Saying goodbye

“Saying Good-bye”
May 24, 2010

The weather cleared up yesterday afternoon and I was able to with a group of the older “kids” to the big public beach. I put “kids” in parentheses because most of them are in their early twenties or at least late teens. It was pretty awesome and also much more crowded then I expected. Apparently people in Haiti like to head to the beach on the weekends as well. We swam for awhile and then listened to some incredible music- just some guys jamming out in a grass hut/gazebo. The best I can describe the music is a Caribbean/Reggae Bluegrass blend. I wish I had gotten some of it on tape. Riding back to the orphanage in the back of the truck as the sun began to set was nothing short of amazing and it made me really not ready to leave. Not to mention, Enel, one of the guys at the orphanage is probably one of the funniest people I’ve ever met so he kept us laughing the entire trip; it felt good to laugh.

Back at the guesthouse, I just hung out for the rest of the night, learned a new card game (its cool that you can play card games even with a language barrier) and played with Deborah, one of the girls at the orphanage who has been hanging out at the guesthouse for the past couple of days. I’m particularly sad to leave her. She’s four and a little live wire. She is actually sitting here with me now watching a movie. Last night a couple of the teens were over here watching a movie as well and Deborah fell asleep in my lap. Every time I moved a bit she wrapped her arms around my neck and cuddled closer. Man, if I could take her home with me… Her sister has been living at the orphanage for 6-7 years apparently but Deborah came after the earthquake, during which her father died. Her mother is still alive but she can’t take care of Deborah in addition to her two brothers so the brothers stayed with mom and Deborah came to live here with her sister Emma. As soon as I get home (tomorrow!) I’ll post some photos of her.