I'm back!!!!!

(Written 12 Feb 2010)

I'm writing this after only being at the clinic for a few hours. Once we got off the plane, or luxury jet, shall we say, we were picked up by security guards the previous group of doctors had hired. We said our goodbyes to the previous team, a brief picture on the tarmac, ogling Air Force One, having just landed, then into the cars to get to the clinic. Greeted by surprised sisters (Gordon only told Father Joe, who didn't relay the info to the correct or pertinent party), we were given rooms (Liza, I have your old room, by the way), then were off to say hello to Fr. Joe. On the way, I met up with a little girl, Daniella, I had made friends with the last time. She's nine years old and likes to play with my hair and give me earring advice and we trade off practicing French and Creole, both of which she excels at. I was greeted with a kiss and a huge smile, which was the best icing on the cake that is today.

A little later, I met up with Tatan and Beatrice, two women who work in the kitchens, and was greeted with a surprised look, but hugs and kisses nonetheless. I asked after their families, everyone was alright after the quake, and they are keeping busy cooking for about 60 people each day. Actually, more on weekdays, when the clinic is open, since we feed the patients as well. It may be their only meal all day, so we want them to stay as healthy as possible.

This afternoon, there was a ceremony to celebrate the archbishop and bishop in Haiti who were killed in the quake, and to remember the Haitian people; today was the one month anniversary of the quake. After the procession to the bishops' grave site, which is here on the compound, there was a mass. Daniella clung onto me during the mass and borrowed my watch overnight, trying to figure out how to tell time with the watch upside down on her little wrist.

Charlie, a technician here who is working to get the x-ray machine in full working order, was sarcastically disappointed that there was no dancing and no party last night. We all went to bed around 9 last night, though, so we would have been the buzzkills if there had been dancing last night.

So, a recap: I'm thoroughly enjoying my first day here, excited for the next few months, hoping I can do what I have been assigned, help organize the rehabilitation clinic, and improve my Spanish (which shouldn't be hard, since I'm starting at zero. It can only get better from here).

p.s.: I'll be using Skype instead of the phone; it's a work phone and I'm trying to keep personal calls to a very minimum. Emails are also a very good way to reach me:

margogoboots@gmail.com

p.p.s.: Haiti does NOT observe daylight savings time, so we will be only two hours ahead of PST once daylight savings time begins. Don't ask me to explain it, I hardly know how it works.