here fishy fishy

Interesting article in today's NYT online about the surprisingly good condition of Haiti's marine habitats and their potential to draw tourists. I've been snorkeling in one of the areas mentioned. While there is some lovely purple coral there is one very obvious thing lacking - FISH? (which the article acknowledges) The condition of the beach also leaves something to be desired.

Beyond the cruise dock, Haiti's existing tourist industry caters to aid workers, UN troops and relatively small circle of wealthier Haitians (and very likely some missionaries too). Ironically, as things continue to stabilize, Haiti will likely lose a third of its current customer base (the UN troops). Drawing tourists from beyond the island requires investment and strategic conservation/revitalization. According to the article, if money is a sign of commitment then the government comes up very short - Of the 2009-2010 national budget, 0.71 percent is devoted to the environment. Tourism promotion is promised 0.23 percent, though road and infrastructure improvements eat up a much larger share.

a longer road

I had a meeting with my thesis committee this week - for the first time in more than 18 month. I like my committee and really appreciate the wisdom/focus/feedback they offer. This week they gave me one piece of wisdom/focus/feedback that I didn't like quite so much - that there is no way I'm going to finish this PhD by August 2010. They think I should be planning for a December defense. On one hand, it's a relief - I do have a complicated analysis and want to do it well. August was sounding a bit overwhelming. On the other hand I'm now "that girl" who is spending more than 5 years in a Phd program. Ce la vie.

Officially out

Just after midnight on Friday morning the Haitian parliament voted the Prime Minister out. Reports say that a new nominee has already been named by the president - who know what that actually means given that the last time the PM was ousted it took more than 6 months and vetting 3 different candidates to fill the position. This time there is some pressure to fill it quickly and maintain some semblance of stability given the recent peak in interest around foreign investment. Oh Haitian politics....

Lettuce in the Desert

Check out this NYT article about efforts to bring fresh fruits and vegetables and other healthier options to corner stores / convenience marts in low income urban neighborhoods. Many residents of urban neighborhoods rely on mini-marts for the majority of their food purchases as chain grocers do not build stores in the communities and transportation options are limited. Public health types have labeled these communities as "food deserts" - areas with low availability of healthy affordable foods. Back when I lived in Baltimore, my teacher roommates said that the standard breakfast for many of their students was a bag of chips, little debbie or a candy bar and one of the little jugs of artificially flavored sugar water. They could pick it up on their walk in to school for a dollar.

Will these same kids start grabbing an apple over a pack of mini doughnuts? Not if there is no apple there to begin with.

getting closer

Today's Miami Herald and the AP say the current PM is all but on her way out... but that she won't got without a fight. She refused to answer the Senate's summons today which would most likely result in a vote for her removal. Interesting comment by the MH author that foreign governments are more interested in protecting support for the Clinton investment plan that standing behind a strong leader like Michelle Pierre-Louis who doesn't have political alliances in Haiti.