Open those social studies books...

So, this weekend I saw the most beautiful landscapes of Haiti. But before I get to that, I want to tell you that today on my drive home from Limbe (location of my clinic for the week) we drove by the bay that greeted the Pinta, the Nina, and the Santa Maria (insert accents where necessary) when Colombus thought he had landed in America (seems pretty off in realizing how far from home I feel). But I have discovered as much as I MISS my family and friends, I am not homesick. And those of you familiar with true jen-ness, I would typically have had at least one to two fits of tears in the name of being homesick but I really do feel right here, working here, experiencing Haiti. I don't think I can ever clearly depict my time here, I wish I could just show you with my eyes everything I have managed to see in just one week. Half of the people staying on the compound with us leave tomorrow but a few new people have come, including a doctor (Evan) from Northern Ireland (they FLOCK here! well, theres 4 northern ireland people just on the compound) and Evan has already taken to making fun of me quite a bit because I can never understand what he's saying. Anyways, so I am in Limbe this week. We are the on the 'follow-up' assessment of the Eben-ezer clinic there, its beautiful. Its nested up a dirt road in the middle of tons of mango trees. Our translator is attempting to teach me Creole (note: attempt being key). I'll give you a view of the clinic waiting area. There is an open-yet-covered seating area where people convene in the early hours of the morning, sicker people bring blankets and sleep while waiting. There are four exam rooms divided by hanging sheets, and you walk into a crowd of eyes just staring at you. I saw my first positive HIV test in the lab today, and experiencing my first bit of tears on the drive as the wave of this country overwhelmed me. We are gone from 8am until 6pm everyday and I am looking forward to the rest of the week, this clinic is amazing and its really nice to see a different part of the area. Okay, remember...limited time so I apologize for a jumble of thoughts. Missing you all tons... and tons. love and hugs. (ps- we went to haitian church service yesterday, and they entire congregation came through and gave us individual hugs...i loved it).