Warmer Waters

     After waking up at 5:30 to watch the sunrise over the mountains our group headed out with a bunch of the other volunteers to spend the morning at the beach. We were all a bit skeptical when we were told the drive would only take an hour and a half due to the experience we already have with Haitian time keeping. On the same note, none of us knew what to expect when they said a "bus" would come to pick us up.

     The van that came to get us would usually fit about 16 comfortably familiar people including the driver; we had 21... To say we got to know each other a little better would be an understatement. I even got to share leg space with three other people! I think we managed pretty well with only one stop along the way for the motion sick people to readjust. Also, one and a half hours was a bit of a joke; it ended up being an extra hour (including when we got a bit turned around).

     Because most of us needed to be back at the camp for afternoon rehearsal we ended up having a very sort amount of time at the water. This was cut even shorter when we arrived only to realize that the owners of the place we were going were not expecting us. The beach was literally the backyard of one of the priests in Haiti. It was completely worth all of the discomfort which accompanied the journey there.

     Clear blue waters and a short stretch of sand awaited us after a path dotted with goats. Being careful not to step on any of the many sea urchins which dotted the sea floor we all immediately took to the water. I was confused at first when I tasted salt because the water was too warm to be the ocean. It was closer to a bath's temperature.

     We had the translucent blue sea with a mountainous backdrop to part with when we made our way regretfully to the van once more. Another two and a half or so drive through villages and mountainsides brought us back to the camp just in time for some of us to run up to rehearsal. A positive attitude through what might have been some uncomfortable situations is really what made the day so lovely.

      We're back at camp now for the last few days (some of us a little crispier than others). So excited about the end of week concert tomorrow! See you all soon!

-Elizabeth