20 May, Day of the Oreos

20 May

Sarah and I start the day by having a c afe on the street. I love the dark, hot and sweet mixture handed to us in tin cups. We stroll up to the market and pick our way through the labyrinth of sellers, wondering how it all works. There are so many vendors all selling the same products. But it seems to work, they continue to return day after day to set up some very elaborate displays and then hawk their wares all day.

We meet Manno at 11 to go to the orphanage run by some Americans. He has a friend who works there, and he thinks that between his connection and me being an American will be enough to get us in. We hop onto tap taps, the name for the motorbike taxis, and off we go. Sarah is like an oreo, sandwiched between the driver and Manno. I ride on another bike, open faced.

This was our first ride on tap taps this time, and I love the feeling of the warm air rushing past as we weave our way through the traffic. We arrive around 11:30. We go to the gate and are met Manno’s friend, Francine. She introduces us to Michelle, the American woman inside. I give her an abbreviated description of what I would like to do, and she agrees to let me perform, but only for about 20 minutes, she has to eat lunch and have a meeting with the mayor.

She calls the children together and I perform inside a large room with teeny benches for the teeny children. Most are 6 or under. They warm up very fast and their laughter fills the spa ce. I had to shorten my show to keep the time limit. Sarah later told me that soon after I started, Michelle was on her phone calling the other American staff, saying “Get over here, this guy is really good” When my time was up, she gave me a little nod to keep going.

After the show as we were leaving Sarah took my oreo picture, me between Manno and Francine.

Sarah and I take a taptap back by ourselves, whizzing through the busy Jacmel midday traffic.

The schedule for the other group was to come back to the hotel and then go to a couple of tent cities. I was so very excited to go along with them and perform. Turned out that they were delayed by a flat tire, and then by the time they had returned, I had given up and decided to go out on the street. We headed up toward the hospital and I was recognized by a couple of young boys who beckoned me over to them and that was all I needed. Another great time was had by close to 100 people by the end. A man asks Sarah what I was going to give the children. Candy, a toy, a gift? He was surprised that laughter was all they would get.

When we got back to the hotel, the group was there and told of their adventures, they spoke of feeling uncomfortable in the tent cities. I wish I had been there, it would have certainly been a different experience.

We join them to go back to the church for a service and dinner. As we arrive singing fills the air, they sing with such passion and enthusiasm. At the end the group hands out little LED flashlights to the children, it’s like fireflies as they run around with their new toys. The batteries run out quickly for some.
A short lived treat. I'd like to think that my treat lasts a little longer. We have a delicious meal and by the end everyone is exhausted from another full day.