May 14th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Leogane, the city of angels...

As the days go by you rapidly get to know the people you live with here. Days feel like months of friendship and weeks feel like years. It's a big difference from the real world, but it's a beautiful thing. The vast majority of the people here are real life miracles. They each have an amazing story to tell that is their life. It sucks when people come in and go during the time I have been here, but such is life.

Last week we had sixteen Harvard business students come in and stay for a week. Some of them stayed within their own little clique, but some of them made sure they branched out and met other people while they were here. You can tell that those are the people who are individuals. The ones who branched out really wanted to be here, rather than the rest of them who just went with the flow. These are the people who make a difference in people's lives, and don't just base their value on how well they can give you a powerpoint presentation. Their fearless leader, Nick, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. Not only did he organize the entire group of Harvard students to come here, he also had worked with HODR in the past. He was a genuinely nice guy and made sure he got a chance to meet as many people as he could. If I had to explain to someone what cool was, I would show them a picture of Nick and his short shorts and their would be no need for further explanation.

The other person that really stood out what a girl named Charlotte. Maybe one of the sweetest people I ever met. She made sure from day one that she wasn't labeled as one of the Harvard bunch, and made it a goal of hers to go out and meet as many people as possible. Their is a stereotype of Harvard students that she broke for alot of people I'm sure. I remember her first day here she was just sitting there away from her crowd just looking to meet people. I got to sign up with her for a job and from that point on I really didn't wanna stop talking to her. We have the same interest in psychology, except she is actually executing it. If her brains and beauty were a horse race, it would be a photo finish to see which one outweighed the other. I wish she could have stayed longer, but thats the way this place is. You commit for a certain amount of time, and when it's your time to leave, you go. I pray that its not the last time I ever see her, because a week just wasn't enough. It's sad, but it's one of those things where you just have to be grateful you had a week rather than never meeting at all.

So, with that said, I have ten days left before departure. I know for a fact I will be sad to go, but my body is deteriorating. Yesterday I landed back in the hospital with a bad leg infection in two places and what is called cellulitis. Basically, my ankle and foot have ballooned up and it is making it hard for me to walk. My ankle looks like a newly inflaed air matress. I have to goto the hospital each day from here on out and get a shot of some type of anti biotic in my butt. So, in Haiti I have received my first IV ever in my life and my first shot to the butt. Welcome to the world huh? It's my fauly because I don't know how to take care of myself properly, but I am learning as the days go by. I did my first batch of laundry ever the other day, sitting on my knees with a tub of water scrubbing out dirt and air drying them as I finished. It's a pretty crazy transition I've made. I just wish I could stay healthy enough to enjoy it. My spirits are still up, but my body is just letting me down. I am going to make it to the end. I just don't know how much more physical action I can handle. I am going to take on any job they give me. Jobs on the base are just as important as jobs off the base. Without the base operating, their is no operation outside the base.

I can't begin to tell you how much I love this place. It is truly an amazing group of people and we are only as strong as our weakest team member. When I get home I will give you a description of each person, and what they meant to not only me, but the entire country of Haiti. Because each one of these people, regardless of whether they acted like an asshole or not, contributed alot more to this world than anyone who just sat in the comfort of their own home and decided sending a ten dollar text message was enough. Not that theirs anything wrong wth that. It's just that these people deserve to be recognized for the amazing work they have done, and I will make sure that at least the people who read my blog know what they did to make a difference.

Time to go to the hospital and get my butt shot. I love and miss my friends. God bless

LOVE

Dan

May 13th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Berlyne is not just a city and Venus is not just a planet.

So, as we live here with over 130 people now, we also have local people who work for HODR. Most of them are absolutely amazing and two of them really stick out. Our head cook/ laundry person/ amazing human being, Venus. She is unreal. Everyday she comes in here and cooks for over 100 people and does multiple peoples laundry. I don't know if she speaks much English but day in and day out she is in here just working her ass off. She is always smiling and it is one hell of a beautiful smile. I have seen people in this base do some of the most selfish retarded things when it comes to not being clean in the kitchen, but Venus always manages to just smile and laugh about them all. It is a truly beautiful site to see someone so happy all the time, regardless of the circumstances. She is also drop dead gorgeous, but I can't tell girls ages in this country. She could be 16 or she could be 30. I realy have no clue. I stopped tring to guess that stuff the first week I was here when some girl who looked like she was 12 told me I am just a little boy at 28.

Also on base we have translators. One of the most amazing people I have met here is a translator we have named Berlin. I had the honor of spending the day with her a couple days ago when I got hurt. We had the job of going into town and purchasing some items that HODR was in need of. She is just another ball of joy. I don't know, maybe she is just always laughing at me, but se is definitely always laughing. We go back and forth and she isalways teaching me some creole. Apparently I sound like I have some serious accent issues when speaking creole and it's always good for a laugh to all the locals, and usually some base members as well. Berlin is here everyday as well translating for all of us pour saps who don't speak a lick of creole but need to get from A to B. Without her their would be no getting to B. She loves us all, and finds time in her busy days to make sure she gets a chance to meet everyone. When it's time to go play at the orphanage she is the first in line, teaching the young kids how to dance creole style. You can just tell that she loves life, and when you're around her it's really hard not to be in a good mood. I won't even attempt to do it!

So today I slept in on accident and didnt wak up til 615am. YES!! First tme for everything I guess haha. Today I will be going to a few places to pick up kits for a "save the children" project. We have to drive around the city and grab a few things and thn eventually get them back to base. It should be interesting considering the ridiculous driving conditions here and the fact im sure my team has no clue what they're doing. As always though, it should be a fun day. Yesterday we got in a giant container of new tools and two bobcats!! That is huge for a place like this because the biggest tools we had before those were shovels and wheel barrows, which we also got new inventoy of.

I am starting to sleep real good here and I keep meeting someone i fall in love with everyday. You just have to let the assholes be assholes, and go out of your way to be nice to them so they feel like the assholes they act.....

Can't wait to see all my friends. We should have a little party when I get home at the pub or something so not just me can get together, but so we can all get together. Because we were probably all once friends at one point and maybe some of us have faded apart. Little things can tear us apart in the states. Big things should bring us together, like the celebration of LIFE.

I love and miss you all.

LOVE

Dan

May 12th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Hey Asshole, Smile, You're in Haiti...

As the days go by more and more new faces show up to our base. To the point where we now have close to 130 people and the max is supposed to be 100. I sarted out as one of the new people and as the tme has gone by I am becomming one of the people who has been here a little longer than the newer people who are arriving. One of the things alot of people say when they leave is to remind the people who have been here to maybe say Hi to the new people and try to help them out. It's really depressing to see some of the people who have been here for awhile and just how standoffish they act. They aren't obligated to be nice, or even speak to anyone, but it's sad to see someone who is selfless enough to volunteer to help Haiti, but doesn't have the patience to say hi to someone new who looks lost. It's only about 5% of the people here, but thats oo many in my opinion. We are all tired and we are all hot and annoyed. That doesn't mean you have to be a complete jerkoff.

It's funny though, to see the people who have been here a little longer and with that they think they are better than anyone else. I'm pretty sure it just means they have been unemployed longer than the rest of the other people and had a chance to volunteer sooner. Some of them are here for three meals and a cot, and they call this home, even though they don't speak to more than five people here. It's a real shame because most of us have this family mentality. Their's always one asshole in every family though, I guess. It just boggles my mind that someone can be nice enough to volunteer to come help Haiti, but not nice enough to introduce themselves to someone they are going to be living with for months to come. Some of the long term people are absolutely amazing, don't get me wrong. It's just funny, you would never see a new person come in here and be as pretentious as the ones who have been here longer.

Oh well, I am here for me anyway, and the people of Haiti, and I will continue to just kill them with kindness and joke my way through the next couple of weeks. I have made some friends for life here and each relationship I have made here is likea beautiful portrait of art. I know their are some people here who don't like me, and I'm really not concerned about them at al, because if you don't like me that means you must be one miserable fuck. Because I do everything I can to make sure everyone can at least crack a smile for thirty seconds a day here. I think they need to implement the 30 day mental health break rule to EVERYONE, because some of these people you can tell are just totally strung out and in need of some other type of life other than Haiti. The problem is, the people who don't leave for the break are the people who either can't afford it, or have nowhere to go because they have been cast out of regular society and found their only home here. I can call this place home, I also know I have a home with my real family as well. I have a feeling some of these people lack alot of love in their life, and they stay here because it's the only place where they feel like their life means ANYTHING.

Thats all for my rant of the miserable people. Their are too many people here I love, and so many awesome people here. Even the jerkoffs you have to respect, but I sure as fuck will never like them and I'm sure they won't like me. So, I am gonna continue to do me, while they look at me like im some kind of asshole. I'll keep on smiling.

Miss my friends. 13 days.

LOVE

Dan

May 11th, Haiti Blog: Halfway Home...

So, yesterday I had to get some xrays for my wrist because I was playing soccer on my day off and slipped on the concrete and landed right on my hand/wrist Just a slight sprain and should be out of this stupid splint in about two days. Beat street. Although, it allowed me to do what I do best. I got to go shopping for the base and pick up some stuff they needed to get. Today will be the same as I have to take it easy for a few days and than I plan on doing rubble for my last ten days here. I have been gone for two weeks now and have exactly two weeks left. I am pretty shocked at myself that I've made it and now that the time to go home is creeping up on me I don't know how I feel about it. I love the people here. Everyday I meet someone new that just absolutely blows my mind. I can't wait to get home and write about them all. It would be weird if I did it while we are all here because some of them read this and you know...

I have learned so much while I have been here. The one thing I have really learned is that the money doesn't EVER make the man. I have met some of the most poverty stricken people in the world that were also some of the most amazing characters I have ever met as well. The people in this country appreciate what we are doing and they really go out of their way to show it. I wasn't apart of this, but my one friend and her team spent three days building a village for people who were displaced during the quake. When they were done they threw her and her team a giant ceremony on the beach. These are some of the poorest people on the planet and they go out of their way to show us an amazing time. They had fresh fruit and vegetables and meats lined up for them. They tossed flowers on them and were even handing over babies. It's a beautiful thing really. Helping someone in need is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. I always liked doing it when I was home, but nobody really appreciates it quite like this. At home we think we things and assistance, but compared to these people, we are truly truly blessed. I don't think you will ever hear me complain again about my life or anything I struggle with because i will look back at this trip and remember everything I have seen and gone through. For those of you that know me, you know I don't forget a single thing I see and my memory stays with me forever.

It just feels so good being here. I havent accomplished much in my life that meant alot to me. I feel like this is one of the most important things I have ever done in my life so far. I don't think I will be able to miss another disaster that HODR takes on because I feel like it is now my duty to help, if even for just a couple weeks. When is the last time you had to worry about shelter because you couldn't even find a roof to stand under while it rained? Have you ever had to spend an entire day figuring out how you were going to get a single calorie into your body? Have you ever had to worry about where your next drop of water was coming from? I haven't either, and thats why I have such compassion for the people of this country.

Speaking of compassion for this country, my man Jermaise stopped by on sunday just to see me after he was done his shift at the hospital. He walked over to our base and informed me he will most likely be working here in the near future! He learned what chillen meant and wont stop saying it, which is absolutely hilarious to hear him say "I'm chillen like Bob Dylan" hahaha. We talked for a few minutes and at the end he told me he missed me lots. I almost broke down and was ready to give him a big Weissman bear hug, but I refrained. He will be back friday to come hang out and hopefully I get to see him a bunch of times before I go. I know I will talk to this man forever, he is my idol. The drive to want to learn is such a beautiful thing. It makes me wish I had tried alot harder at life to see where it could have taken me. I feel like I havent even worked hard yet and I hope that this trip will have changed that.

As the time has gone by here we have seen people in base come and go and you really get upset when some of your favorites leave. I lost one of my bests here the other morning and she was the most positive person I had ever met. A Canadian girl with a giant heart and awesome morals. You don't really think about stuff like that at home when you meet people, but here, everybody has some type of core value that makes you respect them in some way shape or form. No matter how standoffish they act.

So, in two weeks I will be one of those people who have come and gone. I hope I have made even half the impact that some of these people have made on me. They really try to help me out because of how uncultured I am and I truly appreciate every single ounce of help I have received. The best way I can describe this experience so far is that it has just been a beautiful story in my head. Everything that has happened seems like destiny and it gives me the chills day in and day out to know that people like the ones on this base do exist, and in numbers....

I love you all, and I miss my friends and can't wait to come home and reflect on what has happened to me here. I have made friends for life.

LOVE

Dan



THis is a really funny blog, considering I ended up staying until January 15th.  Haha, I love looking back on this stuff...

Ma 10th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Ouch

My wrist is in a cast so i cant really type, at least for a few days. I will make sure you don't miss a beat and im sorry for the lack of updates that you will be experiencing. Love and miss you all.

Gina you are amazing, we all love you to death and thank god everyday for blessing us with your size 12 heart. the biggest size ahahahah


LOVE

Dan

May 8th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Make it Rain, Haiti style..

So, up to this point in Haiti the coldest drink you can get is beer and soda. Both of which dehydrate you and have zero nutritional value. Yesterday I was packing school kits to give to the kids for the UN and I decided I had to make moves. I asked my driver if he could help me get money from Western Union here and if its difficult. Right after work he took me to the only working computer in the entire country of Haiti(or so it seems) and sure enough helped me get money. After that it was a free for all to the one store I have found that actually sells normal cold drinks. Now, I know to most of you Gatorade and Snapple isn't makin it rain, but in Haiti, hydration mixed with cold liquid is like GOLD. I had the driver goto the choochoo which is the only market in town and I literally bought every Snapple and Gatorade they had. Once I got into the store I just couldn't help myself. I bought a bunch of frozen snickers and Doritos and Pringles. It was glorious. I must have bought thirty drinks by the time I was done and at least twety bags of chips etc. I couldn't wait to bring it back to base and hook up my well deserving, hardworking friends. We have no fridge. We have no way to keep anything cold, so I knew I just needed to gve everything out that I wasn't going to drink in the next hour and just enjoy this early Christmas in May.

I don't think I've ever gotten a bigger hug. It's funny too, because sometimes we do little hugs but we are usually so sweaty. Okay, IM usually so sweaty that they arent the good bighugs. Not today, I thought I was getting bear hugged by a wrestler. I almost had to submit. If you know me, you know this makes my day. Nothing makes ME happier than putting a smile on someone elses face, especially if it's the little things in life. Food is fuel here, good food is premium fuel. Everything is so cheap though, I only spent about 50$ US dollars, which is nothing for what I got. 20oz Cokes only cost about 50 cents here and Gatorade is no more than a dollar. It's just a matter of finding them, and goodluck now since I bought every single one they had! Muahahahaha!!!

Today I am going back out and testing the sun. Going to dig out some rubble with my team and hopefully enjoy the day and get a serious work in. I am a strategic worker, making this my hardest day since I know I have off tomorrow to recover. And by recover I mean goto some kind of beach and float in the water like a dead fish. Gonna be a long day today I can feel it.

I am starting to become close with alot of people and it's sad to start seeing them come and go as I have been here for almost two weeks. You rapidly begin to love these people because you are with them 24 hours of each day. We talk about things I wouldn't talk about with people I met a home 5 years ago, but here we get so close every single inch of our body is fair game to discuss. It's an interesting change but It's totally my style. Today is the first day that a couple people I really like are leaving. They aren't people I spend everyday with, or even many days with, but I did have a day or two with them, and you grow to love each of them. One of them said it best for her going away speach. She said "I can't lie, 95% of you I have absolutely fallen in love with. The other 5% of you are complete assholes, but I still totally respect you" That is the perfect way to describe this place. Some of the people here are just totally unapproachable, pretentious fucking assholes, but god damn do I respect them. Not only for what they do here in Haiti, but for having the ability to stay an asshole through this amazing experience.

Monday I lose my first inner circle soldier from third street. She will be deeply missed, but I think we all gained a friend for life. Most innocent girl I've ever met, it's actually refreshing. I need to go get ready to work and attempt to stay alive today. I love you all and keep it coming with me. Almost half way home....

LOVE

Dan

May 7th, 2010 Haiti Blog: Disney in Haiti!

So, for the past two days I have been packing 5 kilo bags of corn for farmers who live up in the mountains for the UN to distribute. Sounds boring right? Well, I thought so too until they asked me to go help them distribute them all the way up in the mountains. Oh, did I also mention that with their corn I also have to hand them a giant machetti and hoe. Now, maybe I'm a bit uncultured, but when I think of a machetti I think of Friday the 13th and lots of death. Apparently here and other countries its quite common to see little girls and boys wielding machettis instead of pencils. So, for the past two days I've handed out over three hundred machettis, hoes, and bags of corn to the local farmers so that they can eat and possibly make it rain if they have the good corn to sell.

In order to hand out the items we had to first survive the ride up the mountains. Imagine a hiking trail leading up the biggest mountain you've ever seen. No barriers or walls and when you look over the side its nothing but a dropoff of thousands of feet. If I had to describe it, I would say it was just like an amazing Disney ride without any rules or regulations. Basically, if the driver misses a clutch or break, we die. It was one of the most intense experiences of my life. You bounce around and it is astonishing that every single tire doesnt pop within the first two minutes of driving up these mountains. Their isnt a single ten foot stretch of flat land. Everything is rocks and debree. It takes about two hours to get up the mountain and as you go up, the view becomes more and more worth it. By the time you get to where you need to be, you are shoulder deep in clouds and head to toe in beauty. My words arent even powerful enough to fully describe it. Pictures will obviously be posted when I can, but as you know I can't do any of that when I am here.

Also, I have a bunch of pictures of me handing the locals the machettis etc. So, that should be some hilarious stuff as well. The ladies from the UN were kind enough to take them for me and take my email so you could see, this really happens haha.

Nothing else much has been happening. I have been taking creole lessons every night and by the time I'm done that I am barely making it into my bed before my eyes close for the night. We work from basically 7am to 5pm than a meeting at 6-7. A local kid and myself are doing the creole on our own and it's pretty much a one on one lesson everynight and it's cool as shit. He teaches me Creole and I'm teaching him how to make it rain. LOL.

I've made a few really good friends out here and their time is coming soon to leave. It's gonna make me really upset but I want to try and really stick it out and continue on the quest. The days are starting to blend together and fly by and it seems like I just got here yesterday. Soon, it will be two weeks! I think my return date will be May 25th due to the mandatory mental health break we have to take every thirty days. You think Philadelphia is dirty? I will lick the ground when I get home and compared to Haitian money, I would suck on american coins, because the Haitian money is so filthy. This entire country is a ball of dust mixed with palm trees and rubble. It's quite a site.


Can't wait to see my friends. Cant wait to see my family. Cant wait to see a flushing toilet and working shower head. Love you all and keep the love coming back.

LOVE

Dan