Port Au Prince

Our trip began and ended in Port Au Prince, so that is where I will start. 

As we began to land in PAP, Rudy and I both had tears in our eyes.  The poverty was so vividly evident even from the air.  Our plane left Miami about an hour late (they couldn't get the cargo door shut) and I think that worked in our favor in the end.  Daryl said that it was the smoothest time in the PAP airport that he has ever had; I am sure the Haitians know when the planes land and leave.  There weren't many who were fighting over our bags.  We did have someone scheduled to pick us up and that helped also!  The a/c on our bus wasn't working so we had the full effect of the sounds and smells of the city.  There were sooo many people!!!!  And they were burning trash all over, though there was plenty left on the ground and in the water ways.  There is no system for trash, so they burn it.  At one place in the city, there is a big dump of sorts.  The trash is burning and people are digging through it.  The city stretched on for quite awhile - it was beyond heartbreaking.  As we reached more of the countryside, we saw more fields and animals.  It is a long drive and towards evening, we could see the children bringing the animals in (staked out different places).  Before we began the drive, Daryl said we needed to say a prayer (seriously -it was needed).  Our driver drove like a madman!  The horn and brakes are essential!  and it doesn't matter what side of the road you drive on as long as you get through - vehicles, motorcycles (taxis), walkers, donkeys, etc.  We did get caught in a protest - thankfully it was a peaceful one - the street was full of people and we kind of inched a long for awhile.  We were weary when we reached Cavillon, and then we transferred to the truck from the hospital and began the 7 mile drive up the mountain.  The road was so bad it took about 45 minutes!  The 4 wheelers would have loved it!!  It was so bumpy and you would often find your stomach about a foot lower than it was a second ago.  There were also a couple of spots that were like a washer board - speed bumps a good foot height.  The Haitians put them in to keep the traffic slow.  Some spots were still dangerously washed out from hurricane Sandy.  We realized again on Sunday how thankful we should be for our safe travels when we heard that four people from Michigan were not as fortunate.  They came in the same day as we did and traveled the same road, but the brakes on their vehicle failed.  Four out of 5 lost their lives (some had been to Haiti 15 times).

the drive back yesterday began at 4:45 am.  They never know what will happen on the road to PAP, so they give plenty of time (a few teams have missed their flights).  There were already many Haitians on the road at that time, heading to market.  We saw some beautiful sights in the early morning, but were unable to capture it on camera.  at one point, we saw the sun rising behind the mountains, reflected on the ocean with the silhouettes of three or four fishing boats.  This driver was much more cautious - thankfully!!!  As we arrived in PAP, we got into a major traffic jam - not really going anywhere and pretty soon we saw a couple of UN MPs, heading the other direction, as well as some Haitian police (first time I saw them do anything other than sit outside their office).  A little later their was what looked like a tank of some sort and when our driver took to the back roads, we passed a UN tanker that we are assuming was carrying tear gas.  At that point, I was quite glad that we got up at 4am to get an early start to the day!!!  I would much rather sit in the airport for a few hours than to get caught in that.  Daryl had said he was stuck for 3 hours once.

We were very happy and content in Bonne Fin, but the drive to and from PAP was anxiety inducing!