We returned to school in January and have had some chaotic weeks since then. In January, enjoying the nicer cool weather, we did some exploring around Petionville with Desinor, including a local market and a cockfight. Very interesting. We also spent a lovely and cold weekend up at the mountain house.
At the market, Petionville
Desinor taking us to a cockfight
Mountain House view
Mountain house
Tom, at the mountain house
Up at the mountain house
In February, went down to Jacmel for Carnival weekend. Amazing hikes, waterfalls, food, and of course the carnival itself, a Mardi Grad celebration full of dancers, papier mache, colorful paintings, and more. The four of us from our house all went down there together, with the help of our travel agent Jacqui, and had a fabulous time.
Deah at Bassin Bleu
Tom and Sue, on the beach
Coconut snack
Dancing ladies at Carnival
Carnival Tiger
Taking a break from Carnival
Deah and Christi in Jacmel
Tom at Carnival
Bassin Bleu hike
Also in February, Maluschka and Christy and I went to Turks and Caicos islands for a little fun in the sun. Unfortunately, while we were there, we got stuck- the Port au Prince airport shut down and the city was surrounded by rebels. We managed to make our way back to the Dominican Republic, then took the bus back to Haiti. Tom and Sue left for Santo Domingo, with the help of the Canadian embassy, and a few days later Christy and I flew back to the US, with the help of the American embassy. I stayed there for about a week, then things seemed calmer back in Haiti, so I returned to work. In the meantime, the president left the country, so we effectively have no government and the UN has moved in. Who knows what the next few months will bring?
Maluschka and Deah at Turks and Caicos
Turks and Caicos beach
Home for Evacuation! Partying with Allison, Paul, and Mikey
Deah and Hunter, partying down