So we've finally settled down a bit. We arrived in Batay Libertad last Friday, just the two of us now, after a very nice relaxing day and night at the beach in Cabarette with John. Over the weekend we got settled into the house we are sharing with a fulbright scholar who is doing research here, and relaxing a bit so Peter can get over a head cold he got.
Yesterday Peter started working on a compost project in the Batay, kind of a dry run for the project we hope to do in Haiti. And Meredith has begun her domestic training, learning how to cook, clean, fetch water, shuck Congo beans - she is turning into quite the Haitian housewife. Thid provides a great opportunity to work on langauge since it is the only way to spend time with the women here, from who she wants to practice her Creole, because they are always working.
We have been cooking some, using the local ingredients, we eat about 2 avocados a day, plantains almost every night, and of course rice and beans for lunch. We eat a big midday meal with a family in the Batey, so we are not spending the whole day in the kitchen! There has been a short supply of water lately so we have been going to the river to get water for bathing and dishes. This morning the water was finally turned back on so Meredith fetched plenty of water at the local well site. Yesterday after a long hot day we went to another river to take a bath/rinse off with some friends we have met here in the Batey. It was a beautiful walk through the rice fields, and bannana plants line the road and walkway, quite the beautful picture.
There was a soccer match on Sunday, and Batey Liberetad had a huge win, there was drumming and quite the celebration to follow, it was neat to be apart of that. It has been interesting adjusting to the lifestyle and culture here, there is so much to learn every moment! It has felt good to be in one place for a while and get to know the local community.
Our plan is to spend another week and a half here, working on our language skills and cultural compitence, and then head for Haiti on November 1st. Keep posted, lots of love,sending warm air to VT!
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So excited for you both. Am very jealous but am glad that you both seem to be doing well. We start vaccinating children in schools on Monday, 10/26...a little scary. Take care and keep writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update, good to hear about what y'all are doing. Almost made me cry. Best wishes from Burlington.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to be able to follow you....take some pics. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
so fun reading your posts! glad you're getting into the swing of things. saw a few pics on facebook .... pete what's up with the collared shirts?!! can't wait to hear more! loveya!
ReplyDeleteHey,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you two are doing well. Keep the posts coming!
meredith, i love thinking about you toting water and peeling onions with the ladies, you are my hero! miss you like crzy lady. love hearing about your adventures guys. xxo
ReplyDeletei was just chatting about you mermie with your old l&d coworkers that were down playing on my floor... bet your glad your outta hear with this swine... Hope you guys are having a blast as it sounds... I am incrediably jealous and proud of what you two are doing... youre both so great! Keep those kids smiling... love the pics!
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