I'm going to the States in two days. I can't wait to see my friends and family and catch up on the last 4 months. After school today, if it doesn't rain, I'm going to make my rounds and say goodbye to all my friends. I'll only be gone a week and a half, but I feel so bad leaving everyone!

Love and I...

Field Trip!

On Friday the 2nd through 5th grades took a field trip. We went to see a big cave in a neighboring town and had a picnic. I planned outdoor games and had prizes. They also taught me some of the games that they play. It was a great day with the kids!

The last of Elaine's trip

Elaine left a few days ago and boy do I miss her. After two weeks, I was getting used to having her around...

Fishermen...

We took a water taxi to the village of Labadee (which is only accessible by water) and went exploring.

We couldn't help but be cheesy and write "friends forever" in the sand, like we used to do when we were younger.

Citadel Pictures

Some of the 365 canons that were brought over from France...

Each canon had its own chimney above...

The canon balls....

Amazing view...

The outside of the Citadel...

20,000 enslaved workers died while building the fortress for Henri Christophe.

And with no cement, the Citadel was build with limestone, molasses, and cow's blood. How crazy?!

Elaine and I ventured out of Pignon this weekend. We went up north to Milot and then to Cap Haitien. We did lots of fun things but we agreed that seeing the Citadel was the best. It was so amazing!

The moon shining on the water in the bay....

Water front property?!

I've been enjoying the week with Elaine here. It's so fun to have company!

Elaine and LouLou at the orphanage...

Our shadow... we had trouble finding someone to take our picture on the 4-wheeler, so we got creative and took a picture of our shadow.

School Pictures

a little bit about the situation in Haiti

I've gotten lots of emails from friends wondering about the situation in Haiti. I haven't had internet access until today, so unfortunately I haven't been able to keep everyone posted. I was actually in Port-au-Prince from Tuesday until Friday when everything was going on. As mentioned in the previous post, I was in the city to pick up my friend Elaine at the airport. Things were pretty crazy on Tuesday as I was driving around with Caleb trying to get up to the hotel in Petion-Ville. People burned gas stations, and there were road blocks up everywhere; burning tires and demonstrations. I don't want to go into a lot of detail, because my mom will be reading this and I don't want to scare her too much!! Driving around Port on Thursday wasn't bad at all. Schools, businesses and most places were closed, so things were pretty quiet. There weren't a lot of people out on the streets but you could see lots of damage that had been done.

Everything *seems* to be calmer since they ousted the Prime Minister on Saturday, but I haven't hear much today.
I can definitely see the effects of food prices and everything and how its affecting the people in our little town of Pignon. The Pignon market, which is usually shoulder to shoulder was so empty on Saturday- people can't afford to buy food. Prices of everything have gone up (I paid $15 for 2 gallons of gas) and people are hungry. We are just waiting and praying that things will get better. And, they will. :)

She's Here!

Elaine, a childhood friend is in Haiti visiting me for two weeks. We survived the craziness in Port and are now hanging out in Pignon.

at the hotel Montana in Port...

on the plane out to Pignon...

Rainy Season Has Arrived

Collecting water for my baths, etc.

Kids running to the bus.

After about six months, it looks like dry season has ended and we are making our way to rainy season. It's not raining daily yet, which is nice. The other nice thing: the cool 73 degree temperature right now!