Back streets of Leogone

Recap:

Good day.  Jerry and I went back to the same rubble site we were at yesterday while Carrie went to a different rubble site and Larry helped rebuild a school.  All are good.

I have a small cut on the back of right leg were the pedal hit me when I layed the bike down today. It bled alot more than it hurt, but given the filthy conditions I really over cared for it.  the rest of the group, other than Carrie's sunburn are tired but fine.

While I could write a while on the work, in all honesty, there is only so much you can say about breaking up large chunks of cement into smaller chunks which are then loaded into a wheel barrel and hauled about 65 yards and dumped into a pile.  And yes the careful reader will note that 65 yards is 5 yards closer to the house than yesterday, which is a sign of progress.

So short version of work.  It was REALLY hot in the AM.  We were working flat out and would be taking water breaks every 20 minutes or so.  We made great progress at our site (Ruble Desiree) but to anyone else on the street would say there is a VERY long ways to go.  But baby steps.

Lunch time...Lunches are much longer due to the heat.  They typically last about 2 hours.  Today instead of eating Jerry and I got a tour of the city as we tried to buy Wesley new work boots and a SIM chip for our phones.   It will no doubt be one of the most memorable times of the entire trip.

It started when the three of us were dropped off downtown and ran into an entire elementary class walking down the street accompanied by their teacher.  After many "hey-yous" and high fives, I talked to the teacher and mentioned we had some soccer balls to donate if they would like.  He loved the idea and invited us to come to his class tomorrow.  So our rubble day will include a hour break to go speak with the class.  Ironically, as we were not very close to his house, Wesley had had the same teacher when in elementary school and he will accompany us (and line up either a tap-tap (a taxi that is a pickup truck with everyone in the back, or a taxi (which is a motorcycle), act as translator, etc).  I am really looking forward to it.

After leaving the teacher we went to track down a SIM card with very limited success, but we are getting closer. By the time we leave Haiti I am very confident Jerry, Larry, and I will have a phone that will work.

Then we went to the "market" looking for his boots.  I was almost speechless (no small feat for me!).  It was dirty with hundreds upon hundreds of small vendors selling their wares sometimes on a table, but very often laid out a blanket spread on the ground feet from mud, animal droppings, rotting food, and who knows what else.

We went to each of the maybe 10 shoe "stores" and I am convinced that the majority were selling donated shoes.  We struck out on actual boots but at least got him a decent pair of heavy hiking shoes.  (better not perfect...and still working on the boots--size 9 if anyone wants to donate to him).

We then took the back way to camp to try and catch lunch.  Sad.  Went by house after house that was collapsed on to itself with people living in tents in fields shared with goats, chicken, and an occasional cow.  The people were all very nice with many smiles accompanied with "Hey you" from the children and "Bon Jour" from the adults. This as the temperature hovered near 100 degrees with a hot sun hanging seemingly directly overhead.

When we made it back to camp, lunch was done and no food left (we've run out for each of the first two lunches so I guess I better get to lunch sooner!)  We then went to the famous street vendor (well famous in HODR circles) who goes by either the Egg Lady or Sandwich Lady depending on who you ask.  Jerry and Wesley had a egg sandwich (think eggs, with spices, hot sauce, and even ketchup on a sub roll).  I got back to camp and had a Zone Bar.  So not exactly (or eggactly?) a filling meal.

When we got back to the work site we we met with a passing rain shower that was truly delightful and we all enjoyed immensely as it temporarily dropped temperatures and allowed us to work for about 45 minutes hard without a break.

***work details left out for time***

After work I went biking.  This time I went in the opposite direction of yesterday.  Fun as all the kids yell "hey you" as you ride by.   Not the best workout however as WAY too crowded, WAY too bad of road.

On the way back as I was returning the calls of "hey you", I turned back to yell, and the next thing I knew I hit a ditch in the middle of the road and went over on my side.  Nothing serious but the cut on my calf bled quite a bit.  It should also be noted that as soon as I went down, I had about 15 Haitians come running to me aid.   Very nice.

*Tonight there was a HODR talent show at Joe's a Local bar. I did not go as I have no talents, was sure there would be smokers, and just did not have time.  It sounds (the bar is right next door) like they are having a good time AND with everyone over there the internet is a bit faster.  So a WIN-WIN!

* not tired, but very hungry.  going to try and find something before lights out.

more tomorrow...

Packing etc for Haiti

Busy busy past week.  With graduation events, trying to get ready for the trip, collecting shoes, computers etc for Haiti, dealing with normal school stuff  (oh yeah and spilling gas in my car and a weird rash from working in Allegany State Park), have had zero time to prepare or pack, so today I will be running around like a chicken with my head chopped off.

Good talk with Andy Hartnett who was one of the original BonaResponders (Biloxi 2005) a leader on our big trip, and a great guy who just happened to be a finance major as well!   He gave me a better idea of what to expect etc as he just left HODR a few days ago to come to SBU for his sister's graduation yesterday.

According to Andy, internet access is slow and spotty at the camp but I will update this blog as often as I can when there.

Watching the Gold Medal Game in Haiti and more

Sunday in Haiti is not a work day, so today the crew had a day off. Here is their email from today:


Another update from TJ, Rob, and Phil:

"First we will begin with last night: we all traveled to the tiki hut with disco ball and had some Colt 45s outta the can. (mMMMMMmmm America!) We danced the night away with a Haitian in a cowboy hat and taught him and his friends the fist pump (because Jersey Shore needs to be brought to Haiti). There was a black light, disco ball, and wild dogs and hogs running about... pretty much the Haitian version of Fosters (pigs included) (Fosters is a local bar near SBU).

We made our way back to base before lights out at 10 and had our way with a cornucopia of powerbars.

This morning, we rose to the sounds of 1000 screaming hens and roosters. The morning air was cool, and the smell of burning garbage was rich in the air. TJ, Rob, and Phil couldn't get on the crowded "tap-tap" to the beach in the morning so we decided to have a walking adventure around the city. It began on motorcycles where we learned that you can in fact fit 4 people on a bike. Then, we exchanged our US money for Haitian Gourds... WE ARE RICH MEN! We met up with the other Phil, his girlfriend, and Ben to wander about the city. We were greeted by a full petting zoo of pigs, dogs, a cat, roosters, and one cow. (E-I-E-I-O). Also, dogs travel in packs here!

We found a kid playing "Frer iz jac ah" on the trumpet and rob learned that is a french song :). We stopped at the Canadian Army base talking smack about the game tonight. Rob played Frisbee with some Haitian kiddos.

The other Phil got interviewed by a lady from Brooklyn (?) ..... Eventually we were nearing our base camp and stopped for some delicious Haitian style egg sandwiches. Little girls laughed at the tape on Rob's boot. Some other kids had a home made kite that hit us in the face. Then nap time!!!

We woke up (Phil, 4 hours later) and drew lots with the rest of the volunteers to go to watch the Canada/USA hockey game back at the Canadian base. BTW TJ is now the master of the tight rope/slack line. Rob and Phil went to the base for the game, TJ went to the beach.

At the base, we entered half way through the 2nd period. At the gate the soldier asked "Are you here for the game of hockey??" We had to watch in their mess tent which was like a sauna! Nothing like sweaty men and the coldest game on ice! After we lost in OT, the Canadians fed us hot dogs and all was well. As we boarded our "tap-tap" a group of the men shouted "Wait! you forgot your silver medals!". Phil road shotgun back to camp as people on the side of the road asked for the score :(.

During this time, TJ went on a walk with other Phil, his girlfriend, and the girl form India. They walked about 5 miles with everyone shouting "Blah" or something and were followed the entire way by small groups of children. Stopped by some German water treatment plants and made our way into an IDP camp and met some more Hatians.

After taking a left 2 more miles down the road TJ came to the beach. A young Haitian woman led us there. After arriving we walked down the beach where thousands of conch shells lay in walls protecting the houses from high tide. Fishermen were busy and a group of about 10 children were constantly asking for their pictures taken as they posed. (The Haitian Grandma was not afraid to get down to the birthday suit for a bath).

We made our way back, waving down a taxi that was a rip off but comparably still very cheap.

We all assembled on the roof to exchange our afternoon experiences and saw this as a sign to never split paths again. Who knows what this night will hold. All we know is that we are having pancakes for breakfast.

As for our appearance, Tj still looks like a skin head, Rob is rockin the rambo look(probably scaring the **** out of a lot of Haitians) and Phil reminds those of the seventies porno industry.

Until next time. (*****) Haiti chapter out!!!

P.S. Heard about Sister Margaret's letter about us that was sent to everyone. Better than making the notice board! Respect!"

The Letter from Sister Margaret (who is the president of St. Bonaventure) to which they refer went to parents of all students. The letter's purpose was to disown the trip and to say that the University did not sanction the trip. This view was why it was not an official BonaResponds trip and why we created of JustRespond for this and future trips.