Arrival

Bags were mostly packed, just a few last minute items to throw in. So I decided to head out with Zack and Andy for some drinks and dinner at Norms. Everything felt like the "last." I felt I was on overdrive taking in the last sites of Portland, and some last laughs with friends before my 3:15am bus ride on Concord Trailways to Boston for my early morning departure to Haiti.

I got home around 1am, took a shower, packed the rest of my stuff up, and decided to take a quick nap before calling the taxi. Alarm went off, I woke up, taxi guy came. Taxi guy decided to take an unusual route to the station... I told him to haul. We arrived at the station at 3:15 and CT cashier would NOT let me on the bus. I was told it is just like a plane, once the door is closed, they can't sell tickets. I begged to differ that a bus is like a plane. But id did not help. So I watched as the bus backed up with TWO passengers! I called up Zack - on the second try he woke up and even agreed to driving me to Boston. Zack is a winner! We both fought to keep our eyes open by eating fresh donuts from seven eleven. I made it to Boston.

Then Miami. A little background. Flight AA803 to Haiti is notorious for having big issues. Last time I flew it, we got on the plane and then had to get off and sleep in Miami for the night and then leave on a delayed flight in the morning. So, I had been praying for weeks that the plane would fly. There were mechanical errors. But, this time they were able to fix it, the Pilot took it for a test run, and then after 6 hours of being delayed he came back for us, we boarded, and actually got to Haiti Saturday night. I was happy that Erdem was there and that finally, I was in Haiti.

Monday was a holiday, Flag Day. So we headed to the beach with some friends on Sunday and enjoyed the long weekend. The days were filled with swimming (where I got a mild jelly fish sting); squash ball (where every time the ball went over the wall we'd have to search for it in a lot with several cows, a bull, and muddy puddles); volleyball amongst the palm trees; and finished with rum sours. And about every 20 minutes of every day I am found spraying OFF on my arms and legs. That seems to be the magic application to keep the bites in the dozens.

I have already lost track of time. It is easy here. It is hot, with light breezes, sporadic showers, chirping of insects whether it be morning or night. Last night while playing cards with several international workers, one who works for Oxfam mentioned a position that would be opening soon. First, I really want to get the hang of just having time off - not vacation - but time.