I suppose the weekend officially started with our daily walk back from the clinic on Friday afternoon (after seeing ninety nine(!!!) women... I was encouraged to volunteer as patient #100, but politely declined). As we slowly ambled back, a young gentleman on his bike yelled, "Hey blan you want to come with me?” I casually replied, “No, mesi.”
Friday night was more or less uneventful. We saw some 300 women this week alone, and needless to say, we were tired. One cold shower and one laptop viewing of Four Weddings and a Funeral (I forgot how funny it was) and Jackie and I were more than ready for bed.
On Saturday, I got to accompany the Duke group on their brief foray to the clairin “factory.” Clairin, an alcohol made from distilled sugarcane, could definitely be smelled from outside the door. And by smelled, I mean that it singed your nostrils from some 20 feet away. I had the tiniest of tastes and was immediately greeted with a flush of warmth from head to toe (not so pleasant, considering the already pervasive heat). Needless to say, it is fairly strong … and I had to smile, because unbeknown to me, I had most certainly tasted it before: in the form of a “rum” punch a few weeks back. I had thought it was a little robust.
(Bubbling clairin)
Saturday night, the group was entertained by a local music group; my favorite member: the perpetually drunk (so I have been told) banjo player (seen in the background), who is also a wonderful local artist. Afterwards, we headed out for some salsa dancing. And by we, I mean members of the group… I went, but remained perfectly content watching.
The highlight of the evening, though, was undoubtedly the rara bands. Jackie and I decided to stay the night at the guesthouse with the group, and were thus able to see one of the rara bands up close and personal from the second floor-balcony. It was a most interesting and entertaining sight. Overall, it was nice to finally have an image associated with my frequent weekend late night/early morning awakenings. Last night was no exception. While I enjoyed watching two groups go by the guesthouse, I was less enthusiastic when two more groups passed by and looped back around (mere feet from my oh-so-quiet porch bed) between 2 and 4 AM.
The Duke group was up and out the door by 6AM (they were headed back to the States), meaning I was up, too. A little bit of strong Haitian coffee (which looked like mud), together with some mamba (peanut butter), flat bread and a banana and we were off to the clinic to straighten up and organize some of the supplies. Each bag we went through released CLOUDS of mosquitoes. However, they paled in comparison to what I discovered in a box I was carelessly going through and moving about:
So I hate bugs, particularly spiders. Even very small ones. Therefore, tarantulas are only kind of okay when seen through a glass tank. Deeeeeefinitely not in the wild. Hiding in boxes that I happen to be holding.
Made it back to Cardinal Leger in time for a delicious and much needed lunch complete with a sweet potato dessert (whose name I have yet to learn, but which I absolutely love). Se Therese was grinning from ear to ear (literally), as my plate was piled high. Her comment: “I’m so happy to see you go for more [I think this was about the time I went up for the third or fourth time… not kidding… there was protein in the form of roast, not fried, chicken and I couldn’t get enough]. I worry [seriously?].”
Jackie, Kara and I then took a brief foray to the local market, which I picked up some interesting shoes for 75 gourdes (less than $2) as well as some Haitian coffee (which I manage to make in non-mud form).
Another week awaits. Contary to our previous concerns, I think we might finish screening our 1000 women this week!
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