Leaving Haiti

Harder than I expected but at same time I’m very excited about seeing everyone at home. Nearly 6 months have gone by since I left Portland. Its seems like a long time yet has gone by pretty quickly because of the amount of work we have accomplished.

Last night Yasmine and Noel came by the house and took me out for a drink and we listened to some music, just for a little while knowing I would have to get up early. and since Noel was taking me to the airport, he would have to get up early too.

Lots of friends called yesterday and this morning to wish me safe travel, to remind me to tell all our Portland friends hello and to remind me that as I will be missed, I need to return.

I left my little dog, Gracie behind despite Al’s urging that I should take her to Portland with me. I’m pretty sure he was joking. And I’m positive he likes her better than the ‘pet’ rat running around his room at night. (secret: Al hates rats)

Since I arrived at the Port au Prince airport in January - the military had control of the airport and flgihts had to get approved to land and were given a 20 minute window to land and unload. We landed after midnight and there was no customs and immigration to go through. This morning as I left it was in the back of my mind that I didn’t have an entrance stamp in my passport or the ‘green’ card we are told not to lose. When they asked me about them I just said I arrived in January and they said Thank you and stamped my passport. The airport section I was in was in the process of up grading when I left last year so the finished area was quite nice, air conditioned. Shops up on 3rd level, but the main differene is the fact that you no longer walk out on to the tarmac to enter or exit the plane. Just walk down the ramp like every other airport.

I sat with a Haitian woman on my flight to Ft. Launerdale, She was very quiet but spoke some english and asked me to help her with the customs form. She was dressed very nicely in a beige dress as if going to a wedding but was going to visit her family. Stark contrast to the group of teenagers very casuallly attired in shorts, even my own capri’s. I remember my first trip in 2003, flying into Port au Prince from New York City- a very large plane very full of Haitians and when the plane touched the ground, a ‘spontaneous ‘ eruption of clapping, and thank you Jesus surprised out group. In all of the visits I’ve made since, I’ve not noticed it very often. Today, Marie Solange quietly clapped as we touhed down, gave me a little smile and said Thanks to God we are alive.

The flight to Dallas -Fort Wortth was divertered to Austin after circling and waiting for storm to pass - just to refuel and wait for storm to clear. I made it to the gate for Portland flight just as they were in boarding process. Unfortunately, other flights did not make their connection since we have many empty seats on a flight we were told was full. So I’m taking the time to write this and have some tea on my last leg of the flight home. I’ve mostly reflected on the changes in airline services over the years. Upon entering the plane in Port au Prince, I picked up a blanket and wrapped myself in it as the plane was freezing. Unfortunately, the blankets are only for the invisible people in first class and the flight attendent took it away from me. Sevice has changed yet my flight was quite expensive- you’d think I could use a blanket. They did ask the pilot to turn down the cold so that helped. The gave us a snack of raisens, 1 cracker and package of cheese. I had some yogurt in Ft. Laudedale. On the way to Dallas, I slept part of the way so if they had snacks, I didn’t get any but I was anticipating a long enough lay over to have some dinner. But that didn’t happen. Now on this last bit of journey, I could have the same snack I had this morning for $4 and I could buy a blanke for $8 ( I bought a sweatshirt in Ft. lauderale) and I could buy potato ships for $3.50. No thanks. I’ll visit Taco Bell on my way home in from airport tonight. The window is open after midnight.