The Best Thunderstorm Ever!

Hi all, sorry for not posting yesterday. There really just wasn't an opportunity. So much to share in just the first day here! Wow, what stark contrasts as I look around me. When flying into Haiti, the landscape is sooo beautiful! Truly. Incredible mountains surrounding us, lakes, the blue ocean waters with their beaches. As you fly in lower, you begin to see all the tents cities. When I say tent cities, I don't mean like what we see on TV. It is overwhelming how many are living under tents and sleeping on the sides of the dirt streets. I was not able to take any photos coming in because I was advised against it. People can become defensive about it or sometimes even threatening in the very worst of areas. We did not drive through the worst areas by any stretch, they're further away from us.

Let me back track a little, the flight was perfect. Going through customs with over 500 pounds of medicines and all our tiny carry on luggage was a breeze (we had been warned we may have to grease some palms getting it in) but nothing like that occurred. It was when we hit the door coming out of the tiny airport building that I could see the men waiting in droves to help us. I'm used to wheeling and dealing in NYC and getting around as a clothing buyer in my past. I remember flying into Puerto Vallarta Mexico and them waiting to help you to earn money, but the amount of guys desperate for money here surpassed that by ten fold. I honestly was never afraid. I haven't felt that way once since arriving. But us having 10 large army duffles and hard plastic containers was an easy target. And so the circus began! There were approximately 15 men, some amputees, crowding around us and they immediately grab hold of the 3 carts we paid for to haul the stuff. The problem was our friends who were supposed to meet us at the aiport, were no where to be seen. So I decided to make the call to keep moving and get over to the Avis rental car tiny building which meant walking with these carts and all the guys. You can tell them 20 times, fairly firmly no thank you, I'm am ok, we have some one coming, etc. but they are relentless.

So, we get over to the tiny Avis building and there is one guy working it along with other stands in it like God's cars, Inc. The small TV was on up in the corner and about 10 guys were speechless, maybe would glance at you when you open the door, hopefully breathing, because of their intensity to make sure and watch every single moment of the World Cup going on.

And then the reality of life in Haiti began. One group in front of me,100 degree weather this whole time with no air conditioning and the sweat is pouring down my entire body. The group in front of me were Haitian but now live in NJ. They were very upset because their credit card wouldn't go through. The one woman, very scantily dressed,was definitely in charge (or thought she was) of all the men. The arguing continues for atleast 30 minutes. In the meantime, none of our cell phones are working as Paul is outside with his 15 guys hanging on, trying to call the orphanage and find out where anyone is. I, in the mean time, am negotiating with the guys in that group inside, trying to get the woman to chill out and pay up or move on. Ofcourse after 30 minutes, one of the guys with her guy pulls out a wad of $100 US bills and pays the $1,100 immediately. All I am thinking is couldn't you have done that a little sooner?

Then I get our car. Cracked windshield, bumpers falling off but at this point in this heat after paying off the guys outside several times without realizing it because Paul was giving them too much and they were hitting me up on the side begging since they "helped" me with all the luggage, it was time to just get out of there. Paul had borrowed a Haitian's cell phone and was able to call Luz, our mission pastors wife to come. When she and Michelson and Roberde (one of our orphans) arrived, it was the best site I had seen in several hours!

Then, we leave. The moment we drive out of the airport gates, it hits you, And it hits hard. It's right in your face and you can't avoid it. I wouldn't call it poverty because that would be our term for it in the states. Yes,,, we do have people in our countries who have so little but it cannot compare to what exists here.

I need to go now. Too much to do but I'll continue later tonight hopefully with yesterday's adventures and eye opening visits around the communities. Oh yeah, the thunderstorm,,,just wait and I'll get to that later on. Julie