Day 2

Oh what a night!!!  after I left you last, I hopped in a cold shower to get some of the traveling "yuck" off of me.  Not too bad.  It got dark around 6:30 so bed ended up being about 9 last night.   So let me explain the sleeping last night.  Me, susan, and 2 other women that were in the guest house with us were in one bedroom (I was on the top bunk).  The other two rooms conisisted of the men.  Yup, it was tight quarters, but we made it work.  We had a generator at the house so the fans were going strong...lights were out and I knew rigth then and there it was going to be a long night!!!  At the guest house we were about a spit throw from the busy "artery" and apparently everyone loves to honk their horn and just drive wherever they want, because that is all we heard.    I must have dozed off because at around 2am, I started to get really hot and sweaty....yup the generator shut down....perfect!!  I cooled down slightly because againg I dozed off and then at 3:30am the ROOSTER woke me up and continued to wake us all up until it was time to get up for good.  And to think, I was worried about an alarm clock!!
Breakfast consisted of fresh mangos, oatmeal, watermelon and toast.  Then it was time to take a look at the boat that was going to take us from the guest house to La Gonave.  I walked with Jim White around the corner and apparently my face was something undescribable....because the words that I said,  "Shut the front door, I am not getting in that!!"  I cant even explain the vessal that we were about to get on, but I will try.  It was an OLD 25 foot WOODEN sail boat that was at least 25 years old with 2 small motors in back.  The "crew" (of 2) began to put all of our baggage, 100 water filters, the aggregate for the water filters, the sand for the water filters and 2 barrels of gasoline, oh yeah and I think they had enough life jackets but they were all tied together so even if we needed them, I dont think they would hold me up.  I turned to Steve, who knows I am a little apprehensive, and all I could do was just look at him.  He reassured me that it was safe and that this is the way that we needed to go.  So....we piles on to this boat and headed across the ocean 13 miles to La Gonave.  It took us 2HOURS!!!!  we were literally sitting on the front of the boat.  I continued to get splashed by some of the waves.  I was laying against the lifejackets that sat upon the barrel of the gasoline.  very comforting....  but as I looked around, I couldnt help but think that this is so surreal.  We were surrounded by mountains and beauty and believe it or not we were safe.  This was going to be my world for 7 days.  As I looked to the back of the boat, I saw Steve videotaping a message about the history of La Gonave (hopefully he puts it on You Tube at some point) and I saw Freddy (who is a missionairy from Alabama and Steve's right hand man) bailing water out of the boat (apparently we were getting too much in) again very comforting!!
We arrived on the island and was greeted by a great group of young and old men that have earned the trust from Steve and Starfysh.  Of course, the young 14 year old boy took to me right away, smiling and exchanging high 5's.  His name is Tiga - and yes I got a picture taken with him.  As soon as someone had taken the picture he immediately wanted to see what he looked like....I would soon come to discover that they all love to see what they look like and they love the camera.  So we all piled into a pick up truck - yes we were in the bed of the truck and we headed to Starfysh's compound.  Along the way, it wasnt as crowded as port-a-prince nor was it as scary.  There was a playfulness about the people.  Freddy is very fluent in French (the spoken language here) and when people would yell we asked him what they were saying "Whites Whites" they would shout.  Motorcycles everywhere but not many, if at all, cars.  There are actually some street signs. 
We arrived at the Starfysh place and was again pleasantly surprised!  Tile floors, gated, guarded and locked property but still very nice.  Fans all over the place so it was nice and cool - 90plus degrees outside so however cool you can get that is what we were.  We sat down for lunch (sandwiches and pringles) and talked about the schedule for the upcoming week.  We also talked about the currency used here - it is called Gourds.  About 8 to 1 exchange rate.  Tomorrow we will get up and go to church but today we felt like we needed a refresher in how to install the filters.   The local church will house all of the filters and it has been left up to the pastor on who will receive the filters in their house.    Each family has received a card and when we go, they will have to present that card and give it to us in order for us to install the filter.   Steve and Freddy and Jeantini suggested that we go to the church, take a look at one and possible install one in a home today.    4 wheelers are the way to travel with Starfysh, so Susan jumped on the back of Jeantini's motorcycle, Jim White and I got on the 4 wheeler that Jim Lang was driving and a couple other people got on the other 4 wheeler.  The others had to wait until the 4 wheeler came back - obvioulsy we could only transport a few at a time and there are 11 of us.  Jeantini is a local guy and a wonderful addition to Starfysh.  He has been trained in the installation of the filters and will assist the families after we are gone, to ensure that things are being properly cleaned and maintained. 
Jim Lang drops us off at the church to the pastor and we walk into the church where the filters are.  Another truck comes up because with the rest of the equipment and who walks out of the truck, now my buddy Tiga!!  Immediately we exchange smiles and high 5's.  The guys hang out with us and we muddle through some french and discover that Jeantini has 7 kids - 4 boys and 3 girls and that his son is among us.  He was a great kid.  We took lots of pictures - I convinced Tiga to smile real big and Jim showed him how to do a high 5, elbow bump and we have a video of it.  Tiga grabbed my camera and took a couple pictures - in his own way he asked me for money for the pictures (nice try junior)  we were told not to give money otherwise they would expect it all the time. 
Now it was time to get into the homes and install a water filter.  We walked through the "street" and into the home.  I am telling you right now - I cant explain how small this place was.  7 members of the family stayed in this home.  There were 2 younger children that were absolutely adorable.  when we walked in Steve had shown us this younger boy - my assumption was that he was about 3 and showed us his belly.  He said that his belly sticking out means that he is malnourished and that his sister was too.  He could tell that she was because the ends of her hair had an orange tint to it.  They didnt have enough protein in their system.  We walked in the house and I continued to take pictures of the kids - they loved it!!!!  I kept showing them the pictures and they just laughed!!    The water installation was successful and they now have clean water in their house.  We had them gather around the filter and you could tell they were very proud. 
After another 4 wheelers ride - it was time for dinner.  Another group went out with a man named Dada (pronounced Day day).  I and a couple others had already taken showers and didnt want to get dusty again.  But Dada owns his own bakery on the island. He actually is a man who seems to know everyone on the island and every knows him.  He wants more for his family.  He has been working with Steve and assisting him on various things throughout the years that Starfysh has now re-invested in Dada.  He bakes breads and employs about 20-25 people, distibuting the bread around the area. 

Tomorrow church - another great experience awaits us!!