UP, UP and ...OVER?

We made it to the "small airport" safely and with all of our bags! This airport consisted of charter planes. Once we unloaded our stuff, we had to go through "security". I have quotation marks around security because the metal detector we had to walk through was not even plugged in!! So much for feeling secure? We took a seat and waited, something I became very good at quickly. One thing I learned with traveling to Haiti; you rush to wait.

Brian, Brewster, Matt, Ed, and Me waiting for our plane.

We thought we made arrangements with one of the charter planes to fly us over to the island of La Gonave. When we got to the airline desk, it appeared that they didn't know we were coming or their was some miscommunication. So we waited, and waited some more. At this point I realized how HOT it was! Especially since there was no air conditioning (I didn't know what I was thinking?). During this time we used the bathroom, ate some snacks that we brought along and tried to help doctor Julie's eye.

Cynthia waiting oh so patiently.

Nurses Laura and Cynthia at the "small airport".

Chris, Matt, and Brewster hanging out.

While Julie was picking up her back pack with all of the traveling, she ended up scratching her eye. Thank goodness we had a whole bunch of Doctors and Nurses around! She was given some eye drops and medicine for the pain. Her eye was constantly draining and it was so sensitive to the bright sun so she had to wear her sunglasses and keep her eye closed as much as possible. What a stinky way to start a trip in a third world country. Poor Julie!

Laura looking cute ! Poor Julie in the background with her injured eye.

Leslie and the Veteran working their magic at the ticket counter!

After Leslie, Dr. Dave, Dr. Billy, and Dr. Mandy spoke with the airline, things started moving along! While we were waiting to board our plane, Gary and Jean Louis took all of our luggage/supplies to the boat to have them ferried over since we did not have enough room on our little plane.

Okay, now when I say little plane, I mean little plane! We loaded onto a 15 passenger propeller plane, or as I fondly call it, the "Putt-Putt Plane". We had to be seated strategically by weight to assure the plane was balanced. At this point, I was starting to get a little nervous. I immediately began praying.

The team loading up!

I think some of the others were a little anxious as well. People started joking around asking "What is the in flight movie for today?" and "What beverages will be served on this flight?", etc. The jokes distracted me from realizing what we were about to do.

I sat next to Laura and Ed. When the pilots started the plane, it was literally putting (see, the name was suiting). I think I saw some ducked tape holding the wing together? FYI, I am not complaining, I am just including important details! Once we began taxiing down the runway I held onto Ed's leg for dear life, constantly praying.

I can't believe it! We made it off the ground! While in the air, there were some questionable maneuvers. I think I cut off the circulation to Ed's leg! I continued to pray to God for protection and peace. I was able to take a couple of glances out the window the appreciate the beautiful aerial views.

Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. The flight, from take off to landing, was no longer than 15 minutes! We went up, over the Gulf of Gonave, and down onto the island of La Gonave. The island is about 10-20 miles off the coast of PAP, Haiti. So, before I knew it, it was time to land.

Ed told me to look at the runway, I said "what runway?". All I saw was the coast, dirt, and patches of grass. We started going down and I began to panic a little. I had no idea where we were actually supposed to land. As we started to go down, the pilot immediately pulled us back into the air. I asked Ed what happened and he said " Either he missed or he was scaring the animals off the runway". WHAT?? Did he just say what I thought he said?

We circled back around and then started to go down again. This time we actually landed!!! We didn't hit any animals or fall off the runway into the ocean or anything! Thank you God for safe travel! I now was able to start breathing normally! We unloaded out of the trusty old Putt-Putt plane. Here is a glimpse of the runway.

One end of the runway...

and the other.

The Putt-Putt Plane

When we unloaded, there were a few local Haitians that came out to welcome us! Some people appeared very excited to see us, others were quiet and kept to themselves.

The team waiting for our ride to St. Francis Church

These little boys were so excited to have their picture taken. They were amazed looking at themselves on the digital camera screen! I was told by a Veteran that for some of the children, this was the first time they were able to see themselves. They were very cute and sweet.


The following pictures are what I like to refer as the airport terminal!

Airport parking lot

Little Haitian girl greeting us!

Soon after we arrived, our ride came to pick us up. Claude greeted us and to my surprise, he spoke some English! He helps run the school/church of St. Francis Episcopal Church at Anse-Galet on the island of La Gonave when Pere Soner (Pere means Father in French/Creole) is not on the island. Pere Soner is responsible for us while we are in Haiti. We arrange our trips with him and he assures that we have all the people and supplies we need for the week. On this trip, Pere Soner was not in Haiti. His wife was pregnant at the time with her third child. They were in New York to receive medical care because of her complicated pregnancy (she and baby are fine now).
The team talking to Claude (in the orange hat) next to our transportation.

Mandy, Cynthia and Julie waiting to go to St. Francis Church.

Now that our transportation had arrived, all of the ladies (Mandy, Leslie, Cynthia, Laura, Julie, and Me) loaded into the cab of the truck with a driver. A total of 7 people inside one truck. We quickly learned that we were going to become much closer sooner than we thought! Our carry-on bags and the guys loaded into the back of the truck. Once everyone was loaded, we were off to St. Francis Church (or the compound).

Coming up next....A Day at the Compound