I am anxiously awaiting my exit from Haiti right now.  I am in the way here and our evacuation is hindering the many things that need to be worked on at the hospital. We had waited 7 hours in a field yesterday morning, getting up at 5 am, then were told the helicopter wouldn't show.  All of a sudden we heard it and saw it fly above the hospital.  We were eating and flew out of the residence. We caused quite a stir in Fond des Blancs with all of us running crazy.  People picked up some of us along the way.  I was actually INSIDE the helicopter yesterday and decided to get out so that one of the older gentilemen could take my place. But it was the right thing to do.  The four Butlers (their cousin Anne had to remain behind) took off with plans to return 10 minutes later.  I would be in Santa Domingo today if the helicopter returned.  It is so disappointing to come and go from the make-shift airfield here three times and not get to leave.  When I think of my opportunity to escape this feeling of bewilderment, sorrow, I thank my lucky stars because this little bit of paradise is not feeling like my place to be at this time.  I really want to come home.
 
So we are planning to try to meet a helicopter again tomorrow morning.  It is "hurry up and wait" as usual. To quote Conor's words of yesterday, "I can actually taste what boredom is like."  It's been many hours of waiting and then lots of commotion and then the let-down.   A bigger helicopter plans to be here at 11am this morning but they want us to be ready at 8am.   Why, I don't understand, because they haven't had to wait for us...we've been waiting for them.  But I will do as I am told.  There are five of us left (we had a girl's night with some barbancourt and all of us went to bed by 8 pm.)  The other crew has been taken by police escort to Santa Domingo and will await their flight out tomorrow.  They have nothing but the clothes on their back.  We have their stuff with us.
 
I've had to leave most of my belongings behind and it will be hard to replace what I do leave here...it's been years of accumulated items for my trips to Haiti...a wardrobe that has taken me years to acquire - the right shoes, all of my underthings, etc. but I am just imagining how it must be for the people who have had to leave everything behind in PAP.  They had NO Choice!  I will be going home to what is left.  They who have had nothing will now have less than nothing.  How crazy is that!
 
St. Boniface is gearing up to receive the wounded at the hospital.  Agencies have contacted us and our reputation for good healthcare will help those in need.  They will want to deliver patients to be treated from the city.  Hospitals along the National Highway 2 are too crowded.  CRS and others will bring the injured out of the city to be treated here.  Supplies will dwindle quickly - it has already been over 72 hours and we can see the start.  Conserving fuel, dwindling running water (it hasn't rained since I got here - a blessing actually (it would hinder the efforts to help people in PAP) and a curse at the same time.  There is no way to get money to purchase things that are needed.  Medical personnel need to find a way to get on one of the relief helicopters to make it here.  The roads and bridges have been severely damaged out of the city.  They are also congested as people try to find a way to get somewhere else.  Phone calls have been coming by people who have no where else to go.  We have been slowly locating people we have been worried about and most have been found.  Some staff has yet to return from trying to locate loved ones or see what has happened to their houses in PAP.  Tremors have subsided and some have returned to sleeping inside their houses again.  The look on some of the faces I have seen (people who have been so joyous to just be alive) are now somber.  Sad stories and situations are causing bewilderment. Lamenting of those who have lost loved ones is heard at every step.  My job now is to get back to states to make sure we help get the word out.  I am only hearing about aid going to arrive, hearing about mass graves, hearing the potential for hysteria by those who are already hungry and poor.  Losing the little they had - their families and friends, I can't even imagine the sorrow along with the suffering.   Well wish us luck today.  Once the media dies down on the devastation, the work will continue.  Dr. Pierre and his medical team are ready for what lies ahead.  Conor is preparing the hospital along with his hopes to get his family to the states, especially his soon-to-be adopted daughter whose papers were lost in PAP.  There is much work ahead for many months to come. 

Linda Canniff
Chief Operating Officer
St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, Inc.

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