You Know You're In Haiti When...

You know you're in northern Missouri when you have to leave the night before your flight to make it through the white-out to the airport that's two hours away.

You know you’re in Kansas City when a caravan of fifty snowplows rolls past the terminal window, blades up, because there’s no point in plowing when the snow’s still falling!

You know you’re in Chicago when Shaina’s aunt and uncle pick you up at the airport and take you to the best Italian beef restaurant in the US.

You know you’re in Fort Lauderdale when you walk through the exit doors and a friendly voice from above tells you “You’re beautiful. Have a great day.”

You know you’re finally back in Haiti when you start sweating before you even step outside the airport.

You know you’re in Haiti when your heart finally feels like it’s home.

You know you’re in Haiti when being bumped and thrown around, while squished in the front of the truck with three other people, is the most wonderful ride you’ve had in months.

You know you’re in Haiti when you daily receive the most delightful hugs from the most beautiful little girls.

You know you’re in Haiti when you feel accomplished for the day after killing a spider the size of your fist.

You know you’re in Haiti when you get to wake up with the sun, the view when you walk outside is an island in the Caribbean Ocean, and every night the sky sparkles with millions of stars.

You know you’re in Haiti when the most exciting event of the week is not losing a single pen.

You know you’re in Haiti when the warmth of the sun on your skin thrills you so much that you forget to put on any sunscreen, and your long-awaited “tan” is soon peeling off.

You know you’re in Haiti when you make a child’s day by giving them a pair of new shoes.

You know you’re in Haiti when the day’s trip is canceled because two semis have been turned horizontally across the road to block it, and the people who took the keys from the drivers are MIA.

You know you’re in Haiti when you have to leave at five a.m. to beat the road block so you can get to the airport on time.

You know you’re back in Fort Lauderdale when you miss your flight while you’re sitting right at the gate. Don’t ask.

You know you’re back in Kansas City when donning layer upon layer of clothing doesn’t even keep the cold out.

You know you belong in Haiti when you miss it before you’ve even left.