Kouri

A week ago yesterday, I went for a short run early Saturday morning near the convent where I stayed for the last few days I was in Haiti before returning to the US for the summer break.  Here is a poem I wrote about my brief encounter with a Haitian American woman, who was in Haiti visiting family and out running along the same road that morning.

Running on the same side of the road in opposite directions, 

we meet.  

I greet you in your native tongue, as you greet me in mine.  

You currently reside in the country of my birth, and I in yours.  

Our encounter brief, our connection deep,

Our conversation flows naturally 

between the two languages we both now can claim. 

though strangers, spontaneously we embrace,

then continue running

on the same side of the road in opposite directions.  

This morning as I ran through the streets of New Orleans, I passed a group of men, speaking Haitian Creole on the sidewalk by their parked taxi-cabs.  I said "bon jou," asked how they were, wished them a good day as I continued on my way.  

It is good to be back in the states. Since arriving very late Tuesday night, I have been able to visit with many Marianites here in New Orleans and in Opelousas Louisiana yesterday.  I am so grateful that I have a little bit of time to catch up and visit with people.  

Of course, I have been in the throes of reverse culture shock.  Sometimes especially the first couple of days, I would randomly respond in Creole for example when a sister knocked on my bedroom door.  A guy asked me for directions in New Orleans and since I did not understand his imperfect English, out of habit I caught myself beginning to respond to him in Creole; he was probably Latino, and clearly not Haitian.  When I was not sure where he was asking for directions to, he asked me if I live here; most likely he was simply wondering if he should be asking me or someone else for directions.  I probably looked even more puzzled as that simple questions seemed more complicated than the straightforward "yes" or "no" response anyone would expect.  I could not give him directions but I had empathy for him.  

I found myself admiring the roads, since they are paved and have sidewalks and then realized that nobody else walking, biking or driving, in New Orleans' Ninth Ward is likely to be the least bit impressed by the condition of these streets.  I also noted the lack of goats; I have not yet seen a single kabrit, not in the street, or in anyone's yard, not even tied to the roof a tap-tap, which are also notably absent.  Sometimes I have to smile at my own thoughts.     

During the next month and a half I will update from time to time, but am not committing to my usual weekly goal.  I hope you are enjoying the summer.  Take care.  Many blessings!