Well, that is what I think the woman is crying out-loud EVERY FREAKING MORNING! I'm sure my translation is not correct (and I got an audio recording to boot), but this is the calling of a woman that sell's bread and to let her customers know that she is there, she lets out her call. Its really beautifull when you get past the "You gotta be kiddin' me...what time is it? 5:25AM?" It almost makes me want to start having a passion for bread of my own and start selling bread outside her window at 3:25AM! What would be my rallying call? "Commen Y'em Dormiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrr!" Yep, that would work! Ah, who am I kidding, she is probably up at that time and cooking the frigging bread! Ah well.
Honnestly, if it wasn't for the time, I would have no problems with it at all. The story goes that she found that her passion for life is baking bread and selling it fresh. Her passion has become her rallying cry. I just wish she wouldn't be selling bread so early and please, not right outside my bedroom window. If my bedroom window was on the other side of the building, I'd be fine (okay, I would have to put up with the constant drone of the generator, which is to provide electricity in emergency situations, but which is running almost ALL THE TIME), but you know, one can put up with that (at least, I think). But nooooooo, my bedroom window has to give unto the alley that is behind the Batiment Bleu and that is where our passionate bread seller has early clients ready to buy her bread in the morning OF EVERY SINGLE DAY! I mean, come on, we're Sunday today! Didn't God even rest on this day? They are a catholic people, they should know this! Ah well... ;-)
Okay, that's my rant for this morning. ;-)
;-) LIL
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Club Indigo
Don't get me wrong, it was still lovely, until the garbage started floating in. But, that was just before we left, so not bad. I have some really nice pictures! (Not of the garbage). This was a guys-only outing and the 6 of us had a really nice time. The day was just beautiful, the water was so freaking warm! (I didn't think it could be so warm!) I thought it would be a bit cooler like when we went to Trinidad & Tobago. Me and the guys swam out to a floating dock (good thing that salty water is more buoyant, me floating easier was a good thing)! The food was okay, but definitely not great. But, the beer was cold and it was super nice sitting in the shade on the beach.
One of the guys found a sea urchin and we have great pictures of that (good thing we didn't step on it).
On our way back we saw 2 separate funeral processions. I wish the funeral processions were done like this in Canada. First, there was the live band leading the way. Right behind it was the hearse and directly behind it, the family walking as the procession went slowly on its way to the cemetery. The 2nd funeral procession that we saw was in another village but it had the same configuration.
We were all tired on the way back, but we had a great time! Getting in the shower felt so good when I got back to the apartment! When I'll talk to the girls, I'll be just golden.
;-) LIL
Friday, August 13, 2010
Shopping!
Ahhhh, today was my last half-day of work (we work half-days on fridays). Ah well, that was nice while it lasted. ;-) Today, we finished at 12:30PM. A group of us had reserved a driver and we made our way to our first pit-stop: Épidor. I was told by my collegues that I should try the steak sandwhich there, so I did. It was pretty good! It is done on a fresh baguette and is filled with steak, oinions, green peppers and ouey-gouey cheese. Mi-uuuuuummm!
Tte "newbies" that had arrived this week wondered why they were so hungry and that since around 11:30AM... Turns out that Haiti is in the same time-zone as Ottawa/Gatineau but they do not observe the daylight-savings time. Once our bellies were full we proceeded to our next pit-stop: Pecco's (hmmm, I might be getting the name wrong, but that's how I understood it). Pecco's is a government run shop where you can buy souvenirs. I found some nice items to bring back (and they put everything in a nice bamboo bag, neat-o!).
We then proceeded to le Carré St-Pierre where alot of artists sell their artwork. I was fine until I bought my first paining, then I got swarmed! "Monsieur, monsieur, regarder ceci...s.v.p monsieur, je suis fauché." Once I had bought the paining I wanted, I asked if any were selling wooden items. One said no, but his friend does. Not 5 minutes later, I was surrounded by merchants trying to shove their carvings into my hands. I then found the items I wanted, putchased them, and then the swarm grew bigger! Man! I walked back to the vehicle and put the items I purchased in the trunk while still more merchants were trying to sell me items from keychains to paintings (again, even I had told them I was done). Ah well. What really got to me is when an old woman came to beg me for 1 dollar. She pointed to her gray hair and said she was hungry. Man, that tore at my heart. I wanted to give her some money, but I could see other beggers just waiting to see what I would do.
Back in the vehicle and we had one more pit-stop: Big Star supermarket. I didn't have to buy any groceries, so I just hung about for a while then went back to sit with the driver in the vehicle. I passed the time watching a street fed chicken as it kept dodging people and cars as it pecked at morsels.
And then, me was back in me's apartment. ;-) Tomorrow morning, we are leaving for Club Indigo! Woohoo! It is a former club med and supposedly the beach is beautiful! Can't wait to see that!
Ciao!
;-) LIL
Tte "newbies" that had arrived this week wondered why they were so hungry and that since around 11:30AM... Turns out that Haiti is in the same time-zone as Ottawa/Gatineau but they do not observe the daylight-savings time. Once our bellies were full we proceeded to our next pit-stop: Pecco's (hmmm, I might be getting the name wrong, but that's how I understood it). Pecco's is a government run shop where you can buy souvenirs. I found some nice items to bring back (and they put everything in a nice bamboo bag, neat-o!).
We then proceeded to le Carré St-Pierre where alot of artists sell their artwork. I was fine until I bought my first paining, then I got swarmed! "Monsieur, monsieur, regarder ceci...s.v.p monsieur, je suis fauché." Once I had bought the paining I wanted, I asked if any were selling wooden items. One said no, but his friend does. Not 5 minutes later, I was surrounded by merchants trying to shove their carvings into my hands. I then found the items I wanted, putchased them, and then the swarm grew bigger! Man! I walked back to the vehicle and put the items I purchased in the trunk while still more merchants were trying to sell me items from keychains to paintings (again, even I had told them I was done). Ah well. What really got to me is when an old woman came to beg me for 1 dollar. She pointed to her gray hair and said she was hungry. Man, that tore at my heart. I wanted to give her some money, but I could see other beggers just waiting to see what I would do.
Back in the vehicle and we had one more pit-stop: Big Star supermarket. I didn't have to buy any groceries, so I just hung about for a while then went back to sit with the driver in the vehicle. I passed the time watching a street fed chicken as it kept dodging people and cars as it pecked at morsels.
And then, me was back in me's apartment. ;-) Tomorrow morning, we are leaving for Club Indigo! Woohoo! It is a former club med and supposedly the beach is beautiful! Can't wait to see that!
Ciao!
;-) LIL
Thursday, August 12, 2010
2nd Pot-Luck
Yesterday was our second pot-luck dinner. Well, there's actually been more than 2 pot-luck dinners, but only 2 since I've arrived. Luc was the host and we had a blast! I have to say that my cheese platter was quite a hit. Yeah for moi! Its funny, I think we all had the same reaction when Shana-Lise brought her platter of cheese the week before. We all went like "Huh? CHEESE!". Before you knew it, that platter was GONE! So, I purposely ignored the prices when I bought the cheeses, and it turned out great! ;-)
You know they say great minds think alike? Well, towards the end of the evening we start talking movies. Then, Mike says: "You know, the best movie ever is Highlander!" Oh my freaking god! That is MY favorite movie of all time! That was just awesome!
That is also what I want next Wednesday, a pot-luck dinner. I have one week left! At this time next week, I should be on the plane on my way home. Woohoo!
;-) LIL
You know they say great minds think alike? Well, towards the end of the evening we start talking movies. Then, Mike says: "You know, the best movie ever is Highlander!" Oh my freaking god! That is MY favorite movie of all time! That was just awesome!
That is also what I want next Wednesday, a pot-luck dinner. I have one week left! At this time next week, I should be on the plane on my way home. Woohoo!
;-) LIL
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Bullet-proof
How's that for the title of this post? It was either "Bullet-proof" or "Ear infection". I definitely think that Bullet-proof is more catchy, so decided to go with that instead! ;-)
I woke up this morning with an ear infection. I was suspecting it was such yesterday, but I was hoping it would just pass. Not so. Soooo, went to see the nurse at the embassy this morning and she confirmed my suspicions. Bummer! She was able to book me an appointment with a doctor at 14h00 today. Not bad! The only concern was that the clinic is located downtown. In order to get there, we had to ride in the bullet-proof vehicle. The doors are really heavy! Takes more muscle power to open and close them. We also had a body guard. Neat-O! The ride was okay and before you knew it, I was at the clinic. The body guard escorted me inside and kept watch outside the door. The doctor was seeing a patient when I got there, but as soon as she was done, she started calling out another patient's name, then she saw me and she took me right away. I felt bad for the people that were waiting. "Hmmmm", she observed, "Vous avez bien une bonne Otite.". Is there such a thing as a good ear infection? What would be a bad ear infection? One has to wonder. Or maybe, better not. Ah well. My exam was soon done and I was 2000 Gourdes lighter (equivalent to 50$). The bodyguard and I headed back to the vehicle and soon we were in front of a pharmacy. Hmmmm, this was new...not like any pharmacy I ever saw. Ah well. I left the pharmacy with my meds and again, I was lighter but by "only" 40$ this time.
The driver brought us back to the embassy where I was able to take my first dose right away. One of my colleague asked: "Did you check the expiry date?" Oh crap, I hadn't! But, turns out they were okay. Will remember that for next time, cuz I'm sure something like this will happen again. When I opened the packet, I saw a note that indicated that the medication should never be stored in a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius. Hmmmm... Call me a liar, but I'm pretty sure there are good chances that the package was stored at higher temperatures than indicated. Sigh...
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly (I had returned at 15h05) and then, I was back at my apartment.
Tonight, we have the pot-luck in Luc's apartment. This time around, I'm bringing a platter of cheese! I picked up 5 different kind of cheeses yesterday and will got and prepare them now.
Tourlou!
;-) LIL
I woke up this morning with an ear infection. I was suspecting it was such yesterday, but I was hoping it would just pass. Not so. Soooo, went to see the nurse at the embassy this morning and she confirmed my suspicions. Bummer! She was able to book me an appointment with a doctor at 14h00 today. Not bad! The only concern was that the clinic is located downtown. In order to get there, we had to ride in the bullet-proof vehicle. The doors are really heavy! Takes more muscle power to open and close them. We also had a body guard. Neat-O! The ride was okay and before you knew it, I was at the clinic. The body guard escorted me inside and kept watch outside the door. The doctor was seeing a patient when I got there, but as soon as she was done, she started calling out another patient's name, then she saw me and she took me right away. I felt bad for the people that were waiting. "Hmmmm", she observed, "Vous avez bien une bonne Otite.". Is there such a thing as a good ear infection? What would be a bad ear infection? One has to wonder. Or maybe, better not. Ah well. My exam was soon done and I was 2000 Gourdes lighter (equivalent to 50$). The bodyguard and I headed back to the vehicle and soon we were in front of a pharmacy. Hmmmm, this was new...not like any pharmacy I ever saw. Ah well. I left the pharmacy with my meds and again, I was lighter but by "only" 40$ this time.
The driver brought us back to the embassy where I was able to take my first dose right away. One of my colleague asked: "Did you check the expiry date?" Oh crap, I hadn't! But, turns out they were okay. Will remember that for next time, cuz I'm sure something like this will happen again. When I opened the packet, I saw a note that indicated that the medication should never be stored in a temperature above 25 degrees Celsius. Hmmmm... Call me a liar, but I'm pretty sure there are good chances that the package was stored at higher temperatures than indicated. Sigh...
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly (I had returned at 15h05) and then, I was back at my apartment.
Tonight, we have the pot-luck in Luc's apartment. This time around, I'm bringing a platter of cheese! I picked up 5 different kind of cheeses yesterday and will got and prepare them now.
Tourlou!
;-) LIL
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
DOH! No beer for you!
We missed the closure of the corner store by 2 minutes!!! Crapola! It will have to be tomorrow. Ah well. ;-) We went by another store, Big Star, but alas, they do not take empties (the beer costs less when you return the empties, but not at every store). Even going to the groceries is an experience. First, you have to find a place to park. Luckily, there are young helpers that will direct you to a spot (for a fee that you will pay later) and they will hold an umbrella over your head (cuz it was raining) and even keep an eye on your car -- "Je suis ici.", says the young man. Okay, sure, but you are talking to the wrong fellow, we're in Mike's vehicle.
The same young men await your return and offer their help, once again to load your items in the car. And then, even though Mike paid the lead young man and his helper, the other helper is asking moi for moula! I hop in the truck and close the door, but still he stands there knocking on the window. Even as we drive away, he tries to keep up a little. Man, I have to give it to them, (metaphorically speaking), they do not give up easily!
So I'm back at the appartment. Beerless, you would say, but AHA! Good thing I had bought some beer earlier during my grocery shopping! All is not lost!
;-) LIL
The same young men await your return and offer their help, once again to load your items in the car. And then, even though Mike paid the lead young man and his helper, the other helper is asking moi for moula! I hop in the truck and close the door, but still he stands there knocking on the window. Even as we drive away, he tries to keep up a little. Man, I have to give it to them, (metaphorically speaking), they do not give up easily!
So I'm back at the appartment. Beerless, you would say, but AHA! Good thing I had bought some beer earlier during my grocery shopping! All is not lost!
;-) LIL
Good day
Today was nice. Not that its not nice the other days, but today was just nice. I guess its just me that is more comfortable. Things were just flowing at work. It was busy, but it was not crazy. It really gives me a taste of what my job will be like when we go out on posting next year. It reminded me of my old job at PSLRB. Ah, good times. ;-)
Tonight, I went to do some groceries with some of my collegues. We had to wait 45 minutes for the driver to get here. That's time I'll never see again. Ah well...
Yesterday, we weren't able to do a beer run, so we'll try for that tonight. Bought some cheeses, crackers and wine for tomorrow's pot-luck. That will be fun!
;-) LIL
Tonight, I went to do some groceries with some of my collegues. We had to wait 45 minutes for the driver to get here. That's time I'll never see again. Ah well...
Yesterday, we weren't able to do a beer run, so we'll try for that tonight. Bought some cheeses, crackers and wine for tomorrow's pot-luck. That will be fun!
;-) LIL
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