Last night it really rained quite a bit.  It was ironic since we still had no water for showers or to flush the toilet.  It actually got rather chilly which I never thought I’d say in Haiti.

I took one of the buckets from our room and used the garbage can bucket to go get water for the toilets.  Since it was dark, I couldn't see where the most direct water was hitting.  It was taking forever or so it seemed.  I took one of the buckets up and came back to get the other one when I realized that there was a crack in it and it can’t actually hold water.  I felt so gritty I just wanted to rinse off.

This morning we were informed there was water but I was already still feeling dirty and sweaty.   I figured I’ll suck it up and shower tonight.   My turn is next.

Morning

I am happy to report we did not see any dead people today.  I saw that they put some stuff down where he bled all over the ground.  Today we hopped on the back of a motorcycle actually we had to take two and we went to New Life Children’s Home. My friend Shawn’s wife Jessica will be there next week.  I was supposed to meet up with her but the scheduled changed and we will be passing as I am leaving, she will be coming.

Our field trip to New Life

A woman name Renee gave us the grand tour of the place.  She knows Shawn and Jessica very well.  We also met a man named John who flies a helicopter and rescues sick people from the mountains.  It was cool seeing his helicopter on the grounds.  It’s a pretty big and well-run organization.  It’s nice seeing grass there.  Some of the disabled kids were sitting under the trees hanging out.  We saw some guys trying to tap into a well by hand.  Yesterday they went 80 feet.  It looks like a merry go round with mud and water coming out.  It also looks like a hard job.  They have a little tilapia farm, chickens, rabbits, and other farm animals.  All in all, I think I would stay here too.  We walked back about halfway back home and then caught a motorcycle.  I guys pretty much expect we will come.  They’re just a little more obnoxious than I’d like.

Little fishies

After the lunch hour, we decided to hoof it to the Apparent Project via various means of public transportation.  It was so hot out.  I think the people think we are nuts because we like to sit on the outside in the sun and they go inside.  I found a few trinkets.  I became aware that I was getting a headache.  I don’t know if it was because I really didn’t eat any lunch, thank you crazy guy for taking two days of beef jerky from me.  My headache could have been from lack of water.  I don’t know about that one because I don’t go anywhere without my water bottle down here. 

How to drill a well

We figured we walk a little until we found someone to take us back to Delmas. About 30 minutes later, we were lost and finally flagged down a sole sucker to cart us back to the main road.  I was like the meat in the sandwich.  I was packed in nicely.  I always crack myself up when I hop on with these motorcycle drivers.  I’m clinging to them like we’re high school sweethearts.  Is it wrong to cling to a sweaty black man in a foreign country that you don’t know?  I’m over their sweaty body and lack of proper hygiene.  You honestly can’t escape it so you might as well embrace it.

Tomorrow we have some morning errands which mainly include going to a nearby orphanage that Gertrude’s nephew runs.  Then in the afternoon, who knows when we are supposed to take a trip to Les Cayes.  Either way, Gertrude’s family is from that area.  We are supposed to take pics and gather I guess some information about kids there for some sponsors.  We’re staying at her relative’s house so we both have no clue or expectations about our accommodations.  I’m secretly hoping they have a lot of money and I won’t have to sleep on the floor or use outdoor plumbing.

So, there’s a good chance I won’t have any Internet till sometime when we return at an unknown time on Saturday.  Here, you can never assume anything.  I also never comment if something is going well for fear we will jinx it.  It always happens so I just figure I’ll enjoy the moment while it’s good.

I don’t know if a little video I took on the back of a motorcycle will actually download.  You can see first hand why I don’t like Jamie to drive me on the back of the motorcycle.  I get a little nervous with our kamikaze drivers as it is.

Since my headache is getting the best of me I can’t write anymore.  Hopefully, I’ll be reporting back to you Saturday night on the weekend festivities. 

A rarity here

Haitian Rabbits, who would have thought?