We go up to Morne Oge for breakfast and then head out with two taptaps packed to the gills with people to go to Raymond Beach. It was a great ride through town and out into the country. I could ride around like this all day, especially if I could stop when I wanted to! I see lots of opportunities to perform, interesting activities and beautiful photos all missed due to the never ending rush to get there. Once again I am reminded how so many are focusing on the destination, not the journey!!
When we arrive at the beach, there are a few young boys around hawking shells that they have found on the beach. I make some jumping spiders for them with some packing straps that I found outside the kitchen. I also do a couple of rubber band tricks. I am so surprised that I see so many Haitian children with several rubber bands on their arms, not the silly shapes so popular in the States, but just plain rubber bands. I am reminded of all the ones I gave out in March and May.
As always, we are surrounded by vendors soon, the ground is covered with paintings pinned down with stones, two tables full of jewelry made of shells, wood, horn and plastic are carried and set right next to our table.
I go for a swim before lunch, the water is so warm, it feels so good to float in the bobbing waves and feel the sun beating down. When I get out of the water, I see the opportunity to do a little playing, so I grab my diabolo and head down the beach a bit to an open area. I soon am surrounded by about 30 people, mostly young boys and young men. They were very responsive and playful. Thankfully Kelsey had seen me and grabbed the video camera to capture some of it. One fellow who turned out to be one of the jewelry hawkers wanted to try his hand. He caught on rather quickly and for the next two hours, I would see him here and there up and down the beach showing off his newly acquired skill. I would check in every once in a while, give him some coaching tips, taking him to the next level. It was very satisfying to see him progress so quickly. At the end when I was leaving, it was difficult to ask for it back, but I am quite attached to some of my props and couldn't let it go. I also have more work to do before I leave! I talked to him about making one, and he was already thinking about how to do it. He said the next time I came he would have one that he would turn out of wood!!! That would be so cool . It could be the beginning of a diabolo revolution in Haiti!!
I had arranged to go to Caleb's feeding program on the way back with a little difficulty. It seems that there is some friction between the LaFleur camp and Caleb. Not really sure what it is all about, but I do not want to get in the middle of it. I merely want to perform for his children again. They do agree to drop us off. When we arrive, it seems sort of familiar, but I am disoriented. His tarp is in a different spot and there are tents set up in what before was an open area. The children had been sitting and waiting for us to arrive, so sweet. They break into song as we are given chairs to sit in next to them. There are about 80 in all, from 4 to 16. They are crammed onto the benches, eagerly awaiting. We all introduce ourselves, and I go last. And off I go. They were so happy to see me again. An old woman brought her own chair and sat right behind me, totally into the event. Caleb was wonderful in encouraging them to applaud.
We then help serve out the food. The littlest ones sat on the floor on the porch of the house, and we set the piping hot plates of wheat and beans on the floor between their legs. Then we formed a line and passed out the plates to all the older ones waiting patiently on the benches. No one ate until everyone was served. Caleb offered us some but we had just finished our lunch, so declined. He served himself last, and then gave his plate of food to a young boy who had managed to topple his plate to the ground; a little puppy quickly moved in to clean up.
Time was growing short, so we asked Caleb if he could get motos for us to go back to the hotel. It was a great ride back through the town; Kelsey and Shaun on one, Camilla and I on the other. Caleb and his cousin from NYC came with us back to the hotel to retrieve some shoes, sheets and clothes that we had brought down.
Soon it was time to return to Morne Oge for an event recognizing those children who had good grades in school. It was quite the fete, tons of food, cake and ice cream and lots of goodies being given out. The church looked very festive with all the balloons that Robin had brought with him. It bucketed down for a very long time, the rain pounding on the tin roof. It leaked in one spot. By the time the event was over though, the rain had stopped and we rode back to the hotel through the quiet abandoned streets, such a difference from day to night.
Stars started to peak out and the moon pushed her way through the clouds as we drifted off to sleep on our last night in Jacmel.
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