My driver asks me if I speak Kreyol. I respond, "Non, mais je parle un peu de francais" with a heavy emphasis on "un peu." He says something in French to me and I laugh. Apparently, while I may speak a little french, I don't understand much at all. With lots of curiosity and broken french, I still attempt to strike up a conversation with my driver on how many candidates are running for president. He begins to rattle several names off...I interpret this as "many." (I learn later that it's 19.)
2010 could not be any crazier without adding a presidential election to the picture -- but this is exactly the timing for one (it occurs every five years in Haiti). Due to the earthquake, the world has thrown so much money to Haiti to help rebuild the country (by the way, CAN you rebuild something that sort of was broke to begin with?). As a result, the winner of this presidential election will have access to more money than Haiti has possibly ever seen. In good hands, this will be good. In bad hands, well...you know the rest.
Some people are afraid to vote. Others just shrug as if to say "What's the point?" I learn you can be killed for voting for the wrong one. Of course, who defines the "wrong one?"
Tomorrow is Sunday. The day of elections. I have spoken to many locals and the concensus is to stay home. Every one is uncertain about how the country will react -- and this isn't even a predictable race by the way. The presidential nominee needs to have over 50% of the votes to win; however, with so many nominees, it's likely to be a very diluted vote and create another run-off.
It seems to all be a question mark. Kind of like a big winter storm that you hear is coming, those of us here are prepared to stay in for a day or two just in case a big storm actually does hit.
No comments:
Post a Comment