Stand By Me

In an attempt to have a vacation during my vacation, I decided to stay at the La Villa Creole hotel in Petionville on Saturday night. It was damaged by the earthquake, but they were given clearance to keep part of the hotel open as hotel rooms are in high demand here. Their restaurant was destroyed, but other parts of the building were as well. I suppose that seeing the cracks in the walls of the hotel you are staying at is a good reminder of what has happened here. I used to check into a hotel for a night to escape - take a hot shower, have air conditioning, go swimming, and just relax and enjoy myself. Now, when you check in, you get a partial escape proving the reality for the whole country. I had AC for awhile, but in the middle of the night they shut off the generator for those units to conserve energy. I enjoyed a swim in the pool with a great view of the now non-existent restaurant and damaged building. All for $150 US per night! Not that I'm complaining, as I thoroughly enjoyed the AC for the time that I had it as well as the swim in the pool - well worth the money spent as I melt away in the sunshine here.

This weekend, I was able to enjoy some great Haitian music (love the music here!). FASIL, a kompa band, is on a hot streak, and I accompanied the band to their gigs on Saturday and Sunday. The band includes my friends David, Max, Reginald, and many others. I saw them play live last time I was here in November 2007. They were just starting then, and in less than 3 years, they've really become one of the favorite bands here. As I type this blog, I can hear FASIL's music blasting on the street. Everywhere I go, I see their name listed for a gig, hear their music playing, see them on TV, seems like everyone knows who they are and they like them! It was a blast to see them play again - these guys are like my family here as I've known a few of them for over five years now. Both gigs were packed - people everywhere, dancing, screaming, singing, the whole nine yards. It was great to see the energy and excitement in the room. They even play a great rendition of "Stand By Me" - the crowd loves it! And, of course, I couldn't help but smile since I know a few of their popular songs include lyrics written about me by David :)

And, one last highlight of the weekend was spending some time with CarryG on Saturday. CarryG is David's daughter, and I absolutely love this girl. I was the first white person she ever met at the age of 3. Now, she's 8 and growing up so fast! David and I took her out to lunch at the Hotel Oloffson. On the way there, we passed by the Presidential Palace. This was the first time she had seen it since the earthquake. I turned around to look at her in the car just as she saw it. Her eyes grew large, and her mouth dropped open. She was shocked. Who wouldn't be! That's what I looked like a few days earlier when I saw it for the first time too. She was with her tutor after school when the earthquake happened, and thankfully, nothing happened to her or her mother. She was lucky. Now, she sleeps in a tent at night with her mom because they are afraid to sleep inside the house in case it happens again. Everyone thinks it will happen again. David tells God daily to just take him if another earthquake hits; he just can't take it any more. These are the new 'norms' around here. Heartbreaking.

Another new norm - LONG lines at the bank. And, I mean LONG! My goal for the day is to get more cash. I've been on the hunt since this morning, so I'm hoping I will be able to make it happen this afternoon. Nothing like spending all day trying to complete one task only! Wish me luck!