Haiti Happenings: A Good One

Another good day with the swimming. We were able to take about 15 kids, and all but one had a great time. Tassie didn't want anything to do with the water, but he loved the bus ride there and the ride back. He also seemed to enjoy peeing on the bushes at the hotel. Whatever works.

Phonsley splashing

I had the best time watching Phonsley play in the water. Last year when I took him to water therapy, he was hit and miss. I think the colder water at the Caribbean Lodge was too much for him. The pool water at the Elite Hotel is warmer, so Phonsley was able to relax. He laughed and splashed and batted the ball around for over an hour. He played with Alvarez some. He was a happy little boy.

Jean-Daniel kicking

Alvarez and my Christine took to the water like they were fish! Alvarez continually dunked his head under the water while Christine blew bubbles. We even taught them how to jump in--we created monsters!

Alvarez relaxing

The adults working with the kids were great. They're not afraid to jump right in and work with the kids. I keep telling them that the kids won't break--bounce them in the water. See what happens. The adults did great. Amy, who came with Healing Haiti, worked with Jean-Daniel, and she did a great job. She had Jean-Daniel splashing in the water, kicking his legs, and laughing his head off! He smiled non-stop the entire time he was in the water.

This morning I got my motorcycle out to get it ready to ride. The front tire was flat, and I wasn't sure how much gas. Enter Roberto! He took it and aired up the tire and put some gas in. I really need to give him so money for it--the $20 I gave him covered the air and the gas. So, I went out for my first ride. Didn't even need to practice in the neighborhood first! Yea--I haven't forgotten how to do it.

My ride took me to Rebo Cafe, not far from Notre Maison. I spent about two hours sipping Coke, munching on plantain chips and pain au chocolat, enjoying the air conditioning. The cool and quite felt good. Real good. I caught up on e-mails without having to wait endlessly for a page to come up only to be told that the server couldn't find the page!