We started out on the hike about 11am with a group of about 12 of us with packs on our backs. I asked Lilly if she had sunscreen on and she quickly replied that she did. I asked the group as well as some team members compare US sun to Haiti sun and downplay the heat. I mentioned it was going to be somewhat intense but in no way was discouraging the group from going. Lilly started running up the path and we all said to ourselves that slow and steady was going to be a better strategy for our day's hike.
It was a two-hour incline of switchbacks and sunshine. By the time we were passed by the donkeys and arrived near the top, our water bottles were empty and our shoulders red. Haitians of all ages were hiking along with us except with every day clothes on and heavy items on top of their heads like straw mats or pots of water. I cannot imagine walking up that mountain on a regular basis in my skirt and flip flops with a bucket of water on my head. I think I'd rather live a thirsty life in a house of sticks at the bottom. We sat down up near the last switchback and opened our brown bag lunches on a ridge overlooking the mountains. It was beautiful and worth the weary calf muscles. The team members were great sports. And Lilly was a little champion. She started with the Casino cookies first and then dug in the backpack for more snacks. Giving up on a PB & J and the apple. Alex worked the crowd in his dress shoes and rolled up jeans with his shades and American flag bandana tied tight. He was under an avocado tree leading the mountain people in How Great Thou Art. He also bought a little girl's entire case of crackers and then passed them all out to the people we passed. We took a team picture and then started the descent.
We made it down in less time with our mouths salivating for a little water or a little more Coca-Cola. Lilly's shoulders looked red and although we had reapplied sunscreen a few times I realized she and I got a little too much Haitian sun. We got back to Hope Center on foot right about 4pm. It was a good 4-5 hours up in the mountains on our feet but what a great experience. I did ask Charles when we got back if he had sprayed sunscreen on Lilly and he answered no. He had sprayed bug spray. So she was a little mixed up and had a sunburn to show for it.
Our friends Luke and Julie Brauer, their three kids, Micah, Chloe and Jude as well as their co-workers and our friends Jeff and Becky Peters all showed up as planned for the night. Lilly and Chloe took turns doing each other's hair and the boys were playing with Mack. We were so glad to see our new friends! We spent the evening catching up over oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and starbucks coffee! It was great to visit and have friends in our home.
This morning started at 3:18 for Ava who couldn't sleep and at 5:30 when Luke took the Peters to the airport for their flight to the States. The rest of us loaded up in the truck headed for the Dominican Republic about 9a.m. Julie, Micah, Charles and me all sat in the back of the truck getting a head full of dust and feeling each rock we went over. Conversation was challenging with the uneven terrain and noise on the roads. The borders were less eventful this time. It seemed a little too easy. Volcy, the Brauer's right hand man, had a contact who made the crossing go smoothly. Only the strangest thing is that this time we did not stamp out of Haiti or back in. We just have the stamps in and out of the DR. I'm hoping that didn't defeat the purpose of the trip. Our crew got across and we stopped at Hotel Jimani where we ate lunch last time and wanted to swim except that this time the restaurant was not open and the pool was empty. We switched venues and landed at a little Hotel Taini Frontera where we enjoy goat, shrimp, pork, chicken and of course, rice and beans. We finished the meal off with a little cafesito. The kids were entertained and the adults were satisfied with a slow Dominican lunch. We stopped at a panederia on our way out and used the rest of our pesos for pastries. The kids were loaded with sugar and then back in the truck. It was a good trip in this time. No scandals or drama. The ride back was much the same way. We were told Thursdays are market days so we had to get back by a certain time to get across the border. We made it back to Hope Center around 5:30 this afternoon with a stamp out and back in and full tummies.
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