2010- An Update

Hello Blog world...

I wonder if there is still anyone reading this. I just wanted to give a short update on the situation in my town in the DR. But first, some background info:

As you all know I moved from there on November 12th. After that I went for a short visit to Haiti and was hosted by a former PCV of the DR. After the trip I flew home to Chicago, on November 20th.

Since having left my site I have been in touch with various people from there at least once a week. I heard about the earthquake in Haiti and called yesterday (the day of the quake) and like some other RPCVs (returned Peace Corps volunteers) was unable to get through. This morning I made contact and was told that everyone was fine (it appears that the quake did very little, if any, damage in the DR.) They did mention that the bookshelves in our library fell over, making me think that effects of this quake in our town, even though it was so far away, was significantly stronger than the one that hit Puerto Plata in October. (It was pretty tiny and I'm not sure that I even ever blogged about it.)

The situation in Haiti, as you know, was pretty dire before the earthquake. I was so thankful I got a chance to see the country, if just for a long weekend, before leaving Hispanola. I will remember that trip forever. I have seen at least 2 places I visited in Port au Prince in photos on the news- they have both been destroyed, the cathedral and the presidential palace.

I have posted some photos of my November trip as well as some photos of the end of my service on facebook.