As the car laboured up the steep slope all you could see was where the track seamlessly joined the sky, you knew there had to be more track at the top but it still came as a surprise when we reached the apex and there it was stretching out before us. Like a monsoon rain burst on a scorching Haitian afternoon it was a relief – we were on flat track, and we could see the track ahead - it appeared to stay flat for a while before the hairpin bend to the right and more flat and straight before it dropped off at an alarming gradient.We motored along on the flat and straight, watching the scenery go by for as far as the eye could see, the hairpin bend arrived and the front of the car seemed to disappear over the edge before you were suddenly whipped around to the right and stabilized for a few seconds before plunging down the next valley. Mad Mouse had done its thing again. Kids screamed as the cars flew around the track and as they were flung first left and then right, for a momentary illegal touch (and shy knowing smile) against the girl they liked but couldn’t say. For the 60 or so seconds the ride at the Melbourne Show took it was at once exhilarating and down-right scary. But when it was all over the destination was wonderful – you had conquered the ride.
Yesterday, I took Haiti’s answer to Mad Mouse from Port-au-Prince to Jacmel, a place famous for Pirates (I reckon saw a painting of Captain Jack Sparrow on the dock) and now almost 600 Salvation Army (SAWSO) Temporary Shelters.
We came over some beautiful green covered mountain scenery that dropped away to the beautiful azure coloured ocean on both sides. We hung on with white knuckles as we were thrown from one side of the car to the other. As we swung wildly from side to side - dodging tap taps, motorbikes, people, potholes, and disappearing roads created by the earthquake - we were assured that our driver was very good.I watched fascinated though, (trying to think of something else other than the 2,000’ drop) as four beautiful large hawks slowly rose on invisible mountain thermals alongside the road, they seemed to keep pace with us without moving a muscle, their wings locked in and their heads pointed towards the ocean. As they rose and fell with apparent ease alongside us I was reminded that I can be like the thermals, I can be part of that which lifts people up, which sets them above their circumstances. I have an amazing privilege.
