Day 1 Haiti 2014 - Airport CHAOS

June 30, 2014 I had some setbacks at the airport that had me on the verge of panic, but thankfully the Jetblue attendant (Tolston) got everything straightened out in time for me to board. First, the check in line was a lot longer than usual. When I finally arrived at the desk, the man took my passport and went to a back office. I had no idea why, he didn't say anything. It seemed like 10 minutes before he returned. He asked me about previous trips to Haiti. He asked my reason for going. He asked if I planned on staying. Apparently, my return flight was not showing, and I didn't have a long-stay visa, so I needed to show proof that I was going to return to America. One of the families that I nanny/babysit for, Lauren and Bill Manegio donated my return flight with their FF miles, and it wasn't showing in my itinerary. So, I had to pull up my Yahoo! confirmation on my phone, while Tolston took the phone, the passport, and took off again. No explanation. Once that was all straightened out, he could finally check me in for my flight. But, oh no! It was less than an hour until takeoff. You MUST check in ATLEAST an hour before takeoff on international flights because the airline needs to get clearance of all passengers with homeland security. Oh boy. Was I going to have to wait until tomorrow's flight? Heart racing chewing nails, wrinkles on forehead showing, Tolston knew I was on the verge of freaking out. He looked me in the eyes and said " I WILL GET YOU ON THAT PLANE, I PROMISE." and something in his smile told me it was all going to be ok. He made a few phone calls, raised his voice, admitted that it was HIS mistake and not mine. He was hung up on twice. He went into action for me. It worked. God bless this sweet Haitian worker at JetBlue! Luckily the gate was not on the other side of the airport. It was a quick walk to the gate, where I noticed I would be the only White person on the flight. This is a first. My other two flights to Haiti were mostly humanitarian groups, missionaries, church groups, and soldiers. This time it was families going to visit, or visitors on their way home. Surprisingly, I felt right at home and not one bit out of place. Being surrounded by Creole and impatient Haitians made me sit, smile, and take it all in. I was an hour and a half away from my favorite place. Once everyone pushed and shoved their way through the gate (this is how the Haitians do it...personal space and waiting does not exist in their culture), I smile and walked confidently down through the gate. I took my seat by the window and thanked God for blessing me with such an amazing opportunity. A cute teenage girl sat down next to me, a confused look on her face, and without hesitation she said "you Haitian?" HAHA. I smiled and said, "no. not Haitian." I held out my white arm and added, "why, do I look it?" we both laughed. She wondered what in the world I was doing on this plane headed for Port-au-Prince. I told her about the orphanage and the trips I've been on before. This was her first time on a plane. She was going to a cousin's wedding in Haiti. One thing I noticed about the people on this flight. It seems that they had a sense of entitlement. Since they were able to afford the travel, they should be treated superior to anyone else, and had permission to mistreat anyone in their way. I have never seen this of the people in Haiti. It made me really sad to see such a different attitude from a people who I admire so much. Everyone has their own cross to carry, but we all need to be patient with one another and be thankful what we have been blessed with. I'm excited for the applause when we land. It's one of my favorite things about flying to Haiti. Applaud the pilot and thank him. I'd like to do this on every flight. When we landed, once again, everyone tried to bum-rush the door. We hadnt even pulled into the gate yet. Relax people! I swear some people would run over a 90 year old woman just to be first in line. One man stood up and started yelling a good 5 minute rant (in Creole) to all the impatient people. He was telling them to hold a little higher standard of Haiti people and to be more respectful and thankful. He grew a big crowd and everyone was laughing and egging him on. Welcome to Haiti. ---picked up at the airport by Jonathan and Kerby, back at the guest house--- This guest house is a mansion!!!! Unfortunately since I was the last to arrive, I am stuck on the top bunk. But bed...WE HAVE BEDS! That's more than I can say for trip #1. It's going to be a hot night. I arrived in the late afternoon, so the day and evening was very relaxed. I caught up with the family while the others were napping (they were up at 3am to drive to Nashville for their 2 flights).