I can’t believe how fast time goes. We have now been in Haiti for 7 weeks and have all settled in well.
This week have been fairly eventful. Monday morning started early as Julian to myself, Greg and Rod to the flyboat, I call it a speed boat, for a 5 o’clock departure to Port au Prince. Greg and Rod needed building materials and I needed groceries. We were leaving early so we could get back the same day!
The flyboat is a 20foot open boat with 3 large outboard motors. There are benches down either side with a couple of planks across the middle. After about half hour the boat was full to bursting point, 25 people, we were sat like sardines. It took another 15 minutes before we could leave as a register had to be done and sent to the harbour master. I think we left about 45 minutes late….Haitian time!
I have never been on a speed boat before, it has never appealed and it still does not. Crossing by flyboat cuts the journey from 2 hours to 40 minutes but its not pleasant. We hacked across the fairly calm water, had to hold up the tarpaulin behind us to avoid getting drenched, braising myself to stay seated. Most speed freaks, Julian…, would probably love it but give me the weslyeanna, the 30 foot open sailing boat, any day. Even if we never really use the sail but have a noisy motor on the back.
We were mat by our driver for the day on the other side. He had the “cattle truck” as we needed quite a lot of materials. The driving in PAP is always interesting and rarely smooth. The roads have more dips and bumps then flat surface and the “Cattle truck” is not just named after me. We sit on benches down the side of the back behind the cabin. The back is all covered in grid with a roof and a padlocked gate on the back. The lock does not have to be shut but the door swings open unless the bar is through……nothing like a prison to make you feel safe!
First stop B&Q, or there about. When you are deprived of shops almost any will do and I found it most exciting and bought both a watering can and a trowel set. The timber yard smelled just like the one Far used to take me to, the plumbing shop had me beat though. Not much of interst even for me in there. A had a sleep in the wan in stead. A “quick” stop at the smaller supermarket allowed me to buy what I came for and after picking up 50 sheets of 8”x4” ply wood there was no longer room for me in the back of the truck and I had to sit in the cabin with the driver. It was such as shame…..I did feel a little guilty as I have the shortest legs and later learned that Greg had been laying on top of the wood all the way back to the dock.
As mentioned earlier, this was suppose to be a quick trip. 5am start, quick in town and back by the dock for a 2pm departure across the water before the wind picks up. The weslyeanna came as arranged but at 3pm we were still in PAP and not yet ready to make the hour and a half journey back out to the dock. We took a call from Pastor Dan saying he had to make a decision and had sent the boat back to Lagonave…..we were stuck for the night. Dan and Joy welcomed us to their guest house and found swimming stuff for us to borrow. Greg and Rod both had a few emergency provisions and I washed my knickers overnight and wore the same top for 36hours…..good job its breezy on the sea. We had a lovely relaxing evening with Dan, Joy, Heidi and Holly. Unfortunately I was still moving from all the sailing and driving of the day and ended up going to bed as it was the only way to stop the motion.
Tuesday morning we were met with a lovely breakfast and time on our hands. We took the WISH truck to the nearest town and was swarmed by ladies wanting us to buy their fruit. I was pleased to oblige both my daughters with mango and watermelon. The journey back across the water brought us home by 2pm. It was the loveliest crossing I have had. We saw a few flying fish and got a little sunburn……don’t fold up the trousers past the suntan lotion…..!
Wednesday was catch up day. Laundry, emails, a little work related correspondence and time with the girls. I knew I would be looking Luke today as it was Heidi's turn to go across to port. The new quest house needs beds etc.
I think I told you of the girls riding on Matt’s quad bike, this week they took it a step further and Rebecca wrote it, with Matt, Ella and Haley and 2 grown men as passengers out into town. I think I have to watch her sooner than I thought.
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The weekend went quickly and pleasantly. We had a birthday party for Matt Smith and Ella and Becca had made a model of the Tardis and Dr Who. Matt’s a fan, with the same name and he calls my girls the Pond 1 and Pond 2. We also managed to go snorkelling this weekend. Julian have most of Saturday off but for him be completely at our disposal we need to leave the compound. We are working on a trip to the mountains or a beach up the coast.
Progress on the Hospital is going well. Julian is enjoying him self and as you may have seen on Facebook/utube he is developing a very attractive farmers tan. The wall round the site is complete and have been painted and planted to look nice.
Hope this finds you all well. Keep the news of home coming. Tillykke til Elvin med den runde foedselsdag.
Julian, Marie, Rebecca and Ella.
XXX
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