February 19 (Day 2)

The Selfie Stick's First Use...and the Van to Pignon

Today is Sunday. Typically volunteers would be attending church services that can last between 3 to 4 hours long.  Our guide suggested, though that we get on the road to Pignon. It is about 60 miles NE of Port Au Prince but due to the condition of the roads, it could take .... 4-5 hours with a lunch stop. I had done a little research prior to coming and had read that there was one part of the drive that was extremely "curvy" and bumpy. I drive a Jeep. How bad could it be?

Our driver and our crew of 11 set out in a mini van. I would have to say 8 would fit comfortably.The sun was shining and we were on our way. Everyone was ready to leave the city for the country. We were loaded into the van. I crammed in front with my 5'10 new friend, Cara. I tend to get carsick and she wanted to film the journey from a good angle. So, we were given the front seat. I thought how lucky I would be to be able to see everything along the way. It didn't turn out that way....

My friends from home call me JLo. The nickname is not as glamorous as it sounds. You see, unless I'm driving or out in open air, I get extremely sick. I have to put my head down and get "low".  It took about 20 minutes into the ride until I had the Toyota logo from the dash imprinted on my forehead. I made the mistake of only taking one Dramamine before we left.  I took another immediately, but it was too late. I was a very interesting shade of green 1 hour into the ride. I didn't want to stop and hold up the group... so JLo was in Haiti!  Cara and I became very close.... she kept my secret of just how nauseous I really was (yellow-green skin in color).  Apparently, I shouldn't have been so worried. Two hours into the trip, Jeff, one of our main builders, needed to get out of the van and quick.

We stopped for lunch in a small town. Cheese and ketchup or chicken sandwiches were the options. Apparently, ketchup is the condiment that goes with everything. It wasn't too bad...the bread was great and I was in need of filling a pit in my stomach. After lunch, it was on to the local hospital.  Just as we were entering, a woman was leaving with her newborn baby swaddled in a blanket. Not shocking until you see that her ride is a motorcycle with 3 people already on the seat. She squeezed in and they were on their way. Now that's a close knit family! I thought about how my sister left the hospital after having children. I believe she was wheeled out to the car where a car seat ( rear-facing) securely fastened to the backseat awaited. I was just beginning to see how drastically different my life was from those I was about to meet.

We were back in the van. It was close to 90 degrees. The van's air conditioning was "kinda" working and so was my 2nd Dramamine. I was able to pick up my head from the dash. But, I went from one sick feeling to another. Every inch of every part of every road was lined with garbage. Not just a wrapper or a can here and there. Piles. Lined.

Houses that I would've initially thought to be vacant, had kids coming in and out, malnourished dogs hoping for some vegetable scraps, goats randomly running about, women sitting on the dirt, straddling large metal discs that looked like oversized woks.  I later learned they used them to deep fry various food items. I don't know why at that particular moment, but I just started to cry. Arlene noticed my turning head and wiping hand.  She simply placed her hand on my leg and nodded.  No words.  I was feeling the kind of cry where you just wanted to sob. We all know the one. Needless to say, it was a difficult ride on so many levels.

After 5 1/2 hours in the van, we made it to the place we would call home for the next week. The van door slid open, I stepped out to touch solid ground. I turned around to get my bags when I noticed eyes everywhere. Hands grabbing the bars of our gate to peer inside to get a better look at the new guests to their town. Connor, our youngest member, and assistant leader instructed me to grab 1 soccer ball. I was surprised he only wanted 1. Kids were pouring into the street. Within minutes, it seemed to me that every child in the village was at our gate. Still, 1 soccer ball? I inflated the ball ( thanks, Noreen), left my bags within the gate and took off to play.

This was the moment when I knew I was supposed to be here.

Cara teaching how to use Snapchat

Until tomorrow....