Long long travel day

It shouldn't have been a long travel day, but unbeknownst to me, our lead practitioner, Cornelia had a late pick-up...after mine.  She had arranged for the HAS (Hospital Albert Schweitzer) driver to take me to the Visa Lodge.  He didn't speak english.  I don't speak Creole.  I didn't know why he was telling me to get out of the car.  It seemed like we had barely moved.  I bet we were 2 miles from the airport.  A few short emails with Cornelia and soon I realized I would be waiting here for a long time.  From the other Ex-pats around, I quickly heard that this was the place to be.  They take US dollars, credit cards and have budlight.  Though I can't for the life of me understand why someone would choose Budlight over that native Prestige.  Quite a tasty beer.  

Big TW,  The poolside band you saw was not taking requests.  I tried.  They were either ignoring me or didn't understand plain English.

I have to say that overall, the condition of things in Haiti have noticeably improved since I was here in 2010.  Roads are paved that weren't paved before.  Mind you that paved in Haiti is still a crummy road that most Americans would still say they need an SUV for.  On our way to Deschapelles we passed what I would clearly call a gas station/convenience store.  In 2010, the only gas stations I ever saw were little shacks on the side of the road with plastic jugs filled with something resembling gasoline.

For those that have been here....and not, I am staying in Alumni House.  It is a larger version of KAy Hanger from earlier.  Apart from a female filmaker shooting some documentary footage and marketing things for HAS...I am the only American here.  The rest are German and some Swiss or Canadians.  I am also the only volunteer.  

For my prosthetist friends, Medi is looking for volunteers.  I am their 1st American in 2 yrs.  Link is to the right.  ;-)   

Today,...felt like a family reunion.  My friends Joel, Cira, Alex,Tcho, Yvener, and Roseline...embraced me like long lost family.  To hear my friend Tcho say...in broken english say, "Paul!? my bruddah..from another muddah!!"  Soooo great to see these guys...doing the same job ...even better than before. 2 of the same group picture including me and Vern Hostetler still hung in on their bulletin board.

It was not a busy day for the clinic but Joel and I made a couple of sockets and did some fittings.

Before I go to bed....Paul ( my friend Paul )....a guy named Hannes is doing solar installations here to weene off the 4 diesel generators.  Talked to Jimmy tonight...might be ready for you to come down.  I am working it.

Brian and Matt....I saw Steve, whom I am told has a real name,...similar to Sievener...on my way to clinic today.  He looked at me and didnt know what to say.  Steve would beg for dollars all the way to clinic in 2010.  never let up.

Adime 

Chov Blanc