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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sa'w Panse


10:02pm 
I am settled into the organization and laying in bed as I write this.  Whenever I come to Haiti, it is never a dull experience.  Baggage claim was so chaotic and it seemed as if I would never get my bags.  When I got outside and found the driver from the organization, I felt relief all at once, because that was a concern for me.  However that relief was short lived.  We got into a minor fender bender that escalated into a huge argument, because the other driver was extremely upset and cursing the organization’s driver.  When the organization’s driver tried to reason with him, it was met with more cursing and the most profanity laced language that I have ever heard from a Haitian’s mouth.  The other driver also stood in front of the truck to prevent us from leaving.  This went on for at least 20-25mins in the blazing mid day sun in the very busy airport parking lot.
I never really have expectations of the unknown.  The house is sparsely furnished and very clean.  I will be bunking with another woman, but our room is right off of a patio/balcony so that’s pleasant.  The first order of business in the morning, is to purchase a cell phone.  I’m very glad I left my chocolate at home; it would have melted even before leaving the airport.
We did English lessons today very short, and impromptu.  The girls were all giggling except for one who took it seriously and practiced along with the track.  I want to get some sort of schedule figured out but I don’t want to overdo it and be militant about starting a new way of doing things.

4 comments:

  1. Awesome! Glad you have arrived, and already doing work.

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  2. Tell me they exchange paperwork after the crash? Did the police get involve? OMG, it just like haitians to take something minor and escalate it to something big. "Moun ayisan pa janm fin pale."

    The patio/ balcony photo looks like you are located up high in the mountain. How's the fresh air?

    Have a wonderful experience but most importantly take good care of home. Jacmel, Haiti is happy to have you as its own.

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  3. interesting to say the least. So is that what u will be doing? Teaching english?

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  4. @ Monsieur F, no I'm not in the "mountains" I'm in the city, but the apartment is on the second floor, that's like a patio/balcony

    @Anon 9:15 I'm going to be tutoring the girls in English, hw assistance, attending births, overseeing house staff & overall resource person for the org

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