Bel Timoun

Since I’m slightly unsettled right now due to a very loud voodoo celebration full of chanting and drums around 200 meters from my room, I think this is a good time to post a blog of cute kid pictures.  I have nothing against voodoo, and am actually very interested in learning more about it, but hearing a full-fledged festival (this is day 3 or 4 of this particular celebration—but the loudest night of drums so far) right outside your bedroom is a bit unnerving.

At Liz's latrine lecture in Do Digue

Anyway, Thursday and Friday when I went around to homes with the Gadyen Dlo workers, I met MANY precious children.  Some are a little afraid of me, most are pretty cautious about touching my white skin for the first time, and absolutely all of them point at me and exclaim “BLAN…. BLAN!!!” with wide eyes when they first see me.  

On the way to Raypool

 It’s funny because sometimes I’ll notice older children (like ages 8-11) will try and force their more timid younger siblings (age 3-5)  to touch me because they think it’s hilarious how scared they are.  

My girl, Islan and a three year old from Do Digue

Other times, groups of kids that aren’t afraid of me or get over their fear really quick will sometimes go to the opposite extreme and constantly touch me, pet my hair, hold on to my hands for dear life, etc.  

About to walk over the dam to Do Digue

And, I can sometimes now understand when their parents or grandparents look over at them laughing and say something like “hey, what happened, I thought you were afraid of that blan?” or something to that effect.

Girls cleaning their hair barrettes with toothbrushes in Raypool

I especially like practicing my Kreyol with kids because they get really into teaching me new words, and I don’t feel as embarrassed when they don’t understand me.  I can just smile big and tickle them or something… which is a lot harder to pull off with adults ;)

Kids in Do Digue who really loved my sunglasses

I’m easily distracted by cute kids in any setting, but the little Haitian children I've been lucky enough to meet over the last two weeks really are just too darling for words—literally, I can’t describe it, just see the pictures.