Last weekend, we ran out of water. Our only option was to do a rain dance. Okay, kidding. We paid Haitian women to carry water on their heads up to the clinic.
Five women.
Five 5 gallon buckets at a time.
15 trips.
They would bring me the buckets of water, lift them onto the roof of the clinic, and then I would carry them to the cistern and dump the water in. I ended up having very sore arms and a sore back, but it’s silly to complain isn’t it? The women had far more work than I did. What I learned: water is that much more valuable when you spend half a day working for it. I cringe every time I see someone from a team here showered, or when the cook washes dishes like there’s an endless supply. Oh well.
I ended a fairly chaotic week with a wonderful getaway. I had yet to leave the mountain, so getting away from Seguin was a nice change of pace. Two friends from Humanity First (Brianne and Tim) and I headed down the mountain in the Clinic's truck. We had a Haitian woman and her child with us who needed an x-ray done in Jacmel. We did this while Kyle and Clayton ran 16 miles down the mountain I might add. Don't worry, I tell them they're crazy every day.
It takes about 3 hours to get down to Jacmel from Seguin. A bumpy car ride is such an understatement, but I can't recreate that with words. You'd have to come and experience it!A view of Jacmel:
Tim, a friend from Humanity First, generously offered to cover the cost of a hotel for a night. After a fantastic dinner and great conversation, we proceeded to jump in the pool clothing and all. Why not, right? It was declared that the night was like Christmas Eve, a night none of us wanted to end. In the morning, Kyle left to head back up the mountain. Clayton, Brianne, Tim and I spent the morning drinking too many cups of coffee, reading, napping, and hanging out at the beach. We figured we'd make our way to Port-au-Prince eventually. No rush.
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This brings me to the end of my happy vacation. For lunch, we had delicious street food in Jacmel. Result: food poisoning. The 3 hour drive to Port-au-Prince was fairly uncomfortable, but for the most part I was in denial that I was getting sick. By the end of the night, it was all over. I will forever be afraid of Jacmel street food, and I will always remember my two days in Port-au-Prince as my two most miserable days in Haiti.
When I got sick the second week I was in Haiti, I remember being overwhelmingly homesick. I wanted to be home. This time, I was overwhelmingly homesick again, but for Seguin. I remember laying there, wishing I were back at the clinic in Seguin. It made me realize how much I've fallen in love with Seguin...how it's become home for me...how difficult it's going to be to leave...
Port-au-Prince:
My time here is still incredible. It’s definitely interesting being a longterm volunteer. I see teams come and go. I see how much work goes into the preparation and then recovery from having a team of people here. It definitely confirms my decision to stay for a longer period of time. I was able to adjust, and now I just sort of know how to help out and stay busy.My time is coming to a close, and it breaks my heart. I've decided to live life in denial because it's not fun thinking about leaving. If I think about it too much, I am going to find myself online changing my flight.
Loving it here, but missing you all.
Love, Janae
Much love to you, Janae. Pasula
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