krèm glase!

I was very surprised to find that I have readers, including readers who are frustrated when I don't post. So I am back.

It is amazing to me how Haitian days can seem so meandering and slow to me, and then in retrospect the relationships built, knowledge gained, and work accomplished can continue to surpass my expectations.

Some highlights of the past few days:
-climbing along the very base of a mountain where it meets the sea, up to beautiful ruins of a fort (including huge cannons) that is an active site for voodoo ceremonies
-learning that "mountains beyond mountains" is a Haitian proverb most commonly used to express the concept that you shouldn't pick on someone, because even if you take them down, they probably have back-up that's even bigger than they are
-starting to understand bits of Creole and French conversations, and starting to be understood when I use the occasional Creole phrase. The killer is that my ear still can't distinguish between the two languages!
-finagling it so that I am going to Port au Prince on Wednesday to meet with the national org that oversees the local work I am trying to build upon, and I will be having a dinner tomorrow with a representative from the international org that oversees the national work. Such opportunities!
-speaking for hours with the extremely enthusiastic national celebrity DJ/ social activist who is committed to giving radio time to the issues I am working on.
-hearing said celebrity DJ exclaim such things as, "I have said many times, God should strike me down if ever I run for public office." and "All I would have to do is say my name to anyone who kidnapped me, and they would release me, because I am me, and I am good."
-gaining solid perspective about next steps for my work, and getting enough downtime to start taking those steps, and
-"wum waisin" ice cream! For whatever reason, I have been obsessing about getting this flavor of ice cream for my entire visit, and haven't been able to despite the fact that my hotel tends to serve just vanilla, chocolate, and rum raisin. Sweet success tonight was followed by laughter from my travel companions, as they discovered that I hate raisins and therefore was really just after rum ice cream.

Tuesday here, Wednesday in PaP, Thursday back here, then Friday to the DR and then home!

Bon nuit!