Hispaniola Calling

Sometime in say, the next three months I am planning to escape to the Caribbean and this year’s pick happens to be the island in the West Indies comprised by the two countries we know as the Dominican Republic and Haiti. I want to go to both. As much as I like digging my toes into the sand on the beach while reading the latest top-selling book on all the lists, I also take great fancy in being productive, learning while touring and lending a helping hand. Haiti isn’t a place I got ignited about visiting after watching Pitt & Jolie hang around with Wyclef Jean, I’d always wanted to go. Having a few friends that are from there, but have yet to go back and wish very little to go back has always intrigued me. The political climate is no secret to me and aside from all the negative images there is an enormous amount of culture and beauty to be found. I want to find it. In fact, I’d love to have Wyclef take me on a tour similar to the one the Brad & Angelina received and see what’s happening with Yéle and Haiti combined.

In regards to the Dominican Republic, I’m looking for beach, sun, fun, dance and more importantly Larimar. Ever since my eyes laid sight on the Pectolite it has become my own “precious” of sorts and I must visit the museum and the mines. I’m told a trip to the mines might change my mind about ever owning a piece of Larimar jewelry, but there is no hiding, running, or turning back now. I want to see the mines.

Yes, my agenda seems and sounds quite set right now, but I’ve got some weeks to plan and I’m opening it up for some reader recommendations. Like Neil, before he took off for Albania and pooled for some additional ideas if anyone says “don’t go” I’ll be obliged to ignore.

Brad Pitt's Green New Orleans

Apparently taking a break
from his rambles across Africa, Brad Pitt is now throwing his substantial celebrity, liberal message muscle behind efforts to improve New Orleans. He has
recently invited the public to submit "green design" ideas as part of a competition aimed at helping rebuild
the hurricane-devastated Big Easy. Yes, Pitt is teaming up with the oxymoronic group Global Green USA on the project,
which says should help turn the catastrophe from calamity into opportunity. Says the steely-jawed Pitt: "Can we
create for these neighborhoods something even better than they had before?"

Pitt will lead a jury of
lesser-peers, including local folk, to select six finalists by July all in the hope of building 10,000 energy efficient
structures in the city. So nice. What would Earth Day be without some celebrity activism?