Nous sommes arrivee!

Haiti, Day 1

Or day 0.5, rather. I arrived, through billowing clouds, from New York to a place so totally different that it is hard to believe it is only 3.5 hrs by plane and in the same time zone.

It feels great to be in Haiti again. Greeted by live music as we walked off the plane, with the strong sun shining, I waltzed into this week smiling. The four hour, ninety mile bus ride only made me want to shoot photos and stop and explore.

Perhaps it is my bias, because I want to see improvement, but I have noticed changes since I made the same bus ride over a year ago. 1. The airport was more organized. We did not bribe the customs officials with Viagra and children's chewable vitamins to let us in, tax free. Instead, women and men in uniform inspected the bags and did not even ask for the lollipops on the surface (I, however, had no self control and took two for the bumpy bus ride). We were not mobbed by kids or taxi drivers, but instead found our new white four by four only needing to wave off one man who called 'maman!' through the gate. 2. There was more concrete on Route one, and therefore less huge pot holes. 3. There were no road blocks at all, whereas last year there were at least two. 3. There were no UN officials standing with loaded guns on the roof of their building. Instead, they were sitting in the shade and waved. Over dinner I asked Pastor Pierre, the boss of this complex, if it was too late to talk politics and if not, what changes he noticed since the election of Rene Preval. He said that it is calmer and there have been improvements, if only slight. I concur.

But some things are still the same, and for this, albeit selfishly, I am glad. The rooster still crows the announcement of sunset. The kids I met and played with last year still remember me and want to run ('Cous!!!'), stupidly through the thorny hills to accompany the silly Americans while we stretch our legs. The two twin girls whom I photographed last year still look like models, if only more beautiful.

Tomorrow we will set up our two exam rooms in the clinic with our brought medications and vitamins and prepare to open on Monday. If I can just sort out the French from the Spanish that are currently making word-salad in my brain, I will be all set. I am excited for what the week may hold and hope that I can leave as many smiles as received me.

Thank you to all who helped support this trip - both fiscally and emotionally. Keep checking back if you want updates. I will try to write daily if the power stayes on long enough.