So it begins... 3/5/2011

 March 5, 2011

(9am)

Today is the day. We made it to NY safely. My dad met us at the airport. I was very happy to make it and see him considering I am very, very nervous.
Everyone keeps telling me how I should feel and what I should expect. I sort of wish they would stop. I understand they are curious about my home going but I don't have many expectations. Really the only one I have is to discover me. So here is to the next leg of my journey. In 4 hours and 20 minutes, I'll be in Haiti. For the first time ever! It's fitting that today is my grandfather's birthday. In a way through me he's going home. Pe Ceran N'ap Kinbe.

(3:25pm)

So we landed in Port-au-Prince and it wasn't until we "made it" that I finally felt comfortable. The plane landed and the women next to me kept saying "Thank you Jesus" there were some cheers and some claps of excitement from various places on the plane. And all at once I felt happy. Getting out of the airport wasn't as overwhelming as people have made it seem. Reminds me of getting my bags from JFK and then leaving JFK with all the cab drivers that hang out and urge you to drive with them.
Driving through the city to Tania's home in Delmas was eyeopening. Not much different from traveling to Mexico, but it was home, my home! I look around eagerly for some familiarity, for some momentous moment to happen, where it all clicks.
There is spray paint along the roads with "Viv Wyclef," posters of "Martelly (Sweet Mickey) for Preziden." I caught glimpses of the "tent cities" literally all along the airport road. I saw my first "live" tap-tap Tania's house is beautiful I am excited to explore. But it is time to eat!

(9:46pm)
I just realized I got my first stamp in my passport today. It is official, I am a world traveler :) Can't really get the fam on the phone but the power of text is amazing. I've been able to update my Twitter and my Facebook periodically so as to connect the rest of the world with my experience here. We had reflection tonight on Tania's patio and it was just nice to sit in the cool Haiti Breeze and talk.