Day 4...

Today was a much more relaxed pace.  Every 2nd Saturday is a half-day, and today was the day.  All of us were needing a more restful day, so it was very welcome.   Housekeeping was a breeze after doing rubble!  I was done by 10:30 ( 3 hours work - our day starts at 7:30), so was able to go play with the children at Plaza Playtime with Raine & Khiya for about an hour.  When playtime is over, we walked the children home.  One little girl, was malade (sick), so I carried her to her home - which was a tent in a tent village close to where we live.  Les timoun (children) are truly precious.  Don & Betty worked building bio-sand-filters, which is an interesting process. 

This afternoon, Raine, Betty and I went to the marketplace with  2 of the long-term volunteers, to buy some fruit for tomorrow - Mangos, papayas, bananas - YUM.   After rice and beans twice a day, and with our ration of one tomato slice, one piece of lettuce, and one piece of potato (when available), we were  craving fresh produce.  The marketplace was truly an experience.  We walked through the tent village I mentioned earlier to reach the marketplace; hundreds of stalls, hundreds of people - all talking what seems to be at the same time.  Rows very close together, and motorcycles and sometimes even vehicles, also making their way through.   I was glad to have a couple of people with us who knew the ropes, and what things should cost.   Bargaining is expected - and I`m not good at that! I was thankful that I know my french numbers fairly well, so knew what they were asking.    It`s amazing the stuff packed into each stall!  It was another overwhelming experience. 

But, it`s surprising how after 4 days I`ve become somewhat accustomed to the crowded streets, the crazy traffic, the horrible living conditions, and instead, have started focussing on the people.   I have been able to drum up some of my very basic french skills, and have been practicing what little I know whenever I can.   I am hoping to learn one Creole phrase per day.   Phrase of the day:  Qui ou en reler (What is your name).  Some of the children don`t speak French, so didn`t understand what I was saying when I asked their name in French.

Supper was on our own tonight - Raine, Khiya and I had scrambled egg sandwiches from a recommended vendor across the street.   Don and Betty were more adventurous - caught a moto (motorcycle)  to the UN for burger and fries - only to find it was closed!  Tried another restaurant - said the food was great.   Hopefully, it will still sit well by  tomorrow!

Tomorrow a bunch of us are taking a tap-tap to Paradise Beach for the day - apparently, its really nice - mostly NGO people -  can buy a lobster for $8!  No rice & beans! 



This is a wide street in the marketplace