Visiting a third world country such as Haiti, will not only open our eyes to the difference between cultures, but may teach us something as well. Before my team boarded the plane that would take us to Haiti, we walked outside onto the main landing strip and saw the aircraft that awaited us - a small, fourteen passenger hopper plane. I had a lump in my throat as the fear and apprehension swept over .
Looking out the small cabin window, I noticed that there were no other planes on the runway. It was just us - leaving America and on our way to a country that we knew very little about. .
Exiting the plane, we grabbed our bags and headed toward a warehouse style building. Once we were inside, intense disorientation came over me. There we so many people crowded into a small area; workers, police officers and others awaiting for the arrival of a friend, relative or business associate. .
After our bag, ticket, and flight info was all reviewed we were escorted through the building to another entryway that was on the opposite side of where we entered. Rather than an air conditioned walkway, there was a dirt path lined by a chain-link fence leading us to the dirt road where our transportation was parked. Locals not only surrounded the fence peering through the links, but also 2-3 people thick around each vehicle we were loading. In addition to several men offering to carry our luggage in exchange for money, children were sent by their older siblings or parents, to ask for money as well in the minimal and broken English that they knew. .
Crammed like sardines into the Jeep's and small dust filled and covered SUV's provided, we were on our way to the girls orphanage located in Ferrier. The drive alone was an experience with 80 mph speeds on narrow, winding, and pot hole covered dirt roads. When you look through the windshield and see oncoming traffic driving the same way, the thought of playing a game of "chicken crosses your mind.
