Los Angeles Times, The Week in Photos: Jan. 29 - Feb. 4

Yes. My older brother, who is in the merchant marine, spent a few weeks in Haiti last summer. He said it was pretty much unbelievable, right up there with Angola in his list of places that he hopes he never gets sent again. One of his friends/coworkers was kidnapped from one of their company's boats off the coast of Nigeria not long ago, on a run my brother has made before, so he knows whereof he speaks when it comes to unbearable situations. He brought us back these beautiful carved wooden chests from Haiti - he said, well, this one isn't painted because the street fighting spilled over into the artists' shop the night before I was supposed to pick them up, and there was blood all over the floor and all his tools got smashed.

I feel just sick when it comes to how bad things have declined in PAP. I spent about two weeks there and in a coastal town (Jacmel) in 2003. I worked with the street kids and in the hospitals- they had far more despair then than they could manage, and now I couldn't imagine. I get reports out of a more rural town where I have some friends, and that area (Gwo Jan) is in far better shape than the cities. Still. I love that country, and the people are simply incredible. It tears me up just how ignored the situation is there, and I'm grateful that you posted this pic to remind me. Ayi bobo.

My gf and I have had to cancel two trips to Jacmel - ne last year and one the year before, right as the revolution started. It's just so sad on so many levels.

:(

Ayi bobo, brother

*puts hand on his heart*

Burning garbage on the street or curb is perfectly acceptable behaviour in a large chunk of the world. Although from my own experience (South East Asia) it would happen at sunset, not sunrise.