Finally on the Ground

Haiti, Day I - Friday, March 05

Finally on the Ground in Haiti. Landed about 1300 Friday at chaotic Port au Prince International Airport after a couple of shaky low-flying airport fly-bys. However, I was able to get a wide view from the air of the extensive structural earthquake damage. Crumbled building (in the hundreds of thousands) as far as one could see. Tent cities and shanty towns built atop the rubble.

Once on the ground, the destruction was magnified, permeated by a stench unlike any I have experienced. I have to tell you, TV and the print media can't begin to describe the extent of this country's massive losses.

The five-mile drive from Haiti's airport to our US Embassy was lined with kids chasing our Haitian-driven Land Rover begging for money, adults selling everything from motor oil to food, cigars, VooDoo Tiki's and themselves. Moreover, the drive over a torturous unpaved road passing crumbled homes and shops as well as dead animals was more like a demolition derby among cars, scooters, and pedestrians. Kind of made me think of Boston at rush-hour - it was every car and person for themselves.

Tonight I get to sleep in a 12-person tent with a bunch of un-showered guys under mosquito netting in a sleeping bag on the Embassy's back lot. No matter, even after eating my MRE (field-ready military food) of Chile and Beans, I will still be in a much better place than most Haitians as we sleep tonight.

Tomorrow I will tour the city. Lots of work ahead.