Saturday, July 20, 2013
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
The Things I've Seen...And Wish I Could Do...
NOTE: THE POEM PORTION OF THIS POST WILL COME LATER, IT IS CURRENTLY LOCKED IN LIZ'S ROOM.
A Note From the Author:
A Note From the Author:
The poverty here is so different from any other type of poverty I have seen. It is unlike homelessness in cities, it is unlike what I saw in South Africa, and it is unlike what I saw in Port-au-Prince. Here in Cange it is very bizarre, and I think it has to do with the presence of the hospital. Since we are in such a rural place, there is not the same kind of wall to wall living, and it seems most people have a house, no matter how small, and what it is made of. The population density is way lower here to, so the presence of poverty is not as obvious, but that is why it i so interesting. With the hospital's campus being a central point of the village, and a hub for foreign visitors, it is also a place where the poverty of the area shows through. Every night there are some amount of people that make their way onto the campus, as it is open to the public at all hours in case of medical need. These people will place themselves strategically so visitors will either have to walk by them, or in some cases talk to them to get by. Now I must be careful in how I explain this. These people are by no means wrong in what they are doing and I hold nothing against them for it, but it is hard, emotionally, to pass by so many people, and even turn away others, when your surroundings don't look like the place where poverty would be an issue. Each night marks a hard fall back to reality as I walk back to my room, or walk to see some cool night critter, namely this on tarantula we have befriended. This new emotional stress, coupled with what I saw in South Africa, and in see in our own country, and what I have read, and heard from around the world inspired this cry for help, for a solution to a pandemic that doesn't seem to be getting cured, and the turmoil that we cannot even understand, and yet I feel I came as close as possible for someone lucky enough to have a life like I do.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Jazz in Haiti
Hello everyone, it's Hannah here! It's been a long time since I've posted but I've just been so busy trying to improve my Creole and teach sectionals to the little kids and play in rehearsals that it's been a bit crazy. I just wanted to let you guys know that here in Haiti, everyone loves jazz. I didn't notice it as much last year, but this year EVERYONE has been asking me if I play jazz and then they try to get to me to solo and play with them. Teiga talked about yesterday's jammin' out, but I wanted to talk about the jazz class that Greg (one of the American teachers here) has started because so many people have been asking about jazz. It's at 7 every night, the same time as the older Orchestra rehearsal, and last night Beth and I were coerced into going to to jazz lesson. It's entirely by ear, Greg doesn't have any music so he plays it to them and then they play it back until it's right. I admire him for being so willing to teach without anything to teach with. All of the teachers here are like that, and as I said, I can't say enough how much I admire their persistence, patience, and professionalism. But, back to jazz!
Today I was asked to play in the jazz group that one of the more experienced trumpet players in the band is conducting. We are going to play it for Saturday's recital.. yeah, that's tomorrow, but it should be a lot of fun! Davide, the conductor, is really great and the music is fun to play, especially with the band we have. My fellow saxophone players are really the sweetest people. They always save me a chair and a stand, and in return I play them parts of songs that they don't know so that they know how to play them correctly. It's a poor trade, but it's something at least.
I just wish I could do so much more for people here than I do know. There is so much need here, and all of the students just want to learn how to play better, and I feel like I can't help everyone. It's overwhelming until I look at the big picture: we're all doing what we can. Even if it's one lesson, it's still better than no lesson. Here in Haiti, there seems to be an unspoken rule: even if you have almost nothing to give, give a little bit. I'm learning every single day that every bit counts, no matter how small it is. Everything counts. When we feel like we aren't doing enough, take a step back and see what you have accomplished, and forget that you haven't done everything you want to. You can only do so much in a day. At the end of the day, look at how many smiles you received, how many people you made laugh or how many people made you laugh, and how silly your Cringlish sounded, and be happy about the memories you made.
-Hannah
Today I was asked to play in the jazz group that one of the more experienced trumpet players in the band is conducting. We are going to play it for Saturday's recital.. yeah, that's tomorrow, but it should be a lot of fun! Davide, the conductor, is really great and the music is fun to play, especially with the band we have. My fellow saxophone players are really the sweetest people. They always save me a chair and a stand, and in return I play them parts of songs that they don't know so that they know how to play them correctly. It's a poor trade, but it's something at least.
I just wish I could do so much more for people here than I do know. There is so much need here, and all of the students just want to learn how to play better, and I feel like I can't help everyone. It's overwhelming until I look at the big picture: we're all doing what we can. Even if it's one lesson, it's still better than no lesson. Here in Haiti, there seems to be an unspoken rule: even if you have almost nothing to give, give a little bit. I'm learning every single day that every bit counts, no matter how small it is. Everything counts. When we feel like we aren't doing enough, take a step back and see what you have accomplished, and forget that you haven't done everything you want to. You can only do so much in a day. At the end of the day, look at how many smiles you received, how many people you made laugh or how many people made you laugh, and how silly your Cringlish sounded, and be happy about the memories you made.
-Hannah
Jaja here.
It's Friday and I can see how tired (and happy) all our kids are. They've all been stretched intellectually and emotionally this week. Each one of them is working incredibly hard, teaching sectionals and private lessons during their down time. They are all learning Creole at light speed and have definitely forged lasting friendships with their Haitian counterparts. The Haitian campers look up to them tremendously and most of them think our kids are college students. Even though our kids are tired they are handling themselves like professionals and if any of you could see them in action you would be brimming with pride.
Resourcefulness is the name of the game around here. Being inventive and creative help in all situations. Our kids have been using every ounce of their creativity to keep students interested in the music, get them to lessons on time, teach them new repertoire and have fun with them. I love watching our students spending time hanging out and laughing with the other campers. The fun part is when the Haitians teach our kids how to speak Creole. This is actually a popular pass time and leads to big smiles all around. Mostly, our kids are hanging out with the older campers who speak a little english and are closer to their ages socially - even though they are older.
We are all preparing for our big concert on Sunday. I can't wait to hear all the other groups. We tend to get stuck in our own little universes, working with our own kids and fitting in lessons, so it will be nice to see what everyone else has been doing.
That's it for now!
It's Friday and I can see how tired (and happy) all our kids are. They've all been stretched intellectually and emotionally this week. Each one of them is working incredibly hard, teaching sectionals and private lessons during their down time. They are all learning Creole at light speed and have definitely forged lasting friendships with their Haitian counterparts. The Haitian campers look up to them tremendously and most of them think our kids are college students. Even though our kids are tired they are handling themselves like professionals and if any of you could see them in action you would be brimming with pride.
Resourcefulness is the name of the game around here. Being inventive and creative help in all situations. Our kids have been using every ounce of their creativity to keep students interested in the music, get them to lessons on time, teach them new repertoire and have fun with them. I love watching our students spending time hanging out and laughing with the other campers. The fun part is when the Haitians teach our kids how to speak Creole. This is actually a popular pass time and leads to big smiles all around. Mostly, our kids are hanging out with the older campers who speak a little english and are closer to their ages socially - even though they are older.
We are all preparing for our big concert on Sunday. I can't wait to hear all the other groups. We tend to get stuck in our own little universes, working with our own kids and fitting in lessons, so it will be nice to see what everyone else has been doing.
That's it for now!
Two Down, One to Go
Thomas again...
I seem to be posting a lot today, but I just needed to share another story. So first of all there are three general categories of instruments: woodwinds, brass, and strings. With this being said most readers would know that I recently fixed a clarinet. and now I have checked off one more category. Let me rewind. At 10:30 this morning we had a sectionals for the beginner band. I lead the trombone, tuba, and baritone sectional, along with a Haitian man who speaks very little english, so this has forced me to learn Creole fast. About 20 minutes in the tuba player raises his hand and fires off some very fast Creole at my teaching partner. We both go over and my coworker asks him what is wrong and the student shows him that the third valve on his tuba is not working. The first response is to open the valve and add some oil. Doesn't put a dent in the issue. So the next conclusion is that there is something wrong, physically with the valve or the casing. Leonard, the instructor, tries to pull the valve out all the way and it gets hopelessly stuck about halfway out. After much grunting, and plenty of sweating in the hot morning sun we get the valve out and start looking the instrument over. It was at this point that the student points to a slight line in the side of the valve (see picture). Hoping for the best, but knowing the worst, and rub my finger along the inside of the valve casing and can feel a slight bump. The cylinders that valves on a brass instrument move in are machined so there is a minuscule space between the case and the valve itself, the slightest dent can cause massive problems. The normal solution to this problem is to rebore the casing, as in put a specially designed drill/grinding wheel thing through it that is precise enough to allow the piston to move again. We obviously did not have one of these in our checked baggage, so we had to do what Haiti does best: improvise. I talked with Liz and Kara, the trumpet player/brass expert here, and asked them what they thought we should do, the concert is in two days by the way, and there are no instrument repair services that anyone knows of in the country. Kara had a small tool kit with a screwdriver, bits, allen wrenches, a razor, a set of computer screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, and a mouthpiece bore reshaper (see picture). Essentially nothing that would normally be used to rebore a valve. After staring at the kit for a while I inserted the largest allen wrench into the screwdriver and inserted it into the valve, after taking out all the innards, such that the end of the short side was on the bump and the long arm came out the top of the valve. I then applied pressure to the screwdriver handle and the lever I had made did the trick. The tuba now not only works, but it has very good action (the term for the movement of valves).
The horn in question...
My tools...not much...
The dreadful ding...
I seem to be posting a lot today, but I just needed to share another story. So first of all there are three general categories of instruments: woodwinds, brass, and strings. With this being said most readers would know that I recently fixed a clarinet. and now I have checked off one more category. Let me rewind. At 10:30 this morning we had a sectionals for the beginner band. I lead the trombone, tuba, and baritone sectional, along with a Haitian man who speaks very little english, so this has forced me to learn Creole fast. About 20 minutes in the tuba player raises his hand and fires off some very fast Creole at my teaching partner. We both go over and my coworker asks him what is wrong and the student shows him that the third valve on his tuba is not working. The first response is to open the valve and add some oil. Doesn't put a dent in the issue. So the next conclusion is that there is something wrong, physically with the valve or the casing. Leonard, the instructor, tries to pull the valve out all the way and it gets hopelessly stuck about halfway out. After much grunting, and plenty of sweating in the hot morning sun we get the valve out and start looking the instrument over. It was at this point that the student points to a slight line in the side of the valve (see picture). Hoping for the best, but knowing the worst, and rub my finger along the inside of the valve casing and can feel a slight bump. The cylinders that valves on a brass instrument move in are machined so there is a minuscule space between the case and the valve itself, the slightest dent can cause massive problems. The normal solution to this problem is to rebore the casing, as in put a specially designed drill/grinding wheel thing through it that is precise enough to allow the piston to move again. We obviously did not have one of these in our checked baggage, so we had to do what Haiti does best: improvise. I talked with Liz and Kara, the trumpet player/brass expert here, and asked them what they thought we should do, the concert is in two days by the way, and there are no instrument repair services that anyone knows of in the country. Kara had a small tool kit with a screwdriver, bits, allen wrenches, a razor, a set of computer screwdrivers, needle nose pliers, and a mouthpiece bore reshaper (see picture). Essentially nothing that would normally be used to rebore a valve. After staring at the kit for a while I inserted the largest allen wrench into the screwdriver and inserted it into the valve, after taking out all the innards, such that the end of the short side was on the bump and the long arm came out the top of the valve. I then applied pressure to the screwdriver handle and the lever I had made did the trick. The tuba now not only works, but it has very good action (the term for the movement of valves).
007...Liscence to Fix
A Note from Thomas...
From the moment we got here there was one clarinet player who had a key that was sticking, this is usually because the pad on the underside, that seals one of the wholes on the body of the instrument, is no longer sealing quite right, and can easily be fixed with a dollar bill. However, this particular case was very different. The pads on this clarinet had either fallen off, worn out, been pulled off, or some combination there of. What this means is that we needed whole new pads, a tall order sometimes at home, so essentially impossible here. That meant we needed to either a new instrument, which wasn't going to happen, or some way to replace the pads. Now I enter the tale. I had previously offered to Liz to look at the same instrument to try to get a key moving that was stuck due to corrosion, well within my skill set as a brass player, and a general tinkerer. Using valve oil and and moving the stuck key a lot we managed to get it working, but then Liz approached me with the issue of the missing pads. I told her I'd try to think of something, which was all well and good, but I needed it them (there were two) done in close to 3 hours. I jumped two it. Using manuscript paper (the fancy name for staff paper) and water I laminated pieces together creating a close to solid sheet that was about and eighth of an inch thick. I then pressed this with a dry erase sheet a book then my instrument case to really seal it all together. Finally, after cutting the paper to the right size, I took medical tape and attached the pads to the bottom of the keys. I sign of a good seal is a complete ring around the underside of the pad where the rim of the hole has imprinted the pad. Both the pads I made had this which was a good sign. Liz played the clarinet and hit all the notes that needed the two keys, and on top of that, one of the gents from Spain is a professional clarinetist and we gave me the thumps up of approval too. The first set I made was temporary and I will be making a second set today and attaching them with super glue so there is not medical tape wrapped around the top of the key.
My materials...
I first soaked the paper then scored the sides...
I folded the paper, adding more water and smoothing is constantly, pressing the layers together...
One piece ready to be pressed, then cut...
From the moment we got here there was one clarinet player who had a key that was sticking, this is usually because the pad on the underside, that seals one of the wholes on the body of the instrument, is no longer sealing quite right, and can easily be fixed with a dollar bill. However, this particular case was very different. The pads on this clarinet had either fallen off, worn out, been pulled off, or some combination there of. What this means is that we needed whole new pads, a tall order sometimes at home, so essentially impossible here. That meant we needed to either a new instrument, which wasn't going to happen, or some way to replace the pads. Now I enter the tale. I had previously offered to Liz to look at the same instrument to try to get a key moving that was stuck due to corrosion, well within my skill set as a brass player, and a general tinkerer. Using valve oil and and moving the stuck key a lot we managed to get it working, but then Liz approached me with the issue of the missing pads. I told her I'd try to think of something, which was all well and good, but I needed it them (there were two) done in close to 3 hours. I jumped two it. Using manuscript paper (the fancy name for staff paper) and water I laminated pieces together creating a close to solid sheet that was about and eighth of an inch thick. I then pressed this with a dry erase sheet a book then my instrument case to really seal it all together. Finally, after cutting the paper to the right size, I took medical tape and attached the pads to the bottom of the keys. I sign of a good seal is a complete ring around the underside of the pad where the rim of the hole has imprinted the pad. Both the pads I made had this which was a good sign. Liz played the clarinet and hit all the notes that needed the two keys, and on top of that, one of the gents from Spain is a professional clarinetist and we gave me the thumps up of approval too. The first set I made was temporary and I will be making a second set today and attaching them with super glue so there is not medical tape wrapped around the top of the key.
Update: I added some pictures of the process. I made more because the ones I put on yesterday were held on with medical tape, so they look really bad.
Both finished blanks about to be pressed under the dry erase staff paper...
I have fixed more broken instruments this week than I did this past school year! Most of the repairs involve bending and re-aligning keys and pads. Today, I came across a clarinet missing the exposed parts of two pads. I knew we could use paper and glue for a better-than-nothing fix. I asked Thomas for his ideas and he decided to take my thick manuscript paper, fold it, soak it, dry it, cut-it-to-fit and "medical-tape" it into the keys. So far? It appears to be sealing and the horn is playable! I was proud of Thomas and was thrilled this student, who wants to play clarinet SO badly, has something (for now) he can learn on. It was great!
Liz
Liz
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Jammin' in Haiti!
Hey it's Teiga! This morning we had sectionals with the younger students, which went quite well! But that's not what I'm here to write about; after sectionals and before lunch Hannah and I were planning on playing a few duets under The Dark Knight Rises billboard tarp where our band rehearsals are. As we were taking out our instruments one of our friends, Miché, called us over to a circle where he and a few others were jamming. Miché was playing an amazing solo, then passed it off to Davide, another trumpet player. Hannah and I figured out the riff as the solo was passed around the circle. Miché was pointing at kids who wanted to solo, and soon he pointed to Hannah! She played a fantastic solo to the delight of our group. We played two other riffs, another jazz and the last one latin. It was loads of fun to be part of the group and be able to experience their version of improvising without music or anyone to lead! It was like playing in a real jazz group without anyone being in charge of solos. I'm so happy we were included because it was simply so. much. fun. Hopefully we'll get to play with them again later in the week!
Teiga
Teiga
Electricity
It's Jaja.
Our MMO students are amazing. They have absorbed themselves in the Haitian lifestyle quickly and move with the flow of all the students around them. We've been experiencing power outages and patchy internet access lately, so we haven't been able to blog as much as we had planned.
Elizabeth has quickly fit in. It's as if she was here last year too! All our MMO students are teaching lessons and sectionals and they've each forged special relationships with their students. It's a joy to watch them take the lead of the groups and come up with lessons. This is an amazing musical and cultural experience for them.
Last night during the recital the power went off. I was standing in the back and I heard a hurried Haitian voice say, "Eskize mwen". I moved over, didn't look back because I was watching the show. A second later, I saw Thomas running up the steps! His Creole has really improved. He came back with his head lamp.
Gotta go.
Our MMO students are amazing. They have absorbed themselves in the Haitian lifestyle quickly and move with the flow of all the students around them. We've been experiencing power outages and patchy internet access lately, so we haven't been able to blog as much as we had planned.
Elizabeth has quickly fit in. It's as if she was here last year too! All our MMO students are teaching lessons and sectionals and they've each forged special relationships with their students. It's a joy to watch them take the lead of the groups and come up with lessons. This is an amazing musical and cultural experience for them.
Last night during the recital the power went off. I was standing in the back and I heard a hurried Haitian voice say, "Eskize mwen". I moved over, didn't look back because I was watching the show. A second later, I saw Thomas running up the steps! His Creole has really improved. He came back with his head lamp.
Gotta go.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
It's Jaja. We've all
been having a great time, learning, teaching and absorbing the
culture. Our first day of camp went well. It's a joy to watch
our kids reconnect with their Haitian counterparts; there's the
initial, mutual recognition followed quickly by a loud salutation and
a big hug. The Haitian students are so happy to see our kids - the
girls are asking about Kevin! I'm amazed at how many names our kids
remember from last year. Their language skills are surprisingly good
- I guess it's all flooding back from last year. They keep pointing
out the things that are different from last year: the dogs look
better, there are fewer campers, chicken is served more (so far).
Tonight we had a porridge made from flour, milk, cinnamon and
licorice-something - I asked the cooks how they made it.
I'm
working with the strings, so I'm in a different area than Liz and the
MMO students. We meet up for lunch and dinner. My first "job"
was to lead a viola sectional. Luckily, there was an extra viola
around. It was great, the students are like little sponges, they are
so eager to learn. I enjoy learning their names which are so musical
when the children pronounce them. After lunch I lead the beginner
orchestra. Every ounce of French I know is helpful.
Time to sign off!
It's late
It's the next day now. This morning we worked out the string orchestras up in "String Land." I'm a short distance (and many steps) from the band. I'm directing the beginner orchestra, and have students who have never held an instrument and some that are fairly proficient. I love the girl who is learning bass. She's so enthusiastic to learn and has never played before. I'm teaching by rote since I have no music, but most of the players don't read anyway so it all works out.
I'm overwhelmed at how enthusiastic the kids are. They follow me around playing their violins and saying, "listen, listen. Is this right?" Even when I'm giving lessons or sectionals there are 4 little boys who hover around me - they're adorable.
Back to the kids!
Bonswa! Our third day in Haiti; the days are flying by, but each holds a multitude of new experiences and old memories. This morning we began playing in sectionals. Unlike last year, we are working with the younger campers right away. There are three beginner French horn players: Angelie, Alexander and Witchy Clawins. Angelie is the sweetest girl I know, and she is more than willing to accommodate my poor Creole. Alexander is a typical little boy; his attention span is not long but he is quick at learning new notes. Although he doesn't know how to read music well, he is beginning to grasp the concept as we work in more detail on the ensemble music. Witchy Clawins; I taught him as a beginner last year, but what a difference! Over the winter his tone, musicality and pitch awareness has heightened and he is becoming an accomplished player. During the winter Witchy and I communicated via Facebook chat to make sure that each of us were returning to camp the following summer. Our conversations usually went something like this: "Bonswa!" "Kouman ou ye?" "Au fom! Et ou?" "Bien!" "You will be at camp next summer?" "Yes of course! Will you?" "I think so, yes!"
Although we talked only a few times during the year I couldn't be happier to meet Witchy again. His progress is inspirational and it shows me how much can be accomplished in little time. Working with Angelie and Alexander is also a pleasure as they continue to advance during this short week we have left.
Na wè pita!
Teiga Martin
Although we talked only a few times during the year I couldn't be happier to meet Witchy again. His progress is inspirational and it shows me how much can be accomplished in little time. Working with Angelie and Alexander is also a pleasure as they continue to advance during this short week we have left.
Na wè pita!
Teiga Martin
Monday, July 15, 2013
Some Cool Technology Stuff...Hopefully
Thomas here...
Here is the link to our Mixlr page where any and all broadcasts will be listenable.
If you wish to hear some live rehearsals I advise just keeping the window open, as you never know when we might be broadcasting. Finally, if there is enough interest, it is possible we could work out a radio show-like event. Those interested could ask us questions in the chat box of Mixlr, of over email, and we could all sit around the computer, given we have free time and are not teaching or playing, answering the question and just talking. If anyone is worried this would be a great way to make sure your respective child is still alive, although last time I checked we are all still here. So basically, spread the word, and tune in. I'll be back with more specifics about when the other two recitals will be broadcasted. I was also asked, when I cleared this idea with the director of the camp, to, due to copyright and the like, to ask that the crowd be kept relatively small, so just immediate family, and a few friends of each family.
On a more personal note, I've got two more poems in the works, and will post them, hopefully with others, throughout the week.
Na wè pita
Thomas
Na wè pita
Thomas
This is Elizabeth.
So yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to start introducing myself to people as Beth rather than Elizabeth because I thought that it might be easier for them. The thing is, Haitians have a hard time making the "th" sound... That makes beth sound a whole lot like "Beff". For some reason the first time I introduced myself to one of the campers he and his friend just started laughing at me. I was really quite confused. When I finally got the explanation out of them I came to find out that "Bef" in creole means cow. Therefore they thought my name was cow... awkward.. Now he moos at me whenever he sees me.
Anyway, my first day at camp has been really wonderful! The food is delicious and the people are so nice. I met some people during the brass sectional this morning and one of the girls, Katie, asked me if I would help her with her music later. I said that of course I would so we planned to meet at one O'clock. In true Hatian style that one quickly became a one twenty. Also, two of her friends, also beginning trumpets, came and joined us. Although both of them were older than me they were totally excited to learn from me. After we played for a while we just all sat around and talked even though their english was poor and my Creole was poorer. Their names were Jacquet and Dieufort. As it happened, I ended up staying with them playing, teaching, and learning for well over an hour. It was a blast. Can't wait to spend another week here!
So yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to start introducing myself to people as Beth rather than Elizabeth because I thought that it might be easier for them. The thing is, Haitians have a hard time making the "th" sound... That makes beth sound a whole lot like "Beff". For some reason the first time I introduced myself to one of the campers he and his friend just started laughing at me. I was really quite confused. When I finally got the explanation out of them I came to find out that "Bef" in creole means cow. Therefore they thought my name was cow... awkward.. Now he moos at me whenever he sees me.
Anyway, my first day at camp has been really wonderful! The food is delicious and the people are so nice. I met some people during the brass sectional this morning and one of the girls, Katie, asked me if I would help her with her music later. I said that of course I would so we planned to meet at one O'clock. In true Hatian style that one quickly became a one twenty. Also, two of her friends, also beginning trumpets, came and joined us. Although both of them were older than me they were totally excited to learn from me. After we played for a while we just all sat around and talked even though their english was poor and my Creole was poorer. Their names were Jacquet and Dieufort. As it happened, I ended up staying with them playing, teaching, and learning for well over an hour. It was a blast. Can't wait to spend another week here!
Cecile
Bonswa! This is Beth. Although a bit over tired and sweaty it's great to be here! We've had a bit of an unconventional start to our trip (I know that's hard to believe in Haiti). It was smooth traveling all the way through the airport and into Port au Prince. Our friend Bernadette was kind enough to pick some of us up when she realized the car coming to get us was not going to be sufficient. Driving in Haiti takes a little getting used to to say the least... let's just say I don't think they have any seatbelt laws here. We arrived at the Saint Trinité Cathedral and stayed for a few hours (and got a little Créole lesson from a camper, Remy, the returning group recognized from last year) before Bernadette informed us that the bus which was coming to bring us to Cange had gotten a flat tire and that we were going to find another place to stay for the night.
In a village not so far from Port au Prince, Pétion-Ville, we arrived at Saint Jacques after dark. It took a little while for the people with the keys to get there, but we were inside soon enough. As we climbed up a staircase up to where our rooms faced an open-air porch I was a bit surprised to see a tiny kitten's head in the small beam my flashlight shone. It turned out to be not only a head, but an entire kitten! It was standing in a drainage gutter along which ran along the side of the porch and was peeking out through a small hole. I thought that we'd seen the last of it when we went to our room for the night but the next morning Thomas had a visiter in the morning.
Before we left all of us moved our backpacks outside our room. The kitten was very interested. I'm still not sure how she managed to not completely entangle herself in the dangling straps she was playing with. A little smaller than the kittens we're used to back home we instinctually wanted to give it something to eat even though we knew it was really a cultural faux pas. Matta went and got a piece of bread from an airport sandwich and we fed it bite by bite with supplementing water. It kept us company all through breakfast before we left.
A few minutes ago we learned from a woman, Ashley, who is doing missionary work here in Haiti that she'd been staying at Saint Jacques and that it was she and a friend who brought the kitten there in the first place. For all those interested, her name is Cecile. She is training to be a mouser for the church.
Beth
In a village not so far from Port au Prince, Pétion-Ville, we arrived at Saint Jacques after dark. It took a little while for the people with the keys to get there, but we were inside soon enough. As we climbed up a staircase up to where our rooms faced an open-air porch I was a bit surprised to see a tiny kitten's head in the small beam my flashlight shone. It turned out to be not only a head, but an entire kitten! It was standing in a drainage gutter along which ran along the side of the porch and was peeking out through a small hole. I thought that we'd seen the last of it when we went to our room for the night but the next morning Thomas had a visiter in the morning.
Before we left all of us moved our backpacks outside our room. The kitten was very interested. I'm still not sure how she managed to not completely entangle herself in the dangling straps she was playing with. A little smaller than the kittens we're used to back home we instinctually wanted to give it something to eat even though we knew it was really a cultural faux pas. Matta went and got a piece of bread from an airport sandwich and we fed it bite by bite with supplementing water. It kept us company all through breakfast before we left.
A few minutes ago we learned from a woman, Ashley, who is doing missionary work here in Haiti that she'd been staying at Saint Jacques and that it was she and a friend who brought the kitten there in the first place. For all those interested, her name is Cecile. She is training to be a mouser for the church.
Beth
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Why We Return
Hello, it's Hannah here, I just wanted to let you all know that we are doing great and this has been the longest day and a half I've experienced in awhile, but it all has been worth it and I've honestly loved every second of it! I just wanted to say something to the fact that 3 of us have returned, and though I can't speak for them, I want to speak for myself and sort of explain why. It took me til the bus ride up here from Petion-Ville to form the sentences as to WHY. I knew that I was meant to be here right as I stepped off the plane, but why?
The easy answer is because it's home. Honestly, the first sight of Haiti was just a relief. I can't explain why, but it was so nice to see all of our old friends from last year, and see the changes in Haiti in just a year-all of the changes are wonderful and astounding how much it's changed! There's tons of new parks in Port-au-Prince, the trash situation has drastically decreased (it's still there but has gone down) and there has been tons of new houses built and some of the people living in the slums has moved into these nice houses above and out of waterways and trash. It was also comforting to have the similar bus rides here. This afternoon, we had to back up to get into the gate here in Cange and for some reason we couldn't get the bus into gear so we would jerk backwards and then the driver would slam on the brakes, jerking us forward again, and this repeated several times. I feel like last year we would have all been screaming with the rest of the kids, but this year, I couldn't stop laughing. I knew the man had the bus situation under full control, and it was just funny to see the whole thing play out.
But the real reason as to why I came back is because Haiti has a way of burrowing it's way into your heart, through every smile, "bonswa," act of kindness, Creole lesson and so much more. You just need to fill your heart with Haiti or else you know for the rest of your life that you'll regret that you didn't come back just that one more time. The only problem though is that you can never have enough pieces to fill your heart, your heart is always growing because of how nice everyone is and how many wonderful experiences you have so you can't ever leave for too long. You just know you need to come home to Haiti again. It's the need to fill your heart with Haiti which is why we return. And, as you know, "Home is where the heart is." I'm pretty sure it's obvious: this is my new home.
The easy answer is because it's home. Honestly, the first sight of Haiti was just a relief. I can't explain why, but it was so nice to see all of our old friends from last year, and see the changes in Haiti in just a year-all of the changes are wonderful and astounding how much it's changed! There's tons of new parks in Port-au-Prince, the trash situation has drastically decreased (it's still there but has gone down) and there has been tons of new houses built and some of the people living in the slums has moved into these nice houses above and out of waterways and trash. It was also comforting to have the similar bus rides here. This afternoon, we had to back up to get into the gate here in Cange and for some reason we couldn't get the bus into gear so we would jerk backwards and then the driver would slam on the brakes, jerking us forward again, and this repeated several times. I feel like last year we would have all been screaming with the rest of the kids, but this year, I couldn't stop laughing. I knew the man had the bus situation under full control, and it was just funny to see the whole thing play out.
But the real reason as to why I came back is because Haiti has a way of burrowing it's way into your heart, through every smile, "bonswa," act of kindness, Creole lesson and so much more. You just need to fill your heart with Haiti or else you know for the rest of your life that you'll regret that you didn't come back just that one more time. The only problem though is that you can never have enough pieces to fill your heart, your heart is always growing because of how nice everyone is and how many wonderful experiences you have so you can't ever leave for too long. You just know you need to come home to Haiti again. It's the need to fill your heart with Haiti which is why we return. And, as you know, "Home is where the heart is." I'm pretty sure it's obvious: this is my new home.
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