From Idaho to Haiti

Yes, I’m married now.  I’ll post up photos and stuff about that later.  But first I wanted to share a bit about what I’ve been up to since the wedding.

As some of you know, Ruhi is a film maker.  She has been working since January on a documentary project for the Mona Foundation ( monafoundation.org), visiting some of the grassroots education initiatives they support in Cambodia, India, Tanzania, Brazil and Panama.  Haiti is the last leg of her journey so we were able to join in on this together, her filming and me in support taking photos and some behind-the-scenes videos.

So, the day after the wedding (which was on the 9th) we flew from Idaho Falls, Idaho to Seattle, Washington, my old stompings grounds.  We met up with Mahnaz Javid, the President of the Board for the Mona Foundation (and an old friend from back when I was a youth), who had just flowin in from Europe at the same time.  We would be staying at her home in Bellevue, but first I had a little training to do.

Li Tian Yuan

As Ruhi and Mahnaz went to Bellevue to settle in, I took a bus up to the International District to take part in an open workout at Li Tian Yuan’s wushu school, Northwest Wushu.  I hadn’t trained in 2 and a half weeks, so it was good that it was an open workout.  I got to train a bit without killing myself, which is just what I needed.

For those of you saying “You went to wushu class the day after you got married???” I should mention that Ruhi suggested that I go as she is very supportive of my interest in wushu.  In fact, I guess that is one of the things she likes about me (and no, that is not the only thing — don’t be cheeky).  So, I went with her full support and encouragement to get some training in.

But it worked out well, as it turned out my sister was in Seattle too (she was also at the wedding in Idaho the day before) and she came down to pick me up.  We drove to Bellevue and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Belleue Square and then she dropped me off at Mahnaz’s building.  Unfortunately I left my cell phone in her car, but fortunately I don’t really need it in Haiti.

The next day Ruhi and I ran a couple errands and had a couple meetings with Mahnaz regarding the Mona Foundation.  They are also one of my clients so I discussed web stuff with them as well.  For our errands we ran to Bellevue Square to pick up a few last minute things we would need for our trip.  I also dropped by the Exofficio store where I got a pair of travel slacks and t-shirts.  Honestly some of the best things I’ve ever bought.  They might be my favorite brand in the world.

Breakfast with Mahnaz

Ruhi in Bellevue

After dinner we caught a cab to the airport and then checked in for our flights.  As we are on Delta Buddy Passes it can be hit or miss when you fly stand-by.  But we managed to luck-out and our red-eye to JFK and our continuation to Port-Au-Prince were both in Business Class.  Very nice indeed!

On the flight I snapped a few pictures of a few islands in the Carribean.  Coincidentally, just one year earlier I was living in the Carribean Coast apartment complex in Tung Chung, Hong Kong, but I think that the coasts of these Carribean islands are a bit nicer looking.

(Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

One Big Happy Planet (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

(Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Beautiful clouds and islands (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Take a right when you get to Cuba … (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

When we landed we went through customs.  The airport reminded me of the one in Wenzhou, with just the one building and a few stair cars to help people leave their planes.  Immigration and customs were quick and easy and before we knew it we were outside in the heat waiting for our ride and talking with a few of the guys who try to give people rides outside the airport (again, sort of like China). I got to start practicing my budding Haitian Creole language skills as well, which was fun.  Yay for Pimsleur.

Our ride arrived, a nice man and his son, Badi, as well as another young man from Belgium named Christof.  They drove us to the Baha’i Center in Port-Au-Prince where we were lucky enough to meet with the National Spiritual Assembly.  For those of you who are not Baha’i’s it is a pretty big honor to get to meet face-to-face with the NSA of a country.  Sort of like meeting with an Arch Bishop for Catholics, I guess.  Or maybe with a high ranking Lama for Buddhists.  Not an exact comparison, but it is still pretty neat.

Riding in the truck from the airport (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Streets of Port-Au-Prince (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Meeting with the Haitian NSA (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

After the meeting we were driven to the home of one of the NSA members, Linda, with whom we would stay with for the next few days.  We settled in to the home, had a late lunch of delicious food cooked by Lily (extended family meets house-keeper, I guess) and after that I did some work on the laptop.

Our airport sign (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Fried Plantains (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Delicious beans and carrots (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Ruhi and Christophe (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Dinner Table (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Biggest Advocados Ever (Day 1: Sat, 9/12)

Then a tropical storm came by and really got things moving.  Again, this reminded me of China, especially Hong Kong, where it is also Taiphoon seaon there.   Just glad we landed and got settled before the rain, lightning and thunder started.

With the red-eye flight we had only about 3 hours of sleep the night before so we hit the sack pretty hard around 7 PM or so, not waking up until 7 AM in the morning.

And so here we are, Sunday morning in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.  A tropical paradise that has seen its share of political upheavals, coups and a depressed economy.  But it doesn’t seem to affect the people on a daily basis too much, as there are lots of smiles and joy to be seen as you drive down the street.  I’m looking forward to seeing a bit more of this country as we continue our work for the Mona Foundation.

Badi at Breakfast (Day 2: Sun 9/13)

Ruhi checking e-mail (Day 2: Sun, 9/13)

(Day 2: Sun, 9/13)

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