Taking Care of Business

Today was productive.  I spent the day doing paperwork type things.  I am trying to get sponsorship letters off to the sponsors from People against Poverty in England.  I finally finished the last letter from one of the kids, took a video of another child, and organized the photos.  I then had to go out to print the photos and buy some envelopes.

I headed up Delmas to the photo printing place (GaMa) which is up on Delmas 62--pretty close to Petionville.  I had never been that far up Delmas on my own and only knew a couple of landmarks to look for.  I actually overshot my stop and had to walk back down the mountain a couple of blocks.  I didn't mind; the exercise is good, and it gives me a chance to see the area.

With the photos printed, I decided to keep walking down the mountain.  I'm glad  I decided to hoof it because I saw an office supply store.  I needed envelopes, and I wasn't sure whether a grocery store would have any.  Turns out the office supply store only sells white envelopes in boxes of 100+; I only needed about 25.  Instead of white envelopes I opted for the golden-colored mailing envelopes.  They'll work just fine.

My friends know that I LOVE office supply stores in the states; turns out, I find them just as fascinating in Haiti!  There's just something about office supplies that works for me.  I asked whether I could take a couple of pictures, and the nice ladies said yes, but they did think I was a bit strange!

 I also learned that grocery stores don't sell envelopes, so it's doubly good that I decided to walk.  I walked quite a few more blocks down the mountain before grabbing a taptap around Delmas 75.  A mother stood next to me with her special-needs daughter in her arms.  The little girl had an enlarged head and a small body.  Most people around us moved away as if they didn't want to be too close to the mother and child.  Broke my heart.  The little girl was adorable, and the mother looked exhausted.  I wondered how long she would continue to be able to care for her, transport her.  What will happen when the girl becomes too big to hold and carry?  What kind, if any, medical treatment is she receiving?

I haven't ridden my motorcycle yet--no gas.  Really.  Little to no gas to found in the surrounding area.  I'm not sure what that's about, but Gertrude sent the driver out yesterday and today to look for gas, and he couldn't find any.  I was hoping that my first lesson on driving would be tomorrow, but that may have to wait until Sunday.

Tomorrow Gertrude and I are headed to the beach again.  I'm looking forward to a day or relaxing in the sun, sand, and surf!