I'm Back...

But, I have mixed feelings about it. For one thing, I'm happy to be home with my friends and family, have clean water, sanitary food, and modern conveniences like air conditioning and water pressure. However, I miss the people, the simplicity, the babies, and most of all, I miss the joy.

Haiti is poor. Many people live in make shift shacks, sleep in the dirt, fetch dirty water, and go days without food. Roads are unpaved and unregulated. Trash is burned on the side of the road and there is an unmistakable scent in the air.

Despite the severe poverty, Haiti is rich in culture, love, and joy. The people are genuine. Greetings involve big hugs and kisses on the cheek. Creole is spoken and sung, loudly and proudly. Car horns are used for road conversations. Community is everything. And the people count their blessings, rather than their wants.

While I was in Haiti, I had countless opportunities to experience the culture, the love, and the joy. So, my next few entries will briefly describe my work, lessons learned, and experiences day by day. So, let me take you back to June 16, 2015. The day I arrived in Haiti.

My plane boarded around 12 pm. As I sat in my seat, waiting for the rest of the passengers to board, I realized I was one of 3 white people on the plane, and as the flight continued, I realized I was one of 8 people who spoke English. I was clearly out of place. A man with his young daughter approached me and made sure I had someone picking me up at the airport. It was weird to me that a stranger cared about my safety.

When the plane landed, everyone stood up as we taxied to a spot on the tarmac. The pilot asked everyone to stay seated until we stopped, but no one listened. So, when in Haiti, do as the Haitian do. I stood up and pushed my way to the front just like everyone else. The airport was a small, blue building with a band playing music on the tarmac. Once inside, I was directed to the international line in customs, where I had to pay a $10 entrance fee. After paying the fee, I walked up to the customs man who checked my passport, took my customs form, and welcomed me to Haiti. After grabbing my luggage, I simply walked out of the airport without a baggage check or anything.

Exiting the airport was overwhelming. I had no idea who was picking me up. So, I walked out and stood in the exit looking lost. To my left stood about 50 taxi drivers yelling "do you need a taxi?" and "vini la". To my right stood about 15 men waiting to take my luggage for a $1 tip. I kept saying "no messi", but they kept asking to take my bag. So, I started ignoring them. Across the street stood hundreds of people smiling, laughing, talking, and watching people come off the only plane from America. I just stood in the exit. Looking. Waiting... After about 5 minutes, the head of airport security approached me and asked me if someone was picking me up. I said, "yes, but I don't know who", so he nodded and stood next to me until someone from COTP found me.

Soon enough, I was in the car on my way to COTP. As we drove through the streets of Cap Haitien, I was overwhelmed by the smells, the trash, the dirt, the noises, and the poverty. The buildings were old, run down, dirty, but colorful. Trucks were packed full of people wanting rides to the outskirts of town. After the town, we drove through sugar cane fields, past villages of people, and over small bridges. People were bathing in dirty water, sleeping in the dirt, and children were wandering the villages naked. What should have been a 15 minute drive was a 45 minute drive because of the unpaved roads. Finally, we arrived in Lagosette. A small village in Cap Haitien, where COTP is located.

The compound was quiet. All the kids were napping. I was guided up to my room in the volunteer house and given a quick tour. About an hour after I arrived the kids were outside, yelling, crying, laughing, screaming, and running around the compound. I went down to sit under the mango tree and take everything in. But, as soon as I sat down, 3 kids ran up to me and sat on my lap. They spoke to me in Creole and I would randomly choose when to say "Oui" or "no". I sat with them until their dinner time. When the kids left, I went back to the volunteer house, met the other volunteers, and sat on the porch until I went to bed.

The first day was overwhelming. There was so much to take in. And there still is. Little did I know, June 17, 2015 would be even more overwhelming and even sweeter.