Political Tightrope

The election results went out last night, 2 hours late after dark, and all of us expats were glued to our Twitter feeds. Journalists were joking about their states of inebriation from waiting for the CEP spokesman. They reported that he was dripping with sweat and shaking as he nervously read the results. He was right to be scared. The only way I speculate we could have avoided uproar was if Manigat and Martelly were the run-off candidates. Unfortunately Martelly lost to Celestin for 2nd place by less than a percentage point. Not enough of a difference for an election considered corrupt and incomplete. I think people wanted to protest anyways... the streets have been made pedestrian-only.

So now, as promised, Haiti is on fire. One bookstore RIP (senseless!) and many, many posters of Celestin and Manigat have been added to the flames of burning tires. Just below our house on the Route de Kenscoff, a main road into Petionville from the hills, there is a tire blockade and people gleefully dragging Celestin paraphernalia down the hill towards the fire. Last night, there were reports of rocks being thrown at moving vehicles. Luckily, I haven't heard much more beyond random reports, as we have a lot of rocks around for protest ammo. Lots of yelling, people on foot in the street, but I think they are also playing soccer. One motorcycle got through the blockade, maybe the driver was wearing pink (Martelly's color). Martelly has not released a statement, which frustrates many people who are protesting on his behalf.

A frightening scream just now! Turns out someone scored a goal in the game in the street.

Obviously we are on lockdown in the house since our drivers are stuck at home and they like their cars the way they are. Luckily, we planned our bottle exchange for yesterday. There's a place two doors down from the office in Petionville that gives a 40% discount on beer if you return the bottles.