Posts in Travelogue

So last night I did come down from the roof before the card games were finished…and I was like a moth to the flames. I was not disappointed and it turns out JennyMa was getting just as schooled as Wilson. I think they both have met their match and an equilibrium has been achieved.

Once the final match ended we again retired to our rooms for the night, anticipating our final clinic day at this location. We awoke to another fine breakfast after which some joined Léon and Nora for a discussion of our future plans on the island. Just having this discussion a mere 12 months since our first arrival on the island amazes me and gives me so much hope that we will indeed achieve our ultimate goals. Now we just need to raise the funds!! Read More

This is not to suggest that we are getting bored or complacent, but rather that we are already very comfortable in our surroundings. We are surely meant to be here!

Last night there was indeed a large game of cards before lights out. Great fun for those in the game, and speaking for myself, even more fun for the spectators! After a little clinic pre-planning, we all headed to bed. It was a bit warmer and muggy but most of us slept well. Michael, my roomie is a first timer and his reports about the early AM roosters bring back nostalgic memories. Read More

Last night did not include roof time as we were all exhausted. Lights out by 10:30 for most and I believe it was a restful night for all….a little muggy after the generator and fans kicked off but still so much better than a floor in the Miami airport!

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…only this time with a much larger bunch. We are 16 strong on this adventure (some new, some returning at long last and some “salty” old veterans), but it started very similarly to our previous 2 journeys – Charlotte with numerous checked bags, dinner and a cocktail at our regular haunt, late flight to Miami where we united with Chelsea and then “settle in” for a “rest” before a 7am flight to Haiti. Our lullaby in the airport was 24/7 CNN footage, muzak in the terminal, security & public service announcements and the constant hum of floor buffers & vacuums. We were all up for nearly 18 hours before we ever touched down in Miami so most of us got at least a few minutes of shut-eye. As for me, I believe I logged about 3 or 4 ten minute naps between 1 and 6AM. Read More

So, as advertised our flight arrived early and we had hopes of an early arrival to our hotel too. Unfortunately, these hopes were quickly dashed by a pilot announcement that another flight had taken our gate and we would need to “settle in for a bit” – maybe 20-30 minutes. Not the kind of announcement any passenger wishes to hear. Well, we were already about 20 minutes early on the ground, so maybe not a disaster after all. However, you would not have known it inside the jet, as most passengers were up in the aisle, pulling bags out of overhead storage and jostling for position for when we finally parked. Then several passengers needed to get back to the bathroom through this crush of people and there was a flurry of Creole as arguments broke out. Just as it was about to get ugly, the pilot announced we were heading to our gate…phew! Read More