---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tom Chowattukunnel <nivnithzak@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Subject: HAITI -last day
To: HOME <nivnithzak@gmail.com>
HAITI -last day
Despite liberal use of bug spray before bed,drone of solitary mosquito around my head awoke me.I shooed it away with my baseball cap and got a few more winks of sleep.Had brief session of song and prayer at around 600 am.Canadian student played guitar and pastor Eric read bible passage.Breakfast was French toast,grapefruit and coffee.Loaded our gear and proceeded to airport.Stopped for diesel,think it was about $4 per gallon.Across the road from gas station were signs for several auto dealerships,including a faded and worn GM sign.It was rare to see an american car,vast majority were japanese(mostly Nissan and Toyota).No BMWs,several rusted old Mercedes and only one Subaru.Passed by US Embassy and saw long lines of Haitians waiting to enter.Not sure if queue was for people trying to get exit visas or to access medical clinic being run at embassy.
As we approached airport entrance handicraft vendors were setting up along the roadside,mostly wood carvings.
Still no commercial airlines servicing Haiti,but had to go through main terminal entrance,baggage screening and security.People leaving the country were either on a charter or military flight.Instead of the expected 1030am departure,our flight did not leave until 1330.
The airport could be described as a scene of organized chaos.On the tarmac were huge military C17 transport planes,mostly US Airforce.They unloaded troops,humvees and pallets of food and supplies.Then outgoing civilians who waited in tents embarked and headed off to military bases in Florida or Georgia.I think the military charged $300 per person.Helicopters of all sizes and colors were interspersed among the planes.They took of and landed over and over,almost like a continuous fireworks display.Military vehicles,civilian and United Nations 4x4s moved like busy ants all over the airport.Travelers on standby with various charter flights pleaded their cases,a few more vociferously than others.Some of the unsuccessful were diverted to a military flight.Soldiers patrolled and stood guard with their weapons on display.The heat,dust and intermittent roaring of jet engines took it's toll and we grew weary,thirsty and hungry.Ironically, closeby was a pallet of bottled H2O and food(peanut butter,crackers,etc)that I was mentally feasting on.Luckily,soldiers did eventually pass out bottled water to those requesting it,myself included.
After what seemed like an eternity,we boarded a Hendrick Motorsport Saab 9000 jet and took of without incident.Hopefully,there won't be any further earthquakes or other natural disasters in Haiti.This experience has convinced me that people are intrinsically good and I was impressed by the multinational relief effort.God bless the Haitians and all those aiding them.As a citizen of the world,I'm glad I was able to help alleviate at least a little bit of pain and suffering.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Tom Chowattukunnel <nivnithzak@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 6:47 PM
Subject: HAITI -last day
To: HOME <nivnithzak@gmail.com>
HAITI -last day
Despite liberal use of bug spray before bed,drone of solitary mosquito around my head awoke me.I shooed it away with my baseball cap and got a few more winks of sleep.Had brief session of song and prayer at around 600 am.Canadian student played guitar and pastor Eric read bible passage.Breakfast was French toast,grapefruit and coffee.Loaded our gear and proceeded to airport.Stopped for diesel,think it was about $4 per gallon.Across the road from gas station were signs for several auto dealerships,including a faded and worn GM sign.It was rare to see an american car,vast majority were japanese(mostly Nissan and Toyota).No BMWs,several rusted old Mercedes and only one Subaru.Passed by US Embassy and saw long lines of Haitians waiting to enter.Not sure if queue was for people trying to get exit visas or to access medical clinic being run at embassy.
As we approached airport entrance handicraft vendors were setting up along the roadside,mostly wood carvings.
Still no commercial airlines servicing Haiti,but had to go through main terminal entrance,baggage screening and security.People leaving the country were either on a charter or military flight.Instead of the expected 1030am departure,our flight did not leave until 1330.
The airport could be described as a scene of organized chaos.On the tarmac were huge military C17 transport planes,mostly US Airforce.They unloaded troops,humvees and pallets of food and supplies.Then outgoing civilians who waited in tents embarked and headed off to military bases in Florida or Georgia.I think the military charged $300 per person.Helicopters of all sizes and colors were interspersed among the planes.They took of and landed over and over,almost like a continuous fireworks display.Military vehicles,civilian and United Nations 4x4s moved like busy ants all over the airport.Travelers on standby with various charter flights pleaded their cases,a few more vociferously than others.Some of the unsuccessful were diverted to a military flight.Soldiers patrolled and stood guard with their weapons on display.The heat,dust and intermittent roaring of jet engines took it's toll and we grew weary,thirsty and hungry.Ironically, closeby was a pallet of bottled H2O and food(peanut butter,crackers,etc)that I was mentally feasting on.Luckily,soldiers did eventually pass out bottled water to those requesting it,myself included.
After what seemed like an eternity,we boarded a Hendrick Motorsport Saab 9000 jet and took of without incident.Hopefully,there won't be any further earthquakes or other natural disasters in Haiti.This experience has convinced me that people are intrinsically good and I was impressed by the multinational relief effort.God bless the Haitians and all those aiding them.As a citizen of the world,I'm glad I was able to help alleviate at least a little bit of pain and suffering.
Sent from my iPhone
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