Taking a dive

‘sup?

Kidnappings on the rise? Check. People putting on coats because the temperature is falling under 70◦ Fahrenheit? Check. Broken animated Santa terrorizing kids at the Caribbean Supermarket? Check. It’s Christmas in Haiti!!!

Yes, the holidays have come to our little slice of paradise. The office PA system is now playing scratchy versions of “Santa Claus is coming to town” in French, English AND Créole. It’s a Christmas miracle! I have to say though, that my favorite Christmas song this season has to be this one.

So what is new? Well, I’ve been getting into diving as of late. For the past three Sundays, I have headed to the beach with a group of friends (two Americans, one Haitian, one Bulgarian and un fada de marseillais) to get our open water diving certificate. In most cases, this would involve a preoccupation with the actual activity of diving. However, due to the makeup of the group and the personalities involved, the weekends have turned into a series of highly competitive cook-offs, with each party responsible for getting the others stuffed and drunk the second we get out of the water.

At this point, I have to hand it to Jean-Jacques Cousteau. This s.c.u.b.a. thing is truly an improvement over drowning, or even snorkeling. I have no basis for comparison, but the reefs here are pretty much untouched and the sea life fairly amazing. It’s also a welcome escape from the traffic and pollution of Port-au-Prince, which gets quite ridiculous at this time of year.

Having said that, it is more than likely that this will be last Christmas in Haiti, and I’m sure that I will miss going to the beach in mid-December. As for the future, I am considering my options for my next move, but hope to have something worked out by the Spring.

So, dear loyal readers, what are you doing for the holidays? I for one will be going home for Christmas Eve then flying off to Bali on the 25th. I will be back in early January and hope to post tons of pics.

Happy Holidays to all!