Thursday

We woke up to a message from Roby that he had found us a hotel with a pool to hang out at today!  We had been talking about it most of the week just so we could get out a bit.  He asked if we were ok taking a moto and we said, of course.
Now if you don't know, taking a motorcycle in Haiti is common place for Haitians, but there are some who refuse to take one because of how dangerous they are.  On one of our very first trips to Haiti, we came across someone doing a piece for a television show about the most dangerous places to drive in the world and he was in Port au Prince...So, although we knew this, we also knew Roby wouldn't put us in danger and we trusted him.
After a quick breakfast of cow lung and plantains, we got ready to go.  Roby came with a driver from up by his parents' home and trusted him to take us.  We hopped on the back and started up Josie's road.  Roby was walking behind us and would get on another moto up the road.  We stopped just before the main road and our driver hollered at another driver and he went and picked Roby up.  We were then off on what was one of the most exhilarating 30+ minutes of my life. We zipped in and out of traffic, came to complete stops in a pack of motorcycles, weaved our way in between "lanes" of vehicles, witnessed a small fender bender within arms reach, got pulled over by police to check our drivers credentials and eventually made our way into Petionville.  Roby had scoped out several places that morning and this hotel had good security and was off the road a bit.
We pulled up along the curb and I proceeded to step off and let my leg hit the exhaust which was HOT! I moved it quickly, but not before I knew it was going to be a pretty substantial burn.  Roby and his driver discussed when to come back and get us and we walked into the hotel property.  It was STUNNING!  Pristine white, gorgeous greenery and landscaping, and a beautiful pool.  We found our way to the restaurant on site where we paid for the lunch buffet that would also allow us access to the pool.  For $22/person we lounged for the day by the pool and had an INCREDIBLE buffet of Haitian food.  The burn on my leg didn't hurt, but I knew it would eventually.  I showed Roby and we found some cold water/paper towels to keep on it throughout the day.  The lunch buffet was perfect and Roby got his picture taken with a famous Haitian musician who was also there.  This was definitely a place that I felt underdressed!  Next time, I'll bring some nicer clothes to change in to!
About mid-morning, Josie called wondering where we were!  I had sent her a text letting her know, but she hadn't gotten it because she only has wifi at home.  She had called to the house and Syl had said we weren't there so she came home so she could call us.  I told her we were at a hotel and she asked how we got there.  When I said moto, she said, "Oh no!" and then asked to talk to Roby.  It was all ok, but she didn't love that we took one so she said she would pick us up in the afternoon so we didn't ride one back.  The day was relaxing and a perfect way to enjoy some down time outside the house.