February 24, 2010
Car problems??
We seem to have an unending supply of car difficulties... the rental car/pickup truck from the D.R. seems to have "issues" that can only be remedied by an elite handful of Haitian mechanics between the hours of 8am and 8pm. After several minutes of stupid questions and subsequent translations, it seems that the pump jockey put gasoline in the diesel engine, and thus, we have had issues for the last few days. I'm not very car savvy but I didn't see any completely obvious problems - but would think that an issue we SHOULD have would be a tire flat/blowout/etc. Regardless, we are riding MP to get the thing fixed early, since we have a day trip to Jacumel tomorrow - a city on the south coast of Haiti that was almost 80% destroyed by the earthquake. So let's hope the automotive fairy leaves an oil filter under our pillow tonight....
February 23, 2010
*Graphic Disclaimer* Eyeball Surgery
Tonight was the first night here that I stayed up past 9pm. We stopped by the hit-by-car dog's house to pick her up in our (now empty) crate. Arrived at camp just as the sun dipped below the horizon, and we were presented with the challenge of performing surgery in the dark. And without clippers. Or a proper surgery table. And it's why I love working over seas :)
The cast iron breakfast/lunch/dinner table became a surgical suite, a construction lamp and truck headlights provided illumination, a tree branch became an IV pole. MC is beyond adaptable, and managed to do surgery while sitting down in a half-broken chair at the tilted table. The dog, who was named Jackie (as in "One-Eyed-Jack") was unbelievably cooperative, and hardly flinched when we started slowly cleaning the film of dust and dirt off her humongous proptosed eye ball. MC enucleated the eye in all of 3 minutes, and then subsequently discovered several broken teeth on Jackie's right side. Graphic photos below:
Pre-Surgical Exam (on home-made exam table)
JG & P prep lights and supplies
Getting supplies from the supply suitcases
JE has total control of the IV fluid situation
It takes a group to prep for surgery
Beginning
Middle
The End
Ta-Dah!!
When all was said and done, Jackie was resting comfortably in her recovery crate with lots of pain meds to keep her happy overnight. She was positioned between JG and my tent and MP's tent, so we would certainly hear if there was a problem overnight. Late night eye ball surgery can get you mighty hungry. That's why we're grateful for Ramon and the Dominican mobile kitchens... pasta on demand, 24/7!
The cast iron breakfast/lunch/dinner table became a surgical suite, a construction lamp and truck headlights provided illumination, a tree branch became an IV pole. MC is beyond adaptable, and managed to do surgery while sitting down in a half-broken chair at the tilted table. The dog, who was named Jackie (as in "One-Eyed-Jack") was unbelievably cooperative, and hardly flinched when we started slowly cleaning the film of dust and dirt off her humongous proptosed eye ball. MC enucleated the eye in all of 3 minutes, and then subsequently discovered several broken teeth on Jackie's right side. Graphic photos below:
Pre-Surgical Exam (on home-made exam table)
JG & P prep lights and supplies
Getting supplies from the supply suitcases
JE has total control of the IV fluid situation
It takes a group to prep for surgery
Beginning
Middle
The End
Ta-Dah!!When all was said and done, Jackie was resting comfortably in her recovery crate with lots of pain meds to keep her happy overnight. She was positioned between JG and my tent and MP's tent, so we would certainly hear if there was a problem overnight. Late night eye ball surgery can get you mighty hungry. That's why we're grateful for Ramon and the Dominican mobile kitchens... pasta on demand, 24/7!
REAL men love orphan cats
Right after posting my last entry, MP came to the internet "cafe" (aka... a conference room above a factory) with 2 soldiers and a colonel from the Bolivian army. They were following up on the cat they had dropped off early this morning - it was SO awesome to see 3 grown men in full body armor looking at pictures of the poor cat's butt on MP's laptop. They were very concerned and thanked us again and again (even though we didn't do anything yet). They also apparently have several dogs there who's owners died in the earthquake and were rescued from the streets by the Bolivian troops, and we were asked to visit the army base to examine a few of the sick-looking dogs.
After MC, JE and RB arrived, the translator told us there was a dog nearby that was in very bad shape and hadn't eaten for 4 or 5 days. Organization is not a strong quality in the SODOPRECA camp, but we managed to get everyone to Sonapi, unpacked, and get MC to examine the cat. After quite a bit of translation and discussion, we took the cat with us to the Bolivian camp to get permission for surgery.
On the way to Camp Charlie, we went to see the sick dog and found she had been hit in the face by something (again, French/Creole/Spanish/English translation) like a dog or car or rock, and had an unbelievable proptosed eyeball that was covered with a dusty crust of fur and blood. The owners lived in a small tent/rubble city at the top of a narrow, steep dirt road, which could not be driven on safely with the truck. Aside from the massive, horrific head wounds, the dog was in pretty decent Haitian street-dog condition. Since the cat was already in the crate, we told the owners we would return later to pick her up and take her back to Sonapi for surgery.
Driving anywhere in Haiti is like a video game/NASCAR feat: there are UN trucks, tanks, and soldiers everywhere, cars and motorbikes all over the place, guay-guays (Haitian buses) clunking along with about a dozen people hanging out the back, people wandering in and out of traffic selling any and everything, children just standing on the side of the road... the chaos is unreal. There are no Haitian police (as there is no Haitian government) so you can drive anyway you want, anywhere you want, and there are no consequences. As such, people run through lights, drive on the wrong side of the road, drive off road, and go as fast as they want.
After what seemed like a million years in the truck, we arrived at Camp Charlie. The Bolivian army was very excited to see us, and even MORE excited to see the cat! The army (human) doctor invited us to visit and use his clinic (and it's air conditioning and bathrooms!!!!). MC and JE discussed the cat's condition with 2nd Colonel Suarez, and told him that they would see what could be done for the cat, but couldn't make any promises. He was grateful for our help and took lots of pictures to show the orphanage what we were doing to help the cat. While RB and I prepped the cat for surgery, we had about a 1/2 dozen Bolivian army doctors and nurses file into the clinic. By the time MC got down to surgery, there were over a dozen people in the small clinic!
Unfortunately for the cat, it was no bueno :( The infection had spread up into his pelvis/abdomen via a COLONY of maggots - not one, not 10, but THOUSANDS of maggots. So many maggots, they couldn't move they were packed into the wound so tightly. Yea. Gross. I'm not usually a squeamish maggot person, but something about that situation just made me gag. There was no hope for the cat, and he was euthanized. He was then buried by the Bolivian army in a garden on camp.
How awesome is that? Not the euthanasia, but the Bolivian-feline love. In the midst of the hell that is Haiti, here was group of men from a continent known for its machismo attitude, burying an orphanage cat in their camp garden. I have never been to Bolivia, but I think I might like it there... if the country is as animal-friendly as their troops in Haiti, I think I might like it just fine.
After MC, JE and RB arrived, the translator told us there was a dog nearby that was in very bad shape and hadn't eaten for 4 or 5 days. Organization is not a strong quality in the SODOPRECA camp, but we managed to get everyone to Sonapi, unpacked, and get MC to examine the cat. After quite a bit of translation and discussion, we took the cat with us to the Bolivian camp to get permission for surgery.
On the way to Camp Charlie, we went to see the sick dog and found she had been hit in the face by something (again, French/Creole/Spanish/English translation) like a dog or car or rock, and had an unbelievable proptosed eyeball that was covered with a dusty crust of fur and blood. The owners lived in a small tent/rubble city at the top of a narrow, steep dirt road, which could not be driven on safely with the truck. Aside from the massive, horrific head wounds, the dog was in pretty decent Haitian street-dog condition. Since the cat was already in the crate, we told the owners we would return later to pick her up and take her back to Sonapi for surgery.
Driving anywhere in Haiti is like a video game/NASCAR feat: there are UN trucks, tanks, and soldiers everywhere, cars and motorbikes all over the place, guay-guays (Haitian buses) clunking along with about a dozen people hanging out the back, people wandering in and out of traffic selling any and everything, children just standing on the side of the road... the chaos is unreal. There are no Haitian police (as there is no Haitian government) so you can drive anyway you want, anywhere you want, and there are no consequences. As such, people run through lights, drive on the wrong side of the road, drive off road, and go as fast as they want.
After what seemed like a million years in the truck, we arrived at Camp Charlie. The Bolivian army was very excited to see us, and even MORE excited to see the cat! The army (human) doctor invited us to visit and use his clinic (and it's air conditioning and bathrooms!!!!). MC and JE discussed the cat's condition with 2nd Colonel Suarez, and told him that they would see what could be done for the cat, but couldn't make any promises. He was grateful for our help and took lots of pictures to show the orphanage what we were doing to help the cat. While RB and I prepped the cat for surgery, we had about a 1/2 dozen Bolivian army doctors and nurses file into the clinic. By the time MC got down to surgery, there were over a dozen people in the small clinic!
Unfortunately for the cat, it was no bueno :( The infection had spread up into his pelvis/abdomen via a COLONY of maggots - not one, not 10, but THOUSANDS of maggots. So many maggots, they couldn't move they were packed into the wound so tightly. Yea. Gross. I'm not usually a squeamish maggot person, but something about that situation just made me gag. There was no hope for the cat, and he was euthanized. He was then buried by the Bolivian army in a garden on camp.
How awesome is that? Not the euthanasia, but the Bolivian-feline love. In the midst of the hell that is Haiti, here was group of men from a continent known for its machismo attitude, burying an orphanage cat in their camp garden. I have never been to Bolivia, but I think I might like it there... if the country is as animal-friendly as their troops in Haiti, I think I might like it just fine.
what after shock??
Last night I slept through a 4.5 earthquake after shock. Yup. Slept straight through it. I also woke up to find a cat had been dropped off at our camp early that morning (before 7am? Seriously?) by some officers from the Bolivian UN camp. Apparently I was considered "in charge" and handed the responsibility of treating it. I didn't even have my glasses on yet, but stumbled out of the tent to see what was what.
According to translation, the cat belonged to an orphanage nearby, and had either been bit by a dog or hit by a car - either of which ripped his tail clean off his body. Well, not really "clean", since he had a few bony, crusty vertebrae sticking out of a huge hole in his bum. Somehow, the Bolivian army found out and brought the cat to Sonapi to have us look at it.
The cat was shocky and beyond pale, so without the vets there to treat him, I did the next best thing - subcutaneous fluids, vitamins, and parasite treatments with a large heaping dose of hope. We're off to the airport (again, 3 miles but probably an hour drive) to pick up MC, JE and RB - hopefully one of the 2 vets will be able to put him back together again.
According to translation, the cat belonged to an orphanage nearby, and had either been bit by a dog or hit by a car - either of which ripped his tail clean off his body. Well, not really "clean", since he had a few bony, crusty vertebrae sticking out of a huge hole in his bum. Somehow, the Bolivian army found out and brought the cat to Sonapi to have us look at it.
The cat was shocky and beyond pale, so without the vets there to treat him, I did the next best thing - subcutaneous fluids, vitamins, and parasite treatments with a large heaping dose of hope. We're off to the airport (again, 3 miles but probably an hour drive) to pick up MC, JE and RB - hopefully one of the 2 vets will be able to put him back together again.
February 22, 2010
One More
So we arrived in Haiti. Flying in to the Port au Prince airport we could see the masses of people in the streets and tent cities. After a bit of confusion and a 10 minute flip out at the World Food Programme airport office, we met with the SODOPRECA team and were off to our "camp". We saw only a brief bit of Haiti on the way to camp - and it was indescribable at best. Our camp was located about 3 miles from the airport, but about 30 minutes by car due to the utter chaos in the streets.
Our camp is called Sonapi - a free zone that was/is home to several factories and manufacturing plants. Our tents were in an area protected by Brazil UN soldiers along with the DR mobile kitchens and Pakistani humane aid.
JG and I dropped off our stuff and went on a tour of Haiti in the truck with MP, the SODOPRECA team coordinator and A, our translator. The destruction was almost complete and the ruins were unreal. Mobs of people just walked in the street, probably afraid to go back indoors lest their homes fall again. There were massive tent cities all around Port au Prince - some in huge open areas, others just alongside the road, built into the rubble.
We went to a tent city located at a former (now destroyed) church/monastery under protection by the UN troops from Mexico. There were literally thousands upon thousands of people living in various tents - homemade, US Army supplied, donated camp supplies from EMS. We pulled into a clearing and after some Spanish/French/Creole discussions, animals started coming at us from all directions. Haitian children of all ages formed a circle around MP, JG and I. We heard shrieks and squeals as the circle parted and a child came running in with an animal in tow. Most of the dogs were on homemade leashes and cats came in their owners' arms or tied to shoestrings. Several goats were carried in, and one small boy fought with a pig (which was about as big as he was) on a leash. We were missing half of the World Vet donations (which arrive tomorrow with RB), so with albon and some anti parasitic spray, we treated as many animals as possible - 32 at the Mexican Camp (20 Dog, 3 Cat, 8 Goat, 1 Pig). The people kept asking when we would come back - my head was still spinning from the whole experience - I didn't know. As we drove away, a herd of children ran after the truck with a small dog, so we got out and treated one more.
Back at Sonapi, it took 4 people 20 minutes to figure out how to assemble our tent. Then the SODOPREcA people laughed at our sad little tent which was going to hold 2 people. I thought about bringing the Taj Mahal of tents we have at home, but it was too heavy and not worth it for just 1 week. After the 20kg and no more drama in DR, I just assume not deal with it. It's 7:30 but feels like midnight. Time for bug spray and sleep.
Our camp is called Sonapi - a free zone that was/is home to several factories and manufacturing plants. Our tents were in an area protected by Brazil UN soldiers along with the DR mobile kitchens and Pakistani humane aid.
JG and I dropped off our stuff and went on a tour of Haiti in the truck with MP, the SODOPRECA team coordinator and A, our translator. The destruction was almost complete and the ruins were unreal. Mobs of people just walked in the street, probably afraid to go back indoors lest their homes fall again. There were massive tent cities all around Port au Prince - some in huge open areas, others just alongside the road, built into the rubble.
We went to a tent city located at a former (now destroyed) church/monastery under protection by the UN troops from Mexico. There were literally thousands upon thousands of people living in various tents - homemade, US Army supplied, donated camp supplies from EMS. We pulled into a clearing and after some Spanish/French/Creole discussions, animals started coming at us from all directions. Haitian children of all ages formed a circle around MP, JG and I. We heard shrieks and squeals as the circle parted and a child came running in with an animal in tow. Most of the dogs were on homemade leashes and cats came in their owners' arms or tied to shoestrings. Several goats were carried in, and one small boy fought with a pig (which was about as big as he was) on a leash. We were missing half of the World Vet donations (which arrive tomorrow with RB), so with albon and some anti parasitic spray, we treated as many animals as possible - 32 at the Mexican Camp (20 Dog, 3 Cat, 8 Goat, 1 Pig). The people kept asking when we would come back - my head was still spinning from the whole experience - I didn't know. As we drove away, a herd of children ran after the truck with a small dog, so we got out and treated one more.
Back at Sonapi, it took 4 people 20 minutes to figure out how to assemble our tent. Then the SODOPREcA people laughed at our sad little tent which was going to hold 2 people. I thought about bringing the Taj Mahal of tents we have at home, but it was too heavy and not worth it for just 1 week. After the 20kg and no more drama in DR, I just assume not deal with it. It's 7:30 but feels like midnight. Time for bug spray and sleep.
Off to Haiti...Discuss.
So let's talk about the animal situation in Haiti - the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH) is neither for the animals, providing relief, nor a coalition for Haiti. Discuss.
ARCH was formed by the bigwigs in the animal welfare world in response to the earthquake - WSPA, IFAW and other groups came together to provide aid to the Haitian animals. SODOPRECA became the middleman - arranging and providing logistical support to groups going to Haiti. They pooled resources and provided money, donations, supplies, medicine, man power etc etc etc.
As of last week ARCH canceled their contract with SODOPRECA and no one knows why. They pulled out their support, camps and supplies. That's another interesting topic. We were told (but figured as such anyways) that accommodations would be minimal at best. We're loaded down with camping supplies - tents, sleeping bags, pads, etc. Come to find out (from SODOPRECA) that the ARCH teams were staying at the house of some up & up in the Haitian government.
Really?
Really.
As I've mentioned before its totally embarrassing to be an American overseas. Everyone here is grateful to have our help, but is totally drained of funds and still waiting for ARCH to cut them a check for the last few weeks of supplies. In the meantime, the bills are on EF's credit card (remember EF? The full time volunteer/law student? Yeah - she's the one). While it may have been poor judgment on her part, she's currently funding and planning the SODOPRECA response in Haiti.
Really, Americans?
Really.
EF coordinated free air tickets to/from Haiti with a UN group called World Food Programme (probably from Norway or Holland or Sweden - they all look like Swiss Family Robinson) but originally it was going to cost $250 to get to Haiti by plane. Driving is a sketchy option, as the border is only open twice a day, so foreigners hanging out in their cars are easy targets for looting.
ARCH took back their trucks and fuel (the literally version of "I'm gonna take my little red wagon and go home") so SODOPRECA scrambled to keep sh*t together for the 5 of us. We are supposedly camping in a free zone with people from Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil. Which is totally embarrassing since we're Americans? JG and I donated our intended $250 for airfare to pay on the rental truck tab and fuel. Why that's even an issue when ASPCA alone has raised over $100,000 for Haiti, I don't know.
So it sounds like a typical case of Whistle-Clipboard Syndrome - give someone some power and stand the f*ck back. Apparently it doesn't matter where in the world that is.
Really?
Really.
So now SODOPRECA is essentially begging for support. They know we are independent volunteers, but they know we have connections, and are trying to get help for the future. They don't give a sh*t who helps, just so long as they help. Unfortunately, since no one seems to know why ARCH is pissed off at SODOPRECA, anyone not part of ARCH is hesitant to get in the middle for fear of an NGO bitch fight.
Remind me again why we're hear?
The animals?
Really?
Really.
As such, I'm on a slight scouting mission to find out the 411 on ARCH - who's in charge and why they're calling these shots. People in the states are lined up to help, but no one from ARCH wants them. Just the money. But if the money isn't going to SODOPRECA (who, according to the WSPA website is the logistic coordinator in DR for Haitian animal aid) where is it going? Are the gringos doing an embarrassing "living large" in an earthquake ravaged 3rd world country?
The best/worst story I've heard yet is from a SODOPRECA gringo volunteer who was in Haiti a week or so back. A Haitian husband/wife couple approached him on the street - the husband offered to let the volunteer have sex with his wife in exchange for some food. And people are fighting over who gets to wear the ARCH badge and call the shots?
Really?
Really.
Our plane will be landing in about 10 minutes - full of international volunteers. I can't wait to see what sort of chaos is waiting for us - natural AND man-made.
ARCH was formed by the bigwigs in the animal welfare world in response to the earthquake - WSPA, IFAW and other groups came together to provide aid to the Haitian animals. SODOPRECA became the middleman - arranging and providing logistical support to groups going to Haiti. They pooled resources and provided money, donations, supplies, medicine, man power etc etc etc.
As of last week ARCH canceled their contract with SODOPRECA and no one knows why. They pulled out their support, camps and supplies. That's another interesting topic. We were told (but figured as such anyways) that accommodations would be minimal at best. We're loaded down with camping supplies - tents, sleeping bags, pads, etc. Come to find out (from SODOPRECA) that the ARCH teams were staying at the house of some up & up in the Haitian government.
Really?
Really.
As I've mentioned before its totally embarrassing to be an American overseas. Everyone here is grateful to have our help, but is totally drained of funds and still waiting for ARCH to cut them a check for the last few weeks of supplies. In the meantime, the bills are on EF's credit card (remember EF? The full time volunteer/law student? Yeah - she's the one). While it may have been poor judgment on her part, she's currently funding and planning the SODOPRECA response in Haiti.
Really, Americans?
Really.
EF coordinated free air tickets to/from Haiti with a UN group called World Food Programme (probably from Norway or Holland or Sweden - they all look like Swiss Family Robinson) but originally it was going to cost $250 to get to Haiti by plane. Driving is a sketchy option, as the border is only open twice a day, so foreigners hanging out in their cars are easy targets for looting.
ARCH took back their trucks and fuel (the literally version of "I'm gonna take my little red wagon and go home") so SODOPRECA scrambled to keep sh*t together for the 5 of us. We are supposedly camping in a free zone with people from Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil. Which is totally embarrassing since we're Americans? JG and I donated our intended $250 for airfare to pay on the rental truck tab and fuel. Why that's even an issue when ASPCA alone has raised over $100,000 for Haiti, I don't know.
So it sounds like a typical case of Whistle-Clipboard Syndrome - give someone some power and stand the f*ck back. Apparently it doesn't matter where in the world that is.
Really?
Really.
So now SODOPRECA is essentially begging for support. They know we are independent volunteers, but they know we have connections, and are trying to get help for the future. They don't give a sh*t who helps, just so long as they help. Unfortunately, since no one seems to know why ARCH is pissed off at SODOPRECA, anyone not part of ARCH is hesitant to get in the middle for fear of an NGO bitch fight.
Remind me again why we're hear?
The animals?
Really?
Really.
As such, I'm on a slight scouting mission to find out the 411 on ARCH - who's in charge and why they're calling these shots. People in the states are lined up to help, but no one from ARCH wants them. Just the money. But if the money isn't going to SODOPRECA (who, according to the WSPA website is the logistic coordinator in DR for Haitian animal aid) where is it going? Are the gringos doing an embarrassing "living large" in an earthquake ravaged 3rd world country?
The best/worst story I've heard yet is from a SODOPRECA gringo volunteer who was in Haiti a week or so back. A Haitian husband/wife couple approached him on the street - the husband offered to let the volunteer have sex with his wife in exchange for some food. And people are fighting over who gets to wear the ARCH badge and call the shots?
Really?
Really.
Our plane will be landing in about 10 minutes - full of international volunteers. I can't wait to see what sort of chaos is waiting for us - natural AND man-made.
February 21, 2010
Another one in a million
Today we arrived in DR and were met by EF from SODOPRECA (Sociedad Dominicana para la Prevencion de Crueldad a los Animales) and her pink SODOPRECA car :) We went to the hotel to drop off our stuff then to EF's house, where her family made us lunch - empanadas!!!
EF is one of those rare people - the likes of whom I have only met once or twice. She is a 30 year old full time law student and full time volunteer for SODOPRECA (therefore, full time broke).
Most people wonder how or why a person could or would forgo a real job to volunteer full time. I suppose the notion of salary and pay day is inherently American? She lives with her extended in a nice house in the burbs of Santo Domingo. She has a dog, Bosco, a cat, Chiquita (who just gave birth to a huge ass kitten in the closet) and a turtle that lives in the garden. None of her pets are sterilized, however she hardly has resources to feed them let alone do extensive vet work. Her dog was hit by a car and broke his jaw - she had him x-rayed and his tooth removed - now the family makes fun of his tooth-less smile. The turtle is on a leash - apparently they can squeeze out the gate and get hit by cars on the road, so he has a rope attached to his shell.
After lunch, JG and I passed out in the hotel - JG by the pool and me in the room. I was utterly exhausted - after 3 hours of sleep and a crazy morning flight from JFK, I was drained. We went out on the town tonight with EF and her sisters. We walked the malecone (Spanish for boardwalk) and saw kids flying kites in the grass. Dinner was at a restaurant named Adrian Tropical (hehee) it was nice to hang out with the locals and do local stuff. Probably the best part of traveling is meeting new people and making new friends - kind of impossible if you are holed up somewhere in a resort. Out in the real world are the real people... the ones who make you realize how awesome and crazy this world is - turtle ropes and all.
EF is one of those rare people - the likes of whom I have only met once or twice. She is a 30 year old full time law student and full time volunteer for SODOPRECA (therefore, full time broke).
Most people wonder how or why a person could or would forgo a real job to volunteer full time. I suppose the notion of salary and pay day is inherently American? She lives with her extended in a nice house in the burbs of Santo Domingo. She has a dog, Bosco, a cat, Chiquita (who just gave birth to a huge ass kitten in the closet) and a turtle that lives in the garden. None of her pets are sterilized, however she hardly has resources to feed them let alone do extensive vet work. Her dog was hit by a car and broke his jaw - she had him x-rayed and his tooth removed - now the family makes fun of his tooth-less smile. The turtle is on a leash - apparently they can squeeze out the gate and get hit by cars on the road, so he has a rope attached to his shell.
After lunch, JG and I passed out in the hotel - JG by the pool and me in the room. I was utterly exhausted - after 3 hours of sleep and a crazy morning flight from JFK, I was drained. We went out on the town tonight with EF and her sisters. We walked the malecone (Spanish for boardwalk) and saw kids flying kites in the grass. Dinner was at a restaurant named Adrian Tropical (hehee) it was nice to hang out with the locals and do local stuff. Probably the best part of traveling is meeting new people and making new friends - kind of impossible if you are holed up somewhere in a resort. Out in the real world are the real people... the ones who make you realize how awesome and crazy this world is - turtle ropes and all.
freakin sweet!!
So I haven't flown JetBlue in a million years, but let me tell you how much I love them already. After slipping past the huge ass line to get my boarding pass (thanks to the guy at the "special counter") I found the most awesome, New Englander friendly coffee place. Here's a shot of my breakfast: an absolutely to die for chocolate cupcake and a Naked smoothie. Yes, it was like a million dollars, but freakin delicsh.
I got about 3 hours of sleep but I'm still psyched about the trip. Will be in DR in a few hours, and after a nap and some food, I will try to write more later.
I got about 3 hours of sleep but I'm still psyched about the trip. Will be in DR in a few hours, and after a nap and some food, I will try to write more later.
February 4, 2010
Haiti or Bust - Please support!!
Ok... NOW I'm officially going to Haiti. I will be rendezvousing in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with SODOPRECA (La Sociedad Dominicana para la Prevención de Crueldad a los Animales/Dominican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and traveling to Haiti to provide emergency veterinary aid to the ARCH organization (Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti). I leave NYC on February 21 and return on Feb 28.
I'm extra excited/relieved that I will be traveling with fellow Animal Balance voluntaria (and fluent Spanish speaker, although that will only be useful in DR) JG. She was my roomie in Cabrera this past winter, and it looks like we'll be tent-mates in Haiti.
Thank you in advance for your support, and stay tuned for updates and eventual photos/blogs about the next adventure to Haiti....
I'm extra excited/relieved that I will be traveling with fellow Animal Balance voluntaria (and fluent Spanish speaker, although that will only be useful in DR) JG. She was my roomie in Cabrera this past winter, and it looks like we'll be tent-mates in Haiti.
Thank you in advance for your support, and stay tuned for updates and eventual photos/blogs about the next adventure to Haiti....
February 2, 2010
Wait... don't unpack just yet...
So there has been talk of veterinary assistance to Haiti in response to the recent earthquake. I wasn't holding my breath before, since there were thousands of people dead/dying in Haiti, and in those cases, the animals sometimes have to wait. The media reports (I usually avoid CNN at all costs) show there is a significant amount of civil unrest in addition to structural, social and health issues.
The animal groups will go eventually, so when that happens, I'll be off on my next adventure....
The animal groups will go eventually, so when that happens, I'll be off on my next adventure....
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