first impressions

my first impression of driving into port au prince would turn out to be very naive. we approached the city from the east, and must have come in on a portion of the town that was not as affected by the earthquake. the earthquake is referred to by the people of haiti as "L'evenement" which literally means "the event". i would later understand why they would refer to it as the event.

i grew up in beirut, lebanon in the 70s and 80s. i know all about destruction and damaged buildings. i know what it means to be afraid. i grew up dodging bullets and familiar with underground shelters. i understand water and electricity shortages. i know despair and fear.

nothing would prepare me for the sights i would see in port au prince.

nothing can prepare you for devastation to that magnitude.

and nothing, i mean nothing, would prepare me for the spirit of the people of haiti - a spirit of courage and resiliency.