Monday, January 14th Journal

Monday (January 14, 2013)

Morning Journal Entry

Today is my first morning waking up in Harmons! It’s hot. Yesterday we flew out of St. Louis to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Montego Bay. I slept on both flights, since I had not slept much the night before at the church.

Going through customs in Jamaica was nerve wracking! Mike Yemm from Phi Delt was my “partner/boyfriend/husband” to go with me through customs to make it look like we were just on vacation as a couple, and not on a mission trip. The customs man drilled us on why we were visiting Jamaica (we were told  by the group leaders to answer “vacation”, which we did), and asked if we are traveling with other people. The leaders had not told us how to answer that question, so I was honest and said yes. He asked what Mike and I have in common with all of these people, and I said they are our friends. Then the Jamaican asked which airline we were flying home, and I (stupidly) said Southwest, when it was actually AirTran. The Jamaican said there is no such airline called Southwest, and was very mad. He asked who booked our flights. Thankfully, Mike stepped in and said he had booked the flights, and that he had misspoken when he was Southwest (even though it was me who said it! Haha). The Jamaican man still seemed mad/annoyed, but he let us go. Phew!

Then I had to go through one more stop with my two checked bags, and my carry on. They asked what was in my bags and I said clothes, shoes, and toiletries, and that they were all mine for personal use, and that they would all be coming back with me. Apparently we have to lie about this because the Jamaicans are afraid we are bringing these items to sell and make money for ourselves, not just to donate.

After that, most people got on the Won By One busses to go to the “Harmony House” in Harmons, Jamaica, where we would be staying until Saturday morning. I was one of the last people to (attempt) to get on a bus, so I ended up actually riding in the Won By One van. It was very nice compared to the busses. Much less crowded! I was very lucky to ride on it. The other people in the van were the two trip leaders, Sam and Joanie, Helena, Trent, and Lauren Sharpe. A Jamaican Won By One employee, “Creamy”, was our driver. He has this nickname because he is also the ice cream guy!

It was a loooong ride to the Harmony House. It only took the busses about 3 hours, because they were going normal speed. However, since we were in the van with Creamy, and the truck loaded with everyone’s two each checked bags was following us, Creamy went slow in case the truck needed to pull over to fix the suitcases. It took our van/the truck behind us about 4 or 4.5 hours I think to get to Harmons.

Despite being long, the ride was beautiful, and a lot fun. It was interesting to see the “cities” in Jamaica that have bigger/nicer houses, gas stations, fast food, before getting to Harmons where they are very poor, live in very small houses, and have very little tangible things in general.

My favorite part of the entire ride was being up on a hill, looking down, and seeing green everywhere! The hills, down below, were covered in trees. Absolutely amazing. I think I felt God in that moment.

I also really enjoyed hearing the stories of the returners in the van with us. Joanie (one of the trip leaders) kept saying our bus ride was also giving us our first stories, which is true! We laughed a lot, slept some, asked each other questions like who would play you in a movie or what is one thing on your bucket lists.

When it started to get dark during the drive, and the windows were open, it got a little chilly. The night breeze/air reminded me of Florida breeze/air at night.

Once we made it to the Harmony House, we ate the food they saved for us, since everyone else had already eaten. We had “festivals” (SO GOOD!), a juicy beef patty, and soup with chicken in it.

Then, we unloaded the suitcases off of the truck, and unpacked them. The guys held garbage sacks under signs like “shoes” or “toiletries”, and the girls sorted the suitcase items into those bags. It was mass chaos, crowded, and a little hot in the room, but also fun! They played cool music (***at the end of the week I ended up buying the CD with these songs), which made it way better, and it took us less than an hour to get every suitcase unpacked, with the items in the correct bags. I couldn’t believe how fast it went!

Next, we had a quick info meeting, put our valuables (phones, most of our money) in the safe.  

I am in a 3 person room with Brewer (also a Tri Sigma) and Helena. 

Monday Night Journal Entry

            This morning we had orientation, then went on a tour of Harmons. There is definitely a big difference between seeing Harmons in pictures, and seeing it in person. The houses are very small, and you can see the poverty all around you, yet the Jamaicans smile and wave as you walk by.

            After lunch (PB & J on the most amazing bread I’ve ever had!) we went to our first work sites.  I was at house #2 with Melanie, Courtney, BK, Arianna, Addison, Mike Yemm, Austin (Pi Kap), Eric, and Jack.

It was really fun! We put up the “wall”- Styrofoam with metal on it, and cut out the two doors and two windows. We also sifted the rocks out of the marl, and put the sifted maul in a pile inside the house (to use later for the walls).  It was very hot in the sun, but when it the shade it felt great, and the breeze felt great too.

            The house owner, a woman, was there with her 8-month-old daughter, Kimone Shakira. She was so adorable, and had the best pouty lip ever!

            I just read my first note from my ***“Caribbean Comrade” and it was really sweet. 

***Caribbean Comrade is someone that anonymously writes you a note every day of the trip. The guys have the girls and the girls have the guys. My Caribbean Comrade, who I am writing to, is Mike Yemm, the only Phi Delt on the trip.