Crapola!

Me lost my iPhone! DOH! I'm less bitter about it now. We found some music on an "old" hard-drive and we're listening to it now. Ah well.

Go figure! I had it with me for three weeks in Haiti and when I'm back here, I go and loose it!

Bummer!

;-) LIL

Written in the air, Posted whenever I’ll be back on the ground

Holey moley, batman! What a crazy airport! Man! We arrived at the airport in the bullet-proof vehicle. We passed a couple of doors and at one, people were lining up to jam themselves through the doorway. We kept driving by. Fiouf! Poor schmucks, I thought. Then the driver turned around. I started getting a sick feeling in my stomach. Wouldn't you know it, he stopped right in front where the poor schmucks were jamming themselves in the doorway. Ah crap! Guess that makes me a schmuck too. ;-)

I drove up to the airport with a colleague of mine that I met at the embassy. Let me tell ya, good thing Ryan was there. He was able to tell a guard that we work at the canadian embassy and wow, did that ever work! We were able to bypass to the front of the xray machine for our luggage then we were again able to bypass the rest of the line to check our baggages and obtain our tickets. We were then brought to the customs officer (at least, I think its customs, you know, where they stamp your passports?). Then, as the guard was to bypass us to the front of the lineup for the secure area, Ryan asked where was the duty free shop (thank god, I was forgetting this throughout the brouhaha). We parted with our guard friend and proceeded to the duty-free shops (but first, we enjoyed a cold Prestige at the bar). God, it was good! There is no air-conditioning in the airport and it was hot as heck!

I was able to buy some more souvenirs and also a bottle of 5 star Rhum. Do not worry my rhum drinking friends, you will be invited at our house so that we can savour it together. ;-) After all the work it was to get it (I was able to buy some additional 40$ CDN of Gourdes from a colleague of mine, that really helped!), we'll hold on to that bottle. When we'll open the bottle, we'll let you know. By this I don't mean that we'll call to brag (that would be just too cruel). ;-)

Then, it was back downstairs and in-line to enter the secure zone. Fifteen minutes later (about) we were through and making our way to board the plane. And crapola, that's when the lightning started! Ah well.

I have to say that, executive class, is MUCHOS NICE! Stéphanie, you were right! This pod is so cool! I have 7 different buttons just to adjust my seat! There is a footrest (which, thanks to my short legs, I cannot reach... or barely reach if I stretch back into the seat. But, not to worry, there is a little button that will lift my feet up! Neat-O! Exploring the little pod, I found there is a remote control for the entertainment system, a really nice stow-away table, good headphones (with a set of disposable foams to protect my ears). And, last, but very not least, it even has a barf bag! Hmmm, let's hope I don't have to use it. ;-)

The stewardess are really nice! As I was sitting down, I was offered a glass of water and god, that was good! Then, after we took off (an hour late, thanks to the lighting storm), they came around with hot towels and god, that DID feel good! Then, they offered me a pillow and then a blanket! I'll have to try this pod in the sleeping position!

As I am writing this, one of the stewardess is approaching my pod offering drinks. Hold on, its my turn. "Quelque chose à boire Monsieur?" God, this is nice! “Hmmm”, I reply, “Ques’que vous avez?”. “On a de tout monsieur.” Oh, I LIKE that! “Une Heineken s.v.p.”. Oh, and its cold too! Aaaahhh, that's good! Oh look, she gave me assorted nuts to go with it! Hmmm, cashews!

We had lots of turbulence at take-off because of the lighting-storm, but we soon got through it (not soon enough for moi). Today was hectic, as it was my last day, but everything went well. You know, if I have the chance, I'm pretty sure I'd come back to Haiti Darn those cachews are good! 

Oh, sorry, dear reader, I had to put you (the laptop) away. Food, was served! Had a nice salad with balsamic vinegar, some Pasta filled with cheese (served with a Chilian red wine) and followed by a cheese-cake desert. Mmmm, mmmmm, mmmmm. With the tray occupied, I decided to take a peek at the movies!

Hey, check this out, the head-phones are noise canceling! Nice! Iron Man 2! And darn, the headphones are not working correctly...the sound is crappy. “Oh mademoiselle!” HA! Got to love it! Okay, I think I’m decided, we’ll be flying executive to our posting next year. The girls have to experience this! With a new pair of headphones, I can now enjoy the movie. “D’autre vin monsieur?” “Oui, s.v.p.” Haaaaaaaa...... “Un café?” “S.V.P., merci!” Muchos nice!

Okay, I’m watching the movie now. I’ll be back later. This is neat, its like taking you with me! I love this blogging stuff!

Okay, okay, its not the same as taking you with me, but hey, I feel closer to you guys, so this helps. The rest of the flight went alright. I was able to savor another Heinekein, but, sadly, did not get to catch the ending of Iron Man II. Definitely have to rent it, its awesome! I sent a quick text to Stéphanie to let her know that the plane landed and then, before you know it, I was at the customs offier. “Quelque chose Β déclarer?” I had checked the box indicating that I was bringing back more than 1.14L of alcohol (I have 2 bottles of 750ml of rhum. “Oui, j’ai 2 bouteilles de rhum.” “Barbancourt?”, he asks. “Oui, monsieur!” No problem. My buddy Luc (who works at CBSA says: “It pays to declare.” And it did! After this, I was the carrousel waiting for the luggage. Called Stéphanie and spoke to her and Mélo quickly. God, that was nice! They sounded CLOSER, like, not half a world away!

Once I got my luggage, I proceed to find the hotel. The airport being what it is, I had to walk a ways, but it was okay. The room was nice, the bed super comfy and the pillows too. At 6h30, the sun shining straight in my eyes woke me. But that’s okay. Got everything ready and was out of the room by 8h00.

I was not able to self-register for my boarding pass, so I had to wait to get my ticket and check my luggage. Darn it, almost not enough time to get some Tim Hortons. Should I risk it? I could most likely make it, but ah well, I’ll have some in Ottawa.

I proceeded to the security check and then, after more walking and walking and walking, arrived at my gate (A21). As I was writing this last bit down, got a call from Stéphanie. God, I can’t wait to see her and the girls! Now, all I have to do is wait a little bit more, and I’ll be on my way home. I’ll post this whenever I get home (and have some free time). ;-) It was nice having you along for the ride! Now that I’ll be home, I’ll update the blog with more pictures and post a link for a web album of the pictures I took in Haiti.

What an experience. I’m glad I went, it really taught me a lot!

Ciao people!

;-) LIL

Off I go!

Well, that's it! This is my last post from Haiti. I'll be posting some more when I'm back home, but from Haiti, this is moi, signing off! Woohoo!

See you all soon (and yes, I am knocking on wood).

;-) LIL

This is my last evening in Haiti

I can't believe three weeks have (almost) gone by already! Me heading back home tomorrow! As if you didn't know. ;-) Tonight, we are having a Pot-Luck at Luc's apartment. Me will be bringing some rice, some sausages, juice and beer (of course).

You know, I was thinking today, if ever the opportunity would present itself again, would I come back to Haiti? To that, I have to say, Absolutely (with a capital A). I hate being away from my family, but the work is really interesting and the people are great. This has really opened my eyes! I mean, Haiti is a 4 hours flight from Montreal. Things are so different here, its like being in another world!

Okay, me got to get cooking (literally). I'll see if I can post a picture of the pot-luck later.

Ciao people!

;-) LIL

Hellboy II

You know, that movie is much better when you have some alcohol in you! ;-) All kidding aside, just finished watching Hellboy II over at Luc's apartment. Man, I can't believe that I'm going home in a couple of days. I mean that in a good way, of course. ;-) I can't wait to be back with my girls, at home. As I was saying earlier, I'll still miss the guys here, but man, o, man, will it be good to be back home!

I'm running low on moula, so its perfecto that I'm heading home. If it wouldn't have been for my "bullet-proof" event (yeah, you know what I mean, I still think that "bullet-proof" is a better tittle), I'd be laughing. Now, being 90$ short, I have to make sure I have enough to last me throughout my stay. Tomorrow is the pot-luck, and I want to be able to contribute in a significant way. Ah well... ;-)

Still, as much as this has been a life experience, I cannot wait to be back home. I can't wait to have a glass of rhum with the family (by this, I mean my wife, my brothers (if my little brother is still in town, I hope I don't miss him before he goes back up north), brother-in-law, and cousins-in-law...yeah, you know who you are) and tell tall tales of my friends over there/here (depending on how you look at it).

For you who keep track, I hadn't posted anything yesterday cuz I was a little bit bummed. Haiti has its good and bad days (or, I should say, I have my good days and bad days in Haiti). I just can't wait to be home.

Hey, I just learned earlier that my little brother and his kids will be in Ottawa/Gatineau this evening! I hope I get to see them before they leave! Stéphane, Kari-Anne, Justin, a big hello to you all from Haiti!

Anyways, me got to go to bed. Love you guys and talk to you all soon!

Ciao!

;-) LIL

A couple of days to go

Woohoo! Me got just a few days to go! Thursday evening, me will be flying back home! That is two nighty-nights and then me will be back in Canada. I'll miss my new friends, but man its going to be good to be back home!

Later, me, Gurmit and Luc have a man-date. We'll have supper, some wine and watch a movie too!

;-) LIL

My Haitian shirts

I had not posted a picture of my custom made Haitian shirts, so here is one now. As you can see,  I have a light-blue, dark-blue, white and dark green shirt. They are just perfect. The tailor really did good work and it was a deal! Four custom made shirts for 12$ US each.

Muchos Nice!


;-) LIL