.
;-( LIL
Between 250 000 and 300 000 people died in the earthquake that struck Haiti in January of 2010. This is the entire population of Gatineau (from Aylmer to Buckingham). Think about it... The equivalent in numbers of the entire population of Gatineau...gone. That's all I have to say on that.
;-( LIL
Afterthought
You know, it just occurred to me that I should hang on to the military rations - one never know - so I'll refrain from pillaging them and hold on to them, JUST IN CASE! ;-) And yes, I am knocking on wood, just to be safe.
If you wonder how was the pasta, well, it was a little bit off. Still eatable, but the taste is not quite there. Maybe I'll fill in the survey sheet that was included with it and submit it, just in case someone takes these into account. ;-)
;-) LIL
If you wonder how was the pasta, well, it was a little bit off. Still eatable, but the taste is not quite there. Maybe I'll fill in the survey sheet that was included with it and submit it, just in case someone takes these into account. ;-)
;-) LIL
Military Rations - Written Saturday PM, posted Sunday AM
Hmmm, tonight (Saturday), for supper, I opened one of the two military rations that was given to me in my welcome kit. I'm sure you are wondering exactly what is contained within a military ration. Well, you'll be glad of this post then.Here is a picture of the military ration that I opened "Supper menu No. 6 - Cheese Tortellini with Alfredo Sauce"
Here is a list of the items (starting from upper left):
- A box of sliced Pears
- A box of cheese tortellini with alfredo sauce
- A piece of bread, sealed (with a warning to not eat the desiccan packet, good to know)
- A peach juice sport drink (in powder form)
- A packet of raspberry jam
- A packet of peanut butter.
- A packet of Tabasco sauce
- Some pepper
- Some salt
- Two gums
- A mint chocolate chip candy
- Two packet of instant coffee
- Two packet of sugar
- Two packets of coffee whitener
- A napkin (very important, one must always remember their manners)
- One mixing sac (to mix either your juice or coffee)
- A survey sheet to indicate your level of satisfaction (hopefully, someone is listening)
- A package of bear paws snack (peanut free, can't risk allergies)
- One cup-a-soup package
- A towelette
- A pack of matches
- One spoon
Well, there you have it folks! You always wanted to know (okay, okay, maybe you've never wanted to know, ah well). For now, I'll sit back and enjoy a not-so-bad cup of coffee.
;-) LIL
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