Hello everyone from Kare--
It's been quite frustrating trying to find enough time to blog. We been seen sitting outside of varied establishments with the laptop on our laps (hence the name laptop) We are sequestered in a hotel since we were forced to come back right after the swearing in ceremony. Gustav was steaming towards us and was supposed drop 25 inches of rain while he visited.
The road situation here is affected by normal rainfall, let alone torrential rains like we had overnight. As it is, most roads have huge potholes in them normally. So getting around in the more rural community is a challenge: landslides are common in the hills as well as fallen limbs and flooding. We have no idea how much damage Gustav wreaked since the TV isn't working. We didn't lose electricity or water at the hotel, but apparently our neighborhood did. Rooftops are adorned with 600 gallon capacity black plastic barrels that are used as a reserve when storms hit. The public water supply is affected and sometimes they suggest boiling drinking water for days after.
I was unexpectedly emotional while they played the US national anthem at the swearing in. The Jamaican anthem was played first. It was amazing standing with 48 other Americans whom you've spent the past 8 weeks with knowing that we will be lending our skills to Jamaicans for the next two years. Sustainability is the key word in development work. Let the community decide what their needs are and help them devise programs that will improve their situations.
Unfinished but more to come with this entry.
Kare
It's been quite frustrating trying to find enough time to blog. We been seen sitting outside of varied establishments with the laptop on our laps (hence the name laptop) We are sequestered in a hotel since we were forced to come back right after the swearing in ceremony. Gustav was steaming towards us and was supposed drop 25 inches of rain while he visited.
The road situation here is affected by normal rainfall, let alone torrential rains like we had overnight. As it is, most roads have huge potholes in them normally. So getting around in the more rural community is a challenge: landslides are common in the hills as well as fallen limbs and flooding. We have no idea how much damage Gustav wreaked since the TV isn't working. We didn't lose electricity or water at the hotel, but apparently our neighborhood did. Rooftops are adorned with 600 gallon capacity black plastic barrels that are used as a reserve when storms hit. The public water supply is affected and sometimes they suggest boiling drinking water for days after.
I was unexpectedly emotional while they played the US national anthem at the swearing in. The Jamaican anthem was played first. It was amazing standing with 48 other Americans whom you've spent the past 8 weeks with knowing that we will be lending our skills to Jamaicans for the next two years. Sustainability is the key word in development work. Let the community decide what their needs are and help them devise programs that will improve their situations.
Unfinished but more to come with this entry.
Kare
Back again-- Matt and I were approached by a guy staying at the hotel who was looking for food. The small restaurant of sorts was closed. I made him a peanut butter sandwich from our personal stash and we had a great discussion about Jamaican culture. He's a jounalist from Beijing who was here trying to uncover the secret behind Usain Bolt's incredible speed as a runner. He had already interviewed his Dad and people in his town. He gave us his personal business card and said to look him up if we're ever in Beijing. Yet another serendipitous encounter. Hoping to head home to our neighborhood today and our new apt. Love to you all, Kare
1 comment:
Congratulations Mom and Dad! Hope that the move back to Portmore goes well. We're all thinking of you and folks in the path of the storm.
Love Sarah
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