The return from Haiti was very difficult for me, and it still is hard for me to get back in the mode of clean water, air conditioning, paved roads, microwaves and laundry machines. I am startled at the level of consumption of the people in America, but even more, the ignorance of their benefits, and of others in this world.
I looked at the people in the airport; stressed, unhappy, pushy and covered in expensive clothes. Everybody was in a hurry to get from point A to point B, without any pleasure of what's in between. They didn't seem to me that they were enjoying traveling in an airport, they didn't enjoy the little things around big things. When our flight was announced delayed, everyone started complaining. They were upset that their plans were ruined, and that things didn't go as planned. If you don't learn this in Haiti, you will constantly be unhappy. Things don't go as expected.
In Haiti, there is no one to complain to, or somewhere fill out a customer survey. People are much more adaptable to what they have, they don't know how strong they are. They live through poverty with a positive attitude.
I can't decide whether 8 people sleeping in a small room is a bad thing or a good thing.
He told me its like the temperature. In Haiti it’s very hot and humid, and in Wisconsin is breezy and cooler. One isn't better than the other, it’s just different. It’s what you make from it that counts. Its your behavior that matters. It’s your perception of the situation.
Throughout the difficulties of my stay, my motivation was the children. Teaching piano, theory, listening to their stories, telling them about mine, smiling. All of these made my days fulfilled, and that I was giving them the best thing I could offer, which is knowledge. Supporting them through the challenges of making music, encouraging them to continue their pursuits, and to work towards something in their lives. To be the one to give them a community was a blessing for me.
So many other things have happened. I survived a hurricane, a fire, a dangerous motorcycle ride down a mountain and I've survived the danger of not knowing. I've begun to examine my life and myself, and I hope there will be something I can do. My father has said, "Don't go around thinking you can change the world... Yet don't do nothing."
I feel that I've changed the lives of my students, or maybe just 5 weeks of it. I've given them something better than money for one day's worth of food. I've given them knowledge, and the possibility of using it in the school setting, hopefully to the extent of their lives.
It isn’t possible for me to feel the country of Haiti without the sounds, sights and smells.
I can offer but some pictures that are important to me and remind me of the people that brought me to realize the beauties Haiti has shown me.
