Friday August 28, 2009 Day 1 in DR
Yesterday was miraculous…David got me to the airport early enough to go to the wrong end for check-in, then walk clear to the other end, check-in and have to have one of my bags searched. The lady at the desk had weighed them- 64.5 and 59 lbs. and prayer was answered because there was no charge. Then when they were x-rayed the laptop was detected and they had to do a search. By the time I went through all that and filled out my customs declaration, it was time to say ‘good-bye’ to David and then with ‘no turning back’ I went on through security. Even the rivets on my pants made the alarm go off so they ‘wanded’ me and I moved on to gather my goods, put my shoes back on and go along to the customs guy who asked me where I was headed. I passed that test and he told me to have a good flight. I said,” Aren’t you going to say ‘Welcome to United States’? He said he would if I wanted him to. When I got to my gate they were boarding for a flight at 6:30 although my ticket said 6: 48. Maybe it was to get us all on board as the flight did leave at 10 to 7.
Mine was the last seat on the single side (not the side for ‘singles’ but the side with only one seat in the row). It took about 2 hours and was raining when we got to Newark. My time between flights was about 1 hr 10 min.which was good because I didn’t panic when I had to wait for the shuttle to take us to Terminal C. Then we had to walk in the rain to the door and up a big flight of stairs. There I saw the sign for my gate, which was at the faaaaaaaaaaaaaar end of that terminal. I made it with a few minutes to spare for the washroom.
As I said it was pouring rain, so I don’t know if that is why the flight was delayed a little. The planes were lined up nose to tail all the way along the approach and were taking off at the rate of one per minute. The pilot said we were in the queue so all we could do was wait. We got away about 10:30 for our 9:10 flight and I guess good tail wind, putting us there about 1:30. The movies are all on demand now so I got to choose and saw 1.5 movies. Suzanne and Gaetan were waiting for me after I came easily through paying for visitor card and customs (no search). They have a van loaned to them so I did not get to experience the taxis yet.
They had some shopping to do in Puerto Plata and in Sosua so I saw 2 towns and a huge superstore with good prices. We went to a café in Sosua so Suzanne could check her email, and we enjoyed a great pizza and some cold ‘agua tonica’( my favourite). After we had relaxed there for a time we left and went through Cabarete to get to their house.
It is a lovely place in a group of 4 around a shared pool. They are doing sewer work right now so the road is very rough. There is a whole community of richer homes on the west side of a lagoon. On the east side of the lagoon is a district called Cabellon which is where the school is and where I will live when I get settled. Right now I am staying with Suzanne till I learn my way around.
Saturday August 29, 2009 Day 2
On Friday night after we had a swim in the pool we went to bed very early, which was fine with me. They have been putting in long days getting the school running and are exhausted.
Saturday we had to be at the school by 9 as people were coming to clean and help. They gave me a tour and explained their plans for the place. It is a great property. Not having any expectations, I was totally impressed by the condition of the place. I have seen some ‘hole in the wall’ schools in Africa and did not know what might be available here, but you can have what you want for a price, and they finally came to an agreement with the landlord. Gaetan is paying the rent till more support comes in.
It is clean and bright and in good repair. The electricity is only on part of the time but we manage.
Mid-afternoon they took me to a luxury restaurant for lunch just so we could eat on the beach, I could see what is available, and Suzanne could go on Internet. I did not even have my computer unpacked so I missed that opportunity. I am typing now so I can send this when the chance comes (which may be today).
I waded in the water there while I was watching the more than 50 kite-surfers. It is fascinating and colourful to watch. Apparently it is the kite-surfing capital of the world, and I can see why.
Sunday August 30, 2009 Day 3
Sunday we went to the Haitian church for 9 a.m. I was introduced to the people, but that’s about all I understood. In the afternoon we went to the school to wait for tables and benches to be delivered. They were very late coming. Then we went home and prepared some fruit to bring to the church for a celebration feast. I’m not sure what they were celebrating but let’s give the glory to the Lord. Several Pastors gave a short message, Suzanne talked about the school, and I was introduced again and said a few words.
Then we enjoyed cold drinks and what looked like great food. I chose not to eat it as I didn’t know how it was prepared, what water, etc. There was singing the whole time the eating went on. I was invited to sing a song in English, but unfortunately, with all the noise not a single chorus would come to mind.
We left there at dark (about 8) and headed home. We took a walk on the beach past all the restaurants and Suzanne, of course, talked to everyone and told me the charms of each place. She’s pointing out to me all the time that I can go with my laptop to any of these places and just order a coffee or a bottle of water and I can enjoy their atmosphere and do my email.
Monday August 31, 2009 Day 4
We were up early this morning to be at school for 8. I watched their opening and then went to my room to work on some lessons and prep. I will also be teaching a grade 2 class and a grade 3 class a little English once a week starting tomorrow. My adult classes may not start for a little while until we get done making some plans. Suzanne has uniforms she and school bags she wants me to make and that is priority. Some of the Haitians talked to me Sunday night about coming to English class so hopefully I can get time soon to organize.
This afternoon I think we may go shopping for some things I will need for my new home. I am hot, thirsty, and content and am praising God for the marvellous things He is providing beyond what I dared hope for. I am asking God that He will help me step more and more outside my comfort to experience all I can of this great place.
Yesterday was miraculous…David got me to the airport early enough to go to the wrong end for check-in, then walk clear to the other end, check-in and have to have one of my bags searched. The lady at the desk had weighed them- 64.5 and 59 lbs. and prayer was answered because there was no charge. Then when they were x-rayed the laptop was detected and they had to do a search. By the time I went through all that and filled out my customs declaration, it was time to say ‘good-bye’ to David and then with ‘no turning back’ I went on through security. Even the rivets on my pants made the alarm go off so they ‘wanded’ me and I moved on to gather my goods, put my shoes back on and go along to the customs guy who asked me where I was headed. I passed that test and he told me to have a good flight. I said,” Aren’t you going to say ‘Welcome to United States’? He said he would if I wanted him to. When I got to my gate they were boarding for a flight at 6:30 although my ticket said 6: 48. Maybe it was to get us all on board as the flight did leave at 10 to 7.
Mine was the last seat on the single side (not the side for ‘singles’ but the side with only one seat in the row). It took about 2 hours and was raining when we got to Newark. My time between flights was about 1 hr 10 min.which was good because I didn’t panic when I had to wait for the shuttle to take us to Terminal C. Then we had to walk in the rain to the door and up a big flight of stairs. There I saw the sign for my gate, which was at the faaaaaaaaaaaaaar end of that terminal. I made it with a few minutes to spare for the washroom.
As I said it was pouring rain, so I don’t know if that is why the flight was delayed a little. The planes were lined up nose to tail all the way along the approach and were taking off at the rate of one per minute. The pilot said we were in the queue so all we could do was wait. We got away about 10:30 for our 9:10 flight and I guess good tail wind, putting us there about 1:30. The movies are all on demand now so I got to choose and saw 1.5 movies. Suzanne and Gaetan were waiting for me after I came easily through paying for visitor card and customs (no search). They have a van loaned to them so I did not get to experience the taxis yet.
They had some shopping to do in Puerto Plata and in Sosua so I saw 2 towns and a huge superstore with good prices. We went to a café in Sosua so Suzanne could check her email, and we enjoyed a great pizza and some cold ‘agua tonica’( my favourite). After we had relaxed there for a time we left and went through Cabarete to get to their house.
It is a lovely place in a group of 4 around a shared pool. They are doing sewer work right now so the road is very rough. There is a whole community of richer homes on the west side of a lagoon. On the east side of the lagoon is a district called Cabellon which is where the school is and where I will live when I get settled. Right now I am staying with Suzanne till I learn my way around.
Saturday August 29, 2009 Day 2
On Friday night after we had a swim in the pool we went to bed very early, which was fine with me. They have been putting in long days getting the school running and are exhausted.
Saturday we had to be at the school by 9 as people were coming to clean and help. They gave me a tour and explained their plans for the place. It is a great property. Not having any expectations, I was totally impressed by the condition of the place. I have seen some ‘hole in the wall’ schools in Africa and did not know what might be available here, but you can have what you want for a price, and they finally came to an agreement with the landlord. Gaetan is paying the rent till more support comes in.
It is clean and bright and in good repair. The electricity is only on part of the time but we manage.
Mid-afternoon they took me to a luxury restaurant for lunch just so we could eat on the beach, I could see what is available, and Suzanne could go on Internet. I did not even have my computer unpacked so I missed that opportunity. I am typing now so I can send this when the chance comes (which may be today).
I waded in the water there while I was watching the more than 50 kite-surfers. It is fascinating and colourful to watch. Apparently it is the kite-surfing capital of the world, and I can see why.
Sunday August 30, 2009 Day 3
Sunday we went to the Haitian church for 9 a.m. I was introduced to the people, but that’s about all I understood. In the afternoon we went to the school to wait for tables and benches to be delivered. They were very late coming. Then we went home and prepared some fruit to bring to the church for a celebration feast. I’m not sure what they were celebrating but let’s give the glory to the Lord. Several Pastors gave a short message, Suzanne talked about the school, and I was introduced again and said a few words.
Then we enjoyed cold drinks and what looked like great food. I chose not to eat it as I didn’t know how it was prepared, what water, etc. There was singing the whole time the eating went on. I was invited to sing a song in English, but unfortunately, with all the noise not a single chorus would come to mind.
We left there at dark (about 8) and headed home. We took a walk on the beach past all the restaurants and Suzanne, of course, talked to everyone and told me the charms of each place. She’s pointing out to me all the time that I can go with my laptop to any of these places and just order a coffee or a bottle of water and I can enjoy their atmosphere and do my email.
Monday August 31, 2009 Day 4
We were up early this morning to be at school for 8. I watched their opening and then went to my room to work on some lessons and prep. I will also be teaching a grade 2 class and a grade 3 class a little English once a week starting tomorrow. My adult classes may not start for a little while until we get done making some plans. Suzanne has uniforms she and school bags she wants me to make and that is priority. Some of the Haitians talked to me Sunday night about coming to English class so hopefully I can get time soon to organize.
This afternoon I think we may go shopping for some things I will need for my new home. I am hot, thirsty, and content and am praising God for the marvellous things He is providing beyond what I dared hope for. I am asking God that He will help me step more and more outside my comfort to experience all I can of this great place.
Keep the blog coming Jackie. Missed you so much at book club tonight, but happy that you are there and "hot, thirsty, and content." I like that quote and hope to use it someday.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog! It makes it so real - almost like being there myself. So glad things are going well for you. It sounds amazing. I'm getting packed tonight to check in to the hospital tomorrow. Take care of yourself, Dianne
ReplyDeleteJackie, it is so great to hear your news. Please keep the posts coming. God bless you and strengthen you as you serve Him! Patti
ReplyDeleteSo glad to know that you arrived with all of your suitcase contents. It's great to know that you will be able to find some internet connections. Hope your teaching goes well today! Many blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteDebie M.
I am glad to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteHey Jackie, glad things are going good for you....no electricity!...egads....i had to take skype off my computer cause it was messing up a couple of programs.....ugh...doesn't sound like you have a whole lot of internet time.....I'm glad you have some and keep blogging for us all. This is a great way for us to keep track of you. Keep blogging, I'm reading and looking for them every day. Have a great day, keep blogging and i'll keep reading and responding. miss ya
ReplyDeletej