the rest of my vacation

I’m back home in Latvia and before my vacation becomes a distant memory, I want to record some special moments.  This was definitely the holiday of conversations for me.  There were so many opportunities for special and intimate talks with more people than I imagined I would be able to fit in.  But, it seemed that was one of the important things I needed to do.  I already listed several of those people in my last posting.  The last 2 weeks I got in a few more – a good meeting with our Personnel Secretary, Harry Brocksieck; lunch with Chris Shay and Kristin Caddy, dinner and a really fun time with David and Diana Winters and family – Anna especially kept my attention.  That day I had been at Oakbrook Terrace corps’ day camp doing presentations for each of 5 classes of kids about Latvia.  It was fun but a bit exhausting.  Thursday evening, Lisa Jordan planned a party for me to see all (or most) of the other people I hadn’t been able to see yet.  It included the final game of Stephen’s baseball season. We had great food and fun, too.  I made the Wellers and Gortons look through my Latvia pictures.  They were very kind about it!  Unfortunately, Stephen’s team didn’t win the game.  Later in the week, I went to Little Pine Island camp and talked with Cheryl Britcher and Dina Shoults (a nice surprise), Curt and Vicki Britcher and Elise, and quick conversations with lots of other people during Music Camp.  My brother, Steve, was the guest and I went up to see him for a couple of days.  It was really fun to be back there.  

A quick (that’s a relative term – the traffic was horrible) trip to Detroit to meet up with Ben and we were off to Haiti.  It was Ben’s first trip there and Steve was determined to show him as much as possible.  We were only there for 4 ½ days but we got in a lot.  It was great to be with Steve and Ketsia in their setting.  It is a very hard place, but they are doing well and have important work there.  One of the strenuous highlights was a trip to Fond de Negre.  It’s on the coast and we drove on the worst road I’ve seen anywhere in the world (yes, Latvians, there are roads worse than yours!) But, on the other end was the ocean!  A beautiful beach, good food and even some rest.  We stayed at the Bethel clinic and hospital with the Ezehs, directors.  It is an amazing place doing significant work, especially with AIDS.  I’ll post some pictures from Haiti later.

We got home to Michigan in time for Abbie’s 8th birthday.  She and I did some shopping in the morning and then we had a party and went to see a movie with the whole family.  I was very happy to spend a day just with the family.  I left the next morning to get back to Chicago and get packed up to come home to Latvia.  One last conversation with Heidi Bailey who is in Chicago for Danielle’s wedding.  I had to fit that one in and I’m glad we did.  

So, there you are.  Not a very restful or peaceful vacation, but definitely a good one.  Now, back to work and life in Latvia.  There’s a lot to do to get ready for the fall.  More about that later.