Hello, out there all you lovely people. I needed some off-screen time to rest and do a little weeding outside. That’s why last week was rather quiet here on “The Bee Writes…” After a long month of hardly any rain, the rains arrived at last. So everything is growing like mad and needs tending to. Here in North Norfolk, it still doesn’t rain torrentially. Norfolk is the driest county in the UK so no surprise here. Even though there were some thunderstorms. It trickles here and there but it keeps the earth wet and that is the main thing. Our garlic, strawberries, and parsley are growing incredibly well. I can’t wait to go outside and eat strawberries from the bush. So delicious.

This week I am grateful because I do not have any appointments. I still haven’t finished all the hospital appointments, though. Two biopsies have been taken from my womb of which one was ok. I do not have the result of the other yet. There is still a huge polyp that needs taking out but they also found something which I can’t spell and can’t find what it is either. Should have asked. I think it’s a cut in the lining of my womb. All thanks to the anti-cancer medication I take. I can’ win it seems. But so far nothing serious has come about so I am positive. But it takes its toll and the poor best husband (Jeremy Clarkson voice) in the world had to put up with some annoyed answers from me.

Mind you, it was more worrying about stuff that I got wrong but he is an understanding man and so all is well. Watching videos about the countries that “Come Away With Me” virtually visits made me ponder how I feel about traveling now. I am not too keen on it, to be honest. Mainly because I do not want to meet too many people. I seem to be one of the few people who are rather happy at home. Despite everything that happened in 2020 I didn’t suffer as most people seem to have done. I am quite happy to have a coffee at home and I am more than happy not to have to do a weekly shop anymore. We do it once a month online and that’s it. Well, it has disadvantages. If you forget something and you spent all your money you have to make do for a month but after a while, you’ve figured what you need. I connected with friends and family online anyway because of lack of funds to visit them so I often sit rather dumbstruck when I see people on the TV being so keen on meeting everybody again. Lucky them, that they can afford to do so. I hope they appreciate it once they can do it again. It’s not that I dislike meeting people. If I get the chance I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. It’s just not something I can’t live without.

But there are still some places out there that I would love to see in person rather than virtually. Maybe things will change one day financially and then we might go for it. So for now, I love these virtual little escapes every month and hope you love them too.

How curious life can be

Watching this island
from afar with coffee in my hands.
How curious
life can be
when you are not stuck
in your countries
provincial straitjacket.

And now away with us to Haiti

Introduction to Haiti

Today we are off to Haiti and I have to admit, that the little research I could do was an eye-opener.

The UK and the US might pride themselves on being instrumental in prohibiting slavery but it looks like it really all began in Haiti: a huge slave rebellion lead to a ginormous fort to defend themselves. That is awesome even though I am not a huge fan of fortresses. But more importantly, Haiti was the first black republic and had the only successful slave rebellion which led to the modern states of Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Haiti shares the Hispaniola island with the Dominican Republic and offers the visitors not only lovely beaches but also some serious mountains. The border with the DR is more a question of waterways from rivers to lakes, however, poverty means that many still burn charcoal which in turn had a bad impact on forests. They seem to have gone even though there is still some rainforest left in the South and the North.

Yes, Haiti is said to be one of the poorest countries in the world that is struck by serious natural disasters on a regular basis but I get the feeling, the people of Haiti make the best of life: Celebrate and relax as often as you can. While many of the other Caribbean countries keep a close cultural relationship with European countries Haiti is proudly black and feels more connected to Africa than Europe. And good for them, in my opinion. I believe Africa is a continent that will lead us into the future as there are so many young and creative entrepreneurs to be found.

But that is enough of my little knowledge of the country. Let’s have a look what the vast YouTubyverse spewed out onto my playlist. As always: I have no rights to any of the videos. All rights lay with the creators so please be so kind to follow if you like their content.

Artists of Haiti

Ok, peeps get your French knowledge out. It was really hard to find a video about artists from Haiti. In the end, I decided to go with a video of the Haitian Heritage Museum which, I think, is in Miami. It did an exhibition last year which showed contemporary Haitian artists. The first lady speaks English however, the gentleman later on speaks French. You can switch on auto-translation, however, I am not sure it makes much sense. ;-). But if you choose, just watch the great art they are creating

The Climate Crisis in Haiti

The more videos I watch about the climate crisis the more certain topics pop up: poverty, falling for extremists or having to leave your country to survive. Many Haitians live abroad because not only earth quakes but also storms that get stronger and stronger are making a living in Haiti more difficult. The Community Empowerment Network of Haiti made a short video which explains well, how the climate crisis affects people in the country:

Food of Haiti

Sorry, I am not sorry, to share a BuzzFeed video with you today. It shows some of the Haitian food and how people try it for the first time. A bit meat heavy again, so if you are a veggie like us look away 😉

This video made you hungry? Then please hop over to Haitian Recipes and find one to try out 🙂

Storytelling of Haiti

Usually, you would find a poet or poetess here in this part. However, today I found an interesting video by the University of California that explores storytelling in Haiti in many forms. It shows so much talent that I changed the format. Enjoy:

Mental Health in Haiti

Some musicians of Haiti

Girl power it is in todays music playlist from Haiti. Please enjoy!

And where are we going next week?

Come Away With Me 2021 Musical Challenge Country for Monday, May24th, 2021

I am taking a rather random route around the world, but sometimes it makes sense. Next week we venture to the Dominican Republic 😉 . Please find musicians from the Dominican Republic at the Last.FM page.

As for the suggestions to take part:

1. Join in! No matter where, when and with what. You missed the first year? Don’t worry. Just jump in when it suits you.
2. Send us the link! The ping-back option does not work because my blog is now private so please leave a link in the comments of the post on the day you take part. Or leave it at the “Come Away With Me 2021 FB page“
3. Tag your post either with ” Come Away With Me Musical Challenge”/ #CoAwWiMeMuCh” / “Come Away with Me 2021 Musical Challenge” o/“CoAwWiMe2021MuCh” / . You can also use these as hashtags for Twitter and other Social Networks to give your post more exposure. If you add #blog and #music with your hashtags it will get you more readers.
4. No matter which music or country the prompt favours you create with it whatever you please. This is supposed to be a fun challenge and no chore.
5. I post a prompt for the next week with every “Come Away With Me 2021 post” I write.
6. If you like, use this picture for your readers to find the posts.

Just one more thing before you go: The hospital that is treating me is fundraising for a dedicated breast cancer unit which would allow some same-day diagnosis and better premises for patients and staff.

Please, if you can spare a little money hop over to their Just Giving Page and give as little or much as you can. Or share the page on your social media. So far the campaign has raised about half the amount needed: £450,081 of £800,000 (May 2021).

Your support means a lot to me! Thank you very much.

Thanks, my dears, for staying with me until the end.

I appreciate your presence.

Please stay safe, stay kind and remember that you rock!