safe & sound

I realize I’m doing a terrible job keeping you all updated, so for that I apologize. I’ve been with a medical team for the past week, which has made both extra time and internet access limited.

I’m currently back in Seguin with Kyle, safe and sound. I thought I was going to fall off a cliff the entire two hour ride up the mountain on a moto, though. Jenna, feel free to be proud.

This past week has been incredibly busy. I’m on fairly little sleep each day, but thankfully Haitians love their coffee as much as I do! At the beginning of the trip, I was still on Australia time, which was a major problem. I went four days on a total of 9 hours of sleep. I was pretty delirious at times, much to everyone’s amusement.

I’ve been up in Seguin with the medical team Jen brought. We spent most of our time at the clinic and finished the week at an orphanage in Jacmel. I learned that I am indeed still horrible at soccer, but it was great fun. The kids are adorable, but I’m sure you guessed that.

A typical day:
We wake up when the sun comes up 6:00 a.m., which I actually love. We have a couple hours of time to ourselves before the clinic opens around 8:00. My team has been waking up to see the sunrises (… I managed to wake up once…), going on hikes, and just enjoying the incredible view:

I found a secret spot for myself on the roof where no one seems to find me. It’s wonderful.

Clinic goes until around lunch time. Four years of French has allowed me to understand some Creole, but there’s still a huge language barrier that makes life pretty interesting. I’m a pro at saying “stand on the scale please” and “sit there.” ...And that’s pretty much all I got. After helping out at the clinic, my team has either been taking shifts at the Cholera Treatment Unit down the hill or helping Kyle organize medical supplies.

The Cholera Treatment Unit:

Cholera hasn’t quite hit Seguin and the treatment unit is understaffed as a result. I’ve learned a lot already. My experience is pre-hospital care, so there is much for me to learn as far as treatment here goes. My IV skills are definitely improving though. Jen and I not only practiced on each other, but on ourselves as well. A little odd practicing in the middle of a Cholera treatment unit...

I was at the Cholera Unit on January 12, the anniversary of the earthquake. I honestly didn’t realize what day it was until Jen and I found a nurse crying in one of the treatment tents. This country is still so devastated, especially emotionally. I am up in the mountains most of the time, but we did land in Port-au-Prince last week. Piles of trash, rubble, and political slogans everywhere you look. Tents lined the streets, packing with displaced Haitians with no place to go.

I’m kind of in love with this place. I draw far more attention than I like though.

Some of my favorite things so far:

1.       My team last week. Everyone had such unique ways in which they contributed, and they were all goofballs. The first night we were at the clinic, we had pancakes for dinner. We all stood around the table eating pancakes with our hands. Oddly enough it’s what I do at home, and it made me happy.

2.      Hiking. I’m far more active than I am in Wilmington, and I love it. The views are incredible, and it’s such a great way to run into people. We hiked an hour or two to get bread, a moment that made me realize how different this life is here. I definitely miss certain things, like showering (it’s dry season here so water conservation is a must), certain foods, and a comfy bed. That might be it though. I’m perfectly content living much simpler than usual.

3.      Church service at Faith and Love in Action Orphanage in Jacmel. I'm still in awe of the whole experience. I don't think I've ever witnessed such beautiful, authentic worship. Why is this so lacking back home? Their voices are beautiful. The children were adorable. We spent all service stealing glances and exchanging smiles and waves.

Life here is definitely different (culture shock to be honest), but I am having fun embracing it all. Miss you.

Love, Janae

haiti-bound

I leave for Haiti in the morning!

The last couple days have been a rush of laundry, repacking, and goodbyes. Oh, and my ceiling leaking water in the middle of the night! I've managed to get about 6 hours of sleep in 72 hours, so at this point I'm beginning to black out and see spots while standing up. Don't worry, I'm going to bed momentarily. Promise. We leave at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow (bummer), and should be in Port-au-Prince by early afternoon!

Last goodbyes.

For those of you who don’t know much about my trip, here’s why I'm going…

The illogical reason: I was at a point in life where I was making pretty big decisions. I was unsure about several things, including going on this trip, that I decided to let go of the wondering and worrying. I promised myself I’d go to Haiti if my newfound friend Jen happened to message me (we hadn’t talked in a few months). Of course I got a message the very next day. Plans got set in motion.

The logical reason: One look at the news, and it is obvious Haiti is still hurting. The earthquake last January left this country absolutely devastated. With the recent Cholera outbreak that has taken more than 3,000 lives, there is so much suffering there. I was given the opportunity to go to Haiti so I took it! I plan on staying for just under five weeks, spending my time at a clinic in Seguin called Cloud Forest Medical Clinic.

Going on a trip like this is so exciting to me because it’s a wonderfully tangible way of showing love. Actions speak louder than words, do they not? I’ve been so blessed. I would like to turn around and bless others who aren’t as lucky as I am.

A side-note to my family and friends:

Thank you truly for all your support. I am incredibly grateful for all the unique ways in which you’ve contributed. Whether it was through financial help, encouragement, prayers, endless conversations, help planning, or contributing supplies…it means the world to me. I am truly blessed because of you.
I will miss you while I’m away.

Love, Janae

Melbourne

Hello from Melbourne, Australia!

Unfortunately, I haven't had that much access to internet. Since my last post, we’ve been to Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, and Melbourne! No photos this time friends, sorry.

Ayers Rock:

Holy heat! We were in the desert for two days, walking around in 104 degree weather. I wish I could show you pictures - it was worth the heat. A highlight: we celebrated our New Years under the stars. The night was called “Sounds of Silence” which included dinner and stargazing in the middle of the desert. The sky was so clear, Jupiter and the part of the Milky Way were visible. I should also mention that we had dinner with hundreds of friends…and by friends, I mean bugs. I left my wine for a minute or two, and found about five bugs in my glass. They were hitting our heads, hopping across the table, and landing on our plates. Needless to say, I do believe I am over any fear of bugs I previously had.

Alice Springs:

I think we were all happy to leave the desert and find slightly cooler weather. We drove six hours by bus to Alice Springs. We were supposed to visit their Royal Flying Doctor Service, but it was closed for the holidays. As you might expect, remote regions of Australia rely heavily on this emergency service.

Melbourne:

            This morning, we took a flight from Alice Springs to Melbourne, which is our last stop. Our flight got in fairly late today with the time change, so we went straight to dinner...on a restaurant tram that took us through the city!

I have just 5 days. They will be spent visiting Melbourne, flying from Australia to Wilmington, seeing some friends and saying some last minute goodbyes, driving to Raleigh, and getting on a plane to Port-au-Prince Haiti. I'm not sure whether I'm more excited or anxious at this point. I think I'm ready to be home for a couple days.

Love, Janae