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| Welcome to Haiti! |
The day started just any other first day going to Haiti. The alarm clock buzzed at 3:30am, and the groaning began immediately. BUT then, I remembered I was going to Haiti! And this is not just any trip to Haiti... This is my 14th trip to Haiti! Plus, so many of my valued colleagues are coming on this trip. Plus, we are hosting the Operators' Conference, and it will be like a family reunion from all across Haiti.
We called a taxi to take us to the airport will our 500 pounds of luggage. Unfortunately, a family of three jumped in the taxi awaiting us and left. By that time, the airport shuttle began running...but it was quickly being filled by another family group heading to Central America for vacation. Thankfully, the driver had pity on us, loaded us up, and off the airport we went. The poor baggage man outside the airport saw us coming and had dollar signs in his eyes. After trying to convince the poor lad to forgive the fees, we rerouted indoors. At that point, the airline ladies were crabby and did not even want to let us check in. Apparently, we were running very late! Once they finally checked our bags, they detoured us from the long, long line at check point one, only to have us walk three miles to check point two, which was closed, and then finally to checkpoint three, which had a "priority access" line and let us through. The worst luck and the best luck were combining for a hectic, but amazing morning.
Though we were the last on the plane, we were on the plane. Upon arrival in Port Au Prince, we were shuttled to the new arrival terminal, which could be mistaken for any international arrival area! Ancy was awaiting us outside, and after a quick loading, we were off.
It truly is like being back home. The sights, the smells, the laughter and the friendship are as if we had never left. With it being a holiday, traffic was incredibly light. We stopped by to visit Ancy's family in Carrefour and inspect the new addition to his home. Lorna, Hans, and Kerry were very excited to us, and the "million dollar view" from the balcony grows more beautiful by the day. Our next stop was to say hello to Roody Joseph. The day was so beautiful, the sun shining so brightly, and once we arrived at the monastery, it truly was as if we had come back home.
Olizard greeted us, and after we toured the new buildings and situated our belongings, the rest of our group arrived. What a good, relaxing first day in Haiti... How good it is to be home.
