ALM Adventures -OneByOne-

it was like riding into another world...

the rich red soil and the luscious green canopy was breath taking. the journey had been anything but dull. Allow me to start at the beginning. We woke at 345 and got out things together. Our departure from Port Au Prince was relatively uneventful besides getting our side mirror smacked from a close and quickly passing truck. We continued unharmed to the gas station where i was happy to find Halls for my sore throat. At this very early hour i was surprised at how many people already had started their day. I am sure i was one of many that woke so early for their long journey to school or work or the endless possibilities. I dozed and nodded in and out of sleep, but i will tell you the drive was anything but restful. Haitian driving is erratic and really just insane, that and the combination of the bumpy, curvy roads left me feeling nauseous and exhausted. Nothing that my 4 ginger gravel would touch. I pulled out all the stops i knew, and finally the only thing that helped was driving with the window down and stopping the driver a few times to allow

Evens to pour water over my head. the site that is stuck in my head is all the children... walking everywhere in their cute uniforms headed to school it seems that they where headed in every direction. I was never sure if they where headed to the same schools or playing hooky. The cutest ones wore the green shorts and then pink checkered shirt, looking like water melons walking down the streets! The journey to Cayes was just over 4 hours, i was so happy to arrive where i was promised at-least a 1 hour stop. This i new would turn into a longer one, and i was proved to be right. We got directions to a restaurant and i was happy to crawl out of the truck. Oddly enough i ordered Chicken Almond Ding(turns out it has NO almonds) it looked the most unlike anything i usually could order in Haiti and was in much need of the change from the two breakfast options, Eggs, or Spaghetti(which is just the noodles, boiled then fried a bit with some onions and peppers) We had to get something repaired on the car, which i am by no means shocked by.. as the roads and driving style here takes a REAL beating on the vehicles. Finding the proper mechanic was funny because everyone wants your business. This City really is nothing like Port Au Prince, it has a totally different influence. The architecture and vibe was totally different, and there is not a one taptap in this city, only scads of motos. Looking both ways on the street was invented for a place like this. Full bellies and an hour and 45 mins later we headed out of Cayes. I was told that the journey was about to get more interesting... that the roads get much worse for the next 3 hours, this was tough to imagine. But those words proved to be so true as we headed off. Being covered in dust came to a new level, and the hills and hair pin turns became uncountable. The view and sights where also new and ones i will not forget. Trucks FILLED with sacks of what i imagine would have been charcoal then covered with people along for the ride, hanging from the bars and back ladder. shacks and houses in places you would never imagine, with not much else around them that would make you think it was a possible place to live. the trip over the mountains was both beautiful and very tough on my stomach. With about 40 mins left i asked to stop to get some fresh air, and evens poured water over my head... they wished not to stop long as we where close. I took a deep breath and got back in the car. Not 5 mins later we heard a BIG crack as we crawled up the mountain road... and then the car would not move anywhere but backwards... problem... after some debate and looking at the engine(which i stayed out of) we decided we should park the car off to the side, ask the dwellers at a near by house to hold on to the valuables ie battery, jack, etc. and we loaded up all our belongings on our backs...

I knew it was going to be a LONG walk. Not 10 mins later 3 motos came roaring up the road! i was told that someone had called for them! this seems great! well it was... because the ride proved that it would have been a tough and long hike. The terrain is intense with loose rocks, steep hills and cliffs. I trustingly held on and prayed as we went. I was in AWE as the sights of this beautiful place made be feel like i was riding in to a little part of paradise. The earth was a color i have not witnessed before and the trees and livestock just took me to a new place. I was tired and happy this journey was over, but i knew it was going to be so worth it! We would stay in the church Perish. I was fine with that, there was another option, a guest house but as it turns out there where a bunch of people staying there already. We headed there soon after arival to have a meeting with some ladies that are doing a project not too far away. they where all very nice, and i had a little visit with them. as i walked through this town i was just had a hard time not staring. the view was stunning, and the vibe felt amazing, and i was just overcome with a feeling of being somewhere so new to my senses.

Saturday i woke and was soon greeted with the most amazing bread, banana, and coffee i have had. Seriously the coffee was so flavorful and smooth! Evens tried a little too(he does not drink coffee) and he said “ it would be nice if we could send some to your mom right now” I watched and listened as this town woke and the day began, people headed to market, interactions happened, trading of goods, purchasing of bread and coffee on the street, a teenager cut another teenagers hair, donkeys passed, it was remarkable to have a place to be and watch! I soon noticed some children out the back window, in-particular a teenage girl. She had crawled up into a HUGE tree and was just relaxing there. i snapped a few photos, but soon she noticed me, and it became a game. I then realized this could be a good opportunity, when Evens had a moment i asked him to speak with the girl.

Ask her is she would take me about the town and such! she was happy to! I went down to meet her and found out her name is Vanessa. We started our adventure together. Up the path of red soil, between the fences, under the lush trees. So beautiful, she introduced me to some people along the way, and i clearly knew she had a destination in mind. And i was right, she lead me to a yard, where she asked permission to enter, and i was quickly greeted by many children. I am not sure if this was a hang out, or a orphanage, or just a home with MANY kids. she lead me to a rock, and as i stood on it i knew that she brought me here for the beautiful view. This amazing place that the locals call home, but still know the beauty of it. Vanessa walked me though the market, and back up to where we started. I thanked her and was happy to see her crawl back up into her tree.

our boat journey begins

In the afternoon we took a boat over to the island to observe a water system that had been installed. There where some problems with the fresh water supply and Evens needed to assess and i was excited to see another new place! Again it was like a different world. The boat ride there took about 30 mins, and it was an adventure in its self. there where tiny dug out canoes with men doing some ‘late in the day’ fishing, and there where boats when sails made from sewn together scrap material. I felt like i was in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie! VERY quickly upon arrival did we draw a crowd. I am not sure it is often that foreigners come here, and everyone here knows everyone. We had 8 or so young boys following us very quickly. I had a great time interacting with them, and keeping them away from the adult discussions about the water and water system that where going on. The boys where fascinated by my camera and we had a great time! they had many idea for photos they wanted taken, and their giggles where such joy to my ears.

Our adventure was far from over, as it seemed the truck we had driven in was in need of much more repair then was going to happen in one day. We had scheduled to leave sunday early morning, and now had to find another way. Soon i realized what that would be. Motorbike... apparently we would get “the best” in town. i convinced them that leaving at 3 am was crazy, but i should have just gone with it since i was woken at that time anyways. The men where all geared up, and ready to go, and WE had our normal T-shirt and shorts... we also had not packed to be riding on bikes... so holding our back packs, and duffle bag soon proved to be a struggle on the steep hills. I was not looking forward to this...i knew the roads well enough from our drive in to Pestel... this was going to be a test. And it sure was, soon i was bruised and sore. But with minor drama we got to Caye. I am thankful for the protection on these hills and gravel roads. It is exciting that things are happening for life improvement in these remote towns, and i hope to get more involved in the future, or am at least happy to know that i got to witness it for a time.

The bus trip to Port au Prince seemed to been a piece of cake in comparison to the earlier hours of the day. Two tap-taps and trip was over. Safe and thankful for God’s hand of protection.