Spring Break(s) Report

I know you're all curious to know how my vacations went, so here's a quick run-down.

The Dominican Republic is paradise.
It has roads: roads with overpasses and underpasses; roads with bridges; roads that don't suddenly turn to gravel in the middle of the country's main highway; roads absent of potholes the size of the a VW bug; beautiful roads.

It has electricity: electricity that runs longer than 11pm - 4am 5 nights a week (that's if you're lucky in Haiti); electricity that allows for hot-water-heaters; electricity that enables constant refrigeration; wonderful electricity.

It has stores: stores where you go inside to try on clothing before you buy it, rather than trying to size yourself up with the second-hand jeans from the States sold on the side of the street.

It has green: green parks you can sit in; green plants growing healthily along the roads; green trees holding the mountains together.

It has Kreyol: if you happen to not speak Spanish, you can simply make friends with all of the Haitians and navigate your way around.

It's amazing.

I know what some of you are thinking; you've heard that the DR is poor. In fact, you probably have friends who have been to the DR on mission trips and come back with stories of just how horrible the poverty is. I am not disputing those stories. But trees on mountains and 5 minutes of hot water are luxuries for me now.

Oh, and I got to enjoy a week with two of my closest friends. It was wonderful.

Haiti with mom & dad was an adventure.
Mom had spring break this past week, so she & dad came down from Tuesday to Saturday after a quick trip to Grandma & Grandpa's in Florida. Mom, dad -- I hope you weren't wanting a restful vacation!

Given the short time they were here, I fit in everything I could: up the hill to the Baptist Mission, back down the hill to tour Port, off to the beach, back up the hill to Kenskoff, a quick stop at Fort Jacques... all of this zipping in and out of traffic, bumping over what we call roads here, in my little rental car.

The good thing is that now my parents will have a slightly better understanding of what I'm describing in my blogs, emails, and stories. The bad thing is that now my parents will have a slightly better understanding of what I'm describing in my blogs, emails, and stories. (I promise mom, I will try to find options other than riding on the top of a school bus when I go on trips. But yes, tap-taps are my primary means of transportation.)

Overall, both weeks were wonderful! Now it's back to work...

-L

Mush

My brain is mush.

I'd like to say that because I live in the developing world, volunteer for a living, work with amazingly intelligent people, and work for a much needed cause that staying focused is easier than it has been at other times in my life. But, in all honesty, a job is a job -- or more accurately in this case, vacation is vacation.

Next week 2 of my closest friends are coming down for a visit. I am currently translating a 50-page document, researching to write an article on the recent orphanage scandal in Les Cayes, updating a blog posting that I started 2 weeks ago, etc., etc. But really, all I have been able to think about for the past few weeks is lounging on a Dominican beach.

So, I apologize for having been a bit absent in blogging (as well as emailing -- woops!). And if anyone from my office ever happens upon this, I apologize for my less-than-ideal productivity.

L & J, get rest Friday night & on your flights Saturday. You happen to be coming the one weekend when I know what's going on in Port, so we have a full schedule as soon as you arrive!

Everyone else, wish me luck. This is the first time I'll have left Haiti since arriving.

-L