The Trip to America

The Trip to America was very surreal.

It was hard to believe that after 27 months that

the girls were finally coming home. After so

many issues and delays I honestly would not

allow myself to believe it would really happen

until they actually stepped foot into America!

This is Friday morning 12/14/12,

just inside the Port-au-Prince airport.

We arrived about 2 1/2 hours before our flight.

The check-in area was empty, which was nice.

Checking in with American Airlines.

The American Airlines attendants were very kind.

The girls' passports were swiped and 

everything went smooth.

The Haitian customs officers asked several questions.
They reviewed the girls' Passports, Visas and 

IBESR Exit Letters. They were kind but a little
confused. They weren't sure what to do with
the girls' IBESR Exit Letters until I explained
they were suppose to keep them.

Once through all three security check points we had a
couple of hours before our flight from PAP to Miami.

The girls seemed interested in watching TV.
They were very nervous and didn't say much.

In the boarding area just before boarding.

The girls' boarding passes to Miami ~ America!

The girls were amazed by the sight of the plane.

They let us priority board. 

The girls were fascinated with the plane.

They were very nervous and quiet.

They had no interest in looking out the windows.
The sound and turbulence of take-off seemed scary.

They enjoyed getting juice to drink.

They finally relaxed when the flight was almost over.

Once off the plane in Miami we made our way to the
Passport checking area. From Passports we were escorted
to U.S. Customs. Customs was extremely crowded. We
waited 2 1/2 hours for the girls' files to be reviewed.
Finally they called us and escorted us into a small room.
Both girls were fingerprinted and signed their first name.
The girls' Visas were approved and they were cleared
to enter the United States as U.S. Citizens!!!

 

From there we checked into the Miami International 

Airport Hotel. The girls loved the comfortable
beds, warm baths, the television, and having
so many channels to flip through.

We got pizza for dinner. They both loved it!

Saturday morning 12/15/12 we were up at 4:30 AM 

to catch a 6:20 AM flight to Dallas-Ft. Worth.
The girls' boarding passes for the flight to DFW.

On this 2nd flight they were much more relaxed.

Jesula wanted the window seat and she giggled

seeing the early morning rain outside.

 

In the Dallas-Ft. Worth airport both girls' 

loved riding the sky train.

While waiting on the flight home we stopped for an 

American style breakfast. We ordered eggs over easy, 

bacon, sausage, hash-browns, toast, and pancakes.

They didn't care for the pancakes or the eggs. 

The girls' boarding passes for the flight home.

A smaller plane for the flight to Knoxville.

Both girls' wanted a window seat.

Jesula took a nap. After that she looked

out the window the rest of the way home
without saying a word. 

Redjina looked out the window the entire flight.
We talked a lot about Haiti and America.
We flew over cloud coverage as far as you could see.

At one point, referring to the clouds she said,
"Popi, is that the sea?"

Arriving Home coming soon...