PCV Brian Lee says: Once again, it's the waiting that holds each of us on edge. Though we joke about it a lot since Tuesday, the word evacuation isn't far from our thoughts.



PCV Brian Lee says: Once again, it's the waiting that holds each of us on edge. Though we joke about it a lot since Tuesday, the word evacuation isn't far from our thoughts.

vendredi, juin 03, 2005

[Excerpt]

Right now...
In the background, I can hear the latest news coming out of Port-au-Prince in Kreyol. I'm not paying close attention, but it's something about MINUSTAH and the latest rash of violence. Yesterday, there was another kidnapping in Port-au-Prince. I remember hearing a woman screaming over the phone as she was being interviewed.

[Excerpt]

It's strange to read more news about Haiti. The way life flows outside Port-au-Prince would paint a different picture than the stories of armed gangs and doubts of Haiti having elections. Life in Guibert is the same. People are still working the land. Ladies are still carrying huge loads on their heads. Madamn Ednar is still sitting at her stand and making fritay. Madamn Pastel's boutik is still open for business.

[Excerpt]

Once again, it's the waiting that holds each of us on edge. Though we joke about it a lot since Tuesday, the word evacuation isn't far from our thoughts. Some of us talk about what we might do when we return to the United States. I think about the chance of maybe helping Caroline move or eating a decent meal at home. Paul talks about maybe making it home for his birthday. Monica jokes about being able to present her thesis in person in November. Jon's already checking if a job has opened up yet.

Between the games of Uno and reading our books, we anxiously wait for the latest news from Peace Corps or the Embassy. We're hoping to hear something definite about what's to happen. But, we keep being told nobody knows. Nobody knows.

[Excerpt]

So, right now, I'm waiting. Waiting for something to happen. Waiting to hear some news.

When this story was posted in June 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

The Peace Corps Library Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 30,000 index entries in 500 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today. If you have a web site, support the "Peace Corps Library" and link to it today.

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June 12, 2005: This Week's Top Stories US should take a stand for freedom in Uzbekistan Maureen Orth says: Michael Jackson not sleeping well 12 Jun Marguerite Chandler promotes NJ's historical heritage 10 Jun Dick Haws writes: My life as a substitute teacher 10 Jun Mike Honda in Ethiopia urges peace 10 Jun James Walsh is Chairman of the Friends of Ireland caucus 10 Jun Ohio Governor Bob Taft struggles with scandal 10 Jun NY Times asks RPCVs about "Upside down stamps" 10 Jun Mark Schneider discusses OAS compromise 9 Jun Dodd concerned About Passport Rules 9 Jun Fred O'Regan says no need to hunt whales in 21st century 9 Jun Vic Godfrey enters hall of fame for track and field 8 Jun Al Kamen says Bush spokesmen like to hide information 8 Jun Bobby Shriver: The Power of One 8 Jun Tony Hall outlines US aid package for Africa 8 Jun Phil Hardberger new mayor of San Antonio 8 Jun Karzai visit prompted by friendship with Thomas Gouttierre 7 Jun Christopher R. Hill cautious on Korea talks 7 Jun Ugly Americans in Paul Theroux's latest novel 7 Jun

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June 12, 2005: Special Events Vote in the NPCA Election for new board before June 15 "American Taboo" author Phil Weiss in Maryland on June 18 "Rainforests and Refugees" showing in Portland, Maine until June 25 "Iowa in Ghana" on exhibit in Waterloo through June 30 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 RPCVs: Post your stories or press releases here for inclusion next week.

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June 6, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Kinky Friedman will "sign anything except bad legislation" 6 Jun Niels Marquardt Makes Chimpanzee Protection a Priority 6 Jun Laurence Leamer needs approval for "Today" appearance 6 Jun Desperate Housewives' Ricardo Chavira is son of RPCVs 6 Jun Anthony Sandberg runs Berkeley sailing school 5 Jun Amy Smith field-tests sugarcane charcoal 5 Jun Mary Johnson organizes workshop on genocide 3 Jun Jonathan Lash in 100 most Influential Business Leaders 3 Jun Hastert jump-starts Chris Shays' Campaign 3 Jun John Coyne says 41 RPCVs applied for scholarships 3 Jun James Rupert writes on bombing in Kandahar mosque 1 Jun John McCain says to expand opportunities for service 1 Jun Jay Rockefeller's relationships with Japanese go way back 1 Jun Anat Shenker met her husband during service in Honduras 31 May Ryan Clancy punished without hearing for visiting Iraq 30 May Melissa Mosvick remembered as a fallen American hero 29 May Kurt Carlson played basketball against Togo's national team 29 May Helen Thomas's favorite president remains JFK 24 May

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June 6: PC suspends Uzbekistan program Peace Corps has announced that it is suspending the Uzbekistan program after the visas of 52 Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were not renewed. The suspension comes after a State Department warning that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in Uzbekistan and after the killings in Andizhan earlier in May. Background: PCOL published a report on April 23 that Peace Corps volunteers who arrived in January were having visa difficulties and reported on safety and visa issues in Uzbekistan as they developed.

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Friends of the Peace Corps 170,000 strong 170,000 is a very special number for the RPCV community - it's the number of Volunteers who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961. It's also a number that is very special to us because March is the first month since our founding in January, 2001 that our readership has exceeded 170,000. And while we know that not everyone who comes to this site is an RPCV, they are all "Friends of the Peace Corps." Thanks everybody for making PCOL your source of news for the Returned Volunteer community.

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