As we wait patiently to board our flight from Fort Lauderdale to Cap Haitien, where we will be based for the next two days, the excitement is building. We know that all sense of time and flow will change from the moment our flight lands, and we are all ready for the adventure ahead.
Sixteen intrepid travelers with 32 bags, although at this point more than 1/2 the bags – supplies for Chermaitre – are on another flight. The amount of luggage is, well, a lot, and for those of us who have been to Haiti before, we can just picture how it will make its way to its final destination – on backs and on heads! For now, every bag has been weighed. Every person has been weighed. Our creole is already being called into use. Boarding call. More from the Cap.
VHP ale Ayiti.
Allo Allo mwen rele Fiona! We’ve been sitting around fidgeting for the past 1.5 hours as the baggage was being checked in and now we’re finally about to board! Can’t belieeeve it. Caitlyn and I have started writing in Moleskine scrapbooks and everyone is running around taking pictures. The whole group is wearing our blue t-shirts and we look like proper tourists. So much excitement. Can’t wait to touch-down in le Cap!
“Tipa tipa wazo fe nich li” – little by little, the bird builds its nest
Heeere we gooo…
allo allo mwen rele Caitlyn! found my happy green shirtt
Weighing was funny 4 us.
Anyway, it’s an interesting feeling that we’re all packed up, scared for the mosquitoes/food/language awkwardness/zillion tons of luggage but excited for almost everything else.
So this is it. Feeling like I should’ve prepared so much more, should’ve done so much more, should’ve understood so much more. Also maybe being a little more calm, a little more level-headed, a little more thrilled…
But we’re off. We’ll get all the beautiful things done whatsoever.
-Charlene
Alo!!!! mwen rele ayewopo!! we’re going to be there in 2 hours!!!!!!!! I really really can’t wait!
We are excited, maybe a bit nervous, but ready. Can’t wait to get there :D Livia
We’re about to go, we’re taking about our game plan and I CANNOT believe it. As usual, I think I won’t be able to realize that all of this is happening until I am actually IN Haiti. But I am getting excited and filled with energy!!!! I wonder how we will all have changed by the time we come back. I wonder how our perceptions will have changed….
We’ll keep you posted!
-Claudia