Monday, December 28, 2009

tropicana and raboto

Not much time right now, but if I don't make a list I will forget.

The first night we went out with a Haitian who lives in the US, a missionary couple (jeff and Sharron) who have been coming for 10 years and an armed guard. They took us to Jumbayla (sp?) And we saw a famous band called Tropicana and got home and 3:30 am- making Sister Mary not happy with us. Then to Raboto- life changing. More later.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

The Matthew 25 House

After we got a sim card for Daniel's phone (that doesnt work) we walked out the airport and through a sea of haitian men, yelling (because they want you in get in their taxi?)and staring (because we're white and obviously not in a pack of similarly clothed missionary ducklings), when I heard a little voice saying "caitlin?" And looked down to see a little old white lady who then introduced herself as sister mary.

Sister Mary is running the Matthew 25 house in Delmas alone at the moment, but she does have the help of her friend, sister mary (no joke). Sister mary has been working here for 5 years and although she doesn't speak very much Creole, she "drives Haitian." We waded through what seemed like hundreds of people in the street through the poorest places I have ever seen. I haven't even seen a store- I mean any kind of store let alone a burger king or supermarket. People just hang out on the side of the road with clothes, fruit, and toys. We made it to the white gates of our new home (gates AND guard) and came inside to see a modest but charming house full of haitian art and carvings. Downstairs are common areas where we eat and play cards (already learned a haitian game called "casino") and right now daniel and I are alone upstairs in the "flower" room- but will get other bunk mates- probably missionaries tomorrow) upstairs the rooms open to a large open roof top area where a missionary couple game us our first lesson in creole. They've been coming for ten years and are very helpful. Now, with their help and a haitian guide we do a little exploring. Tomorrow the real work begins.

airport

Landed safely. Waiting in line to get a local phone to call the translator.

miami

In Miami boarding plane to Port Au Prince. We are staying at the Matthew 25 House and they will be picking us up from the airport (thank god).


See you on the flip side...

Friday, December 25, 2009

Haiti bound

Daniel and I leave tonight for our latest adventure.

My cell phone should work (albeit at 3$ a min will be for emergency use only). The verizon people say that means I should get internet, so I will try to update here as much as possible.

It should be quite an adventure. Type Haiti into youtube and watch anything to get a glimpse of the level of poverty and lack of development there. More than any other trip I'm anxious and nervous. But in the very least I'll be home in 2 weeks with some incredible stories, I'm sure.

This is the massacre and subsequent litigation we're writing about: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raboteau_Massacre

Stay tuned....

Lovelovelove and Christmas,
C

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

success

I still have 2 finals to go this semester, and then I begin the work of my big research project, like 4 Christmases, moral character application etc etc etc.

I've got to say I'm feeling pretty burnt out.  Pretty burnt out and apathetic about it all.

Part of me knows I will feel relief just getting it done, getting through it. But that certainly isn't the same as success.  But maybe law school doesn't have much to do with that anyway.  Maybe it's more some of the things I've already done.

One of the best things I got out of my experience at the Panetta Institute was a card.  For some reason, my favorite thing about the whole experience was that they picked out a card for me with this quote on the cover:

"To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch 
or a redeemed social condition

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I guess I'll get back to studying now.  I think my lack of motivation comes from my knowledge that it really has little to do with who I am...