Vashon, Washington to Port au Prince, Haiti

Our group of 8 arrives safely at the Petionville Guest House after nearly 24 hours of travel.  We are introduced to Pastor Tom Vencus and Dena, another UMVIM member from Minnesota who is volunteering here in Petionville for 3 months.  Things appeared a bit tenious at first when Bob Dixon wasn't sure he'd be able to go as a standby on a 99% full flight but our hearts and spirits were lifted as we he walked down the row to his seat as the plane doors were closing.  The only tradegy on the flight was the chain saw which Alaska Airlines wouldn't allow because, although new and still in the box, contained gas vapors.  We hope that another UMVIM group can bring it down here.

Bob W. and Bob D. along with Vonnie, Sandie and Bruce traveled together from Seattle and met up with Nancy and Mary (who left early from Seattle) in the Miami Airport.  The airport seemed to be bustling with foreigners from all over the carribean.  We posed for a group photo in the Miami Airport before bording our flight to Port au Prince. There was a mix of amerians and haitians on the plane.




Group Photo in Miami: standing L to R, Mary, Vonnie, Nancy, Bob D., Sandie, Bruce, Bob W., and Steve 


Upon arrival, the atmosphere surrounding the Port au Prince Airport was busy and festive.  A live creole band greated us as we were transported to customs.  Here's some video of entering customs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQLcIPTmu0

I took a few photos of our entry into the country and customs area and of the craziness at the customs and baggage claim and of Jackson (the one arm baggage director) and his cadre of plaid shirt and red hat assitants. 

Entering Port au Prince Immigration

Bus Ride from Gate to Customs Terminal

All of a sudden it seemed like everyone at the baggage area was wearing plaid shirts and red hats as they argued over who would take our bags.  Steve put it nicely in a prior post, "it was like running the baggage gaunlet!"

Jackson's Cadre and Running the Baggage Gaunlet

Driving in the front seat of a passenger truck in a third world country like Haiti is an experience I think everyone should consider taking on.  The smells, sights and sounds of Port au Prince and what poverty in a third world county is really like came home to me during the hour and a half drive from the airport to Petionville (a distance of not more than 5 or 6 miles).  Here are a couple links to some video I took during the drive.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaCYhAtf00s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RyyIJcWbHg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsU8bHtOQwE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t71TepOCCrQ

There was some evidence of the earthquake in form of rubble from damaged structures but much of that has been cleaned up in the Port au Prince area.  Some of the areas we may see tomorrow may have more evidence of the damage as we go closer to the epicenter and futher away from Port au Prince.  The road up here to the guest house was so overly crowded it didn't seem possible to move.  Men, women and children spilled onto the streets where sidewalks didn't exist and dust, diesel and smoky exhaust from vehicles was everywhere.  The roads suffered severe damage and it was evident.  I didn't see any form of traffic control and there were many near misses with motorcycles and bicycles. Our driver wouldn't stop honking his horn...I wasn't sure if he was saying "hi or get out of my way". 

Vendors and their shelters were almost continuous along the streets up to the guest house with their goods littering every busy intersection.  There is a definate lack of sanitation with everday garbage everywhere mixed in with roadside ditches running with water. 

Despite the perceived chaos it seems like people here exist in this community in a way that we would probably say couldn't be possible.  From the Haitians whom I talked with, everyone seemed to be friendly and able to get along.  It's clear though that many are poor and lack basic needs like a healthy diet.

We'll that's all for today.  Tomorrow we leave for Petiteguave where we'll be for the remainder of the trip.  It may take up to 3 hours to get there. We were told that the guest house there has internet access but the reliability of the system is questionable.  We hope to post more details tomorrow.  I hope those that view these updates post comments or questions.  It's hard to put down in words everything that is happening here.

Bruce Stirling, February 23, 2011