Around Clercine, the broken branches and debris have been cleaned up. Shoe and second-hand clothes vendors are out, the tap-tap stations are bumping, and the normal (but exciting) drive of dodging bikers, stray dogs, pot-holes, people, (oh yea) and cars… are back in full swing! The street market is bustling and supermarkets and restaurants are open.
Repairing…
As Barry and I were driving to get him a Natcom SIM card we saw some of the repair work being done. Picture above, the sign collapsed from T.S. Isaac and they were all holding it up as one of them welded.
I have been awestruck on how quickly people have been able to repair and get things up in running again.
We have been able to talk to many of our workers about the storm. One of our workers said he had a lot water in his home from leaks in his tin roof. We got him some extra tin and supplies so that he can have a better roof for next time.
That said there is still plenty to fix and repair but there is progress.
Love tap…
Back to the normal routine of close calls 😀 In this instance, we were stuck by this ice truck for 1/2 hour today. Great chance to take in the sights, people and enjoy the wait!
Piano Lessons…
Melissa gave her second piano lesson to Hope today!
Real or fake $100…
We will use both USD and HGT (Haitian Goude) depending on what we are buying. This means that Heartline will ask the bank for both USD & HGT. In this instance, one of the guys went to get money but ended up with FAKES. Zoom in on the picture… they seriously look SO real! They even have the invisible strip that you see when you hold it up to the light.
The biggest give-away, we have determined, are the way the bills feel when slightly wet. The real ones and when wet they are sticky. Another way to spot them is that they are more shinny then the real bills.
Haitian “Kibby”
Maybe it looks like a turd, but really it’s a fried dough with meat combination. Melissa and I bought it ($0.50) while we were out getting supplies for the guest house. We first smelled it…umm smells “interesting”… and let’s just say it was downhill from there! Sorry Haiti, we love all the other food just not Kibby!
3 responses to “Beware Fake $100 Bills, Isaac Update and Other Things”
Quite the interesting/informative post. Fun. You’re inspiring me to update my own long-delinquent blog.
The lotter is probably one establishment that wouldn’t have been too bad if Isaaic just went ahead and wiped it out. The heads up on the $100 bill fakes was a nice tip. I’m curious what you use the US dollars for? Seems like everything could be purchased with goudes.
Get a cheap UV flashlight and look for the (otherwise invisible) fluorescent colored strip.
http://www.amazon.com/Ledwholesalers-Violet-Blacklight-Flashlight-7301uv400/dp/B001VZC5LA/ref=pd_sbs_op_2
http://www.racoindustries.com/downloads/cassida/20usd_bill.pdf
Melissa,
Has you piano student learned any “ragtime” yet?
Speaking of Haitian food. I still tell people that the best cheeseburger I’ve ever tasted was the one I enjoyed at a little cafe while we were in Haiti. The other item I remember was the chicken that the cooks made at the center that we visited, it was excellent. You are so right, some of the food is very good.
Dad