A Blow in the Haitian Soul

By Barbara Norelien

When it was Barbaras time to return to Port- au Prince, she suddenly became blue with no desire to go back. Shes was taunted with strange feelings, unpleasant dreams which led to her experiencing the largest earthquake that has happened in Haiti in decades. The possibilities are hopeless. And for days her family searched to find her cousin who got lost during the earthquake. How can she and her family survive it all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493147229

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Copyright © 2014 by Barbara Norelien.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4931-4721-2

                eBook           978-1-4931-4722-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 05/16/2014

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

January 15, 2010

Sunday, January 17 2010

January 17 2010. Later

January 18, 2010

January 18 2010

January 19, 2010.

January 20, 2010

January 21, 2010.

I dedicate this book to my country Haiti and my family.

Acknowledgement

I would like to give a special thanks to my mom, dad and my stepmom for supporting me and helped me to make this book a reality. I would like to thank my family. I would like to also thank all my teachers who have pushed me to always do my best in school, you’re all wonderful. Special thanks to the people who saved my life during the earthquake, which allowed me to share my experience to the public, and my friends who have always made me laugh when I’m sad.

Let see how many years back that my family and I almost got killed. Because things like that are impossible to forget, you know. And, it will always stay in our minds forever. Sometimes, the gangs, kidnaps and fears are the number one things that a person would be afraid of when living in a small country like Haiti.

So, three years ago I was visiting my mom at Port-de-Paix in North West of Haiti, just only for a couple of days for Christmas vacation. Then, I got to go back to the capital for school. In Port-Au-Prince, the capital, I live with my Dad, uncle Lucben, aunt scherlie, Cassandra and cousin Firad. Uncle Sony’s wife Ymide and nine-month old boy, Milentchi had come to visit us. I have an enormous family, ten uncles, five aunts and more than forty cousins. I can’t start with the nieces and nephews. Besides, you’ll get bored.

When it was time for me to go back to the capital, I didn’t want to go. Because, I sensed something out of ordinary was going to happen. Then, usually I really enjoy being in Port-Au-Prince, even though my freedom is limited.

Haiti is located on the gulf of Gonave in the Caribbean Sea and covers an area of nearly fifteen square miles. The metro region of Port-Au-Prince is compacted in substance with a population of over two million. Like the rest of Haiti, the majority of the population in Port-Au-Prince is extremely poor although there are wealthier areas within the cities.

The capital is considered the educational hub of Haiti, as it has several educational institutions which range from large universities to smaller vocational schools. The state university of Haiti is located in Port-Au-Prince. It was established in 1945. At that time, there was a population range of five hundred thousand to one million.

School had already started, but my mom couldn’t buy the ticket until January ninth. When my mom told me that she brought the ticket, sadness suddenly filled my heart. In Port-de-paix I was more independent. I could go to a place by myself if it wasn’t dangerous, and that comes with my mom’s permission. My Dad is more strict. He doesn’t care where the place is, I always need anyway, a company. In the capital, even though we didn’t go to too many places, when we do go to a place, it was always enjoyable.

One day, we visited Champ de Mars, a park near the national palace, it was very interesting. And since then, we visited there at least twice a year. Especially during holidays and happening around for Mardi-Gras. There was bounce in my step, exultation in my heart and a smile in my face. And it was the first time that my Dad took me to a carnival. It was absolutely unimaginable. There were also some extraordinary dancers, musicians and costumes. And it was vivacious, beauteous and original. The variety of cuisines was unique and full of textures. Every second either I was chewing on something or sipping some soda. Uncle Lucben was annoyed by my actions. Remind me to never go anywhere with you that has food, he said, rolling his eyes. I like laughing on purpose, but I knew that if I did a whipping would be waiting for me at home. I ate so much that they had to carry me to dad’s red jeep. My dad is a chemist. He makes soaps, hair sprays, lotions, you name it, he makes it.

One day we were in a car selling soaps to people at the market. Some people would be waving at me like some kind of maniac to throw them some while my dad wasn’t looking. I guessed that they thought that I was a kid with no brain.

In Port-Au-Prince, my dad, aunts, uncle and cousin lived in Carrefour-feuilles. I went to a catholic school with only girls. Even though, my family isn’t catholic. My first day at school was a mess. My dad drove me to school. I was scared, infuriated and anything but delighted. The second that my dad pulled into the driveway I had a stomach ache. Was it fear, bother, sadness?

I knew one thing that it wasn’t. Zest. I didn’t feel any enjoyment, thrill or excitement. It was all something that I couldn’t sort out. It was a big building. Painted sky blue with a white gate. It had big letters written on top of it. It reads OUR LADY OF LOURDES. I still don’t get why I have to go to a catholic school," I ask my dad.

Because it is the best school in this area that I could afford, he said. Then there was silent between us. My dad escorted me to the main office. Kids eyes, gazing at me. I was intimidated by their looks. For a second I felt like running back to the car. When we reached the main office, the principal was a woman so were all of the teachers. She said, Good morning and welcome to Our Lady of Lourdes. My name is Sister Marie Lourdes; I am the principal of this school. And she said to me. You must be our new student. Yes Sister Mary, I said smiling.

Yes this is my daughter, Barbara and I’m her father, It’s nice to meet you, my dad says.

Well Barbara I’m so please to have you in this school. You’re late, so I’ll have to take you to your class while your dad fills out some important papers. I hugged my dad then followed Sister Marie. She looked like she could at least weigh 203 pounds. She wore a beige suit with white shoes.