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My letter to Darin on the night I arrived in Port au Prince, Haiti (edited slightly)
========================================================================
Darin and family,
I really have no idea how to thank you.
Honestly, where do I start?
First, I want to say that I have arrived safely at Haiti Communitere. I wanted to put this email at the top of my list tonight as you likely began worrying (a little?) about me as soon as I stepped off the bus, and you deserve to hear this.
Should I describe the terrifying experience to you? I bet you have been through as much or worse, so I'll try not to bore you.
Haiti Communitere is a great place, but more informal than I thought. Your efforts were - well, forgive me if this sounds too dramatic, but - possibly lifesaving. The gas station amounted to a few men standing at the pump taking money. They were my only protection, and no telling how long they would have been there.
I first hovered around two women from the bus waiting for their ride, and I kept a lookout for a car or something that would scoop me up.
The womens' ride arrived in about 15 minutes and they left. I spent most of the time shooing away guys on motorcycles. No one could tell me how much they would charge me to take me to HC, or even if they would let me live. I considered the odds of me waking up dead on the side of a road? Very good.
When I had looked at the map on the bus, I gathered that I wasn't that far from HC, but then I had no idea of the map scale. It got dark pretty quickly, and though many UN security trucks passed by, no car from HC.
I tried to call HC on my US phone, but I couldn't get through. I had faith that someone would show up, but what was taking them so long?
I found one more bus passenger - a man who was waiting for his ride - and I think (through the languages) that he offered me a lift from his friend when he arrived. I held out for that, as I was leery of riding on the back of a stranger's motorcycle, in the dark, in Haiti.
Unfounded fear? Most people would agree, but not unusual for you, I bet.
After at least half an hour, I gave up on my ride and waited for the bus passenger's lift to arrive. That was when Sammy rode up, and thus began the real terror.
Sammy was likely the man you spoke to on the phone, and he was cheerful, confident and spoke English - just what I needed. I didn't argue, but gleefully watched him bungee my bag to the back rack of his motorcycle.
The first half of the ride was, well interesting. You've been through things like this, so I won't describe the potholes, sand and traffic. I wasn't even unnerved by the fact that he kept raising and lowering his visor, indicating problems with him being able to see clearly.
I hung on for a looooong ride, and cycled my mood from laughter to crying to shock, over and over, and then came the "open" stretch of road. We must have gotten up to 50mph or more, and me without a helmet, in shorts, etc. wondering why I didn't get the travelers' health insurance.
When we arrived at HC we rolled up to a group of people sitting at a table. As cheerfully as I could, I said; "Sammy, next time I get the helmet!"
Funny, yes, but I don't think anyone there was moved by my emotions. Most, like you, have likely been through similar if not worse situations. I however can chalk this up as possibly the most dramatic, interesting and risky day of my life.
You are likely thinking that, without your help, heck, I could have gotten a motorcycle ride to HC and arrived safely - no big deal. But even so, let me say that the ride would have been even much more terrifying. See, I knew that Sammy was a "good guy" and that he knew what he was doing and where he was going. Had I ridden with anyone else, you can imagine where my thoughts would have taken me.
You have dedicated your lives to helping others, so I believe that for many years I will feel far more gratitude than you can recognize. I will remember Darin and his beautiful family as my introduction to one of the darkest and most incredible places in this world, and will humbly forward your graceful benevolence to others.
Thank you again and again,
Mark
===========================================
Darin's Reply, later that night
===========================================
Well Mark, I am not sure what to say. We did have a good chuckle at your expense when we read your email sorry to tell you. And I can understand all that you described. When we left we were definitely worried about you and could tell that you did not have much experience travelling in Latin America. I guess now you agree with my statement "Haiti is a whole different world". I can't help but think what would have happened if you did not call your contact on my phone, or even if he had not called me when he did so I could tell you to stay put or if you had not seen a map of Port au Prince and then got off at our stop. When we got off there were thousands of people in the streets marching and it was very chaotic. We had to take a detour to get home.
You never know why God puts people in our path when he does. I truly believe that this was a God appointment we had today.
If you ever write about your experienced here in Haiti be sure to send me a copy.
Take care and keep in touch
Darin KuceyHaiti Work & Witness
My letter to Darin on the night I arrived in Port au Prince, Haiti (edited slightly)
========================================================================
Darin and family,
I really have no idea how to thank you.
Honestly, where do I start?
First, I want to say that I have arrived safely at Haiti Communitere. I wanted to put this email at the top of my list tonight as you likely began worrying (a little?) about me as soon as I stepped off the bus, and you deserve to hear this.
Should I describe the terrifying experience to you? I bet you have been through as much or worse, so I'll try not to bore you.
Haiti Communitere is a great place, but more informal than I thought. Your efforts were - well, forgive me if this sounds too dramatic, but - possibly lifesaving. The gas station amounted to a few men standing at the pump taking money. They were my only protection, and no telling how long they would have been there.
I first hovered around two women from the bus waiting for their ride, and I kept a lookout for a car or something that would scoop me up.
The womens' ride arrived in about 15 minutes and they left. I spent most of the time shooing away guys on motorcycles. No one could tell me how much they would charge me to take me to HC, or even if they would let me live. I considered the odds of me waking up dead on the side of a road? Very good.
When I had looked at the map on the bus, I gathered that I wasn't that far from HC, but then I had no idea of the map scale. It got dark pretty quickly, and though many UN security trucks passed by, no car from HC.
I tried to call HC on my US phone, but I couldn't get through. I had faith that someone would show up, but what was taking them so long?
I found one more bus passenger - a man who was waiting for his ride - and I think (through the languages) that he offered me a lift from his friend when he arrived. I held out for that, as I was leery of riding on the back of a stranger's motorcycle, in the dark, in Haiti.
Unfounded fear? Most people would agree, but not unusual for you, I bet.
After at least half an hour, I gave up on my ride and waited for the bus passenger's lift to arrive. That was when Sammy rode up, and thus began the real terror.
Sammy was likely the man you spoke to on the phone, and he was cheerful, confident and spoke English - just what I needed. I didn't argue, but gleefully watched him bungee my bag to the back rack of his motorcycle.
The first half of the ride was, well interesting. You've been through things like this, so I won't describe the potholes, sand and traffic. I wasn't even unnerved by the fact that he kept raising and lowering his visor, indicating problems with him being able to see clearly.
I hung on for a looooong ride, and cycled my mood from laughter to crying to shock, over and over, and then came the "open" stretch of road. We must have gotten up to 50mph or more, and me without a helmet, in shorts, etc. wondering why I didn't get the travelers' health insurance.
When we arrived at HC we rolled up to a group of people sitting at a table. As cheerfully as I could, I said; "Sammy, next time I get the helmet!"
Funny, yes, but I don't think anyone there was moved by my emotions. Most, like you, have likely been through similar if not worse situations. I however can chalk this up as possibly the most dramatic, interesting and risky day of my life.
You are likely thinking that, without your help, heck, I could have gotten a motorcycle ride to HC and arrived safely - no big deal. But even so, let me say that the ride would have been even much more terrifying. See, I knew that Sammy was a "good guy" and that he knew what he was doing and where he was going. Had I ridden with anyone else, you can imagine where my thoughts would have taken me.
You have dedicated your lives to helping others, so I believe that for many years I will feel far more gratitude than you can recognize. I will remember Darin and his beautiful family as my introduction to one of the darkest and most incredible places in this world, and will humbly forward your graceful benevolence to others.
Thank you again and again,
Mark
===========================================
Darin's Reply, later that night
===========================================
Well Mark, I am not sure what to say. We did have a good chuckle at your expense when we read your email sorry to tell you. And I can understand all that you described. When we left we were definitely worried about you and could tell that you did not have much experience travelling in Latin America. I guess now you agree with my statement "Haiti is a whole different world". I can't help but think what would have happened if you did not call your contact on my phone, or even if he had not called me when he did so I could tell you to stay put or if you had not seen a map of Port au Prince and then got off at our stop. When we got off there were thousands of people in the streets marching and it was very chaotic. We had to take a detour to get home.
You never know why God puts people in our path when he does. I truly believe that this was a God appointment we had today.
If you ever write about your experienced here in Haiti be sure to send me a copy.
Take care and keep in touch
Darin KuceyHaiti Work & Witness