Random

Not much to report: things have most certainly slowed down! We officially finished screening (grand total: 1,088 women) and began follow-up (6 colposcopies yesterday, not to mention the dozens of women returning for their results).

Three quick things that I thought I would share because they make me smile:

1. I meant to mention this before (and actually had first noticed it when I was here in October). Every now and then, when in the streets of Port-au-Prince, one can catch herself humming along to a familiar tune.

What song, you ask?

My Heart Will Go On, of course

I kid you not (this makes me particularly happy, considering my attachment to the associated movie, the ever-wonderful Titanic... and yes, I also thought of you, Jen). The source? A water truck (oh, the irony).

2. Se Therese ambled over and cornered me last evening while I was using the internet, to ascertain as to whether I am now frightened to stay in the guesthouse on my own. I assured her that I was perfectly fine… still, she remained worried… but reminded me that they (the sisters) are just seconds away in the adjacent building and that the outer gate is locked… not to mention the 4 dogs that roam the property at night and the doctor who actually has the room next to mine three of the seven nights per week. Overall, I feel fairly secure.

I guess we have moved on from the food concerns. She continues to overfeed me: I have now had a brownie sundae (with homemade ice cream) twice this week. What a sin.

3. If you ever wondered where school buses go to die, look no further. They are used for public transportation in Haiti, donated from the United States. Occasionally, I can discern where they were originally used (Miami-Dade County being the only place I actually recognized), though usually the town/school is blacked out. Regardless of their former use, they are driven as recklessly/frighteningly fast as all other automobiles here, which is why it is particularly amusing when the flashing lights and stop sign still function when they pull over to let people off. Believe me, no one is stopping.