48 pounds – that’s how much my life packed into a suitcase headed for Miami! But this wasn’t your typical vacation or family visit. I brought along cookbooks, my trusty camera, and just a few clothes. More than that, I carried with me my weariness, confusion, and the sadness of mourning, all mingled with the excitement of the unknown awaiting me in the USA.
Let’s rewind to the first week – a bit of a blur with the mix of emotions and an abundance of alcohol to face the farewell of our family’s matriarch. She was not just an aunt but the dearest friend of my late grandfather, someone I came to know and love through her memories, now treasured as my own. Public speaking, even through the grief, became a part of my journey, surrounded by the love of cousins, an embrace from the Universe that transcends our differences.
Week two was a whirlwind of paperwork and the urgent need for a phone. Enter MINT Mobile, my budget-friendly savior. Amid filling out countless job applications, I delved into the world of immigration forms, fueled by the determination to seek asylum. As I poured my heart into these applications, Chat GPT played editor, helping me navigate a language that isn’t my native one – « Mwen pap al monte mal sou li. »
Week three – a certainty that lawyers and translators might just drive me bonkers! Yet, as patience became my ally, I explored the neighborhood, relishing long walks that had been absent from my life in Haiti. Margate became my new stomping ground, where I learned the community’s rhythm through barks and got familiar with the routine of Ken and Karen. Dodging prying questions about Haiti, a country etched into every fiber of my being, I chose to express it through my accent and the tunes that echoed during my walks.
By week four, my journey took a detour to buy winter clothes for the cold. Plans for a fresh start in New Jersey hit a snag, but undeterred, I discovered Hamburg and the chilly weather that demands respect. J., our dashing neighbor, and his returning ex added some unexpected drama to the mix. Amidst laughter with M and Z, virtual meetings with lawyers, and the stress of a sick relative back in Haiti, I contemplated Canada and found solace in Newton’s sidewalks and crosswalks.
Week five – a turning point. A heated argument led me to pack my essentials and head to Newark in the pouring rain. Fighting exhaustion, I joined cousins in Long Island, nearly fainting multiple times. A hearty lunch revived me, and a journey on the Purple Line brought me to Central Islip. The Day of the Dead prompted a trip to the cemetery to honor my friend Pascal. Unexpectedly, I received a call that reshaped my plans – a new job in Haiti with hybrid work options. With a renewed spirit, I treated myself and headed to « The City » to be a tourist in New York.
Week six was a joyous return to the vibrant chaos of New York – a dream come true for the child in me who grew up surrounded by adults who often didn’t understand. Now, as I embarked on a pilgrimage of museums and churches, I relished every moment in the city that never sleeps.
Week seven – November 8, 2023, marked the beginning of a new chapter, La Perle La Perle. With all the initial uncertainties, I couldn’t help but feel the excitement building, making this part of my journey more enticing than ever!