As we walked out of the airport baggage claim it didn't feel like Haiti. Inside the baggage claim area the confusion and chaos was normal, but out side no one really aggressively pursued us to handle our luggage nor was there any traffic on the road to speak of. It just didn't seem "normal".
We arrived at the guest house, had a wonderful dinner, and most went to bed or began to rest early. A few of us stayed up to chat. It was a pleasant evening on the porch where we could hear the rain on the tin roof.
But not to worry, Haiti returned the next day (Sunday) and this time it took its revenge. The breakfast bell rang at 7am, which was a half our early and most of us are off anyway as there is some confusion as to the actual time because this is the first year Haiti change to daylight savings time when the US did.
A quick breakfast and clean up and it was off to church. The traffic to church was worse than normal and we got diverted as one of the Catholic Churches was celebrating their anniversary with a parade that blocked the main road and also snarled traffic on the side streets. Several detours and about 45 minutes later we did arrive at the church and were promptly seat directly in front of the speak at full volume.
The service lasted about two hours and the Easy English Club provided us translators which was great both for the translations and because I was able to see some old friends, which I was not able to do back in January.
After service we took a trip to the grocery store for the weeks lunch supplies and then back to he guest house for lunch and to sort medical supplies for tomorrow's clinic.
The team is coming together well and there are people with whom I have been with on other trips with both in La Romana, DR and in Haiti. It is interesting how quickly teams form bonds here, even when they have just met he day before. And it is interesting to hear the people on their first trip to Haiti speak to how she has already grabbed their heart.
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