Arrival and Getting Started

     Our day started early at 0515 as we gathered to load our bags on the van to the airport- it took two trips to get it all there.  The MFI hanger had 1 DC-3 in the hanger and 2 outside.  Our group, an Italian group and some of our luggage boarded a 1943 airplane.  The rest of our bags followed in a smaller cargo airplane. (Cessna Caravan).  We stopped at Georgetown, Exuma Islands, Bahamas for a 15 minute refuel and the back in the air for the rest of the flight to Port au Prince.  It was an uneventful flight with beautiful views of the smaller islands and that blue water that I love about the Caribbean. 
     On arrival, we went through customs and waited until the rest of our baggage arrived.  Pierre, Bill, Lee and I walked over to the University of Miami hospital tent to try and get supplies without success.  So we hit the army up, also without success.
     We then drove to the compound at Saint Ard.  We saw the damaged structures, many tent cities and then passed the area of the mass burials.  A very sobering reality. 
     Once arriving, we quickly ate lunch and then set to the task of unpacking, sorting and storing the medicines and supplies.  This took several hours.  We worked up a good sweat.  The anesthesiologist, orthopedic sugeon and I checked out the operating room facilities.  We can do it!
     After dinner, devotions and a cold shower, it is time to hit the sack before what will undoubtedly be a busy day tomorrow. 
(posted via Lori Johnston....in Ian's words per text message as there is no computer on site.)