What a treat!

I finally have the Internet at my fingertips, which means I can upload on my blog more often. I like keeping a blog, even if no one reads it.

We still haven’t made it to Bainet, due to vehicle issues. Hopefully we leave tomorrow. Port-au-Prince has been really good to me. I still love it here but I am so ready to start teaching. I look forward to meeting the children. 

I want to share some of my favorite treats with you while I have been here… the first being beer.

Ahhh Prestige… World Beer Cup 2000 Winner …  Oh how I love Prestige, mostly because after two of them I am dancing with myself. It only has 5.6% alcohol, but for some reason, it gets to me quickly. I wish we had this lager at home.

Second indulgence… Chocolate … We have chocolate for breakfast, in liquid form and it is so delicious. When I was at home I had the privilege of eating chocolate whenever I wanted. I guess I could buy chocolate here whenever, but I like having it as a treat once in a while.

Some of the other treats I like include ice cream, chicken, coffee, porridge, organic bananas, plantines, spaghetti, sugarcane, avocado (which I grew to love) and goat. I never imagined I would ever try goat in my life but it is so delicious. I will never think goats are cute, ever again.

Some of the treats I don't like but wish I did is mango and coconuts. There are coconut trees in my back yard. Marquise cut one open for me and had me try it but my taste buds disagree.


The time here goes by so slowly. It feels like I have been here for weeks but it has only been ten days. Now that I can go on Facebook again whenever I want, I miss my friends and family way more then I did. Love you all. 

Andie

The adventure is just beginning

I am still in Port-au-Prince, and we leave for Bainet tomorrow. As for now, I love my family here. I think that is why I wake up smiling every day. I can tell they love me, and even though we can't communicate with language, they reassure me that they love me through their actions and smiles.

I felt sick yesterday morning, and I am pretty sure it was just because I was hungry, but the mother of the household, Lona, made me tea. It was the most disgusting liquid I have ever downed before, but Marquise said it would help. It did, or maybe it was the food. Oh, and we have spaghetti for breakfast often. Today it was too spicy for me, but it is still delicious.

Me drinking the tea. Marquise had to take a picture.

This is Dada, and she is pretty amazing. She did my hair for me and she is quick with everything, from laundry, to cooking and cleaning. We laughed so hard today I almost peed myself! She is my favorite, but they are all my favorite in some way. 

This is me learning Creole, and the boy next to me is Ricardo! He speaks okay English, but while he is helping me with my Creole, I am helping him with his English. I look forward to his visits, mostly because he is handsome and I love the way he speaks.

This is downtown in Port-au-Prince. I went there for a meeting, and it was INSANE. The driving is crazy and there are people all over the streets, selling anything to earn a living. There are even children and orphans working. When we have to stop because there is a traffic jam, little boys start wiping the dust off the car to get a coin or two for their next meal. Marquise said they are smart because even if we say we don't have money, they still clean the car. Usually Fritz will find something to give if he can.

I have a ton more I want to share, as in pictures and thoughts, but I think this is plenty for now.

Bonne nuit - Good night!

Arrived at last!

It is beautiful here. Everything is beautiful... the people, the art, the language, the music, the food. I can't wait to start teaching. I meet the children on Friday, we are having the end of the year celebration. I will take pictures to post.
Everyone has been so kind to me, I feel like a queen. They won't let me help with anything. I am the first one served for each meal. The ladies come in to clean my room, and I feel very fortunate and safe.

The place we are staying at is gorgeous, although it is unfinished. It is like a mini palace.

When you first meet someone, you kiss them on the cheek. It's personal, which is why I like it. I am awkward at times. Sometimes I kiss both cheeks, sometimes just one.
The first day we arrived, we went to visit Marquises family. I met two girls that smiled and stared at me. They wanted to speak but I can't quite speak Creole... yet, and they don't speak English. Well we used our body language and eye contact to communicate. The girls picked up a rope and I instantly knew that meant they wanted to play jump rope with me. I was reminded of my childhood.
When it was time to go, we hugged goodbye and I said "Mwen Kontan we'w" (nice to meet you) I liked them and their company as much as they liked mine. When I returned the next day, I got the sweetest hug from one of the girls. It reminded me of my purpose here.

Also, there are these trucks called tap taps, a form of transportation, and I want to ride one once while I am here. They are colorful and stuffed with people. The people here carry any and everything on their heads, and they make it look so easy. I also want to try this, even though when I was a child I tried this with an apple or a book. It isn't at all easy. They put a cloth on their head, and then the object.

This isn't what a normal tap tap looks like, but I wanted to share the art on this one with you. Haiti is colors, and they are also the only country that expresses art on their vehicles.

The electricity comes and goes. While I was just starting to eat dinner around 8:00ish, the lights went out, and thankfully I had my flashlight around my neck.  After dinner I brought out my playing cards and that was a riot. They love the way I shuffle. It was cool and I felt like I finally impressed them. They taught me how to play a game, and it was a bonding moment. I already know I want to come back some day again, and it's only been two days. 

I bathe twice a day, and there are no showers here, but I love my bath time. It reminds me of when I was a child and my mother would put me in a bath and pour a cup of water on me, then wash me up, and rinse me again. I love this for some reason, and I think part of it is because my body is hot and sweaty from the day, so the bath time is a nice way to cool down. It feels awesome and shocking at the same time, because the water is mildly cold but so refreshing. That pink bucket it my shower. 

I don't know how often I can get on the internet, and that is okay with me, except I could write in my blog everyday if I could. Everything is different and I love it. 

Mwen kontan - I'm happy!  :0

Marquise and I on the bus

Delay

We missed our flight, and I cried because that's what I do when I get frustrated. I am trying my best to keep a positive attitude while I am here in NYC but it isn't as fun as I imagined. Marquise is doing her best but there are some things I just don't like about being here.

We now leave on Saturday, same time. I was soo excited and ready to be there, but like everyone keeps telling me, everything happens for a reason.

However, there are some things I just love here. I love the people Marquise has introduced to me (all Haitians). They are loving individuals and they want to please you. Marquise keeps saying, "That's Haitians." Grandma is my favorite because you can tell she has a kind heart, a wise soul, and is the mother hen of everyone. Her presence brings grace.

Grandma doesn't speak much English but she taught me how to say "I am hungry" in Creole. It was a precious moment because although we can't have a conversation, we exchanged words the best way we could.

The other thing about Haitians is that they are very sexual and affectionate people. They love to take pictures of themselves, and the conversation of sex comes up often. I like that about Marquise, because she is sexy and she knows it, and doesn't care to show it. She isn't afraid to be herself. I think I am going to learn a lot from her. ;)


I love to say this... Bonswa! - good afternoon

More soon and much love!

First stop, NYC

It has only been one day and I have had such a hospitable experience. Everyone Marquise knows is so kind and generous. She said, "that's just how Haitians are."

We arrived at the Manhattan bus station around 3:30 p.m. and her friend picked us up...late, so it made for a long day. (I got really excited to be in Manhattan because I have been obsessed with Mad Men lately, and for some reason my heart got excited and nervous, like I was going to meet Donald Draper. =] )

I don't know why sitting on a bus is so exhausting, but it might be the fact that I have no room for my legs and I felt claustrophobic. I'm just glad to be here. It has already been such a great experience, seeing the many different buildings all around me, watching the people, trying to make strangers smile with my own. I just love that fact that NYC is so diverse and everybody is free to be without judgement.

I went to the Bronx for the first time yesterday and I wasn't really sure what to imagine. There is trash everywhere, and people stare at you. There is also constant honking of the horn, which is expected. The driving is insane and I don't know how drivers do it. It is unsettling watching them, yet I still feel safe.

I've already had two Haitian meals, and I am learning a little bit of Creole each day.

Pase yon bel joune translates to Have a beautiful day!

I guess we are going to a Haitian festival later, which is exciting so I hope those plans don't change. A beautiful man Marquise knows invited us. I am fond of him and his gentleness. It also helps that he is very handsome.

I feel like it was such a gift to meet Marquise because she has already exposed me to so much, and I know there will be more to come.

One last thing. Marquise has already taught me how to dance (to Haitian music), and if you didn't know, dancing is one of my many favorite activities. The Haitian dance style is sensual yet simple, and I will totally fit in when we go out in Haiti. I love to move my hips to the beat.

Bonjour!

Andie

Feeling normal

I have come to the conclusion that for the past year I have been excited, and then it turned into being nervous, and now my stomach is in knots. Is that okay to say?

Yes... but I feel as if I can't be prepared and that is daunting. Daunting is my professional term for afraid. I haven't figured out exactly what scares me. Is it because I feel unprepared? Is it because I will be out of my comfort zone for some time? Whoa, the language? Who will I communicate with, or how many people can I actually have a conversation with? I live off meeting people. I think there may be a way to communicate.

I want the Andie back that was so excited she had to share her upcoming goals with everyone she knew and met. I feel that I'm at a loss with myself, and yet it feels normal to me. Maybe because I know that everything will be fine.

WHATEVER!!! What can I expect, when now all I can think is ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING. No if, ands or buts about it!

I wish I was more artistic and able to give more character to my blog. Anything is possible in due time...

<3 Shout out to my girlfriends, my sisterhood girls. Thank you for making me understand that it is okay to have a special occasion for my awesome accomplishments. You ladies are a part of my backbone. =]

Andrea