The end of this week's camp schedule is just about done. Teiga is
rehearsing with the orchestra as I type. The others are observing the
rehearsal and interacting with the Haitian students.
The
Organization of American States (OAS) has a group here. They brought
in four teachers from Columbia and several from the states to work with
the Haitian teachers as well as teachers from Jamaica and St. Lucia who
are also here. It is essentially, like student teaching or professional
development for them. While the island folks work with the students,
the experienced teachers provide feedback, suggestions and assistance
during the rehearsals. Then, the entire group of adults meets in a
"round table" in which the experienced teachers provide both general and
specific feedback about and to the teachers; providing new planning
suggestions and rehearsal techniques.
The head of this
OAS program asked if I would observe Deborah, a Haitian teacher working
with the "beginner" band, yesterday. The "beginners" here like anywhere
have a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Deborah was very open to
suggestions during the rehearsal. My favorite part was that she had fun
with the students (she was dancing in front of them at one point) but
could also "lay it down" when she needed to. She was "loving but firm"
as my big brother would say.
The round table was
fantastic! It was this great
meeting-of-the-international-teaching-minds, if you will. It was so
great (humbling, inspiring, energizing) to be part of this. Just
another unexpected opportunity to learn while in Haiti, even for the
teachers.
I didn't expect to meet and connect with so many international folks here. I'm thrilled to say that I am learning as much as our students :)
Friday, July 20, 2012
More Than Meets the Eye
Salut!
I just wanted to tell you all about the vesper last night. It was entirely in Creole, with some translation, and though I couldn’t understand it all, Pierre (the co-director of the camp) said something that was inspiring. “By becoming better musicians, we become better people.” I think that is a really cool thing to think about, and it’s also very inspiring.
On another note, I want to talk about the people as well. I can’t understand more than half of what they say, but somehow, I don’t always need to know what they are saying. These people are so friendly and so ALIVE! They are absolutely gorgeous physically, but you can also see how incredibly amazing and caring and kind their souls are. They are constantly laughing and smiling and trying to teach us Creole, and they don’t ever seem to be bothered by anything. They have so much less material things than me, yet they live so much more. I wish I could live life half as energetically as they do.
Bonswa!
Hannah
I just wanted to tell you all about the vesper last night. It was entirely in Creole, with some translation, and though I couldn’t understand it all, Pierre (the co-director of the camp) said something that was inspiring. “By becoming better musicians, we become better people.” I think that is a really cool thing to think about, and it’s also very inspiring.
On another note, I want to talk about the people as well. I can’t understand more than half of what they say, but somehow, I don’t always need to know what they are saying. These people are so friendly and so ALIVE! They are absolutely gorgeous physically, but you can also see how incredibly amazing and caring and kind their souls are. They are constantly laughing and smiling and trying to teach us Creole, and they don’t ever seem to be bothered by anything. They have so much less material things than me, yet they live so much more. I wish I could live life half as energetically as they do.
Bonswa!
Hannah
Salud!
We're nearing the end of our last day of rehearsals before the weekend. That means that there is a concert coming up and soon plenty of photos and maybe even video. We also have the recital tomorrow (Saturday) night, in which we are still planning on playing an American piece ourselves and possibly a Haitian piece with guests.
Earlier today I gave a lesson to a very beginner trumpet player- I was essentially teaching him to read music. This was a very rewarding experience. I think that Hannah and Teiga gave lessons too the other day- look for photos.
- Kevin
We're nearing the end of our last day of rehearsals before the weekend. That means that there is a concert coming up and soon plenty of photos and maybe even video. We also have the recital tomorrow (Saturday) night, in which we are still planning on playing an American piece ourselves and possibly a Haitian piece with guests.
Earlier today I gave a lesson to a very beginner trumpet player- I was essentially teaching him to read music. This was a very rewarding experience. I think that Hannah and Teiga gave lessons too the other day- look for photos.
- Kevin
Thursday, July 19, 2012
jeudi, le dix-neuf juillet
I wish you could have been inside Bon Saveur Church with us last night for the first camp recital, performed by many of the teaches from the U.S., Haiti, Jamaica, Colombia, St.Lucia and more. The audience was hanging on every note played, and when the lights went out in the middle of Liz's alto sax solo, there was a collective gasp before some people ran to her aid with flashlights. When she was finished, the lights mysteriously reappeared for the rest of the recital, which culminated with two very rousing solo drum performances. Bill, from the Cleveland Institute of Music, nearly blew the roof off, or should I say the audience did with their incredible response to said performances. Lots of energy in this camp!
Today Hannah and Teiga began giving private tutorials to some of the younger Haitian students. They were very sensitive to the possibility of being perceived as condescending, but, no, indeed, their offer and their lessons were greatly and smilingly appreciated. In fact, as Liz mentioned before in an earlier post, the Haiti Four are extremely well-received by teachers as well as counterparts. Hooray!
It is just such a pleasure for me to be able to witness all this genuine friendliness and enthusiasm on the parts of the HF, Liz and the other campers and teachers. I sure wish I knew how to play an instrument. Stephen
Today Hannah and Teiga began giving private tutorials to some of the younger Haitian students. They were very sensitive to the possibility of being perceived as condescending, but, no, indeed, their offer and their lessons were greatly and smilingly appreciated. In fact, as Liz mentioned before in an earlier post, the Haiti Four are extremely well-received by teachers as well as counterparts. Hooray!
It is just such a pleasure for me to be able to witness all this genuine friendliness and enthusiasm on the parts of the HF, Liz and the other campers and teachers. I sure wish I knew how to play an instrument. Stephen
Wednesday Night Recital
Bonjou!
Last night we had the first recital of the camp, in the church. Recitals are events in which teachers will play for the camp body, as well as students who have gotten permission from a teacher. Ms. Matta played two pieces!! The first was with a college-student teacher here at the camp, a saxophone duet, and she also played a solo piece. Both were fantastic, but as a bonus in the second piece, the power went out mid-performance! Ms. Matta continued flawlessly, of course, by flashlight. I believe there should be video coming of the entire recital, so you can here Ms. Matta and all of the other teacher performances.
A plan is in the works for us to play in the next recital on Saturday. We may play a distinctly American piece ("Give My Regards to Broadway"?) by ourselves, plus another possibly Haitian piece that we would play with some of the students here. I'm hoping that there will be a way to record this as well. Stay tuned!
- Kevin
Last night we had the first recital of the camp, in the church. Recitals are events in which teachers will play for the camp body, as well as students who have gotten permission from a teacher. Ms. Matta played two pieces!! The first was with a college-student teacher here at the camp, a saxophone duet, and she also played a solo piece. Both were fantastic, but as a bonus in the second piece, the power went out mid-performance! Ms. Matta continued flawlessly, of course, by flashlight. I believe there should be video coming of the entire recital, so you can here Ms. Matta and all of the other teacher performances.
A plan is in the works for us to play in the next recital on Saturday. We may play a distinctly American piece ("Give My Regards to Broadway"?) by ourselves, plus another possibly Haitian piece that we would play with some of the students here. I'm hoping that there will be a way to record this as well. Stay tuned!
- Kevin
Just a Few Pics
Allo, Thomas here. As Liz mentioned in another post we woke up early for
the sunrise. We have many pictures from this excursion, and a few that
I wanted to feature rather than mixing in with the randomizer at the
top of our page. Said pictures are below.
Well Worth the Stairs
We met at 6:00 AM to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain. It was gorgeous and serene! Pictures and video to follow.
Our culture shock has warn off allowing all of us to fully understand and experience all the aspects of this camp. The people are wonderful; the students eager to learn and very appreciative! Our students from Maine are wonderful ambassadors of the US, Maine, Midcoast, Lincoln Academy and YOU our families and friends.
Liz
Our culture shock has warn off allowing all of us to fully understand and experience all the aspects of this camp. The people are wonderful; the students eager to learn and very appreciative! Our students from Maine are wonderful ambassadors of the US, Maine, Midcoast, Lincoln Academy and YOU our families and friends.
Liz
Haitian Energy
Bonjou!
The people here are all so lovely. Everyone greets each other with “bonjou” in the mornings, “bonswa” in the afternoons and evenings, and “bonuit” in the nights. Everyone is always ready to introduce themselves, and to humor themselves with our poor Creole. Ms. Matta introduced us to a man named Dallas yesterday. Dallas is an incredible artist, he has a beautiful voice, and he has taught himself how to speak English. At the end of our conversation, Dallas eagerly taught us the word for tree, “pye bwa,” then announced that we were already friends, and he would search us on facebook. Cade is another one of our friends. Periodically throughout the day Cade will run into Hannah and I and teach us some more Creole phrases. Besides being an enthusiastic teacher and friend, Cade is hilarious to be around. He’ll walk with a certain attitude or like a certain person, and mime being hungry or sleepy.
Whenever I’m around any of our new Haitian friends I always find myself smiling and laughing. During breakfast this morning this one boy taught me how to say “would you like some more” and “no thanks.” When I didn’t understand on the first try we were both laughing. It’s so much fun to learn Creole here because everyone is so willing to teach. It’s not like school where you have to learn on the first or second try. Here, we can ask as may questions as we want, and they will repeat the Creole as many times as we need until we understand the phrase.
Just the energy here in Haiti is amazing. In the evenings when I’m tired, the energy is enough to keep me awake. With no bad feelings, all the happiness from everyone seems to just seep into the air and spread from one person to another. I can’t believe that we’re halfway through out stay here- it seems like a lifetime ago that we said good-bye in the Portland airport and hopped on our plane to Haiti.
-Teiga-
The people here are all so lovely. Everyone greets each other with “bonjou” in the mornings, “bonswa” in the afternoons and evenings, and “bonuit” in the nights. Everyone is always ready to introduce themselves, and to humor themselves with our poor Creole. Ms. Matta introduced us to a man named Dallas yesterday. Dallas is an incredible artist, he has a beautiful voice, and he has taught himself how to speak English. At the end of our conversation, Dallas eagerly taught us the word for tree, “pye bwa,” then announced that we were already friends, and he would search us on facebook. Cade is another one of our friends. Periodically throughout the day Cade will run into Hannah and I and teach us some more Creole phrases. Besides being an enthusiastic teacher and friend, Cade is hilarious to be around. He’ll walk with a certain attitude or like a certain person, and mime being hungry or sleepy.
Whenever I’m around any of our new Haitian friends I always find myself smiling and laughing. During breakfast this morning this one boy taught me how to say “would you like some more” and “no thanks.” When I didn’t understand on the first try we were both laughing. It’s so much fun to learn Creole here because everyone is so willing to teach. It’s not like school where you have to learn on the first or second try. Here, we can ask as may questions as we want, and they will repeat the Creole as many times as we need until we understand the phrase.
Just the energy here in Haiti is amazing. In the evenings when I’m tired, the energy is enough to keep me awake. With no bad feelings, all the happiness from everyone seems to just seep into the air and spread from one person to another. I can’t believe that we’re halfway through out stay here- it seems like a lifetime ago that we said good-bye in the Portland airport and hopped on our plane to Haiti.
-Teiga-
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
mercredi, le 18 juillet
My job is to provide you with some of the details; I'll leave the impressions and sentiments to the Haiti Four (as Liz has named them.) This morning was one of the most delightful weatherwise ever, warm, sunny and breezy. Great practice weather.
Yesterday, partly as a help to us in obtaining local currency, Bernadette Williams invited us to join her on a car trip to Mirebalais to make the exchange. Our driver of the church's Nissan SUV took us first to the dam that has created a huge lake out of the Arbonite River, of which Tracy Kidder makes much mention in his MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS. The lake is beautiful and the dam provides much needed electrical power, but when Tracy wrote the book the community-at-large was still reeling from the effects of being displaced from their land with little or no compensation and the electricity was mainly used to power a few American factories. It seems that the benefits are now being shared by local Haitians.
We also visited a beautiful new music and education center being built with funds provided by the Episcopal Church of South Carolina, which also provided much of the funds for Bon Saveur Church and its water supply. The pastor of this church at the time was Pere Lefontant (sp?) and it was he who built the first clinic here in Cange that Paul Farmer worked at and then built into the fabulous facility it now is. Bernadette tells us that this new facility will host next year's Holy Trinity Music Camp.
The new, state-of-the-art medical facility and teaching hospital in Mirebalais was the last quick stop before we returned to Cange. The road nowadays is very good, which makes one marvel at the thought of it taking nearly 11 hours for an ambulance to get to Cange back in the day when Tracy was doing his on-site research into his subject back in the latter part of the 1990s. It took us a lot less time in 2012.
This morning, bright and early, before the sun was up, we rose to find the dew on each shining buttercup. Buttercup?? OK, I stole that line from Robert Louis Stevenson, but we did get up early to climb to the very top of the campus called Golgotha by the locals, to view the sunrise. It was worth it.
As you know, many photos are being posted on this blog; the sunrise is included. Stephen
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Bonjou!
Rehearsals are well underway- all of us are playing the the band (wind instrument and percussion ensemble). Teiga also is playing horn in the philharmonic orchestra. We have two directors for the band, as I think Liz mentioned in a previous post. The Haitian director, Pierre, from Jacmel, speaks Creole during most of the rehearsal, but we're able to understand him very well. Music is a very universal means of communication. He does translate occasionally and speak to us in English. A favorite comment: "you're playing like peanut butter and jelly- lazy!" Pierre is directing one piece, the American director is leading the other- West Side Story.
Na Wa Pita
Kevin
Rehearsals are well underway- all of us are playing the the band (wind instrument and percussion ensemble). Teiga also is playing horn in the philharmonic orchestra. We have two directors for the band, as I think Liz mentioned in a previous post. The Haitian director, Pierre, from Jacmel, speaks Creole during most of the rehearsal, but we're able to understand him very well. Music is a very universal means of communication. He does translate occasionally and speak to us in English. A favorite comment: "you're playing like peanut butter and jelly- lazy!" Pierre is directing one piece, the American director is leading the other- West Side Story.
Na Wa Pita
Kevin
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Tuesday morning, July17, 2012
Our Project Haiti students have now spent two nights in the student dorms; this was quite a big and courageous step as they are so few among so many, with a huge language gap to adjust to. We're hoping that, with an invitation from one of the English speaking Haitian students our students will venture forth to the point of sharing meals with their Haitian counterparts. Already they are having music lessons with these wonderful young people, and I know they are ready for this next leap.
Gessoit, a young Haitian, has taken us "under his wing" to help us learn Creole, which the students and teachers are eager to learn. Gessoit attends Lawrence University in Wisconsin and helps teach Creole there during the year.
As the symphny orchestra needed a French horn they invited Teiga (and her first-class traveling horn) to join them after they heard her play so well earlier in the day. She did a splendid job, and we are very proud of her. Actually, every one of our students is shining musically, which takes some of the pressure off, I'm sure.
We heard thunder off in the distance yesterday afternoon. Pere David later told us that Port-au-Prince was hit with a very severe thunder storm. 'Tis the season. It's just hot and humid here, but with screens on most of the windows, mosquitoes have not been a problem, hence sleep is not too difficult for most as we haven't had to get in under our mosquito tents which are usually very hot.
Our calf muscles will be very pronounced by the time we return as we climb a gazillion steps every day going from meals to lessons to Vespers to bed. This is good as we don't have much time for other forms of exercise.
Pere David Cesar, Bernadette Williams, Dr. John Jost, Madam Nicole St. Victoire and all our other hosts and counterparts have been most friendly and helpful. So many countries are represented in the teacher population; it is fun to hear all the languages spoken at meals. Stephen
A Little House Keeping
Thomas here for just a few small updates.
Firstly, if you are reading this you have probably noticed there are now pictures at the top of our page. I worked with some html coding a little yesterday and managed to make it cycle through 8 random pictures of ours, I believe every time the page is refreshed, or accessed again. A second point, the font that we chose for the blog has one little problem. Exclamation points look like lower case "L's". All this really means is as you are reading the blog, as I know all of you are, replace seemingly random, and perhaps incorrectly placed "L's" with exclamation points and everything should make sense.
Firstly, if you are reading this you have probably noticed there are now pictures at the top of our page. I worked with some html coding a little yesterday and managed to make it cycle through 8 random pictures of ours, I believe every time the page is refreshed, or accessed again. A second point, the font that we chose for the blog has one little problem. Exclamation points look like lower case "L's". All this really means is as you are reading the blog, as I know all of you are, replace seemingly random, and perhaps incorrectly placed "L's" with exclamation points and everything should make sense.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Baa ba dat daa...
***On going English disclaimer***
Though we are capable of using proper grammar, please forgive any atrocities as we are willing to sacrifice accuracy for content. Merci Boucoup!!
Bonswa! Today was our first full day of camp. The music students range from about seven or eight years old all the way through adults. Our Creole (and French) are coming along slowly but surely. The food has been very good. Tonight was spaghetti and bread. Good ole fashioned PB & J was also available. More students and teachers arrived today from the Organization of American States and the US. The "advanced" band rehearsals started today. We have two directors - one Haitian, one American - and they translate for each other. We sightread "West Side Story" today. In addition to band, Teiga is playing in the Philharmonic Orchestra (mostly adults!!) Go Teiga! The folks here are very eager to learn; one example - Bernadette Williams - one of the camp organizers was taking a cello lesson with an OAS instructor just now, as we came to "blog".
We experienced quite a bit today but ultimately, music is music..."Baa ba dat daa" is "baa ba dat daa"... regardless of language! (ala Maestro Mariano!)
Liz
Though we are capable of using proper grammar, please forgive any atrocities as we are willing to sacrifice accuracy for content. Merci Boucoup!!
Bonswa! Today was our first full day of camp. The music students range from about seven or eight years old all the way through adults. Our Creole (and French) are coming along slowly but surely. The food has been very good. Tonight was spaghetti and bread. Good ole fashioned PB & J was also available. More students and teachers arrived today from the Organization of American States and the US. The "advanced" band rehearsals started today. We have two directors - one Haitian, one American - and they translate for each other. We sightread "West Side Story" today. In addition to band, Teiga is playing in the Philharmonic Orchestra (mostly adults!!) Go Teiga! The folks here are very eager to learn; one example - Bernadette Williams - one of the camp organizers was taking a cello lesson with an OAS instructor just now, as we came to "blog".
We experienced quite a bit today but ultimately, music is music..."Baa ba dat daa" is "baa ba dat daa"... regardless of language! (ala Maestro Mariano!)
Liz
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Rain, Rain, Go Away
We are sitting in the middle of a huge thunder storm. Just befor this storm started we went up to a stunning lookout point above the camp. Some pictures will be uploaded soon, unfortunately we are isolated from the laptop now and the iPod cannot upload images. When I (Thomas) first logged on to try to post pictures I noticed that, since we are on Creol speaking WiFi all the buttons for blogger and gmail are in Creol. Just some thoughts while we sit under a balcony and wait for the rain to stop, although the temperature now is absolutely perfect.
Thomas
Nous sommes ici! We are here...in Cange
Bonjour! Off to a great start. PWM to EWR to PAP all went without a hitch. Teiga's French horn even got to ride in a first class seat from EWR to PAP!
The five new visitors will have much to say or write about their impressions of the airport in PAP and going through customs and baggage claim, all the way to the parking area where we did, indeed, meet up with our driver whom Pere David and Dr. John had arranged to drive all the campers from the airport.
Suffice it for me to say that we arrived right on time 1:37 p.m. at Toussaint Louverture Airport and ultimately reached our very nice digs in Cange at 11 p.m. The students and Liz will probably have a lot to write about what transpired during that time.
We have been taking pictures on an assortment of cameras and iphones, so we hope to figure out how to coordinate them into one presentation for you. Stephen
Alo! Flights were as smooth as can be. When we got off the airplane we were immediately hit with heat and wind. Going through customs was chaotic and noisy. This is not a complain but merely a description of the first impression. We saw quite a bit of Earthquake destruction on our ride through Port-au-Prince (PAP). It was humbling to say the least. We did not realize how dusty the city was (still is from the Earthquake) until we got to Cange and saw how dirty we were.
There are no speed limits nor lane lines on the streets; though we were in very capable hands. We stopped at Holy Trinity in Port-au-Prince, then on to Petionville to pick up other staff and supplies. We got to Cange by 11:00 PM. There are several American college students here working at this camp, as well.
We went to a two and a half our church service today. The music was traditional church hymns with a great rhythm section playing along. We hope to sit-in and play with them at next week's service. The people here are gracious and kind. They speak almost too fast for me in Creole, but are very patient and helpful as I try to learn.
Student campers come today and the camp schedule begins tomorrow with at 6:00 AM Reveille. They breakfast and a day full of music after that. Our students are doing wonderfully and have adapted quickly. More to come! Liz
I must say I struggled to really put my reaction into words. I eventually decided to talk about a smaller topic, and make some comparisons between our place of arrival, Port-au-Prince, and where we are staying, Cange. This came out in a free form poem...
The Concrete Jungle
Some say New York is a concrete jungle,
but they haven't seen Haiti.
A concrete maze, more colorful than Time Square.
Tin roofed huts, the building blocks of something more massive than you can think.
A busy city road slowly turns the concrete walls to,
the natural walls of Mother Earth,
Trees...
Trees...
A lonely hut once made an attempt to reclaim the forest,
but was forced into submission.
An eternity of bumps and horn blasts passes,
and a new, more substantial, concrete maze emerges from the bush.
This one working with mother nature, and for the people of Haiti.
Concrete walls holding up buildings, and holding back soil for,
Trees...
Trees...
Growing even as new concrete is poured,
concrete walls, concrete stairs.
All of this looked over by a canopy of leaves,
like protective hands creating a tunnel of safety.
A concrete maze of stairs,
made to work with the trees, not against them.
At the top of these stairs a concrete grove,
Surrounded by a grove of,
Trees...
Trees...
What can one see from this harmonious grove,
Trees...
Concrete...
Acting together to form a true...
Concrete Jungle
-Thomas Williams-
Hello-
It is difficult to describe my first impression of Haiti and the city and Cange, mostly because our arrival has been fairly overwhelming. The flights in were very smooth, the trip from Port-au-Prince to Cange somewhat less smooth. The city is a great, swelling mass of people, and the poverty is difficult to ignore. After breaking through the porters at the airport, we were driven to the Episcopal cathedral in Port-au-Prince. The entire structure was destroyed in the earthquake, and the cathedral is being rebuilt. The beautiful, new tile work on the center aisle and around the altar in the large, open-air room was especially noticeable.
After a lengthy bus ride we made it to Cange, at around 10:30 at night, so I saw very little of the compound until morning. The compound is build on tiers that move up the hillside, and everything is connected by staircases. There is some very beautiful stonework, and the buildings are well maintained. Cange was not affected by the earthquake.
The church service was perhaps our best experience so far. The Episcopal service was very similar to those that I have attended for most of my life, with a considerably larger amount of singing and a small band consisting of drums, guitars, and trumpet. Just at the moment the first busloads of campers are unloading, so the camp is beginning to fill and get very busy. More to come.
- Kevin Sandefur
Allo!
When we were flying over Haiti all that was around for miles was a sea of corrugated tin covering the land. Mountains rose up in the background, beautifully tall. They were covered with just shrubs and the occasional tree, and cut away in some places.
Everyone is so friendly here. There's a smile greeting you in any direction, and someone ready to help you if you need anything.The atmosphere is kind and loving, so different from the landscape and streets.
Unlike the US where everything happens at a scheduled time and place, almost nothing happens here on schedule. There may be a general time when something is going to happen, but that isn't always so. We waited for several hours in the cathedral in Port-Au-Prince for the bus to take us to Cange. No one was worried about when we would leave, or how we would get there. We left around 6 or 7 and finally arrived at 11.
The driving is crazy. Streets are just strips of stone, tar, or dirt where there aren't people or houses. Horns are blasted all the time to signal just about anything; passing, driving in the wrong lane or if a car is stopped to long.
On the drive to Cange our bus was practically doing the job of a mountain goat. The curves were so tight that they would double back on themselves. A guard rail or fence was the only thing separating us from falling off the edge of the mountain. Our driver didn't mind driving down the middle of the road the whole way up and down the mountain- after all, we were the only people on the road for miles.
While we were driving through the city there was so much to look at. Shacks, people and stores. There were tents with boards advertising banks, casinos, or loto. There was one road we passed that was full of people and heaps of shoes and other merchandise to be sold. Another street was simply filled with trash.
Cats and dogs run around wild here. They're so skinny and mangy, yet I still find that I want to pick them up and love them.
Well, it's entirely different here. It's hot, beautiful, sad, and exciting. I can't wait to begin playing with the other Haitian musicians.
- teiga
Bonjour from Haiti! Everything is crazy at the moment, a group of around 50 or more students arrived a little while ago. They are the people that we are going to be playing music with for the next week. At the moment, we are kind of just lingering on the wall, sort of waiting for lunch, sort of taking it all in.
This morning, we went to a church service. It was probably the coolest thing I have ever attended. The Haitians are such beautiful singers. The sound comes from somewhere deep inside them and its beauty leaves you with goosebumps. Their entire service was conducted in Creole, but it made me happy to hear "Amazing Grace," albeit in Creole, but it was still nice to hear something familiar in all of our new and different surroundings.
The drive to Cange last night was very interesting. All of the drivers are very safe, but everything around us was in chaos. There are not set speed limits, yet people don't drive that fast, in town. People are constantly walking across the street, whether there is a car coming or not. The way people pass is by honking their honk repeatedly and then passing them. The oncoming cars are out of luck, and are usually forced to stop and wait for the car to pass.
During our drive, first to the Holy Trinity Church, the to Petion-Ville to pick up more people, and then Cange, the things I first noticed was the colors. Everything is so brightly colored, the stone buildings are painted bright yellows, deep reds, blues, greens, etc. It is absolutely gorgeous.
This morning when I woke up and walked to the balcony right near my room, the view took my breath away. We drove up in the dark, and I missed the view last night. All you can see are green, lush mountains and valleys and the big blue sky.
The last thing I want to touch upon are the people. The people here are the nicest people I have ever met. They are friendly, helpful, and when we tried to help them unload the bus full of our stuff last night, they thanked us profusely. They keep trying to teach me Creole, and I haven't succeeded yet; however, I hope to learn enough to get by for the rest of the week. Most of the staff here can speak some English, which is good, because my French is not enough here. I'm learning something every moment here.
I can't wait for the camp to officially begin tomorrow morning and I can't wait to play music with the Haitian people!
-Hanna
The five new visitors will have much to say or write about their impressions of the airport in PAP and going through customs and baggage claim, all the way to the parking area where we did, indeed, meet up with our driver whom Pere David and Dr. John had arranged to drive all the campers from the airport.
Suffice it for me to say that we arrived right on time 1:37 p.m. at Toussaint Louverture Airport and ultimately reached our very nice digs in Cange at 11 p.m. The students and Liz will probably have a lot to write about what transpired during that time.
We have been taking pictures on an assortment of cameras and iphones, so we hope to figure out how to coordinate them into one presentation for you. Stephen
Alo! Flights were as smooth as can be. When we got off the airplane we were immediately hit with heat and wind. Going through customs was chaotic and noisy. This is not a complain but merely a description of the first impression. We saw quite a bit of Earthquake destruction on our ride through Port-au-Prince (PAP). It was humbling to say the least. We did not realize how dusty the city was (still is from the Earthquake) until we got to Cange and saw how dirty we were.
There are no speed limits nor lane lines on the streets; though we were in very capable hands. We stopped at Holy Trinity in Port-au-Prince, then on to Petionville to pick up other staff and supplies. We got to Cange by 11:00 PM. There are several American college students here working at this camp, as well.
We went to a two and a half our church service today. The music was traditional church hymns with a great rhythm section playing along. We hope to sit-in and play with them at next week's service. The people here are gracious and kind. They speak almost too fast for me in Creole, but are very patient and helpful as I try to learn.
Student campers come today and the camp schedule begins tomorrow with at 6:00 AM Reveille. They breakfast and a day full of music after that. Our students are doing wonderfully and have adapted quickly. More to come! Liz
I must say I struggled to really put my reaction into words. I eventually decided to talk about a smaller topic, and make some comparisons between our place of arrival, Port-au-Prince, and where we are staying, Cange. This came out in a free form poem...
The Concrete Jungle
Some say New York is a concrete jungle,
but they haven't seen Haiti.
A concrete maze, more colorful than Time Square.
Tin roofed huts, the building blocks of something more massive than you can think.
A busy city road slowly turns the concrete walls to,
the natural walls of Mother Earth,
Trees...
Trees...
A lonely hut once made an attempt to reclaim the forest,
but was forced into submission.
An eternity of bumps and horn blasts passes,
and a new, more substantial, concrete maze emerges from the bush.
This one working with mother nature, and for the people of Haiti.
Concrete walls holding up buildings, and holding back soil for,
Trees...
Trees...
Growing even as new concrete is poured,
concrete walls, concrete stairs.
All of this looked over by a canopy of leaves,
like protective hands creating a tunnel of safety.
A concrete maze of stairs,
made to work with the trees, not against them.
At the top of these stairs a concrete grove,
Surrounded by a grove of,
Trees...
Trees...
What can one see from this harmonious grove,
Trees...
Concrete...
Acting together to form a true...
Concrete Jungle
-Thomas Williams-
Hello-
It is difficult to describe my first impression of Haiti and the city and Cange, mostly because our arrival has been fairly overwhelming. The flights in were very smooth, the trip from Port-au-Prince to Cange somewhat less smooth. The city is a great, swelling mass of people, and the poverty is difficult to ignore. After breaking through the porters at the airport, we were driven to the Episcopal cathedral in Port-au-Prince. The entire structure was destroyed in the earthquake, and the cathedral is being rebuilt. The beautiful, new tile work on the center aisle and around the altar in the large, open-air room was especially noticeable.
After a lengthy bus ride we made it to Cange, at around 10:30 at night, so I saw very little of the compound until morning. The compound is build on tiers that move up the hillside, and everything is connected by staircases. There is some very beautiful stonework, and the buildings are well maintained. Cange was not affected by the earthquake.
The church service was perhaps our best experience so far. The Episcopal service was very similar to those that I have attended for most of my life, with a considerably larger amount of singing and a small band consisting of drums, guitars, and trumpet. Just at the moment the first busloads of campers are unloading, so the camp is beginning to fill and get very busy. More to come.
- Kevin Sandefur
Allo!
When we were flying over Haiti all that was around for miles was a sea of corrugated tin covering the land. Mountains rose up in the background, beautifully tall. They were covered with just shrubs and the occasional tree, and cut away in some places.
Everyone is so friendly here. There's a smile greeting you in any direction, and someone ready to help you if you need anything.The atmosphere is kind and loving, so different from the landscape and streets.
Unlike the US where everything happens at a scheduled time and place, almost nothing happens here on schedule. There may be a general time when something is going to happen, but that isn't always so. We waited for several hours in the cathedral in Port-Au-Prince for the bus to take us to Cange. No one was worried about when we would leave, or how we would get there. We left around 6 or 7 and finally arrived at 11.
The driving is crazy. Streets are just strips of stone, tar, or dirt where there aren't people or houses. Horns are blasted all the time to signal just about anything; passing, driving in the wrong lane or if a car is stopped to long.
On the drive to Cange our bus was practically doing the job of a mountain goat. The curves were so tight that they would double back on themselves. A guard rail or fence was the only thing separating us from falling off the edge of the mountain. Our driver didn't mind driving down the middle of the road the whole way up and down the mountain- after all, we were the only people on the road for miles.
While we were driving through the city there was so much to look at. Shacks, people and stores. There were tents with boards advertising banks, casinos, or loto. There was one road we passed that was full of people and heaps of shoes and other merchandise to be sold. Another street was simply filled with trash.
Cats and dogs run around wild here. They're so skinny and mangy, yet I still find that I want to pick them up and love them.
Well, it's entirely different here. It's hot, beautiful, sad, and exciting. I can't wait to begin playing with the other Haitian musicians.
- teiga
Bonjour from Haiti! Everything is crazy at the moment, a group of around 50 or more students arrived a little while ago. They are the people that we are going to be playing music with for the next week. At the moment, we are kind of just lingering on the wall, sort of waiting for lunch, sort of taking it all in.
This morning, we went to a church service. It was probably the coolest thing I have ever attended. The Haitians are such beautiful singers. The sound comes from somewhere deep inside them and its beauty leaves you with goosebumps. Their entire service was conducted in Creole, but it made me happy to hear "Amazing Grace," albeit in Creole, but it was still nice to hear something familiar in all of our new and different surroundings.
The drive to Cange last night was very interesting. All of the drivers are very safe, but everything around us was in chaos. There are not set speed limits, yet people don't drive that fast, in town. People are constantly walking across the street, whether there is a car coming or not. The way people pass is by honking their honk repeatedly and then passing them. The oncoming cars are out of luck, and are usually forced to stop and wait for the car to pass.
During our drive, first to the Holy Trinity Church, the to Petion-Ville to pick up more people, and then Cange, the things I first noticed was the colors. Everything is so brightly colored, the stone buildings are painted bright yellows, deep reds, blues, greens, etc. It is absolutely gorgeous.
This morning when I woke up and walked to the balcony right near my room, the view took my breath away. We drove up in the dark, and I missed the view last night. All you can see are green, lush mountains and valleys and the big blue sky.
The last thing I want to touch upon are the people. The people here are the nicest people I have ever met. They are friendly, helpful, and when we tried to help them unload the bus full of our stuff last night, they thanked us profusely. They keep trying to teach me Creole, and I haven't succeeded yet; however, I hope to learn enough to get by for the rest of the week. Most of the staff here can speak some English, which is good, because my French is not enough here. I'm learning something every moment here.
I can't wait for the camp to officially begin tomorrow morning and I can't wait to play music with the Haitian people!
-Hanna
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