Welcome to Gro-Morne!!

The day I have been waiting for finally arrived. The beginning of fulfilling a desire I have had since high school. I have now been living in Haiti for almost two weeks.  Most of what we have been doing up to this point is adjusting, exploring, and getting accustomed to the house routines,the people and places around. Right now it feels as if I am coming home to the states in just a week or so.... like I am on vacation. It doesnt feel as if this is my home for the next year!!! 

There is so much to say, I have been asked by several people to give an update, but for the beginning its such a change, its hard to describe it all right now. So I am going to try and give a brief summary to start.

 Our travel here was very interesting. Although we were two very excited girls (Jen and I) getting up at 2:45 am to arrive at the airport by 4am was not fun. When we were checking in they pretty much told us we may not get into the country because we had no Visa or proof of return. After an hour, they let us go, but told us it was our risk to take.The rest of the travel time I was a little nervous and very ready to be in Haiti. Needless to say we arrived, made it though customs, and “into” the country ok. 

As we walked out of the airport (which is a big open warehouse looking place) we were greeted by the fresh hot air, and A LOT of men in red shirts. I was warned about men who want to take your bags to whoever you were meeting, so that you would pay them for doing so. I didnt think it was going to be as crazy as they made it sound, but it was. They tried saying they know who was meeting me, trying to grab my bags, and they walked with me trying to convince me to let them carry my bags. After a lot of ignoring and saying no thanks, we were finally greeted at the end of the walkway by the sisters!

The drive to Gro-Morne was a very interesting. It was a good preface to the year for me. There are really no rules of the road, so a few times I held my breath because of the oncoming traffic, thinking we were going to run over a person, die, or hit something on the side of the road exct.  It was all just an eye opening, and crazy experience. It was about a 3.5 hour drive. Including the 30 minutes we had to wait in traffic (people all over the road, in and out of their cars) because a bus was being pulled out of a ditch. My first impressions were nothing that I could have ever expected. I think I was pretty silent the whole drive down, and pretty quiet the first few days. I dont think  even at this point I have even processed the drive and the things I have seen in Gro-Morne completely. It was an experience that began to break my heart. Pictures couldn't begin describe what I was seeing on the outside of the van.  

So far the free time that we have, Jen and I have been going on walks or hikes. We have been trying to begin getting familiar with places around the town. This has been fun getting out of the americanized house, and observe the way people live in Gro-Morne. Most of these walks make me very grateful for the life I have been given. A lot of the walks include walking over piles of garbage, seeing people hungry walking the street, seeing people bathe in the river, people carrying containers to get water, and people sitting in the blistering sun trying to sell their goods. I have enjoyed going on these walks because when we have seen children, they either stare, follow you, talk to you, one walked us home, or my favorite they tell "BLAN" which simply means white. The best part is they say it in a scared, alarming or excited voice. For a mere second I feel awkward or famous haha. 

Our kreyol lessons started this past week. Our teacher is very interesting, and is very passionate about his language. The lessons are very frustrating and fun at the same time. Our teacher uses the phrase, its the “its the beauty of the language” as explanations sometimes, right now its frustrating, but hopefully I will be able to understand its beauty in time.  Today we learned parts of the body. I wanted to say " tet" meaning head, but I said " teet" so that was fun...I anticipate things like that are only going to continue to happen. 

       Being a person who likes to talk to people, it is hard when I am not even able to communicate with a child. So far I think that has been the most frustrating part. Although there are people I can communicate with, it is already very lonely and discouraging not being able to simply communicate to those that work around the house and people within the community around us. It is a beautiful language to listen to, so I cant wait until I can speak it. It will obviously be easier as I have more classes and practice.        

       So far life here is great. I am getting used to living here, and really enjoying building a foundation for the rest of the year. 

Lots of love from Haiti. Where the avocados are huge and fresh, where you fall asleep to the sounds of donkeys "HEE-HAW", Roosters koukouyoukou-ing, and really annoying men singing and preaching on a microphone. 

Part of the town Gro-Morne