Let me share a little bit about World Race travel
days because there really isn’t anything else like it. They typically
involve vague time frames, unexpected stops or detours, language
barriers and a lot of flexibility (or what we call “fluidity�). Our
travel day from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti to San Juan, Dominican Republic
definitely did not disappoint. Stacey (my fellow logistics partner in
crime) and I were responsible for getting 27 people to San Juan. We left
the bus station at 8:30am on a really nice air-conditioned bus, which
everyone was stoked about. During our time at the border (which isn’t
fun at all) I met Kelty, a really kind Dominican that helped translate
for me so I knew what was going on. So, after two border stops we
entered the DR; which greets you with long, winding, steep hill climbs.
Our bus sounded like it was going to explode. We started climbing up our
third hill and about ¾ of the way up the bus came to a sudden stop. We
were going nowhere fast. Long story short, they had everyone get out of
the bus and walk to the top of the hill while the bus backed down and
tried again. Meanwhile, a bus from another company pulled over to help.
We were informed that our bus was too heavy and some people had to go on
the other bus. I let our driver know that my group could not split up,
so he had all of us unload our gear and reload it onto the new bus.
journey. I’m exhausted because of lack of sleep. The night before I
slept outside with a super loud nightclub next store blaring its music.
(Side note: Haitians and Dominicans have only two music volumes: mute or
extremely loud). So I finally get a chance to get some sleep and I’m
really excited about it. I finally doze off when someone on my squad
wakes me up informing me that the bus is not taking us to our original
destination. Of course not. That would be too easy. So I head to the
front of the bus (Did I mention my seat was next to the bathroom in the
back of the bus? Awesome. I know. lol!) My friend Kelty was sitting up
front (thank you Lord) and I explained to her what was going on. She was
able to translate for me as I pled my case to the bus driver.
Meanwhile, I have one phone with only a few minutes on it, just enough
to get in touch with my contact who is waiting for us at the bus station
in Santo Domingo, where we will catch another bus to San Juan. I
explain what’s going on and she was really great about walking me
through what to do and say with our bus driver. Oh and did I mention
that I soon realized that we never had a chance in Hades to make it in
time to make our connecting bus? Even if we didn’t switch buses we would
have never made it in time. Awesome.
Both my contact and I were in the process of figuring out alternative
transportation to San Juan. I was wheeling and dealing with the bus
driver as he made some phone calls, while she was searching for another
bus. What ended up happening is that she found two smaller buses to take
us to San Juan at twice the price. Our original bus line met us at the
different bus station and took us back to where we were suppose to end
up in Santo Domingo. We unloaded our gear and loaded it back onto the
two smaller buses. We finally arrived in San Juan around 10:30 that
night and I could hardly see straight, I was so exhausted. If it sounds
like I’m complaining, I’m not. Was it stressful? Yes. Was I exhausted?
Yes. Did I know what I was doing? No. But I wouldn’t change a thing
because I learned a lot through the experience. My attitude was
challenged, my faith was increased, and I walk in a greater awareness of
God’s protection and faithfulness. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
from Haiti to the DR: 5
loading/unloading gear: 5
travel time: 14 hours
traveled: 343 miles
that flew into the windshield while traveling to San Juan
