Getting Lost in Haiti

Jacmel, Haiti

Monday, July 15, 2013- I wandered up to the internet cafe this afternoon, same as I have done the past two days. But, for some reason, on my way home, I got disoriented and lost. Without street signs, I can't figure out where I am. I am alone and do not speak Creole.  So I can't ask for help. But really, that doesn't matter because my house has no address and I don know the name of the boarding house. I am not that far away, just a few minute walk. I don't have far to go. I retraced my steps and ended up in the same wrong place again. So I tried again and just couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong. People are becoming suspicious of me as I wander around the same area again and again.

Standing alone at an intersection, trying to figure out what to do next, I see two older women, barefoot, running down the rocky road. "Madame, Madame", they are shouting at me, clapping their hands like seals. I recognize them immediately. They are two women from my house. Word was out that "the blanc" was lost and they had come to fetch me. I was so glad to see them.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013- I did it again. I left the cafe and made it to my street. While I am deep in thought, a small boy greets me.  "Bon swa" I respond, so proud of myself for using the afternoon greeting, not the morning greeting. He says something to me in Creole and I flippantly tell him, “I don’t understand a damn word you are saying, I only speak English".  He is now frantically pointing at a house. I look at the house but I can’t figure out what he wants me to see. I dismiss him and turn to move on. But the laughter catches my attention. I look again and recognize everyone on the porch. This is my house. This is where I have been living for the past 4 days. I think the Haitian must think I am an idiot and I think they may be right.