Arrival in Leogane

Jon, Jami, Kelsey, and Taylor arrived in Haiti this morning. Even the flight in was a bit of a culture shock. Most of the Haitians on the flight were illiterate, so we all spent a good portion of our flight time helping other people complete their customs documents. As soon as we walked into the airport, there was a band playing to greet everyone. Baggage claim was a mad dash. We though Taylor's bag got lost, but it turned out someone else grabbed it. Don't worry, Jami rescued it. While waiting for Jane (a retired pharmacist also volunteering in Leogane) at the airport, Jon met other Americans working in the area. H seems to be quite the networker in Haiti. It turns out that one of the people he met, Kathy, is a missionary working 5 miles away from us for a Presbyterian reforestation project. We are hoping to go visit her later this week to learn more. John Talbird, the chair of the hospital's board, and Blair met us outside the airport. There were people EVERYWHERE. Also at the airport were several UN vehicles (there presence here is appreciated) which were pretty interesting. BTW, it is really HOT here.

The drive from Port au Prince to Leogane was truly an eye-opening experience. The Haitians obviously are very creative and artful people. They put art wherever they can. The buses and tap-taps (taxis) are truly extraordinary works of art. We've never seen so many people anywhere. It's impossible to describe what the streets are like. People are selling everything you can think of (clothes, motor oil, TVs, mangoes, water, ice, chickens, pigs, goats, used Nikes). It is bothersome to see how much garbage is in the living areas of the city. There are people just setting up businesses on top of landfills. The streams are heavily polluted with trash. In areas without sanitation issues, the island is absolutely gorgeous. There are tons of "scents" throughout the drive. As we got further outside of Port au Prince, we could see livestock on leashes tied up to trees and poles. Apparently, that is the only way to establish ownership. There are no fences to define land ownership either. BTW, it is really, really HOT here.

We took a tour of the hospital. There are some beds, but there is very little equipment. The tour was a little overwhelming. There is so much to do, so w really need to decide on where to start. Jane has been going through the pharmacy and its inventory. Everyone at the guesthouse and on hospital grounds has been so amazing and willing to help us. BTW, it is really, really, really HOT here.

After the hospital tour, all five of us took a walk around Leogane. Everywhere we went, people were calling out, "blanc, blanc, blanc." We felt like celebrities. W could overhear people talking about Hopital Ste. Croix as we walked by, so we knew that they understood why we are here. Everyone was very happy to see us. We took a walk along a trail that went behind the some houses. Little kids from everywhere were yelling, "blanc, blanc, blanc." They could hear us coming down the trail. All the little kids wanted to come out and see us. It reminded Jami of The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy first arrived in Munchkinland. All eyes were on us, and there seemed to be a following. BTW, it is really, really, really, really HOT here.

Back at the hospital, Jon started talking with some of the Haitian students that are studying English. Eventually, the rest of us joined in. It was really fun to connect with people. We all exchanged email addresses, so we are excited to continue our conversations with them. Dinner at the guesthouse was amazing. Again, the people here at the hospital are amazing.

Tonight is disco night, so we're off to salsa dancing. There are supposed to be other students from Notre Dame and Duke at the disco, so it will be great to connect with them.