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A Reprieve in the Haitian Countryside
Yesterday was a tough day. Today was much better. We spent time with Keanan in the morning at the orphanage. We hung back and just watched, instead of being overeager and hovering. He was so cute and fun today.Around noon, we boarded a very, very small plane to head to Port-de-Paix. The plane ride was an experience. Only 12 passengers, and all the luggage was just piled in the back. The pilot had his hand sticking out of the front window the duration of the flight. I think it was a little low on . . .
Mosquito Fest
In my attempt to be more granola, I decided to give the herbal bug repellant a try. This was a mistake. A very bad mistake. It's fun looking at your daughter's legs and thinking about how your commitment to avoiding chemicals on a trip to Haiti has come at the expense of her poor, welted skin. It's great wondering which mosquito bite might have been delivering malaria, or dengue fever, or west nile fever to your 18-month-old, because you slathered your kid in something you bought at Whole . . .
Pressed Down on All Sides
Today was a hard day. I'm feeling pretty taxed in every way possible.I am emotionally drained. Visiting Keanan is hard. It is always a relief to see how well he is cared for. But it's also disheartening how uncomfortable he is with us. I know that it is normal, and even developmentally appropriate, that he isn't jumping into our arms. We showed up enthusiastic, excited and smothering, and he reacted. He wanted nothing to do with us. I know that this is a GOOD THING. It shows he is bonded to his . . .
Toys, Toys, Toys
We got the chance to deliver all the toys we brought for the orphanage. It was very fun. We brought trikes for the toddler house, and they were very excited. We also brought a simple tent from Ikea that seemed to be the biggest hit. The older boys loved the matchbox cars, and the kids were having so much fun that there were several tantrums when they had to stop playing to go eat dinner. The nannies were not amused.We also took lots of "pretend play" toys for the girl's house. They were loving . . .
The Paradox of Haiti
We have finally arrived in Haiti. It's really hard to describe Haiti. It is exactly like you see on tv, and nothing like you see on tv. It continues to be a country plagued by violence, political unrest, unemployment, hunger, and abject poverty. This has lead to a culture of dishonestly as a coping strategy, on large and small scales. There is a desperation that gives way to crime. There are kidnappings for ransom. People are robbed. Homes are guarded with armed men. You don't go out on the . . .
Delayed in Miami
Our flight from LAX left really late due to a mechanical issue. They could not get the plane door to close, so they ended up having a repairman come and nail the door shut while we sat on the runway for an hour. Things like that always inspire confidence. Anyways, we ended up arriving in Miami after the last flight to Haiti had left for the day. So we are spending a night at a hotel in Miami, and enjoying the beauty of sleeping with two children in one hotel room. Grr.We are pretty disappointed . . .
Packing Up!
We leave for Haiti in the wee hours tonight, and it feels like we've been packing for the last week. We are like santa's workshop over here. Our house was full of toys, clothes, and supplies for the orphanage. We filled four suitcases, and then still had some room, so Mark went to Target and bought four trikes to put in the last two suitcases! I can't wait for the kids to see them. We also have 10 lbs of Starbucks coffee for John and Beth, who run the orphanage. They deserve it! They work so . . .
Happy Mother’s Day!
We had a great mother's day today, despite the fact that we spent most of the day packing. We had lunch at Havana's, my favorite Cuban restaurant. Grandma and Grandpa joined us. . . .
Stressed
I'm finding myself a wee bit stressed about our upcoming trip to Haiti. I was distracted and travelling a lot over the past two weeks. Yesterday, I turned in grades at Vanguard and then launched a blog with my friends. Two big hurdles done, and now my brain is ready to think about our upcoming trip. The gravity of the situation is hitting me like a ton of bricks. The country is in a desperate state.I find myself worrying about some things that are a bit disturbing to think through:what if there . . .
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