Haiti - Day Five

Day five in Haiti was hot.

Our Driver Manno #1 was out of town so the "mountain goat" was out of commission. We crammed into a van in what was already sweltering heat only to find that the air conditioner was broken. We jerked and bumped all the way to Camp Abraham by the sea. The ocean was an eye dazzling layering of blue and turquoise. The camp was a series of twig tents tied with tarps. The kids swarmed us immediately and were eager to play games. While the boys unloaded the food, I played a quick game of hide-and-go-seek with a few girls. The people in the camp were friendly and sad to see us leave so soon.

We headed back to the other half of my heart - Swamp Kids. Our team was already drained. Sweat trickled off our faces like a leaky faucet. The afternoon again was filled with hugs, piggy back rides and laughter. At the end of our time at the orphanage, the older girls began to clap, sing and strut around like proud peacocks. All of the kids insisted we do this dance one by one. They screamed and cheered at each of our attempts to shake with convincing rhythm. I gave Angelina a quick kiss before we left for home. I think of her more times than I can count. I sing her name in my head all day long. An-ge-li-na.

On the way home I sat in the very back of the van with Manno #2. While sharing a sweat towel and attempting not to hit the back window, I drilled him on his life history and future plans. He didn't seem to mind. "It's free,"he said with a laugh. Manno grew up outside the city and was a communications major in college. He wants to go back to school to either become a doctor or a lawyer. More than anything, he wants to be a political leader and write a book about the corrupt leadership in Haiti. He told me that the people of Haiti have not seen the aid money after the earthquake because of the current politicians. The next election is in November and Manno is confident that Haitians will vote to make a change. Talking to Manno was so inspiring. His dreams are bigger than himself or his family - they are for his whole country.

Dinner was an odd stew with floating animal parts. After choking it down, I led debrief on the roof. We agreed to make the kids individual pictures to hang in the orphanage. Tomorrow is our last day to see the kids. The thought itself makes a lump form in my throat like a stone. I feel so comfortable here. Time has flown by. If I could live here and eat fried plantains every night, get driven around by Manno and Ostanel and play with those kids everyday, I imagine I would be the happiest person alive.