No Home For Haiti

I've just returned from the Dominican Republic where 2 of my sisters and myself had changed what was to be a vacation, into any kind of help we could offer the Haitian people.  Many firsts for me:  first plane trip, first time out of USA, first alot of things.

The surreal world I saw...the dichotomy of having one area filled with those who expect life to cater to their every whim, then only a few hundred miles away traumatized children still mourning their families.  An American "mercy mission" whose true purpose was to take as many Haitian "orphans" out of the country - their true agenda? protfit through private adoption.  As I previously posted, not all were orphans.  I was stunned to find there was no outlet, none whatever, to offer aide in any way - people wouldn't even talk about Haiti.  Not only the tourists but the whole damn tourist industry set up to please the already overly-pleased.  Every Dominican man and woman who asked what they could do for me as they smiled into my face made me feel sick.  It felt so fake, so facile.  I said "You can help me donate this money, show me where" etc.  They smirked, they turned their eyes away from mine, no one knew.  No one talked about it.  Did no one care?

I understand there's a need for tourists, it's the main economy of the Dominican Republic, I get it.  Still, it was the Twilight Zone to interact with them and not hear one word about the tragedy at their back door.  So I did not push it.   

Not even people trying to scam were in sight, no one walking on the beach with signs "Donate for Haiti" or anything close.  I assumed, as did my sisters, that the hotel wouldn't allow anyone on their beach who'd "disturb" the white-red skin lying everywhere on the beach like over-bloated giant pink balloons.  I felt self-conscious just walking with my cane along the shoreline - which by the way was breath-taking.

And therein another dichotomy:  such an incredibly beautiful world, the sunrises and sets took my breath from my lungs, there was a full moon the first night and though exhausted, I had to see it.  Watched for hours just meditating on the wealth of life on this planet.

But I did finally get some facts - by leaving the hotel area and going into the nearest town:  There's NO HOME FOR HAITI right now, even the capital might be changed.  The "H" word is verboten so these "townies" only spoke to me reluctantly.  They witnessed alot of cheating with needed supplies, by people who weren't even close to the e-zone.

As usual, those who needed the most got the least.  And those who had no need got everything. 

I feel humbled, frustrated, and guilty guilty guilty.  After all, I was a tourist, too.  It was a chore to make myself enjoy the trip, which I deserved as did my sisters - the money I spent on it, around $5000 USD, could've started a clinic in Haiti. 

No one was interested.  

UNITY?