Some Additional Pictures

Here is a picture of the paper money. The name of their "dollar" is the Goud. The exchange rate is about 40:1 (40 Gouds to 1 US Dollar). They have this thing that they are trying to get rid of that is imaginary. It's called the Haitian Dollar which is just Gouds divided by 5. So there is a 8:1 rate between the Haitian Dollar and the US Dollar. The Haitian Dollar was created by the people (apparently) and the current government doesn't want it because it never changes - it's just the Goud divided by 5. The government is trying to get stores to go back to Gouds. Most of the paper money is very dirty in appearance and very used looking. It makes me wonder how much money the US government spends just to keep our dollars looking pretty. Anyway...

The US $5 is in the picture for reference. It is worth 200 Gouds. They just started making the 500 Goud bill last year. The only cheap thing that I have run into is a 20oz bottle of pop. I got 7up at the market while I was at camp for 20 Gouds or about 50 cents - and it tasted like 7up. It was great!



On the weekdays and Saturday, the workers start working at 8am. Around 7:30 the older gentleman here named Antoinne holds a devotional meeting/service for the workers who want to attend. The gentleman in the foreground is Richard, one of the security guards. He is a great guy and speaks a good amount of English. I am looking forward to knowing more Creole!