Woke up early. Found out that the Arizona team returned late last night! They returned because they couldn't commit a week in Jimani. They saw what they needed to see there, and that was enough. They are now back to help care for the children. We were relieved.
Excited and nervous about getting back. It's going to be a long travel day. Had breakfast with everyone for the last time. Chris and his wife (founders of COTN) thanked us for our efforts. Vicki gave everyone hugs. I started to cry. Wow! It's all starting to hit me now. I'm feeling very vulnerable emotionally. My wall is down. There's no more work for me right now. It's time to leave. But a part of me does not want to go. There's still a lot of work to be done! But IT IS WHAT IT IS...
John and Cathy who are with our group decided to stay a couple more days later. Their friends from NH came last night to help as well, and they will be leaving together later on in the week. It was time to go and we all got into the bus and soon headed out for Sto. Domingo. It's going to be a long ride back...
Took some pictures along the way. Started pondering about my experience this past week. The faces of the Haitian people is forever etched in my mind. I will never forget them. I start to tear up several times during the trip back. Everyone understood what was going on.
Got to the airport by 1 pm. We unloaded our bags and headed into the airport. We had plenty of time. Our flight didn't leave till 5:30 pm. First thing we did was get a glass of ice cold beer! YUM! Luc, Helen and I also decided to walk around and look at some of the shops.
It was time to board. Our flight was leaving for JFK...
The flight was uneventful. Except for the very loud, and irritable toddlers that were seated right in front of me! I managed to get a free glass of wine again! Walter was teasing me, telling me that I probably look like I needed a drink desperately, LOL. Do I look like I drink a lot? LOL.
On our approach, the stewardess announced that 12 U.N. workers on the flight needed to deboard right away because they had to be at an emergency meeting. She pleaded with the passengers to not get up and to let these 12 deboard first. Janet, who was sitting with one of them asked what the meeting was about and he told her that their team who was in Port-au-Prince had assessed that there was high probability that another earthquake would hit that city, and they were meeting to help figure out a way to relocate the people out of the city. I was hoping in my mind, that they were wrong in their predictions...
Once we landed in JFK, I felt the weather change from HOT to FREEZING! I was only wearing a t-shirt! Brrrrrrrr! We had an hour and a half of wait time. So Helen and I decided to walk around and shop for a sweater for me to wear. Once I got my sweater, we waited at the gate with the rest of the gang.
Once we headed out of JFK, I started feeling very nauseous. The flight was a little bumpy. I got dizzy and motion sick. Luckily, I had some alcohol pads in my fanny pack. I rubbed it just below my nose, and that helped calm my stomach down. After finally landing, I was relieved! Whewwwwww! I didn't throw up! Great! LOL.
Bob, who was already waiting for us made it early. It was snowing he told me on the phone. I'm glad he made it there safely. We all loaded into the truck. Another 3 hours of traveling. YIKES!
We finally made it in one piece! Thank goodness! We almost crashed into a guard rail when we encountered a brief blizzard. It surely was a scary moment! We were truly lucky! Whewwwww!
We finally got back to our home at 4 am. I didn't sleep until 6am. I probably gave Bob a hug over a dozen times...I missed him so much, and I was so thankful for his support throughout this past week. THANK YOU, BOB! I LOVE YOU...
