I've heard music coming from across the fields outside the house last night and tonight, but other than that we're a safe distance from the drunken party.
Today Stephen and I went with Sam, one of our Haitian employees, to Croix de Bouquet, another small town within Port Au Prince about 15 min from base camp. We were going to a clinic to see if they could take a donation of the bags of medical supplies that have been donated to us. The clinic was crazy: two story (at least), a courtyard out front with a lot of people waiting, and many large rooms and passage ways that anyone could easily get lost in. It was very quiet in the building. Hardly any staff where there because of the holiday so most of the building was empty. We got lost a couple times trying to find the stairs to the second floor and finally we found them and made to the office. The second floor of the clinic was a maternity ward and seemed to be the only area of the building up and running. Several very pregnant women were sitting in a waiting room just off the hallway and a couple were moaning as we walked past. Kind of awkward that we were two white Americans walking past these women who were in labor pains just watching us.
A lady came into the office after we had started talking and said we needed to move our vehicle so Sam ran down to move it and left Stephen and I in the office with the lady who I assume runs the clinic and her assistant, a gentleman who took notes as we talked. Stephen and I both laughed later because we both silently thought it was awkward that Sam left us alone with the people who didn't speak English, but we both did our best to communicate, which was actually really easy because we both seem to be picking up Creole really quickly. Him more so than me! :)
The clinic took everything we donated and we left.
Back at the church a lady was buying some of our fish! Incredibly exciting!!
She spoke really good English too. I told her, "You speak English beautifully." and she said, "I try to. I went to America and they forced me to speak English. I had to learn. And you're here in Haiti, my country, but I will not force you to speak Creole. I want you to, but will not force." I told her, in Creole, how much I love being in Haiti and love learning and speaking Creole, and she was very happy. What an honor to get to show her how much I do care about Haiti and the Haitian people. They are our brothers and sisters and deserve respect as we all do.
This afternoon we went to the all girls orphanage. My third visit since coming. I immediately found my favorite girl there, Evleen, and hung out with her the whole time. A couple of the older girls made fun of Evleen while she was with me, saying that she was ugly and looked like a rabbit. One girl was so persistent that I got very angry and told her off for being rude. I realize that my tone was a little intimidating because her smile instantly disappeared and she left in a huff. I almost felt bad, but at the same time, no one tells my little orphan girl that she's ugly! I mean, look at how beautiful she is!
That one was taken a couple weeks ago, and this one was us chillin today. I gave her my sunglasses to wear during our visit.
I also had a great conversation with John about my schedule today and we added a couple things like possibly helping Jonas, the man who teaches kids from the tent city by the church, twice a week. It was great to get my weekly schedule clarified and have some more fun things added.
That's my blog post for now, sorry it's been so long since my last! I'm trying to get better!
Love,
Thomas
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