tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82271806945188926992024-02-19T11:03:17.556-05:00Reflections of Two MounsIn which Bryan and Sharon, two <i>mouns</i> from Philadelphia,<br>
learn Creole<br>
propagate trees<br>
and live in beautiful rural Haiti.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-2777048472116708632010-06-22T22:14:00.000-04:002010-06-22T22:14:44.238-04:00The last hurrah.<div class="" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"> </div><br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While we have disappeared from ye ole blog from time to time in the past, the last two weeks of deafening silence indeed signal a sea change. After some reflection, we've decided to stop posting here, now that our time in Haiti has come to an end. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's definitely time, although our last few days in Port-au-Prince were too full and I didn't get to post about Ben and Bryan's impromptu gardening lesson our last morning in Haiti:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1NrAvt-O0hhR_o-rOS4t2G00zDY8rCDlN_TM2jt5n36BxsjiYGLLh7Aran5pKrhE235ZLnQ4mUU_goIBu4lRBRT-dBMylqRTpraPAOS0cNXk2KOkMuoqbImS9GWHnbZ4Pm73EHxyq9TS/s400/bryan+teaching.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or publish my mini-rant on Haitian standards of craftsmanship, as evidenced by this giant box built to hold <i>keys</i>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7J2ZYchIGvwv8aifUEtItPbB9C3xwSiI0D3hTVpSLEs6kSDNcfl0YWigpNcCHw2kJHAy6Jip2Fbbxr43C0O7X-BmX-6o5mJA4m1WXg-8KOB9Ft0ZSHjJeJr2i5UmdNHTsGby29CyWPLc/s1600/key+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7J2ZYchIGvwv8aifUEtItPbB9C3xwSiI0D3hTVpSLEs6kSDNcfl0YWigpNcCHw2kJHAy6Jip2Fbbxr43C0O7X-BmX-6o5mJA4m1WXg-8KOB9Ft0ZSHjJeJr2i5UmdNHTsGby29CyWPLc/s400/key+box.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Or gush about how much I loved this tap-tap painting:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4DqyfW27ZQa9KYt2kit4yKzh-2rewu0_iDvNEVvJXi_TVu5jv-WI682GRy-g2AkPNLbPJO-lm5QoQfTmztCAsyFaKuE4ykBpuGHxihMPnSYgN2z0R0DUhdLPNMtIXEn7NIUvBCRJycHE/s1600/mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4DqyfW27ZQa9KYt2kit4yKzh-2rewu0_iDvNEVvJXi_TVu5jv-WI682GRy-g2AkPNLbPJO-lm5QoQfTmztCAsyFaKuE4ykBpuGHxihMPnSYgN2z0R0DUhdLPNMtIXEn7NIUvBCRJycHE/s400/mary.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Next time, I suppose...<br />
<br />
This blog will hang out here for a while, although Bryan and I will both be posting on our new lives in Nashville & Philadelphia at <a href="http://nashadelphia.blogspot.com/">nashadelphia.blogspot.com</a>. Come on over!Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-63976814414487944992010-06-02T16:07:00.003-04:002010-06-02T16:12:52.506-04:00Where in the world...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn5vXzpS6LrQkcoQbFms8idUs8eOTIB7aud3gSMbQSIBwIyEJ1wyfN5KtIlyEIl4Pd3UbVcMX5gb6guff5EekG0CvrWHOe3JKHIo9qGNVo-DbZY2wGsfYKGY_rNcjrYgWXsZ1HE-J0dgC/s1600/carmen+sandiego.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGn5vXzpS6LrQkcoQbFms8idUs8eOTIB7aud3gSMbQSIBwIyEJ1wyfN5KtIlyEIl4Pd3UbVcMX5gb6guff5EekG0CvrWHOe3JKHIo9qGNVo-DbZY2wGsfYKGY_rNcjrYgWXsZ1HE-J0dgC/s400/carmen+sandiego.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478270850544241970" border="0" /></a>Yes, <a href="http://www.google.ht/images?q=carmen+sandiego&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=V7oGTNnoIsXflgfgrIWBCw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDcQsAQwAw">Carmen Sandiego </a>is here in Haiti! - or was here at least long enough to have her portrait painted.<br /><br />Speaking of comings and goings: today is our last full day in Haiti. We have many mixed feelings about this transition, but at the moment we're sad to be leaving. It's been two difficult but good years, and we're glad we did it.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-51343151741683239572010-06-01T12:47:00.007-04:002010-06-02T16:17:35.946-04:00What can you do to help victims of the earthquake?This.<br /><a href="http://www.change.org/haitijustice/petitions/view/stop_forced_evictions_of_haitis_earthquake_victims"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stop Forced Evictions of Haiti's Earthquake Victims</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.change.org/haitijustice/petitions/view/stop_forced_evictions_of_haitis_earthquake_victims">The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti</a> writes,<br /><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">After the earthquake of January 12th, over 2 million survivors left the wreckage of their homes and sought refuge in camps constructed on any open land. The Haitian Government and private landowners have evicted thousands of residents from these encampments without a viable alternative for their relocation, and in some cases with no alternative at all.</p><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">The UN and Haitian Government agreed on April 22 to an immediate 3-week moratorium on forced evictions which expired, Thursday, May 13th. Within that period reports of evictions continued. Humanitarian aid, including food, water and sanitation facilities have been cut off in targeted camps (1, 2). In other locations, residents are being harassed and abused by the police. <b>The people most affected by the earthquake, those who have lost their families, homes and livelihoods, now live in fear that they may be violently forced to leave their present settlements without viable options established for relocation </b>(2).</p><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">These actions are <i>prohibited </i>under the UN’s <i>Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. </i>The UN <i>Principles, </i>which are based upon international humanitarian law and human rights<i> </i>instruments, establish the framework for protecting the rights of displaced people, including<i> </i>the right to basic services (food, water, shelter, education, medical services, and sanitation)<i> </i>and to be protected from violence (4). When these rights are not upheld, UN agencies are<i> </i>obligated to call on relevant parties to respect them (5). Specifically, the OCHA CCCM<i> </i>Cluster-designated Camp Coordinator is charged with developing an “exit/transition strategy<i> </i>for camp closures while ensuring that responses are in line with ... standards including<i> </i>relevant government, human rights, and legal obligations" (7, 8).<i> </i></p><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </div><p style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">(for footnoted version go here - <a href="http://ijdh.org/archives/12237%29">http://ijdh.org/archives/12237)</a></p>For a concise summary of this issue, <a href="http://blexi.blogspot.com/2010/06/stop-forced-evictions-of-haitis.html">click through to Alexis's blogpost</a>.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-72035870547764452712010-06-01T11:58:00.015-04:002010-06-01T12:22:42.921-04:00Haiti, sometimes you shine up real nice.We lucked out and were able to spend last weekend in a pine forest about a three-hour drive from Port-au-Prince.<br /><br />It was magical - a green and misty wonderland where we were able to wander the woods for hours, soaking up the beauty of it all:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qvrbe8WrpMBp24-S5q4jdlP9H_OJ9e1wlw4AzOULix73VLtGjDFYXuL9RLhGu0naAFIBGkH9rlryUxFK9k2adpuaxOOeqAD4QHRspXuqECXvvmzNBf9fOt7v-uYqZjt8NCz752wGQjN-/s1600/tree+01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qvrbe8WrpMBp24-S5q4jdlP9H_OJ9e1wlw4AzOULix73VLtGjDFYXuL9RLhGu0naAFIBGkH9rlryUxFK9k2adpuaxOOeqAD4QHRspXuqECXvvmzNBf9fOt7v-uYqZjt8NCz752wGQjN-/s400/tree+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477837394115602482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rJBpvLwgSNi6dyA74Dc2UgotZE8D8iJ4wXTJaAh2tLqhQCAJK20aM-CyRuohPHMeLlgx3jRAnGnm-L3v69hpy1lxARP9sjN5ifW2NPOT58kne8JJ6aHWP_b1jSByGep5OTMNfj0u6QHg/s1600/trees+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rJBpvLwgSNi6dyA74Dc2UgotZE8D8iJ4wXTJaAh2tLqhQCAJK20aM-CyRuohPHMeLlgx3jRAnGnm-L3v69hpy1lxARP9sjN5ifW2NPOT58kne8JJ6aHWP_b1jSByGep5OTMNfj0u6QHg/s400/trees+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477836736684436914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kInd5B-z52upBdM-r84wsDcFWiJPC0JDzOBwtPyrqjmDgWsmSEHYcfwvWxGG-3C7pEfCE4HIidqOkv2CncPWcnzxoDOCnEvzCvm-roNxuhaIHzlhmJ7h68FfVzOVs4hCyRp4Ng1mp9Ou/s1600/snail.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kInd5B-z52upBdM-r84wsDcFWiJPC0JDzOBwtPyrqjmDgWsmSEHYcfwvWxGG-3C7pEfCE4HIidqOkv2CncPWcnzxoDOCnEvzCvm-roNxuhaIHzlhmJ7h68FfVzOVs4hCyRp4Ng1mp9Ou/s400/snail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477837372777654770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kqnIKHJo8CICaL7kFS3d76tszsw1-ydiqT4fgQA0EVFi4z5eAVMjef0v1EZYzK5JtWOGIWsXuKnUB7Qmox5DIT32pEK9aqok1SCo5vIp9YdZdhQASu36PIrF9NOUbn_FsY128OlrE8G8/s1600/tree+lichen+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kqnIKHJo8CICaL7kFS3d76tszsw1-ydiqT4fgQA0EVFi4z5eAVMjef0v1EZYzK5JtWOGIWsXuKnUB7Qmox5DIT32pEK9aqok1SCo5vIp9YdZdhQASu36PIrF9NOUbn_FsY128OlrE8G8/s400/tree+lichen+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477836740841385234" border="0" /></a>We waded in streams, collecting watercress and wild mint...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzpaW-5Lp1VWm1qz6bPorBn8kxITH_mHj08XjAKrhHQJ_0Zyds_YxCKvTpUJtE2wQjrW5bVU6tLdCkbuO09YyWDw5TiyiLUVr5TCX9REX9c-wCeZV61EaD7epMhzDgLtcyd_8hav-8tjL/s1600/streamside.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzpaW-5Lp1VWm1qz6bPorBn8kxITH_mHj08XjAKrhHQJ_0Zyds_YxCKvTpUJtE2wQjrW5bVU6tLdCkbuO09YyWDw5TiyiLUVr5TCX9REX9c-wCeZV61EaD7epMhzDgLtcyd_8hav-8tjL/s400/streamside.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477837381979441042" border="0" /></a><br />We stayed in an enchanting little cabin, one of about 20 scattered throughout the woods:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWawmgcNzCKsmZV3F1nvgqUtCrSf4f9LBow7CnJQmiEbcLds-uFR0kXrT2-dg2HjEksHnNGECnIpyJoLMqHlmuPq7dIVrOCPe64kxHJ2BBoVCigzxCPr5_6PKVnVFMMorq1If4W8i0APkU/s1600/trees-n-houses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWawmgcNzCKsmZV3F1nvgqUtCrSf4f9LBow7CnJQmiEbcLds-uFR0kXrT2-dg2HjEksHnNGECnIpyJoLMqHlmuPq7dIVrOCPe64kxHJ2BBoVCigzxCPr5_6PKVnVFMMorq1If4W8i0APkU/s400/trees-n-houses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477836730774971778" border="0" /></a>Bryan spent time lounging around with Ben and his still-busted knee:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZOnImEsi5ZY8lkUW1lilzu5Rn7ZyBycJot11iIDlqM92UESgMpQ4pmULKmyD6aQxiD1-ktdTgQ7htUlpvbna1BERQexkXDVgLo49bN25QSWvyIudy1OpqdhJq77rEAtaXmIDRulHsFrE/s1600/hanging+out.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZOnImEsi5ZY8lkUW1lilzu5Rn7ZyBycJot11iIDlqM92UESgMpQ4pmULKmyD6aQxiD1-ktdTgQ7htUlpvbna1BERQexkXDVgLo49bN25QSWvyIudy1OpqdhJq77rEAtaXmIDRulHsFrE/s400/hanging+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477837370143588258" border="0" /></a>- except when they tried to get the perfect hammock shot. I do believe this is the one photo the dignified Mr. Depp couldn't take himself:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlFbr40kB_cEEQ0em8GPIwTX5QD6LqlC_p225B9mgDc8jKHKsVCt6H7Pr5Va2AZ1HdoUQqb8ffJlJ9W7UHR3VXG1coC5Z_GvJJQT7fNUtPKSQ6JMjgqvnIh0uuXjnqL0ozfCPYV-XApoQ/s1600/taking+photos.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlFbr40kB_cEEQ0em8GPIwTX5QD6LqlC_p225B9mgDc8jKHKsVCt6H7Pr5Va2AZ1HdoUQqb8ffJlJ9W7UHR3VXG1coC5Z_GvJJQT7fNUtPKSQ6JMjgqvnIh0uuXjnqL0ozfCPYV-XApoQ/s400/taking+photos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477837384235181266" border="0" /></a>And Kurt even showed us where to find wild strawberries and raspberries!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADmCwJuFnPYzQNnwpg9UYiuCFeJCL9LpqS7AdMIaFoWf1wlo35z_rOBrppkXA5phBNF_vlnqH793UxMg-0IMSI6RcywCflbJMelfIwq-dknYoqYg9XzvP5gngtH4oy0NF1k6egOh-_9pm/s1600/berries.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADmCwJuFnPYzQNnwpg9UYiuCFeJCL9LpqS7AdMIaFoWf1wlo35z_rOBrppkXA5phBNF_vlnqH793UxMg-0IMSI6RcywCflbJMelfIwq-dknYoqYg9XzvP5gngtH4oy0NF1k6egOh-_9pm/s400/berries.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477836719431344114" border="0" /></a><br />Rave reviews. I can't believe we didn't discover this place until our last weekend in Haiti.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxK4KlnDNr5-bawQqtjHboyPQsVOAzNFiPcWBSs63fwrQwBmzpffHx8HAZe0ifd-hw-HZ2pubE0FSGGWKqunu6maKQVX931LIJrk2iDRapxyeO2Zq2kEqI0T7h6mAkikHePqCDrUOIRie/s1600/trees+03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxK4KlnDNr5-bawQqtjHboyPQsVOAzNFiPcWBSs63fwrQwBmzpffHx8HAZe0ifd-hw-HZ2pubE0FSGGWKqunu6maKQVX931LIJrk2iDRapxyeO2Zq2kEqI0T7h6mAkikHePqCDrUOIRie/s400/trees+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477836735569753442" border="0" /></a>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-6223701596129280232010-05-28T15:38:00.005-04:002010-05-28T15:49:14.008-04:00Religious math?These figures are scrawled on a wall near the MCC office. I'm mostly intrigued by the formulaic attempts to prove...something. Insight, anyone?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-x7zNNGuzX88u3XFCKFsV7BM-slG3ot8Y8oTEI76w0RpzzkA_n80QMxqguGvQz3HoJ3ktlADlWk-jcbGbYslbMDEh8hyphenhyphenU3QUrPVNUjnjun6ZVfHTXeaLhXm3Vudeifz969thd8Gg-IH8/s1600/jungle+moderne+ben+edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-x7zNNGuzX88u3XFCKFsV7BM-slG3ot8Y8oTEI76w0RpzzkA_n80QMxqguGvQz3HoJ3ktlADlWk-jcbGbYslbMDEh8hyphenhyphenU3QUrPVNUjnjun6ZVfHTXeaLhXm3Vudeifz969thd8Gg-IH8/s400/jungle+moderne+ben+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408804614510066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8WNuhQb8l-VpeZKUG6ILRmjr_9ex5eXVnyAAqaZWH-ZBENz8xv8wpnC04q4UcxiTekMND82lz3APUTPOFMboWnC8ZvvVEB_d2EAQsAOr6fIIZTIGSKZSxrTjTbvseZE6tWc5LJxOeaxz/s1600/numbers+9-1+ben+edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8WNuhQb8l-VpeZKUG6ILRmjr_9ex5eXVnyAAqaZWH-ZBENz8xv8wpnC04q4UcxiTekMND82lz3APUTPOFMboWnC8ZvvVEB_d2EAQsAOr6fIIZTIGSKZSxrTjTbvseZE6tWc5LJxOeaxz/s400/numbers+9-1+ben+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408811172991458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQMSVmXnHfOBigzG8pxIN8AEp4XNiehvfK2lDCP-cZG2vfQ3pk1CNG-pKF9rOLwsT1DnOm1FDT9EWLA9pnOUBlfQjIVxG8BC9ALQvgskAInz5uCcXnJRsdG4hWj7DeGK4bUFdRRatWSUi/s1600/John14-1+wide.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQMSVmXnHfOBigzG8pxIN8AEp4XNiehvfK2lDCP-cZG2vfQ3pk1CNG-pKF9rOLwsT1DnOm1FDT9EWLA9pnOUBlfQjIVxG8BC9ALQvgskAInz5uCcXnJRsdG4hWj7DeGK4bUFdRRatWSUi/s400/John14-1+wide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408799980314530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_bi9nw38YXlDrGAmwoLBjN_Aazp0T-kymmuMOiOmK9hHY2IXuveFWk5WbgJ6FqzfjI_Fkgqa7VKSQmIWZq8QbiwNURxx8OwQeyVVzHYqSQ_x53Q0s6ofBKnxdwawt-EFtly5Qzyhaafb/s1600/chromosomes+ben+edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_bi9nw38YXlDrGAmwoLBjN_Aazp0T-kymmuMOiOmK9hHY2IXuveFWk5WbgJ6FqzfjI_Fkgqa7VKSQmIWZq8QbiwNURxx8OwQeyVVzHYqSQ_x53Q0s6ofBKnxdwawt-EFtly5Qzyhaafb/s400/chromosomes+ben+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408776726492498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRx1Pauw1OTXzaSeEg9p0j01RJ2oOrdFI4GvTo8zPCuKsONBTqBA_s4QWdLJUnMX4pQmIpG6k9V0yHQ-NcD0SynxEzh_gB37aElVu64mHUoZawWgV6cqVZK0SPEcKY4JcAFO3dqA_zSnj/s1600/Genesis3+wide.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoRx1Pauw1OTXzaSeEg9p0j01RJ2oOrdFI4GvTo8zPCuKsONBTqBA_s4QWdLJUnMX4pQmIpG6k9V0yHQ-NcD0SynxEzh_gB37aElVu64mHUoZawWgV6cqVZK0SPEcKY4JcAFO3dqA_zSnj/s400/Genesis3+wide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408788019183810" border="0" /></a>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-51891712727979521422010-05-27T17:50:00.009-04:002010-05-27T18:22:11.483-04:00The great white wave.You may have heard about the "second earthquake" that happened in Haiti after January 12, which is what some people call the great influx of foreigners that has appeared in Port-au-Prince. As foreigners here before that moment, I should confess that we feel a certain level of snobbery - so when some hapless white person greets us with a hearty English "hello!" or waves while standing in the back of a passing truck, we're not always apt to respond.<br /><br />We realized that this is similar to the Jeep Salute or the Motorcycle Wave that happens in American traffic. But really: why settle for a wave?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5VkhI32ZYmWuTTeUVVzM63W7f1pGlUD2YlFHkSIg1HNU1llufB8_UGpwssVU2HOwKEwPQjox0hqiYnci5ExgatED42R9h5WVpTUOXaQs9-uh2_gqR7cELaX6MRhJV_RsIusTbLvqEUfh/s1600/bryan+blan+sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5VkhI32ZYmWuTTeUVVzM63W7f1pGlUD2YlFHkSIg1HNU1llufB8_UGpwssVU2HOwKEwPQjox0hqiYnci5ExgatED42R9h5WVpTUOXaQs9-uh2_gqR7cELaX6MRhJV_RsIusTbLvqEUfh/s400/bryan+blan+sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476072794359559730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ezkTUra0awVgoAFMTbQsenXAMx4BdkKMjZTGGamkVftBip6OQjsZJdPIA8ug4qEfbT8fR-Dm0gqGCLL3bhB_o0mn14dU-iekhl1z35lNgwcLoXMQ-KwGln8s0qSu4Fj2Q2H_fQtw6xz/s1600/ben+blan+sign.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ezkTUra0awVgoAFMTbQsenXAMx4BdkKMjZTGGamkVftBip6OQjsZJdPIA8ug4qEfbT8fR-Dm0gqGCLL3bhB_o0mn14dU-iekhl1z35lNgwcLoXMQ-KwGln8s0qSu4Fj2Q2H_fQtw6xz/s400/ben+blan+sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476072802119376290" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, that is the word <span style="font-style: italic;">blan</span> finger-spelled out.<br /><br />Advantage: Creativity. Toughness.<br />Disadvantage: it takes a bit of wrangling and more than a few seconds to pull this together.<br /><br />But loads of toughness, right?Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-15840157397919973332010-05-26T09:59:00.027-04:002010-05-26T13:17:07.919-04:00"Haiti appears well advanced on the track that the rest of the world seems hell-bent on following."Yesterday we finally managed to download and listen to This American Life's episode on Haiti, "<a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/408/island-time">Island Time</a>." Run, do not walk, your browser to this page, because <span style="font-style: italic;">you do not want to miss this</span>. It points out the incredible complexities of life in Haiti, from the challenges of capacity-building to the difficulties inherent in small business development. This episode is such an interesting, accurate peek at this little country, although it also made me nearly unbearably sad. The longer we're here the steeper the road ahead seems to get.<br /><br />[Six Degrees side note: the Gary mentioned at the beginning of Act Three is the Depps' sixty-something neighbor, a self-proclaimed curmudgeon who came to Haiti twenty years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer, married a Haitian woman, and stayed. Before his two kids went to the States, they would sometimes come through the broken wall between the yards to use the internet.]<br /><br />Yesterday Alexis and I also interviewed a group of folks who lost their homes in the earthquake. MCC had been distributing food to the approximately forty families who have set up camp in an open space in their hillside neighborhood, but because MCC ended that phase of the disaster response on April 30, we wanted to see how that change has had an impact on people.<br /><br />I was trepidatious about having these conversations because saying, "hey, we stopped giving you food and we're not here to give you anything else - does that work for you?" seemed so awkward. However, I was pleasantly surprised. They were not that upset about the end of food aid, since most of them can now afford to buy food nearly every day. They pointed out that free stuff is always nice, but if they had their druthers they'd like to choose their own things.<br /><br />And how would they like to do this? They'd like jobs. Working for money, not food.<br /><br />A job is actually the number-one thing the average Haitian wanted before the earthquake. Jobs mean salaries and security. Jobs mean being able to support a family.<br /><br />It's a perfectly reasonably, perfectly dignified thing to want, but I've always been struck by the fact that even Haitians who run their own small businesses still want jobs. Many people don't seem to think of these enterprises as jobs - or perhaps they want other benefits that come along with being an employee at someone else's business?<br /><br />Speaking unscientifically, I think there are more entrepreneurs per capita in Haiti than in the U.S. Most of that 70% counted as "unemployed" in Haiti actually work: they are street vendors, or operate one-pot tent restaurants, or build houses as day laborers.<br /><br />So what is stopping these folks from a.) thinking of themselves as entrepreneurs/ small business owners, or b.) growing their businesses to the point at which they can hire others?* Why would so many prefer to work for an international company/NGO?<br /><br />* Some are, some do. For example, we talked to 9 artisans in Jacmel a few weeks ago, and nearly all of them run workshops employing 5-15 others.<br /><br />This situation is a mystery to me (okay, partially due to my ongoing incomprehension of economics and how you "build" an economy). Is there a tax structure that should be changed to make it easier for people to officially start new businesses? Should classes in management and accounting be made more available?<br /><br />One of my dreams for Haiti is to see thousands of middle managers roaming the streets of every city and small town in the country. Having middle managers means having larger business owners and having workers to oversee. It means people with enough money to pay for things like a casual meal out with their families. It means service industries. It means a wide range of jobs, at all levels of income.<br /><br />Oh, if it were only as easy as handing out briefcases...Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-49263991733134677232010-05-24T11:12:00.007-04:002010-05-24T11:40:58.562-04:00The late-y doth protest too much.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXknfpy44RbFkuSTafa1Lhawv_NFncvNgmRfpC1mxXEn6b7FJql1E5dsmFYywkrmYgxtF_IKYnCg5npzHOYBe3iq561QpZmyl25Fdp-jsv1coUGXO6L1FHf-SZ1Cj3bFCalIepqgeFp1k/s1600/clock.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXknfpy44RbFkuSTafa1Lhawv_NFncvNgmRfpC1mxXEn6b7FJql1E5dsmFYywkrmYgxtF_IKYnCg5npzHOYBe3iq561QpZmyl25Fdp-jsv1coUGXO6L1FHf-SZ1Cj3bFCalIepqgeFp1k/s400/clock.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474859134593052290" border="0" /></a>This is the clock that came with our apartment. Look, it's...7:30? 8:03?<br /><br />For someone like me who, shall we say, struggles with punctuality, perhaps this isn't the best timekeeper.<br /><br />But whatever. I've got plenty of time to change it.<br /><br />I think.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-71504390454681431382010-05-21T20:21:00.006-04:002010-05-21T20:26:43.688-04:00Remember when everyone was smuggling suitcases full of blue jeans into Russia?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mrA1fpvWJ_TDaiCNUA8wwDRmhJcAxUd7vMhY96cZInBpsSPxDtziP_kV6ACMYBINmiop5xygbOoZ7NqJ8D5ESIIBabSimhxq5Ti_QANsveItGBcOZfJHqhb4jdP8Jg3fAmOMOZUfo0Dp/s1600/cooler.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9mrA1fpvWJ_TDaiCNUA8wwDRmhJcAxUd7vMhY96cZInBpsSPxDtziP_kV6ACMYBINmiop5xygbOoZ7NqJ8D5ESIIBabSimhxq5Ti_QANsveItGBcOZfJHqhb4jdP8Jg3fAmOMOZUfo0Dp/s400/cooler.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473883029178260834" border="0" /></a><br />Well, maybe it's time to sneak suitcases full of coolers into Haiti. A local grocery store has priced this model at 29,900 gourdes. For those Yanks out there, that's $747.50 U.S. That's SEVEN HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVEN DOLLARS. And FIFTY CENTS.<br /><br />Seriously. You could make a fortune selling coolers at even half that price.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-45358672420518836842010-05-19T17:29:00.020-04:002010-05-20T11:58:09.329-04:00Two week's notice.Okay, time for some news.<br /><br />Bryan and I will be leaving Haiti and MCC two weeks from today. The past few weeks have been a mixed time for us as we're sad to say goodbye to the folks we know and love on this little island, but in the end we feel like it is good to be moving on.<br /><br />So where to from here?<br /><div><br /></div><div>We are moving back to Philadelphia to live with my brother and our sister-in-law for the summer. After a 10-week internship at <a href="http://www.art-reach.org/">Art-Reach </a>through the <a href="http://www.samfels.org/">Samuel Fels Fund</a>, I will start a(nother) master's degree program at Vanderbilt Divinity School. I'll be studying <a href="http://www.vanderbilt.edu/divinity/gradethics.php">Ethics in Society</a> with the ultimate goal of continuing on to earn a PhD. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bryan was accepted as this year's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arboriculture">arboriculture</a> intern at the <a href="http://www.business-services.upenn.edu/arboretum/index.shtml">Morris Arboretum</a>. This program will allow him to study trees and urban areas, and after a year he'll be certified to risk his life 60 feet up in old trees with a <a href="http://www.google.ht/images?q=chainsaw&hl=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbs=isch:1&ei=QUb1S5nVCsWblgeqvpzeCg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CA4Q_AU">chainsaw</a> for pay. ( If you have a tree problem in 2011 and want to pay scads of <a href="http://www.google.ht/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=piles+of+cash">cash</a> to save your beloved tree, he'll take care of it for you.) To keep the adventurous spirit alive in the meantime, Bryan will be bike commuting and loving every minute of it.<br /><br />In fact, we're trying to live sans car to keep our living costs low (graduate student and intern...aren't we<a href="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs23/f/2007/358/f/b/PEDOBEAR_SAYS__TOO_OLD_by_zipple.png"> too old</a> for this?). We're also planning to keep our thumbs green this summer and plant greens and other yummy things. Depending on the good graces of our familial hosts, we would also like to keep composting worms because they are just crazy to watch. (Bryan doesn't even mind if they actually compost - it's like an ant farm or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWkfAyfBDHE">ant lion</a> <a href="http://www.antlionfarms.com/antlion_kits_for_adults">desktop Zen thing</a> for him.)<br /><br /></div><div>In leaving Haiti, we're most sad about leaving amazing friends. We've had lots of great times here - but we're confident that our friendships and our adventures are not ending. Here's to the future, ya'll!<br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-77684298881658212012010-05-19T17:00:00.015-04:002010-05-19T17:44:16.590-04:00Bon Fet Drapo!Happy Flag Day!<br /><br />Yesterday was one of Haiti's national holidays, and lots of people spent the day off doing this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9XXjQ1kQK7fgHQboBQ2fzY67FWpG967bhqQ9_pUb7pIjpLiW3I-aCLUJ4HhAeZvZQdcZg6xVz96M4q8ByYUmDMCFsYCD_M54fFGYdFNTD67kfBweMczHDEurBDcJX-4wAZ_4bMKnyGdR/s1600/parade.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9XXjQ1kQK7fgHQboBQ2fzY67FWpG967bhqQ9_pUb7pIjpLiW3I-aCLUJ4HhAeZvZQdcZg6xVz96M4q8ByYUmDMCFsYCD_M54fFGYdFNTD67kfBweMczHDEurBDcJX-4wAZ_4bMKnyGdR/s400/parade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473090470398873442" border="0" /></a>(<span style="font-style: italic;">Forgive the last-minute drive-by photo of this much-better-in-real-life parade</span>)<br /></div><br />We instead headed with Alexis and our friend Megan to the lake at Tomasek:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMzKx65No6xCrAb2cS5cCu391TyW_5z_p7oioUSodJHsWOm_OfHsstKIbr-WcRh2A8xobca_KY8g0TI45JcWrsf1j-sCzwnSLbW3PaP2tyzBSUUrKvktW3Igde-fdv9kKvlEj7XRLlaRj/s1600/rickety+boat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMzKx65No6xCrAb2cS5cCu391TyW_5z_p7oioUSodJHsWOm_OfHsstKIbr-WcRh2A8xobca_KY8g0TI45JcWrsf1j-sCzwnSLbW3PaP2tyzBSUUrKvktW3Igde-fdv9kKvlEj7XRLlaRj/s400/rickety+boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473090465735388290" border="0" /></a><br /></div>After a little negotiation, we rented two (ridiculously rickety) boats with two pole-men each and set out against the wind.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL8xiLZf3vQu3QNw9tvPHsZ7nFW3BXP6Qre9Npm3yzxkfncD1MzMoX1JLs1exxhWiu2kYAaE7fAB2u9-yPwzM3NMCW5gPzSe0DyODXIwvHevjVBHelnr3PUXhTaFhR_yjxLZAexjRa3nn/s1600/waiting+to+launch.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL8xiLZf3vQu3QNw9tvPHsZ7nFW3BXP6Qre9Npm3yzxkfncD1MzMoX1JLs1exxhWiu2kYAaE7fAB2u9-yPwzM3NMCW5gPzSe0DyODXIwvHevjVBHelnr3PUXhTaFhR_yjxLZAexjRa3nn/s400/waiting+to+launch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473090459340912562" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Bryan, about to fearlessly risk life and limb in our little watercraft. (While he and I crushed to the left to keep the boat balanced and one man poled us along, the other bailed water. With his </span>sandal<span style="font-style: italic;">. )</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Ben is still laid up with a busted knee and couldn't come, but Alexis and Megan made a handsome duo in the second boat:<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElz1_lYB3b4C5vyYQKJtizTj695xDjeNyXChuIkdEcRmNSSYy6eFxF05l05MD1oZaXZRUR0xthfAi6gl4u2ev2GFO7NalTpDmMKuB_L3JECM9TzHJxZKcrjCg6vGXb_0lIMwxaqeVPmh-/s1600/other+boat.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElz1_lYB3b4C5vyYQKJtizTj695xDjeNyXChuIkdEcRmNSSYy6eFxF05l05MD1oZaXZRUR0xthfAi6gl4u2ev2GFO7NalTpDmMKuB_L3JECM9TzHJxZKcrjCg6vGXb_0lIMwxaqeVPmh-/s400/other+boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089582423946066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">They had a third Haitian man in their boat, which caused no small amount of distress for the man poling our boat along. I'm not sure why he was complaining to us. </span><br /><br />Despite my constant fear of capsizing, it was wholly pleasant to be out on the water with the breeze blowing and no one around:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oBbVT-Q_e8VK4HcjB28OONTxSFE0GDDfpXSFEuQYFThCUwUK_lkHyWDizwxK2He4iwZFUoqjr3E0VYvOqsPaih45woE5BJMY7HC06PBrf0Cq-cMwdfdvN_kQZ_lSMi_r5j0M0ucS-oO-/s1600/horses+horses+horses.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oBbVT-Q_e8VK4HcjB28OONTxSFE0GDDfpXSFEuQYFThCUwUK_lkHyWDizwxK2He4iwZFUoqjr3E0VYvOqsPaih45woE5BJMY7HC06PBrf0Cq-cMwdfdvN_kQZ_lSMi_r5j0M0ucS-oO-/s400/horses+horses+horses.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089565982808194" border="0" /></a>Well, horses and...<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WiG2h5gwyUN198otW8f0hNVuPaVjUpdjH_uIlTUXhWX7H0bH4N66nYgBQDJtmVxbzjccQ89tZWPZ_ugguowJnNDYeENq9NWmxtn_idEMC_r6A-y1GKYCPCzn9jIuFWDQy_rBON6QYkcG/s1600/in+the+water.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7WiG2h5gwyUN198otW8f0hNVuPaVjUpdjH_uIlTUXhWX7H0bH4N66nYgBQDJtmVxbzjccQ89tZWPZ_ugguowJnNDYeENq9NWmxtn_idEMC_r6A-y1GKYCPCzn9jIuFWDQy_rBON6QYkcG/s400/in+the+water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089574716745490" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yes! Flamingos!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzDtR7pfhaDEvR_t4kieQNCQx0c87ExLbLMfMh2tgShN5gv0zOWR23uRX35D7e_8lAFHuEwVW3BDUF8TzOCTe5-VJGmeUJrS3Q2fPc2d5B0TREsQFCzAWJyMk5arYs1JRWc1F9ZK7Yjfr/s1600/in+flight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzDtR7pfhaDEvR_t4kieQNCQx0c87ExLbLMfMh2tgShN5gv0zOWR23uRX35D7e_8lAFHuEwVW3BDUF8TzOCTe5-VJGmeUJrS3Q2fPc2d5B0TREsQFCzAWJyMk5arYs1JRWc1F9ZK7Yjfr/s400/in+flight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089577740080818" border="0" /></a><br />I've always thought that flamingos were a little cheesy, but it turns out they're much more impressive in real life. Despite their gangliness, and the outrageous pinkness of them, they were breathtaking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXNrst0O2Gu9fLjZkdz3u1BX4UAFfpePRF5b8RP88MoWhEafV-FPJUJzrZBvpCIwT8kBuy41WOgA0saoqEKky58L-tv0wrWIG6Mz6B1JCNLCihFtllUp4aQ14qGTxGw0JRuKrqxU5wSXG/s1600/flamingos+way+up+close+small.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXNrst0O2Gu9fLjZkdz3u1BX4UAFfpePRF5b8RP88MoWhEafV-FPJUJzrZBvpCIwT8kBuy41WOgA0saoqEKky58L-tv0wrWIG6Mz6B1JCNLCihFtllUp4aQ14qGTxGw0JRuKrqxU5wSXG/s400/flamingos+way+up+close+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473089563036846050" border="0" /></a>By far one of the most beautiful things we've seen in Haiti. Wings down.<br /><br />Addendum: click through to <a href="http://blexi.blogspot.com/2010/05/flamingos-in-haiti.html">Alexis's blog post</a> for more photos and details about the bird itself.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-85054483769182576532010-05-19T10:41:00.006-04:002010-05-19T10:48:01.999-04:00The article that wasn't.I wrote this for MCC about a month ago, but since it's still making its way through the MCC publication process (i.e., it looks like it won't be released after all) I've decided to post it here instead.<i style=""><o:p></o:p></i> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">Perspective: Global aid threatens <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s economy <o:p></o:p></b></p><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b><b style=""><o:p></o:p></b> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on">PORT-AU-PRINCE</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region> — Dozens of Haitians, usually young women, crowd together in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Port-au-Prince</st1:place></st1:city>, awaiting food distributions. As they wait for free food, they buy plantain chips, bananas, peanuts and other snacks from vendors selling to those in line.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>This tension between free food aid from international aid organizations and H<span style="font-size:100%;">aitian producers and vendors is not new to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region>, but it has become more blatant since the Jan. 12 earthquake. Many countries and organizations, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) included, have shipped food and supplies into the country.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p></o:p>While emergency food relief sustained affected families in and around <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Port-au-Prince</st1:place></st1:city>, where millions were homeless following the earthquake, ongoing free food from outside the country undermines the local economy and makes it harder for Haitian farmers to support themselves and their families.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Local markets shut down in the wake of the earthquake, and food and water were difficult to find and expensive when they were available. In response to this need, MCC immediately sent 33 tons of canned turkey and beef and 1,000 water filters to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Port-au-Prince</st1:place></st1:city>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">“Canned meat is a good way to provide nutrition to people when local markets aren’t functional,” said Margot de Greef, one of MCC Haiti’s Material Resources coordinators. “It’s especially appreciated in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region> because meat is an important part of preparing rice and bean sauce in the traditional way.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to providing canned meat, MCC also actively procured food from local producers to give to earthquake survivors in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Port-au-Prince</st1:place></st1:city>. While international food aid shipments were delayed at <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s only international airport, MCC was able to purchase rice, beans and corn in the countryside and distribute it to disaster victims in the capital within days of the earthquake.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Haitian farmers took pride in being able to help earthquake victims, and recipients took pride in knowing that other Haitians were contributing to relief efforts. Buying food locally also supported <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s ability to feed itself in the long term. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">However, local food aid is only a small percentage of the overall relief effort.</span><span style=";font-size:100%;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(34, 30, 31);font-size:100%;" >Because of the influx of international emergency food aid, the prices of Haitian-produced rice and black beans have already dropped to below pre-earthquake prices. PAPDA (</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><i style="">Plateforme Haïtienne de Plaidoyer pour un Développement Alternatif</i>),</span><span style="color: rgb(34, 30, 31);font-size:100%;" > the Haitian Platform for Advocating Alternative Development, predicts that prices will continue to plummet to the continued detriment of Haitian farmers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: rgb(34, 30, 31);font-size:100%;" >In an interview with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) at the end of January, Haitian president René Préval said, “We cannot continue to rely on giving food to the population that comes from abroad, because we’re competing against our own national agriculture.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Although food aid shipments have increased dramatically since Jan. 12, the presence of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> agricultural products in Haitian markets is not a new phenomenon. In 2009, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), sent 83,020 tons of food for “long-term development and emergency needs.” USAID pledged an additional 14,550 tons of food as emergency response. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> has acknowledged the practice of “dumping” subsidized rice on the Haitian market. In the 1980s, and again in the 1990s, the <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> successfully lobbied to reduce <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region></st1:place>’s import tariffs on rice to a remarkably low 3 percent (compared to the average of 35 percent for other countries in the region). <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region></span> has since become the third-largest importer of American rice despite having a population of only 9 million people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">The effects of these measures have been far-reaching, undermining domestic agriculture production and diminishing Haitian capacity for sustainable livelihoods. In a remarkable public acknowledgement of the negative impact of <st1:country-region st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> policy in <st1:country-region st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region>, former President Bill Clinton apologized last month for promoting the agricultural policies that have devastated <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s agricultural production. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city st="on">Clinton</st1:city> is quoted by <i style="">The New York Times</i>: “It may have been good for some of my farmers in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Arkansas</st1:place></st1:state>, but it has not worked. It was a mistake. I had to live everyday with the consequences of the loss of capacity to produce a rice crop in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region> to feed those people because of what I did; nobody else.”</span></p> <p class="MsoCommentText"><span style="font-size:100%;">These economic measures made it unprofitable for many Haitian farmers to continue working the land, and scores of people chose instead to emigrate to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Port-au-Prince</st1:place></st1:city> and other urban areas. The </span><span style="font-size:100%;">resulting magnitude of vulnerable people living in urban slums has had drastic repercussions on human life and to the economy, as was made obvious by the earthquake. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Nixon Boumba, an MCC Haiti advocacy worker, says, “Earthquakes are natural phenomena. But the destruction of Jan.12 was not natural.”<span style=""> </span>The high levels of devastation and astronomical death toll reflect structural policies in<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size:8pt;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a class="msocomanchor" id="_anchor_3" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('_anchor_3','_com_3')" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('_com_3')" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8227180694518892699#_msocom_3" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_3"></a><!--[endif]--><span style=""></span></span></span> <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Haiti</st1:country-region></st1:place> that have fostered destructive and dangerous living conditions.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">MCC Haiti is working to address underlying issues through advocacy—especially advocacy geared toward influencing North American governmental policies that affect Haiti—and by incorporating livelihood generation measures as part of its overall disaster response. As a result, MCC will stop distributing food aid at the end of April and will move to the next phase of helping Haitians rebuild. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Those in temporary camps currently receiving food aid from MCC will continue to receive nonfood items such as relief buckets, tarps, sheets, tents and first-aid supplies. In response to the needs identified by these communities, MCC will also begin income-generating activities like cash-for-work programs so that people can begin to rebuild their lives. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the long term, MCC will focus its advocacy efforts on the question of food security, partnering with local organizations to both ensure that international trade agreements protect Haitian farmers and to encourage Haitians to build economic independence by buying locally-produced food. MCC Haiti will also continue providing support to build <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Haiti</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s educational system and its agricultural infrastructure.<br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-37721840915532532522010-05-14T12:45:00.022-04:002010-05-20T15:22:44.741-04:00What a week.This time we do not plead laziness for our lack of blogposts - <span style="font-style: italic;">au contraire</span>, we've been super-busy over the past seven days.<br /><br />Last Friday my brother Danny came to visit for a long weekend. A whirlwind tour of our life in Haiti ensued, complete with a hike up the river to our favorite canyon ever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhcqOTGruz84sGYz4pLcQQ_3LKL50pHJO-byzjUaWwZXIc0_g0Kib0yg97E32gs4uAALARQK6RD0wltfzUyxAc4FkKMqspwiJxws4-arzP_xkPJb81KsOZzPg4lJwsWzz7KL6URRQV80v/s1600/river+hiking.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhcqOTGruz84sGYz4pLcQQ_3LKL50pHJO-byzjUaWwZXIc0_g0Kib0yg97E32gs4uAALARQK6RD0wltfzUyxAc4FkKMqspwiJxws4-arzP_xkPJb81KsOZzPg4lJwsWzz7KL6URRQV80v/s400/river+hiking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168843317859138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCKMEPChG8K5CD-Mennrs5na7LCeeYFosB-k60oXQZIBBf0-hZOUoDK0HN_xmRT9ah6_AjaI9hULL3q-Yes1bE9kXlwDSJrZSdjQw3UwpRZeCFDudhzVv27yOH8ySXo8vgC6w1la4Cb0X/s1600/in+sokontre.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCKMEPChG8K5CD-Mennrs5na7LCeeYFosB-k60oXQZIBBf0-hZOUoDK0HN_xmRT9ah6_AjaI9hULL3q-Yes1bE9kXlwDSJrZSdjQw3UwpRZeCFDudhzVv27yOH8ySXo8vgC6w1la4Cb0X/s400/in+sokontre.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168838858931458" border="0" /></a>In fact, Danny ranked this as a highlight of the trip (that, and a cookout in which we introduced him to most of the rest of the MCC crew). Lowlight: buying groceries in the Dezam market (too hot, too many people).<br /><br />He left Monday, and we returned to Dezam on Wednesday for the weekly team meeting and Fritzner's wedding (!).<br /><br />Only in Haiti is a wedding held on a Thursday morning at 8am...in the spruced-up MCC office.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF3FbmufhHTiYGGaFYkN4nKN23bSZhJi-z3YSqeoKDlVKqI1qErRr_dDxb52u8MASMVPnEkOR91Z_O2vUGGv2mi1noRP12FfbBBdcaWBh4YWd3KAsq2C_LxWzXK5bVwmw0B1JyAfEetYU/s1600/wedding+kneel.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzF3FbmufhHTiYGGaFYkN4nKN23bSZhJi-z3YSqeoKDlVKqI1qErRr_dDxb52u8MASMVPnEkOR91Z_O2vUGGv2mi1noRP12FfbBBdcaWBh4YWd3KAsq2C_LxWzXK5bVwmw0B1JyAfEetYU/s400/wedding+kneel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471169539993271250" border="0" /></a><br />Our entire team was dressed to the nines, Nahomie (left) and Denise especially. Even Jides, MCC's helper-kid, spiffed up for the occasion.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtf9VjWES2_ej_wXiCWBT-2klqS9uzKNOEFcrvNw1z2GufYCC9iLK2QrQbWotWYDulTn9SnuTuc8A7XEIXFf86MY0u5rx03FlNjW8RK5fZM2oap7JpldLVj7YJPii-iHHLEtykrliHoSg/s1600/wedding+dressup.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtf9VjWES2_ej_wXiCWBT-2klqS9uzKNOEFcrvNw1z2GufYCC9iLK2QrQbWotWYDulTn9SnuTuc8A7XEIXFf86MY0u5rx03FlNjW8RK5fZM2oap7JpldLVj7YJPii-iHHLEtykrliHoSg/s400/wedding+dressup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471169548848873602" border="0" /></a><br />Frantzo (right) was the best man, and Fritzner and Frantzo looked great in their matching new suits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eUO0hz8QZZsFlsaVDnF3EzCP205hXnXUo78mnRLOMXdxMdC3mv8lvfWfMr5Le6z88LtJCdeWEEWegBdTu1HBpEPfT59y_XwNdCItpCLwwcdMNBgLs248C4yH9oO6EDLNZ4g219PItztr/s1600/wedding+best+man.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eUO0hz8QZZsFlsaVDnF3EzCP205hXnXUo78mnRLOMXdxMdC3mv8lvfWfMr5Le6z88LtJCdeWEEWegBdTu1HBpEPfT59y_XwNdCItpCLwwcdMNBgLs248C4yH9oO6EDLNZ4g219PItztr/s400/wedding+best+man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168856697128594" border="0" /></a><br />They tried to keep it a small affair (so small, in fact, that Bryan and I were nearly not invited because we're in Port!), but people came in droves anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQzMEgnrzUUXMlGQaGm9NCUnGu-HGlfQxG0M74ek4_XZmbtv_XSJlWWxyjHrtYGqXlE-nJqQr67Hu2KUS3n7KFavfscriWms-7OnnDSI1WyesljLZuNwNXZsH2eFar0SidQFvV-9h-FU6/s1600/wedding+crowd.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQzMEgnrzUUXMlGQaGm9NCUnGu-HGlfQxG0M74ek4_XZmbtv_XSJlWWxyjHrtYGqXlE-nJqQr67Hu2KUS3n7KFavfscriWms-7OnnDSI1WyesljLZuNwNXZsH2eFar0SidQFvV-9h-FU6/s400/wedding+crowd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471169544218655634" border="0" /></a><br />After the ceremony the crowd filled four vehicles and drove up the mountain to the home of the bride's family. They were worried about having enough food for everyone, although the spread was impressive:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt97fFlM2NfK-88MtN5LpHFwrYIS0Vr5mY9Z7jw3l5AA0R1pyxD3CpY9M78UCjqKVBBOul35nC5Rq-RmD4nWL4svsIZx7w6j9PIMQfAhtlgkaZLUXIH3L0aokxMd8aVCa6nERDENq1ZA0/s1600/wedding+spread.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkt97fFlM2NfK-88MtN5LpHFwrYIS0Vr5mY9Z7jw3l5AA0R1pyxD3CpY9M78UCjqKVBBOul35nC5Rq-RmD4nWL4svsIZx7w6j9PIMQfAhtlgkaZLUXIH3L0aokxMd8aVCa6nERDENq1ZA0/s400/wedding+spread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471169551317556626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Felisitasyon, Fritzner ak Melita!</span><br /></div><br />On our way back to the city yesterday afternoon, Ben and Bryan stopped at a national landmark for a little bike-video action.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVYur9EpUqEkuKi9-aCOUkmtxWsAMy8tPGde9V1rpUDP-MzFZzSx6aGBbyQ0VWMW4Q8h5k6OpgPBNLZ4wJR4FgMTyUJgCs4Sht40V3qIYb3vjb4o1gFaqIpoElHn-2FvST3OFcDjyi4WN/s1600/biking+sodo+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVYur9EpUqEkuKi9-aCOUkmtxWsAMy8tPGde9V1rpUDP-MzFZzSx6aGBbyQ0VWMW4Q8h5k6OpgPBNLZ4wJR4FgMTyUJgCs4Sht40V3qIYb3vjb4o1gFaqIpoElHn-2FvST3OFcDjyi4WN/s400/biking+sodo+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168848450954114" border="0" /></a>To our entrance contribution we added an hour of entertainment for the gaggle of boys who came along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2Y5JePO0k_8p0cyiunZyzx743V-t12FpvGghUYwNURHFuIXJZiWSCZwxhLrtPXSCDiiq2GcxXnt9r92tZExIRdAUNUFjWj21cknb4C7vBCMz9xtZQuKm8E3ae5kyUVbLGKmK4mVWwcSe/s1600/biking+sodo+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2Y5JePO0k_8p0cyiunZyzx743V-t12FpvGghUYwNURHFuIXJZiWSCZwxhLrtPXSCDiiq2GcxXnt9r92tZExIRdAUNUFjWj21cknb4C7vBCMz9xtZQuKm8E3ae5kyUVbLGKmK4mVWwcSe/s400/biking+sodo+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471168849797810578" border="0" /></a>I don't know if riding through an amazing waterfall has been a dream of Bryan's, but if so, check. Dream come true.Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-74023415221612663142010-05-05T13:47:00.003-04:002010-05-06T10:53:55.609-04:00Sometimes God appears in papier-mache form.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp3LrttxcWPPxx8HutOtZ6ABdh0nWng67HZk3-zTMDLNpykb4z69gdRQMk3WY3t8iE99s89_xZDeBXPzMfvzftLWy13iPHqjHOpP1dmRuzh2q79b5iYClkyNMnGBWw2DJiKKEnLGperyq/s1600/chicken.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp3LrttxcWPPxx8HutOtZ6ABdh0nWng67HZk3-zTMDLNpykb4z69gdRQMk3WY3t8iE99s89_xZDeBXPzMfvzftLWy13iPHqjHOpP1dmRuzh2q79b5iYClkyNMnGBWw2DJiKKEnLGperyq/s400/chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467845048740819810" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="mainbody4">"But you too, good Jesus, are you not also a mother?<br />Are you not a mother who like a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings?<br />And you, my soul dead in yourself, run under the wings of Jesus your mother and lament your griefs under his feathers.<br />Ask that your wounds may be healed and that, comforted, you may live again. Christ, my mother, you gather your chickens under your wings; this dead chicken of yours puts himself under those wings . . .<br />Warm your chicken, give life to your dead one, justify your sinner."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="mainbody4">—Anselm of Canterbury, <em>Prayers and Meditations</em></span><br /></div>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-48388482505772185422010-05-05T13:03:00.017-04:002010-05-05T13:45:50.724-04:00Gras a agribusiness.A friend recently pointed out that in the manner of saying grace, thanking God for food from the earth, it makes a certain sense to thank Agribusiness for meals that come straight from the chemistry lab.<br /><br />Confession 1: I love cereal. It's my all-time comfort food.<br />Confession 2: I love <str>cheap things...er, saving money.<br /><br />So 1 + 2 =<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cra1um1wT_RJTOPz7fK1e5M7Ealp7n8i4JUaxK1GyBK_btlCZN41nL072yJ1phyphenhyphenL7r4vz9Bkdt9d8OAcoOxAj_FLO3J9TuXkGKegFjTI4B3UdOtX9hRL-n_f5CjptALXaCtQ72UsWFcY/s1600/honey+rings,+of+course.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cra1um1wT_RJTOPz7fK1e5M7Ealp7n8i4JUaxK1GyBK_btlCZN41nL072yJ1phyphenhyphenL7r4vz9Bkdt9d8OAcoOxAj_FLO3J9TuXkGKegFjTI4B3UdOtX9hRL-n_f5CjptALXaCtQ72UsWFcY/s400/honey+rings,+of+course.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467834801876743586" border="0" /></a>Oh yes, we did, last Thursday night. It was a second-tier anniversary for us (the day we started dating, EIGHT years ago!), so we celebrated with cereal from Argentina. Pay Only for Taste indeed, since I think this cereal was nutritionally valueless. Hello, food desert in a box. Add a little soy milk, though...<span style="font-style: italic;">irresistible</span>.<br /><br />Saturday we atoned for our sins by making pasta from scratch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fPTM3o5rj_d6je-Uk4qsVd6xlAI9Wl03RarbFihcunUJ9Z3cjPrsA_VLE_HZFtq8uGdM2G5IwLy6NrotAU_Fx4-eQIF6BpnZM1yJM82i2pdMyClI6RoqxNNloe-GRE-HdQ2dsQlQ61W5/s1600/pasta.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fPTM3o5rj_d6je-Uk4qsVd6xlAI9Wl03RarbFihcunUJ9Z3cjPrsA_VLE_HZFtq8uGdM2G5IwLy6NrotAU_Fx4-eQIF6BpnZM1yJM82i2pdMyClI6RoqxNNloe-GRE-HdQ2dsQlQ61W5/s400/pasta.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467834795316196882" border="0" /></a>Basic pasta, as it turns out, is the simplest recipe ever:<br /><br />3 eggs, lightly beaten<br />2 cups flour<br />3/4 teaspoons salt<br /><br />Mix, let rest 30 minutes, roll super-thin, cut into noodles, dry. To cook, boil for 5 minutes in lightly salted water. Can be stored for weeks. Easy peasy.<br /><br />We embellished ours with greens from a local tire garden, tomatoes and garlic from the street market, and feta from...well, far away. Delicious. Recommended. I'm not sure if you actually save money by making pasta, but a sense of accomplishment is really one of the best seasonings you can use. <br /><br />So, the lesson for this week is:<br />Celebrate humanity. Cook food.<br /></str>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-75190371820095084852010-05-05T10:20:00.006-04:002010-05-05T10:23:08.208-04:00And now a word from our sponsor: MCC Action Alert<p></p> <p><b>Support immediate assistance for Haiti<br /></b></p><p><a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jhIksVN4wMMPrf6bP170Gcl1TbrhRJ3g" target="_blank">Urge your members of Congress</a> to move quickly to pass a supplemental funding bill for Haiti.<b><br /></b></p><p><b>Background</b>: On March 24, President Obama sent his request to Congress for a supplemental spending bill to support relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti for the remainder of 2010. Given the extent of the devastation and more than 3 million people affected by the January 12 earthquake, it is vital that Congress votes to support this funding.</p><p>With more than 230,000 people killed, 300,000 people injured, and at least 1.7 million forced from their homes by the earthquake, Haiti will require ongoing support throughout 2010 to address emergency needs in health, nutrition, shelter, sanitation, rural livelihood and food. The rainy season, which has already started, and hurricane season, anticipated for later this year, will only exacerbate this situation.</p><p><b>Faith Reflection</b>: As the situation in Haiti becomes more desperate with the start of the rainy season and due to uncoordinated aid delivery, Christians in the United States can respond to the urgent need. The biblical vision from <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=ctcRUcryk1Lc2NE4ZmU%2Fq8l1TbrhRJ3g" target="_blank">Micah 4:1-5</a> implies access to basic human rights, such as food, health care, meaningful employment, security and education, as central to the establishment of God's Kingdom. It also illustrates how necessary justice is to the fulfillment of a vision of peace. Empowering Haitians helps to assure that they will experience healing after the earthquake accompanied by meaningful development that allows them to access those basic rights.</p><p><b>Action</b>: <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=62AaGgNg9i6UibjxvzbEdMl1TbrhRJ3g" target="_blank">Urge your representative and your senators</a> to move quickly to pass a supplemental funding bill for Haiti. <a href="http://org2.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=dUzooFs9wscDYu9biWV%2F%2Fcl1TbrhRJ3g" target="_blank">Click here</a> to send a message to Congress.</p><p> </p><hr /> <p><i>Alert prepared by <a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/h/1txrbsc8e0rus/?v=b&cs=wh&to=tsitther@mcc.org?subject=Haiti%20Supplemental" target="_blank">Theo Sitther</a>, Legislative Associate for International Affairs.</i></p><p></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-89395527106769366842010-05-03T10:32:00.023-04:002010-05-03T13:27:35.240-04:00Lotsa kakaOn Friday, Sharon, Ben, and I went to Kenscoff to "camp out" in the guesthouse there. When we arrived, the dog was jumping around and waiting for us as usual. It looked like the barrier that I constructed last weekend had worked and she couldn't get into the house any longer. <br /><br />We unlocked the door - and could see that, contrary to our belief, the dog had gotten inside as there was kaka <span style="font-style: italic;">everywhere</span>. Nothing like arriving to a house full of dog crap and urine....on hardwood floors. Ugh. We cleaned it up and proceeded unpacking - and then I realized that my bike had a flat tire. Hmmm. And Ben's bike was not where we had left it - it was in the little room off the kitchen with a water bottle canteen-thing tied to it.<br /><img src="file:///C:/Users/MCCHAI%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt=""><br />We scratched our heads and wondered who had been in the house. Maybe someone else from MCC came up and borrowed the bike(s)?<br /><br />I went to get something from the truck, and the boy who lives under the house in a room that looks like a hostage bunker (seriously, if I ever disappear under mysterious circumstances check that room first) approached me. He asked me how everything was. I responded, "Not good - it looks like someone has broken into the house, used our bikes, and is generally not respecting our property."<br /><br /> He was shocked, because he is there a lot and thought he'd know if someone broke in. Then he asked about the bike. I said that yes, for sure someone borrowed it without permission. <br /><br />He responds, "Yeah, that's bad. I don't know how it got a flat tire." <br />Me: "What?"<br />Him: "The flat tire."<br />Me: "I didn't say anything about a flat tire."<br />Him: "Yes you did!"<br />Me: "No, I didn't. How do you know about the flat tire?" <br /><br />Et cetera. Accuse deny accuse deny. Back I went into the house, somewhat furious but trying to stay cool. Home invasions are near the top of my list of Things That Make Me Angry. At the very top of the list might be messing with my mountain bike, and this was double trouble: a bike invasion, if you will.<br /><br />I tried to let it go, and we started a campfire.* Amazing. We lost track of time, mesmerized by the sheer magic of the fire.<br /><br />* A dream come true for me. I've been scheming about how to have a fire ring on the porch, and finally we just used an old half of a steel drum and drum lid and burned a huge branch trimmed from a tree in the Depps' yard. <br /><br />Around 11:00pm I went inside to use the toilet, and since it was dark my ears told me that I was not urinating into a bowl of liquid but a bowl of...kaka. Ewww gross. So, now someone has broken into the house, borrowed bikes, flattened a tire, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> used a toilet several times and did not flush?! Could it get worse? I flushed it all away and poured bleach into the toilet. <br /><br />The next morning we put the pieces together. It looked like a window had been left unlocked - one of the few unbarred windows in all of Haiti - and if one were determined enough, it would be possible to inch across the narrow ledge on the outside of the house, above a 20-foot drop, open the window, and hop in. One of the doors was only locked by a deadbolt from the inside, so once in, he/she had easy access. It seems that our criminal friend found the spare key and kept it for more easy access. It is indeed a scary ledge.<br /><br />To further incriminate our non-hostage hostage-room resident, the gardener stopped by and told us he had seen this kid riding our bikes around. He went and found the kid (okay, who is actually a nearly-full-grown 17-ish-year-old) who denied the whole thing again. I told them that it doesn't matter who it is, just tell that person to throw the key(s) back into the house after we leave and never do it again. The kid left and we're hoping the case is closed.<br /><br />For prevention of future unauthorized indoor kaka production, I re-blocked the space the dog had been using to enter and installed new padlocks on all the doors. Our bikes came down the mountain with us, so that if by some stroke of luck the intruder returns he/she can no longer borrow our bikes.<br /><br />Weekends in Kenscoff, sigh. It seems there's always drama up there - and it lately involves kaka.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-32102517117891927732010-04-30T14:55:00.012-04:002010-04-30T16:36:00.865-04:00It's a regular Food Week around here.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQWjkZqGyabLtvEzz4eN4ugwi070PoZVrgkX7Z4FRY7DeNcHflldCNGcAkRLiZfjTUk6_vUwd56cYgmy8VsZS9rKdThhN1npy2EhxrIP1yuin68d9QwnkpmJ6H3lwmenPWbURbYk0iwGI/s1600/tchaka.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQWjkZqGyabLtvEzz4eN4ugwi070PoZVrgkX7Z4FRY7DeNcHflldCNGcAkRLiZfjTUk6_vUwd56cYgmy8VsZS9rKdThhN1npy2EhxrIP1yuin68d9QwnkpmJ6H3lwmenPWbURbYk0iwGI/s400/tchaka.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466006468745958114" border="0" /></a>Tchaka!<br /></div><br />I've been in Haiti for almost two years, but last week was the first time I ever had my new favorite Haitian food. Serve with a warm sourdough loaf, and wait for the rave reviews to pour in.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A note</span>: this recipe might be for more advanced cooks, since everything is proportional (i.e., I was given no measurements) and therefore everything is to taste.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Haitian Tchaka</span><br />Prep time: maybe an hour?<br />Serves: flexible, but if there are only two of you you're likely to have leftovers.<br /><br />Pressure cook <span style="font-weight: bold;">red, </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">butter, and black beans</span> (choose two) until soft.<br /><br />In a separate pot, boil chopped <span style="font-weight: bold;">pumpkin</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">scallions</span>/<span style="font-weight: bold;">onions</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">cloves</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">garlic</span> together until pumpkin is soft. Puree.<br /><br />Return spicy pumpkin puree to pot, and add chopped <span style="font-weight: bold;">green peppers</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">carrots</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">potatoes</span>, and <span style="font-weight: bold;"> corn*</span> (it seems like you could really add any vegetables you have around). Cook until vegetables are soft.<br /><br />Add cooked beans and <span style="font-weight: bold;">salt</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">pepper</span>. Let simmer until flavors are blended. Serve hot.<br /><br />*Our cooks here use dried corn, which I would identify as popcorn. If you choose this route, add the corn to the beans and pressure cook until soft.<br /><br />Enjoy!Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-76523181628362863752010-04-28T12:27:00.016-04:002010-04-30T14:55:05.054-04:00The goods.Okay, just to counterbalance my recent criticisms about being a foreigner here, following is a list of things I especially like about Haiti:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The trees</span>. The big ceiba/mapou trees, mangoes, avocados, citrus, neem...so many really interesting trees. Here's to more in the future!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ektWPodcwxT2xOf6I-K86NYTnMypKarayW_nolJuY7cRj6KS4ppIDKxW474pQ3Mq7l_MvNB-XByLNOKxwXxN-XoEtBIPV59UfJoK5Gaeoq2sMnaWfLWCuAQ4W61Tc5PKWnltbxfKAVQ/s1600/tree+up+north.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ektWPodcwxT2xOf6I-K86NYTnMypKarayW_nolJuY7cRj6KS4ppIDKxW474pQ3Mq7l_MvNB-XByLNOKxwXxN-XoEtBIPV59UfJoK5Gaeoq2sMnaWfLWCuAQ4W61Tc5PKWnltbxfKAVQ/s400/tree+up+north.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465596369471690690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9omOBfZ5IGSQ7AXA2E2M-TIDE374iaL8WqVYhCy1kMQ_WS-Hy77GHYOJkXzaHlmpX7beMIVONWcwDeErhjEA1cAVwVZ9FjzkVYJYvC6EIZo8JtJyjfKwS_qpZW1TskhxLw_jGZUXsJ6L/s1600/big+ole+tree.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9omOBfZ5IGSQ7AXA2E2M-TIDE374iaL8WqVYhCy1kMQ_WS-Hy77GHYOJkXzaHlmpX7beMIVONWcwDeErhjEA1cAVwVZ9FjzkVYJYvC6EIZo8JtJyjfKwS_qpZW1TskhxLw_jGZUXsJ6L/s400/big+ole+tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465598250597888050" border="0" /></a><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beaches</span>. I've enjoyed some very nice tropical paradises here in Haiti.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BD26MZRDGVqsughGLEnsRmhwNFNICCQw40OnzpiUgyqG3TrzpHp1iZdvCFeZ0Vsawn5M10ZBlgiTEn-XAh59HtKVwlTlGRZhRbztVvGdIgASBgI17-544nGLZo1sOAiPQmtQCBDxngnd/s1600/almost+dark.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BD26MZRDGVqsughGLEnsRmhwNFNICCQw40OnzpiUgyqG3TrzpHp1iZdvCFeZ0Vsawn5M10ZBlgiTEn-XAh59HtKVwlTlGRZhRbztVvGdIgASBgI17-544nGLZo1sOAiPQmtQCBDxngnd/s400/almost+dark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465594164202711698" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Seau Kontrere</span>. The river/ravine in Desarmes. One of the coolest places I've ever been - and I think it's almost completely void of tourists. Except MCCers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR6nmIiEVMM7HB-1ipsCRW4rqoznsL5hyphenhyphenmGiDN6hQGE6f6OtOcb5tFLpMKWCsaOa704oYad1Ab6mb1z59xRgPw912ScpNQRsNgGpibLbKYERJBtgbL_PXca7M3RrPCIknM95OXMTi4LmY/s1600/soukontre+2.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCR6nmIiEVMM7HB-1ipsCRW4rqoznsL5hyphenhyphenmGiDN6hQGE6f6OtOcb5tFLpMKWCsaOa704oYad1Ab6mb1z59xRgPw912ScpNQRsNgGpibLbKYERJBtgbL_PXca7M3RrPCIknM95OXMTi4LmY/s400/soukontre+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465600676212056930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZZ0YD1rNO_NFWE0xP3Wd96RJjSC3UOirNa-CXvHHJKBG2btOMH6S5_lnfsG2nehF1Kx6Gnk69MxbMZEVxps-YOgokWqoHCG-P8ZP1eqjJUzxKVbyG-F7h2O0oAjfiprixjLuU_IKgG7F/s1600/soukontre+1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZZ0YD1rNO_NFWE0xP3Wd96RJjSC3UOirNa-CXvHHJKBG2btOMH6S5_lnfsG2nehF1Kx6Gnk69MxbMZEVxps-YOgokWqoHCG-P8ZP1eqjJUzxKVbyG-F7h2O0oAjfiprixjLuU_IKgG7F/s400/soukontre+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465600672455516482" border="0" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mountain biking</span> in Haiti. I've been on some really fun sections of singletrack here.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are more. I do have a tender spot for Haiti, but I just want to be sure the tender spot does not rely upon the poverty of the country for me to enjoy it.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-7133855682430982532010-04-27T14:34:00.016-04:002010-04-28T12:17:16.701-04:00Yumness you don't want to miss.Last weekend we were invited up to MCC's guesthouse in Kenscoff (yes, our former home) for a <span style="font-style: italic;">tres</span> delicious breakfast of homemade eggs benedict, garnished with edible flowers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv1jSaS_DjXYT2sFyUcXqpYO65bzJuLu4eCeMf3qSZagBA2RoKi8yUGUAkVQfWYdeLQycpMT68szpR7y0KAwDXUeHPvOzgle_wHDjGu2g4jeb31RvuI_POaEfiXqoLBmGgPGqwZpVkt5p/s1600/yum.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGv1jSaS_DjXYT2sFyUcXqpYO65bzJuLu4eCeMf3qSZagBA2RoKi8yUGUAkVQfWYdeLQycpMT68szpR7y0KAwDXUeHPvOzgle_wHDjGu2g4jeb31RvuI_POaEfiXqoLBmGgPGqwZpVkt5p/s400/yum.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890921272398674" border="0" /></a><br />Pancha, Alexis, and Rachel did the heavy lifting in the kitchen, making irresistible piles of toasted croissants, sliced avocado and tomato, poached eggs, and homemade hollandaise sauce:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlSEqQ2DqWkMU8Fh2VQxEZI_eOQ_UJDwWG5RQVMcLvQkzODB4oj4WPvJvyKdSINEaKGZEMBeCuWLZam-G2pfDVxBKteQPPZG8FAThJR_qkbHZfBiGFVqXdqK1LNkRZJXXhh5gEDi3HbL6/s1600/happy+cooks.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlSEqQ2DqWkMU8Fh2VQxEZI_eOQ_UJDwWG5RQVMcLvQkzODB4oj4WPvJvyKdSINEaKGZEMBeCuWLZam-G2pfDVxBKteQPPZG8FAThJR_qkbHZfBiGFVqXdqK1LNkRZJXXhh5gEDi3HbL6/s400/happy+cooks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890896478546034" border="0" /></a><br />Bryan, Margot, Joel, and I were the most enthusiastic fan club ever:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsRva7sY3zUg9AcX1daUiLKlABiPJLYRKH_-WqUmfm0r53A47ijZy6DrEF3JOfGNEpkBh8bpC2ELcri1bAyguxcG026xqsPBlZ0ov-YHb0350tZyjdeksaR-IxP3j1R7HJjJjmSHuO4ce/s1600/more+please.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsRva7sY3zUg9AcX1daUiLKlABiPJLYRKH_-WqUmfm0r53A47ijZy6DrEF3JOfGNEpkBh8bpC2ELcri1bAyguxcG026xqsPBlZ0ov-YHb0350tZyjdeksaR-IxP3j1R7HJjJjmSHuO4ce/s400/more+please.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890931173414002" border="0" /></a><br />Especially Margot*:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iupQQ3zyVCXK2tg82frDljajgOmUvH2EEr7I7TqIYq7ez1eDAWk30MoAlrwhvKaLvK1b9PR6VYhlS_G-f6uvK39IASRT-DExpoq56ArCU9n-89hhebUFd2tsajukZky35BiFaA-Yj1yb/s1600/margot+loved+it.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iupQQ3zyVCXK2tg82frDljajgOmUvH2EEr7I7TqIYq7ez1eDAWk30MoAlrwhvKaLvK1b9PR6VYhlS_G-f6uvK39IASRT-DExpoq56ArCU9n-89hhebUFd2tsajukZky35BiFaA-Yj1yb/s400/margot+loved+it.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464890911654107266" border="0" /></a>* although she would not, could not be convinced to taste even the tiniest nibble of nasturtium.<br /><br />Since there's always a weekend a-comin', I have re-posted the recipe here for your brunching pleasure. The original can be found at<a href="http://joelandrachelhoffman.wordpress.com/degaje-recipes/"> Joel & Rachel's blog</a>.<br /><br /><p style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Egg Benedict with Yogurt Hollandaise Sauce</strong></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><em>Hollandaise Sauce</em></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">1 cup plain yogurt</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">3 egg yolks</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Juice of 2 key limes (or 2 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice)</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">½ teaspoon salt</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">½ teaspoon Dijon mustard</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Ground pepper</p><p style="font-family: arial;"><em>Other ingredients</em></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Poached eggs</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Toasted bread (English muffins, croissants, Turkish bread, etc.)</p> <p style="font-family: arial;">A BUNCH of cooked bacon [I left this in as part of the original recipe, but avocado & tomato are much better...]<br /></p> <p style="font-family: arial;">Beat together the egg yolks, yogurt, lemon/lime juice in a double boiler. Cook for about 15 minutes until sauce thickens. Keep stirring - it might become thinner then thicker, but just stay with it.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;">Remove from heat and add the salt, pepper and mustard and stir it in.<br /></p><p style="font-family: arial;">During all this I would start cooking the bacon or slicing the veggies. Then poach the eggs and the toast the bread.<br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Serve like this: Place a piece of toasted bread on bottom, then add veggies (you could also use wilted spinach or a favourite roasted veggie), then the poached egg, then pour the warm hollandaise sauce over everything. Enjoy!</span><br /></p>Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-38710939532271750612010-04-26T10:15:00.039-04:002010-04-26T14:06:13.095-04:00Meet Mother Necessity: A blogpost in five acts.<span style="font-style: italic;">I promise this is going somewhere, so stick with me...</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Part One</span><br />Here in Haiti, everyone has to get by with very little. One of the most endearing things about Haitians is the way they can find solutions for almost any problem. A few examples:<br /><br />1. A car key snaps in two in the door. After fishing the key from the door and realizing that the car can't start with the key in this condition, a Haitian finds a scrap piece of aluminum and a file and starts making a copy by hand. The improvised key works and everyone got home safe and sound.<br /><br />2. A car gets a flat tire. The passengers realize there is no lug wrench and flag down other cars. One stops and lets them borrow a lug wrench, but unfortunately all four sizes on the lug wrench are too large. Someone finds a large washer and a rock in the dirt and shapes the washer around the lug nut. The lug wrench is pressed on, and after a few tries the nuts are freed and the tire is changed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJht0XGfzs1RQxDgb9jHYpZl0O0vPdbFV-dYFE_-T9Myty7D1wIeZWjzuZ7XjxVa6P7W3r77mYpfKumyDk3YL3MOcrHFRX2ZLbNl8JEcQiukECw2Wn8r3y_bDbVcGUO1SwcGI8IIympFJ2/s1600/flat+tire.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJht0XGfzs1RQxDgb9jHYpZl0O0vPdbFV-dYFE_-T9Myty7D1wIeZWjzuZ7XjxVa6P7W3r77mYpfKumyDk3YL3MOcrHFRX2ZLbNl8JEcQiukECw2Wn8r3y_bDbVcGUO1SwcGI8IIympFJ2/s400/flat+tire.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464501429189140946" border="0" /></a><br />The list goes on and on. I love this kind of stuff, and really think it's cool and amazing.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part Two</span><br />Over the last few months, a lot of MCC Haiti alumni have been coming to help with post-earthquake-related activities. They reminisce of their time here, and the question always comes up: Do they miss Haiti?<br /><br />The most common response I've heard: they miss the daily adventure. Life in Haiti is always so interesting - the examples above happen fairly regularly and most people living here have these stories to tell and retell with great enthusiasm.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Part Three</span><br />Often foreigners see the countryside as the "real" Haiti.<br /><br />- When the paved road ends and the dirt road begins, I hear "Now I'm in Haiti!"<br /><br />- When we are indoors and the lights go out: "Yup, this is Haiti!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWN4-bLngbLjx-E2xqvoYRdYxM-c5Nge4WDJZn9Yqn8m5xr9tShshJa7bXmh_YUAtBwa4jLeYJcaCJ5n9OrQFxRfNSH2e8TdLELNZhdxGa2ys1vCcmou3oIiVfIhqLE9gq0xOuQxSB3Hr/s1600/candles.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWN4-bLngbLjx-E2xqvoYRdYxM-c5Nge4WDJZn9Yqn8m5xr9tShshJa7bXmh_YUAtBwa4jLeYJcaCJ5n9OrQFxRfNSH2e8TdLELNZhdxGa2ys1vCcmou3oIiVfIhqLE9gq0xOuQxSB3Hr/s400/candles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464506952447614658" border="0" /></a><br />- When you see a huge truck broken down and the driver has the entire transmission laid out in front of him on the side of the road, a smile comes to our faces: "Now <span style="font-style: italic;">this</span> is Haiti."<br /><br />- When we watch the tire repairman beat a tire from a rim with an old axle and patch a tube with a few scraps of metal and an old piston into which he pours a flammable liquid and lights it and few minutes later your tube is patched - MAGIC! Haiti is amazing!<br /><br />My only problem with all of this is that I wonder: do we like Haiti for these reasons only? If Haiti is to develop and tire repairmen become obsolete along with the potholed roads, will foreigners still be interested in the "culture"? Or is the culture so entwined with poverty that the eradication of poverty is the end of Haitian culture? No longer will people carve keys out of scrap aluminum, they will simply go to ACE Hardware down the street and have a copy made.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part Four<br /></span>Why are we as foreigners here? If adventure is part of it, isn't it just a little selfish that we are here to enjoy all of the Haitian inventiveness that is in reality a result of necessity (i.e.,poverty)?<br /><br />And why are <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> so boring? Why is it that life in North America is so boring we need to come to Haiti to have an adventure?<br /><br />Adventure is around every corner in the U.S. Buy an old car and when it breaks down, fix it yourself. Instant adventure. Ride a bike to work and I'll guarantee you will almost die at some point.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopgjPAS_I3_eh00eHLjRMxm7tq77rCwHowyHs07mh-8bnuPWnyEqW2oldPgXjbqNTXx5fQ45JTy9ojiWCdyML7J0obo4mN3wBEZwT-rQCyWFbqUJgnv8qhsSzJX0IJxa5hB_dKYTk5AZm/s1600/bicycle_accidents.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopgjPAS_I3_eh00eHLjRMxm7tq77rCwHowyHs07mh-8bnuPWnyEqW2oldPgXjbqNTXx5fQ45JTy9ojiWCdyML7J0obo4mN3wBEZwT-rQCyWFbqUJgnv8qhsSzJX0IJxa5hB_dKYTk5AZm/s400/bicycle_accidents.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464502222422590498" border="0" /></a>Instant adventure. Go camping and don't bring a tent - adventure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYprEm0V_RDV1L57GDRhx3Edb-yBPEISLzNyBxQVedCbeliH5BcMQckJNJw1WTqtBnSBRgctV7qIxh7nU6ldjZCSSH1tY6MJy-l2Pqzd8xqZ3ErcIn21H9rMI7Iwm5Z-s0veC0aYA-gZH/s1600/ExtremeCamping-300x224.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYprEm0V_RDV1L57GDRhx3Edb-yBPEISLzNyBxQVedCbeliH5BcMQckJNJw1WTqtBnSBRgctV7qIxh7nU6ldjZCSSH1tY6MJy-l2Pqzd8xqZ3ErcIn21H9rMI7Iwm5Z-s0veC0aYA-gZH/s400/ExtremeCamping-300x224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464503004107485266" border="0" /></a><br />Go for a walk in a new neighborhood. Adventure. Is this so hard?<br /><br />I guess I am just questioning my reasons for being here. Sure, some good is being done, but is that enough?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Part Five</span><br />All the sustainable development theory we have learned over the years has pointed squarely at the need to change systems, trade policies, and politics. But to really change Haiti, advocacy is still seen as blah by many North Americans: "Advocacy? Not interested. But if you need something <span style="font-style: italic;">done</span>, like building an orphanage or wiring a church or sending old clothes to Haiti, sign me up."<br /><br />Theses things are all tangible but also finite. Very finite. I feel like I've seen too many schools/orphanages/churches started by a Generous Gift from a church in North America only to be abandoned a few months after the sponsoring church ends its support (or as we like to say, "hands off the project to local leadership").<br /><br />Was that real development? No. Am I critical of people that have great ideas and some money but very little skill in planning for the future, for sustainable development? Yes I am.<br /><br />A friend who visited a few weeks ago pointed out that Haiti is the place Americans come to make them feel grateful for what they have. Pay a couple thousand dollars for a missions trip to Haiti and you return home thankful.<br /><br />As development tourists, we come, have an adventure, and leave, rich with "souvenirs": these stories of the resourcefulness of Haitians. And apparently we wouldn't want it any other way.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-5951349890053350622010-04-23T12:55:00.017-04:002010-04-29T11:30:34.314-04:00These things always happen in twos.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk8VXvqmrblKwQ-i3X9v6qEBfYTFeWH-c00boGVNaB6flhMQetmpf2M3GmMKxNhlrD69XR7no1M500Cw4AasVDQNeWa3iTAE2Uw903zE-zhvg_cIT4EJm4ba1vta3um-oJnOisbKyPMzQ/s1600/motorcycling+port.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMk8VXvqmrblKwQ-i3X9v6qEBfYTFeWH-c00boGVNaB6flhMQetmpf2M3GmMKxNhlrD69XR7no1M500Cw4AasVDQNeWa3iTAE2Uw903zE-zhvg_cIT4EJm4ba1vta3um-oJnOisbKyPMzQ/s400/motorcycling+port.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465582157586287026" border="0" /></a><br />Sharon has a theory that all bad things happen in pairs. This means that whenever something bad happens (speeding tickets, oversleeping) she's immediately ready for the same thing to happen again in the near future.<br /><br />So yesterday evening I headed out on the motorcycle. I saw another moto coming, but I saw that I had plenty of time to pull into the opposite lane. As I pulled out, he decided not to continue going straight but instead turned to avoid me. Unfortunately, and weirdly, he veered into my lane...and crashed right into me.<br /><br />Well, his moto was torn up a bit, and I heard plastic bits hitting the ground and saw a brake line come off his front wheel. My moto and I were knocked over. I stood up and looked it over, and all was fine. A small group of people were ridiculing the other driver for driving into me on my side of the road. Since the only advice I've received about getting into accidents in Haiti is to get away from the scene as quickly as possible, I took the opportunity to start my moto and get out of there before the gathering crowd changed their minds. I hope the other driver is able to fix his bike without too much trouble.<br /><div><br /></div><div>This morning while in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the motorcycle with Sharon, I had to stop behind a tap-tap. These are the small pickup trucks that serve as public transport here, and suddenly the driver decided to reverse...what?...into us. We yelled for him to stop, which he fortunately did. But who reverses in traffic (#1), and if you do embark on such folly, why wouldn't you look to see if there is a car or motorcycle behind you (#2)? </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyhow, this cycle of misfortune has begun and ended fairly quickly. I'm happy neither I nor Sharon were hurt, but it adds a new level of fear to the daily commute when I can't trust other drivers to keep their eyes open and stay in their own lanes.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-44774008793793594372010-04-20T13:56:00.008-04:002010-04-20T14:13:47.052-04:00Hey, solutions!Grassroots International has added <a href="http://grassrootsonline.org/news/articles/feeding-dependency-starving-democracy-still">an updated preface to a 1997 repor</a><a href="http://grassrootsonline.org/news/articles/feeding-dependency-starving-democracy-still">t</a> on Haiti's situation entitled "Feeding Dependency, Starving Democracy." I haven't been able to download the original report yet (thank you, internet - if anyone can download this and email it to me, I'd appreciate it), but the summary is worth reading partially because it briefly outlines many of the issues facing Haiti today AND because Camille Chalmers of the Haitian Platform to Advocate Alternative Development (with the Creole acronym PAPDA), one of MCC Haiti's unofficial partners, actually proposes solutions to problems (!).<br /><br />From the preface:<br />"What would a holistic rehabilitation and development plan of this nature require? Much more than money! It would require a reversal of policies which are at their heart counter to healthy, sustainable development. It would mean a stop to attempts to pry Haiti's economy open to imports; it would mean an end to balancing Haiti's budget by cutting health and education spending; it would mean implementing policies for environmentally-friendly food sovereignty so that Haitians can eat the food they grow in fields that hold the soil; it would mean a massive virtuous circle of support for both the governmental and non-governmental sectors so that they can grow strong together."Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-39678353709495916172010-04-19T11:10:00.003-04:002010-04-19T11:21:15.291-04:00Biking in HaitiBen and I have been mountain biking the past few weekends and this is the result.<br /><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u7AtWaLCI5c&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u7AtWaLCI5c&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8227180694518892699.post-43526286272102787282010-04-19T10:24:00.004-04:002010-04-19T10:44:19.315-04:00Good thing it's my favorite conversation, because I have it several times a weekHaitian: [question in French]<br />Me (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): Oh, I don't speak French.<br />Haitian (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): You don't speak French?<br />Me (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): No, I don't speak French.<br />Haitian (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): What language do you speak?<br />Me (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): English and Creole.<br />Haitian (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): You speak Creole?<br />Me (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): Yes, I speak Creole.<br />Haitian (<span style="font-style: italic;">Creole</span>): O-oh....Sharonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14008110077422378067noreply@blogger.com2