Team 81 leaves today back for the States; we left the house about 5:30am with the team to drop them off at the airport. After dropping off the team at the growingly crowded airport, we (the host couple, summer missionary, and driver) drove to Epidor to wait until the grocery stores open about 7:30 or 8am. Being in Epidor was quite a drastic change seeing this nice bakery and cafe, right in the midst of Port-au-prince. This moring they were making breakfast to order, crepes with turkey, cheese, and a mild hot sauce, eggs, Haitian grits (with green olive leaves, & garlic), Blue Bunny ice cream, and café (coffee). In the bakery were decorated cakes and breads for sell. I was amazed to see nice bathrooms, and sinks….it just made you think how we take so much for granted. I enjoyed the time sitting and talking with ‘Ju’ (our driver/translator), about his family, his new baby (Angel), adopted child, and two other nieces or a nephew that live with him and his wife.
We went to three grocery stores, one being a new deli, all air conditioned, and very nice, having pretty much all the same items you would find in an American grocery store, with some added children’s toys, but they even had pet food, however the meat was very poor looking, and we thankfully found one store that had just put out fresh bread (the others had old bread). We probably spent about $1500 shopping. It was neat how the same Haitian workers that check out our staff where excited to see us, and we would go to their line (as we are one of the rare ones that tip them to package our items in taped boxed and load them in the van). It was also neat to see birthday cakes and special cakes with Creole words written on them. We also went to a large store like Home Depo or our Lowes to get more trowels.
After driving around Port-au-prince I was beginning to feel really sleepy as the few hours of sleep and sugar rush from breakfast had dropped, and body was tired….. but my mind was so alert trying to soak in the moments of life in busy Port-au-Prince. Sitting in the front seat I enjoyed immersing myself in the sites, seeing a children’s hospital, reminders of the earthquake, seeing old ruble from damaged buildings. Driving back from Bon repo was the huge bustling market, women carrying items on their heads, and everyone selling food, medications, clothing, shoes, and other items. I saw a university, pharmacie (pharmacy), long lines for the ATM, as it is not safe to go to a bank. The UN had a presence there, and police. The traffic was crazy busy and slow yet neat to see the people in everyday life.
We made the long ride home, I enjoyed talking to ‘Ju’ as he drove. Once we arrived at the house we unloaded the van and unpacked the many items we had purchased for the upcoming week. I helped by washing all the eggs, fresh produce/veges, and bananas (even though I don’t think they had to be washed J), in Clorox water, then in regular water and dried. We flipped the mattresses and completed all the cleaning in preparation for the next team….. We helped the doctors unload medications. and later that evening I enjoyed spending time with Dr. Francise, other Haitian friends as we fellowshipped together making paper flower and streamer decorations for a graduation.”
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