And she cooks too!

Hey All! 

I've been doing some more kitchen work and thought I would share my latest lesson.  A friend came by and taught me how to make haitian beans and rice. Three hours and lots of sweat later, I managed to cook another traditional haitian meal. Enjoy!

Beans & Rice

Ingredients: Dried beans, rice, coconut, rock salt, green onion, green pepper, garlic cloves, Haitian spices (this is what I refer to as the brown things), fresh cilantro and rosemary, water, cooking butter, maggie's seasoning cubes, and oil.

First we took the dried beans with water covering them and put it on the stove to boil. It took close to an hour to boil completely. 

Here we are sifting through the beans to remove the bad ones

Next, we then took a coconut and cut off the outer hard layer. Then we grated the flesh into a bowl. We added water to it and let it sit. (This step can be removed by just buying coconut milk)

Grating the coconut flesh

While the beans were boiling and the coconut was sitting, we chopped garlic cloves (about 4) and green onion (2) into chunks. Then, we added that to rock salt and these brown things that looked like small branches into a mortar and smashed it all together. We also slivered half a green pepper and cleaned the fresh cilantro and rosemary and put them in a separate bowl. 

Smashing our ingredients in the mortar

Our green pepper and herbs

The unknown brown spices (note: they smell a bit like black licorice)

After doing our chopping we returned to the coconut. We drained all of the pulp from the water and threw the pulp away. We made our own “coconut milk”!

Our coconut pulp and water

Homemade coconut milk!

We knew that the beans were cooked when we were able to completely smash them with our fingers. We took them off the stove and dumped everything into another bowl so we could use the pan again.

We returned the empty pan to the heat and left it to become hot again. After it was hot we added oil and waited for the oil to pop. To the oil we added our garlic/onion/salt mix from the mortar and spread it throughout the oil, frying it. Then we re-added the beans and fried them in the oil. We let the beans fry for about 10 minutes. 

Our mortar mixture we added to the hot oil (top left hand corner)

Beans frying in the oil

To the frying beans we added coconut milk, cooking butter, green peppers, and herbs. We let that boil for about 7-10 minutes. Then we added water and 2 maggie’s cubes and brought it to a boil. 

After the water was boiling we added our rice and stirred. 

We topped with a lid and let it cook until the water cooked into the rice, stirring one time. We kept on low heat for a bit longer and then served!

Cooking success!

Desperation

The night we returned from our honeymoon our car was broken into. Someone scaled our security wall, shattered our back window, and rifled through the car looking for cash and anything of value. We awoke that next morning to a knock on our door and our neighbor pointing us to the aftermath. 

When I went outside I was initially confused. I thought that maybe the young boy living behind us had accidentally broken it. Sadly, upon further inspection there was no doubt that it was a deliberate attempt to steal. All potential hiding spots for money were opened and emptied. Our radio buttons were broken off in attempt of removal. Our locked doors were unlocked and the doors left open. 

My first reaction was anger. For those who know me well, I usually respond this way and say things I later regret. I was upset that someone would choose to be so very selfish. That they would break our car window and then take things inside like it was their own. Let me take you to that morning. 

Enter the scene of the crime with me.......... 

Beth: (Gasp) Whaaaaaaaaat?!

Zizou: (calmly) Be careful, there is glass everywhere.

Beth: They broke the window! How did we not hear it?

Zizou: The windows on this car have a plastic on them. They know how to do it quietly.

Beth: What could possibly make someone do this? (said with biting irritation) 

Zizou: Calm down. 

Beth: What is wrong with people!? (losing all restraint to take it in stride)

Zizou: (the now voice of wisdom) Cheri, people who do these things are risking so much. They know at any moment someone could hurt them or even kill them for trespassing and stealing. They never know when it will be their last time. Don’t forget Christmas is coming, they are really in need of money.

Beth: Oh.

End scene

After listening I had to make myself return to the reality that this theft was not about me. Even though I felt like a “victim”, it wasn’t a deliberate attack on Beth. I continued thinking about it several days after the event. I was still angry, but God kept bringing one word to mind.....desperation.

Desperation: Acting with extreme measures because of hopelessness. A state of despair that leads to rash behavior. 

When I began thinking on the word desperation, God started changing my perspective. I began to recall how many times I had done things out of desperation. The list began piling up. Interestingly enough, I began recollecting how many times my acts of desperation had hurt other people. Almost every time I either hurt others or hurt myself.  It seemed that the person who broke into our car and I were not too different after all.  

What a good lesson for me.

Jacmel and other happenings

Hello everyone! I am SO sorry that I haven't written in so long. My life has been busy with clinics, visitors, and the ever falling rain.  Here's what I've been up to!




1. Jacmel

Two weekends ago Zizou and I got the chance to travel to Jacmel, Haiti.  We, along with four friends, went by car through the hills, twists, and turns of the Haitian countryside. Upon arriving and after asking 10 different people directions, we headed to a hotel that I read good reviews about online. When we got there it was everything that I expected. The area was thick with trees, shrubs, and flowers. The rooms were tucked away behind all the lush greenery. The front desk welcomed you with wind chimes and mosaic tiles. The people were friendly. The drive seemed absolutely worth it. It even had a private beach. Unfortunately, and very unlike me, we failed to make a reservation and every single room was taken for the night. So, we got back into the car and head 15 minutes further south to an area recommended by the hotel staff. 

Fifteen minutes later we were positioned in the middle of town with our eyes open for a hotel. We found one that seemed to suit our needs and we sent Zizou in to get a room. In no time he returned with the unfortunate news that this hotel was also full for the night. My panic mode started to kick in. Would we have to turn around and go home? Assured that we would find a room we kept looking. After calling around we decided to drive the 15 minutes back to town and stay at hotel we saw on our way in. The hotel was named Hotel Florita and it was absolutely charming. We decided to get one big room with enough space for all of us. The room was quaint and winsome.  The walls were covered in brick patches and the windows were painted metal that opened to the outside. It had enough beds for almost all of us and a deck with 6 wicker rocking chairs overlooking the quiet street. It was the just the getaway I needed from the noise and hurry of the city. 

After settling in and knowing that the setting sun was upon us, we quickly changed into our bathing suits and headed for the pool. We swam until well after dark and called it quits only when our food was ready. The rest of the night was filled with talking, laughter, coca cola, and good stories. In different intervals we all nestled into bed ready to wake up early and dip our toes in the sand at the beach located about a block away. 

The next morning we ate breakfast and drove to the beach. The atmosphere was just right for spending time by the water. After drying off we hopped back into the car and drove 3 hours back to Port-au-Prince stopping only for fruit and drinks. We got home just in time to enjoy one last meal together before my friends had to go back to the states. It was definitely a trip worth writing about. What a sweet escape. Pictures below!

Our private patio

Jacmel beach

A couple of our visiting friends

2. Cooking with Derline

Almost a month ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to make Haitian food. Not only do I like eating Haitian food, but soon I will be adding a Haitian husband to the mix of my life. Learning is essential. Im not sure how I convinced sweet Derline, Zizou's sister in law, to accept the position as teacher, but she seemed willing and ready. The first week I came prepared to learn. I had washed hands and an open mind. I soon found out how spoiled I am in an American kitchen. The first thing we had to do was light our own fire over coals, outside. In fact, everything was done outside. So, while I was busy searching for lighter fluid she lit the fire with matches and wood. How very smart of her. 

 Next we hand washed the vegetables and rice in a series of dishes. Finally, we set the pan over the fire to get hot before adding our ingredients.  Two hours and several intricate instructions later, our meal was finished. I had learned how to make white rice and Haitian sauce with okra! Might I  also add that it was the best meal I have tasted since my arrival. Coincidence Im sure. The next week I was determined to take pictures, but I forgot. I was instructed on how to make Haitian milk juice. It sounds disgusting, but is quite refreshing. Finally, last week I kept my camera out and photographed our progress. Our cooking was a success. After three hours we made Haitian fried chicken, fried plantains, and picklese.  Below are pictures of my third cooking adventure.

Our fresh ingredients

Oh, just watching as she sets up campfire

Cutting the chicken and adding our spices

The chicken boiled and ready to fry

Our delicious picklese

Where my forearms were resting during my serious cooking lesson. Clearly it was intensive.

Our plantains cut and resting in salt water

The plantains first fry

Our contraption to press the fried plantains flat before their second fry

Our flattened plantains

Their second and final fry

Unfortunately, I didn't get time to take a picture of our finished products. Zizou and his brother ate a good portion before my camera could snap a shot. Hopefully there will be more good food to come and pictures of my experience!

3. The clinic I work at, that was started by a famous man, and that must not be named

I recently realized that I had been caught in a cycle of performing all the ultrasound exams and not training the doctors. After much nail biting, I put my foot down and went to the head of the hospital. I explained to her that my time here was being somewhat wasted if I didn't impart what I could on the people who would be working here for years to come. Much to my surprise, she agreed. We quickly came up with a plan. The plan consists of partial teaching and partial one on one training.  The challenge now was getting more than two people interested in learning this skill. Happily, I can report that after a brief introduction last week, I have 10 people signed up for my class! I am very excited at the prospect of teaching ultrasound. I realize that I have my work cut out for me, but I am willing to be patient and work hard with them. I will continue to blog my progress on this matter!

In Case

Just in case you were skeptical about whether or not Haitians read the shirts they buy....

This is what Zizou came over wearing the other day:

It reads "Grandmas are moms with LOTS OF practice!"

The Discovery

The last few weeks in Haiti haven’t been terribly eventful. Besides the storm that never came, excitement has been between zero and nothing. Right now it is seasonably hot, mosquito infested, and avocado season. I am beginning to have a set schedule and I am adjusting to my weekly routine. Despite that, every now and again there are bumps in the road. I would like to share a bump with you today.

A couple weeks ago Zizou informed me that a gecko had gotten itself stuck between an opening in my window and the wall.  I, not wanting to touch the gecko, asked Zizou to take it out. He quickly followed up with the hard reality that the gecko had probably been stuck for some time and it was now dead. “Oh”, I said, “Then we’ll figure out what to do with it later.” The next morning was an early clinic day. I left around 730 am and didn’t get home until dark. When we arrived back at my house Zizou instantly noticed a smell. “Its the gecko”, he said. “It can’t be the gecko Zizou, it didn’t smell like this last night!”, I retorted. He just shrugged his shoulders as I began checking every room for the source of the smell. As I got closer and closer to “the room” the smell became overpowering. In my mind I wondered how in one day it could decompose at a such a rapid rate. Hadn’t it been dead for awhile? Recalling that it had been an especially hot day, it began making sense. As we opened the door I swear my body folded in on itself from the smell. It was practically unbearable. While Zizou made a wire hook, I rummaged through my toiletries and found a bottle of coconut body spray. We were ready to get it out. 

The beginning of our mission consisted of me holding my nose and carelessly spraying coconut body mist around the room. Then, I went directly to the gecko and sprayed him too. Zizou followed with his hook in hand. While I held the flashlight and sprayed sporadically, I watched  Zizou try to reach in and push it out. After several different attempts to get the gecko from inside and outside the house, we decided that a new plan was necessary. We figured out that we needed to pierce it with the hook and then pull it out. About 5 minutes later we had success and the dead gecko was free. After flinging its body over my back wall we sprayed the room 15 more times and called it a night. The smell lingered for about another day,  but all things considered it was pretty smooth bump in the road for us. Who wants to stay at my house?!

In very recent news:  The container has finally been released! Tomorrow an inspector will come and we will work to empty it out completely. I am extremely excited to move my things into my house and fill it up!  Thinking back, I can remember the big items we placed on it, but the contents of the rubbermaid containers remain a mystery! I will post  pictures of my full house once I get all situated! 

Some New Things

I will begin by apologizing because I haven't written in quite awhile......sorry. I have had quite a few new things in the mix and wanted to share it all!

Last Tuesday I was bitten by a bee. I was upset and it hurt.

I have begun going to a new hospital in Bourdon, Haiti. This hospital has two BEAUTIFUL ultrasound machines that I will learn and then train the physicians on. They see around 2000 patients and deliver 10-20 babies each week! They have an incredible reputation within the community. In fact, it is so good that last week Zizou and I witnessed a woman's loyalty to them. We were sitting outside the hospital when a beaten up Honda Accord pulled up the driveway. When I looked inside I could see a woman holding her pregnant belly and hunching over. "Yay", I thought, "a baby will be born today!" A man hopped out of the drivers seat and called for help. He began yelling across the car to a nearby nurse that his wife was in labor and she refused to go anywhere else except this hospital. In one fluid motion he opened the back door (did I mention I was sitting perfectly eye level with the back seat?) and a young girl fled the car leaving only the pregnant woman. My eyes traveled up the car and I could see there was blood and fluid covering the floor and bits of the seat. Then, as I looked up at the woman, I noticed she was squatting above the seat.  Perfectly perched underneath her was a newborn baby. She didn't make it in time. The baby's manger was a Honda with cloth interior.  I sat there unmoving and speechless. I watched as the doctor ran out, cut the cord, wrapped the baby, and carried the woman inside. I began to look around and met Zizou's eyes. "Did that just happen?", I said. "Yeah", he replied. "You're going to put that in your blog, aren't you?" Friends, of course I was going to put this in my blog! Im very excited to begin working there and meet these daily happenings!

On Thursday of this week I scanned a woman with triplets. At first, I only saw two and told her that she had twins. Her eyes grew large and she put her hand over her chest. Then, as I kept scanning, I noticed a third. I looked at her and held up three fingers.  Her next response was laughter.  All the women in the clinic began gathering around her, touching her legs and arms. They were awed by her blessing. It was quite beautiful to see their response. She left beaming and so did I.  Did I mention they were all boys?

About two weeks ago I got to visit with my beautiful friend Ruth. Zizou and I made a trip to see her and her team in Gressier, Haiti. While there, we attended a 10 couple wedding that the team had been planning for months ahead of time. They brought donated dresses, tuxedos, make-up, perfumes, gift bags, bouquets, shoes, veils, and the list goes on and on. We all helped the brides and grooms get ready for their big day and then went to the ceremony. It was evident that the couples were overjoyed to get married and blessed that a way was provided for them! We had such a great time!

Getting the couples ready for the ceremony

The bridesmaids dancing into the ceremony

My Ruth and I!

Lastly, I am happy to report that after 11 days of harsh antibiotics my stomach bug is gone! Now is the time that I should stop drinking regular coca cola for calories and really watch what I eat and drink. I will have Zizou remind me tomorrow.

Just in case

In case you were wondering how I was doing driving my car, you can ask this man below.

He is fixing the clutch that I broke off....completely.