Day 9: Home from Haiti

Day Nine- Carla and Kevin are home.

Contradictions are even worse when we get home.

Kevin and I have returned from our travels.  We stayed one day beyond the rest of the group- in case anyone had trouble getting out of the airport.  As it turns out, the airport in Port au Prince has become surprisingly efficient (for Port au Prince) and the departures went smoothly.

 Immigration and Customs in Miami were far worse!  After two hours, three passport inspections and three security lines, we RAN to our connecting flight, backpacks bouncing. We arrived breathless, sweaty and just in time to get on board.  To top it off, the big man in the seat next to me on the flight intruded into my space, snoring loudly, and passing gas!  I kid you not-it was one bad flight!

We left Haiti and are back in the comfort of the first world, with its first world comforts.  First world problems seem so pointless. A hot shower felt better than ever this morning.  In Haiti today, young girls are walking miles to get water.  I bought tomatoes and fresh Romaine today from amidst an abundance of fresh vegetables in the produce section.  The Haitian peasants’ tomato fields are dead of drought.  My cats are soft and well-fed, purring to have me home.  The ribs are showing on the cats creeping into the dining hall at La Kay.  Extreme contradictions.  I let go of contradictions and enjoy my shower, my tomatoes, and my cats. Re-entry is a challenge.

Yesterday, still in my program-leader hat, I sent an email to our group about the challenge of re-entry. This is a continual process of integrating all the contradictions.  We need to be patient with ourselves, not to wallow in guilt. We need to continue to enjoy our lives, and yet to live with a new awareness.  Our experience in Haiti shatters our racial and cultural assumptions, the divisions we saw in the world.  We establish connection -we cross a boundary.  Beyond the contradictions and the boundaries we humans have created is a universal human experience and human connection.   I believe this.  I continue to struggle with the contradictions, and to seek integration. This is why I return.  I am so grateful to share the experience, and the struggles, with others.