Haiti Day 3

Another night of the wonderful sounds of Haiti!  Last night I fell asleep to the rain (again), as well as crickets, and a voodoo ceremony!  Let me tell you, a voodoo ceremony is VERY noisy....lots of yelling (or maybe it was singing) and drums!!!  Fortunately for me, noise doesn't keep me awake, if I'm tired enough.  This morning I woke up early once again...5:45.....automatically!  It's so weird to be up that early, and not be tired!! 

Today was our first full day of work....and it was definitely an experience.  We headed out to our job for the day...rubbling....an all day job, meaning we stayed on the site for the entire time, as opposed to returning to base for lunch.  The rubbling site was about a half hour from base, so we once again used the tap tap!  I'm not too fond of the tap tap....it seems to make my stomach a little upset, and I haven't really found a way to deal with that yet....maybe by the end of the week (hopefully)!!  The roads we drove on today were also a lot worse than others: because of all the recent rain, many of the "roads" used are full of deep pot holes, that have now been filled in with the rain, making for very difficult travel!  This brings me to the purpose of our rubbling today.....

The site we arrived at was a home that had been destroyed for the most part my the earthquake.  Our job was to clear the home of all the concrete, and find the foundation that the home was sitting on prior to the quake.  In order to do this, we use sledgehammers to break down the concrete, and then to clear the concrete, we wheelbarrow it onto the muddy roads!  Then, since the concrete is in large bulky pieces and in a pile we shovel it along the road to spread it out, and use the sledgehammer to break it down into little pieces.  So in the end we are creating a better road for the people to bike, and drive on, as opposed to having to get through the mud holes....that sometimes they get stuck in.  Our main role was the sledgehammering of the concrete on the main road.....and let me tell you, that is one EXHAUSTING  job!  I have never been so sweaty, and fatigued from anything before.  We worked at this site from 7:30-4!  Fortunately we had frequent water breaks, and an hour and a half lunch.  It was really cool to do all the road sledging....haitians would walk by the road and thank us for what we were doing! 

There are also some uncomfortable parts about doing this work......many of the Haitian's (in particular men) will just stand and watch us work!  Sometimes they talk to us, but for the most part they are just staring, which can become fairly uncomfortable...seeing as they are mostly staring at the women.  Also, it is difficult to carry an valuable with us (camera's) because if you can't keep your eyes on them while you're working someone may take them....fortunately, I have not experience this.  We've also learned that many of the Haitian children love to have their pictures taken....often tapping on our arms asking for us to take their photo!  On the other hand, their are several people who do NOT like their pictures taken, so in order to take photos we must ask everyone first.  (On a side note....we have been asked not to take pictures of our base for the most part, the tent camps, or Haitians in general unless we ask, thus we may have limited photos, of the culture...I'm sorry)!!!!

So, half way through our work day we had lunch, which is made by Haitian family right down the road from where we were working.  I was too scared to eat the lunch....worried about getting sick...so I stuck to the snacks I brought with me.  Also, regarding drinks.....we are supplied with filtered water for the work day....however this water is NEVER cold....we are basically drinking warm water, which is a very BIG challenge for me.  As some of you know, I'm already not a huge water fan....but warm water.....let's just say very hard!  Alright...back to lunch...because our lunch break is long, some of the volunteers brought monopoly the card version, for people to play!  While some people chose to nap during the break, I decided to join in the game....and while some may consider this beginners luck...I say skill....because I WON!!!!  Let me tell you....the others were not to thrilled, at this victory....but I sure was...especially considering I didn't really figure out how to play the game until it was basically over.  After that it was back to work...and very difficult feat....I felt that I had given it so much during the morning shift, that I had nothing left....but somehow we pulled through!!!  The tap tap came and picked us up, and we headed back to base....but not before dropping off someone to go to the bank!!!  Why is this important you may be wondering....well, I think I was just shocked that someone (female) would be walking around the streets of Haiti, independently....I can't say I feel that comfortable yet...so don't worry, I will not be doing that!!!

When we arrived back to base, I was feeling sooooo drained.....I had a terrible headache, slightly nauseous, and just exhausted.  I headed for the shower (an amazing shower at that), and then for dinner!  At this point I had decided my attempt at living off of granola bars, and crackers with peanut butter was not going to work....so I ate some rice and spaghetti.....which was DELICIOUS!!!  Food has never tasted so good!!  I also had decided that warm water was not going to cut it....so we headed to "Little Venice" the food/drink corner hut/market to get some ice cold coca-cola!!!  I've been told it can be trusted to drink....and by far the BEST coca-cola I have EVER had in my life.  Between the food and drink I felt like a completely new person....I felt refreshed...even considered returning to the challenging rubble site for tomorrow!!! 

I was able to participate in a hockey game following dinner in the center of the base...4 v. 4!  I played goalie....and let me tell you, I am an AWESOME goalie.....helping our team to a 5-1 victory....dominating over the same people I beat at monopoly during lunch.  Hockey was then followed by.......STRETCHING CLASS....led by your very own....ME!!!  I had told a bunch of people about graduating from PT school and the video that Becca and I had created for the organization, and they were interested in me leading a group stretching session!!!  I have given the video we made to one of the base managers, who is considering incorporating into the on base orientation that you receive after you arrive....which is very EXCITING!!!

As for the day...that basically sum's it up!!  Overall, it started off very tough...and ended on a high note.  Now off to watch True Grit....Projected on the wall for everyone to watch!!

Some Other Updates/Side Notes:

1 - My mosquito bites are HUGE.....it's hard to tell if there are more or not, because they are basically taking up my entire legs!!! 
2 - Interesting Fact: Not sure if you are aware, the city of Leogane (where we're at) was actually the epicenter of the Haiti earthquake....not Port au Prince.
3 - I am pretty confident that I will NOT be returning with ANYTHING I brought...other than my camera, and journal!!!
4 - I'm not gonna lie....I'm very much looking forward to a wonderful long SHOWER, and a HUGE dinner when I get back!

Once again....post any questions you may have!  Be back tomorrow!

Bec