some r & r

Monday-Wednesday, April 5-7, 2010

Mike was still struggling with some stress-related health issues, so he made the decision that he needed some down time away from work and consequently the compound. Monday afternoon the seven of us loaded up in the small pickup truck with Clement driving and Guito riding along. Nicole sat in the back seat with the two boys. I sat on the bench in the bed of the pickup with the two girls. Mike laid across the bed to try to nap. On the way up the mountain, we stopped briefly for Maradoona to jump onto the back of the truck as well.

The drive was beautiful. The temperature is cooler in the mountains and was lovely. When we arrived at the hotel in Jacmel (about an hour and a half drive away), the guys helped us unload the vehicle and carrying our bags to our rooms. It was an Americanized-hotel, but was still a Carribean paradise. The lobby was an completely open space without doors or windows. Stairs led down to the dining area, bar, and pool. Other stairs led up to our rooms and a furnished patio space. Each of our two rooms had a balcony with a gorgeous view of a small cove facing the ocean.

We spent the next 48 hours on the hotel grounds swimming, watching movies on the computers, reading, eating, praying, and sleeping. Mike's symptoms began to alleviate and make life bearable again for him. Generally the time was designated strictly for rest and relaxation, a goal which seemed to be accomplished by the time we left.

Four of the staff rode back to pick us up on Wednesday. They swam, which was entertaining to watch because Clement apparently can't actually swim. The water was lower than normal, but he still held onto the side of the pool as he walked to the deep end to make sure he could touch. Once he was assured that he would be able to touch the bottom without problems, he let go and enjoyed the water. Mike also shared with me how the last time Clement was in that pool, it was full so Clement never let go of the side of the pool.

Then we all enjoyed lunch together before loading the truck and heading back. I tried grilled goat so that I would have a basis for my opinion about what to do with the goat we had tied up in our compound. Goat is very tasty. It is a very lean meat and actually reminded me of deer. As I savored each bite, I almost felt like I was at my parents' house with a deer roast on the plate in front of me... almost.

The drive back was just as beautiful, but cooler. I also find the paradoxical realities becoming more and more prevalent in my eyes and mind. I spent time praying for the people and country of Haiti. It had rained that morning, which brought to mind the many hardships related to rainy seasons as well as the necessity for plant life to have the water.

We stopped for a surprise on the drive back to L'acul. The Carlins had been interested in finding a dog for the compound, but were having difficulty locating a puppy. Clement had been keeping an eye out for one for Mike and had found one whose mother had been killed in a car accident. Mike and Clement went to Clement's house to check out this dog before bringing it to the truck and giving it to the children. Tessa entertained Clement, Guito, Maradoona, and me with her antics with her dog while we finished the ride to the compound.

After unpacking and re-situating my space, I went for a walk before dinner and spent some time talking with the beach kids. The Carlins took time to clean Kali (named after Kaliptus, the Eucalyptus trees used in the CODEP project) and address some of her needs. They began researching the internet for ways to make puppy milk and food without the ability to go to the grocery store and buy those items. Sophie crocheted a leash from yarn.

It was nice to have time away, but it was good to be home again. To settle into my own space and sleep in my own bed was almost heaven.