a brief escape from reality

Last weekend was Rhodes and Rodney's wedding anniversary. It was also the only weekend that Jay and Daryl were here in Haiti, and thus our only chance to take them to the beach. We wanted to take them to Club Indigo, a fairly pricey but absolutely BEAUTIFUL (tre bel, as they would say here in Haiti) beach resort a short 45 minute drive from here. It was a fun day. Other than the bumpy ride in the back of the pick-up truck ... we had 5 adults and three kids back there, with only some beach towels and an old tire for padding and protection from the rutted roads. But we survied the ride (which ended up being nearly 2 hours on the way there, because we had tried a handful of 'cheaper' beaches first, just to find out that they were privately run, devoid of sand, or full of garbage) and we were MORE than ready to jump in the ocean and cool off when we finally pulled into the parking lot at Club Indigo.

You could tell right away that it was a pretty ritzy place. The parking lot was full of shiny white UN vehicles, and the front gate was guarded by a gentleman in uniform (and with a gun). As soon as we walked into the club, we felt like we'd left the country of Haiti behind us and walked into some other-wordly experience. It was a treat for one day, but the experience definitely left us wondering how many of Haiti's poor even know such a place exists ...


Shakinah and the Gephart kids, warding off the sun's bright rays during our long, dusty ride to the beach. At one point, when we hit a speed bump that Rodney failed to see, or slow down for, Levi (in blue) and I nearly flew OUT of the truck! Thankfully the direction of our driving threw us forward, and not back, so we landed on top of Lindsay, Daryl and Jay, rather than on the road.



One beauty showing off another. We were so glad that Rhodes and Rodney could get away for a day with their family. After recently finishing and moving into their new house here on the base, they more than deserved the time off.



This is just a glimpse of some of the extravagance of Club Indigo. The pool was amazing, and it led right up to the beach. The resort also held an open air theater, an expansive dining area (where we enjoyed a scrumptious mid-day meal!), and hotel accomodations. Visiting this place, after living for 3 months among the lower class of St. Marc, was such a shock to the system. Most of the visitors here were from the upper elite of Haitian society (many of French descent), visitors from other countries, or UN soldiers. Or poor misisonaries that needed a weekend away from the harsh realities of life after the flood =)


Daryl and Jay enjoyed playing some volleyball with some of the men on the beach before our 1 o'clock dinner on the patio.


And here we are on the ride home. Weary and sun-burnt, but happy =)