Ann here! Mariah suggested that our blog might possibly be a bit on the heavy side…and while that is entirely appropriate most of the time, We realized that there are some other aspects of being in Haiti that might be interesting and entertaining to discuss. I believe Mariah intends to write the definitive “how to” guide for using your motorbike horn, so I will leave that to her. But here are some other indications that you might be in Haiti:
- It starts raining, and you run for cover not from the drops, but from the falling mangoes
- You have just lathered up your shampoo and soaped your body when the water stops flowing.
- You are organizing the cabinet of donated medical supplies in L&D, and shake your head at what other countries have sent – veterinary IVs, a frighteningly large urinary catheter (like really, enormous), sublingual nitroglycerin, a safety pin with elastic loops in a sterile instrument packet (purpose unknown)…..notably absent: linens, washcloths, water….
- As you round at the hospital you dodge the flock of chickens that resides on the ward
- You bring your headlamp to the hospital because the afternoon thunderstorm often brings power outages
- You get bugs in your teeth from smiling wide during your moto taxi rides
- You are starting to suspect that you are “needing” that daily bottle of coca cola a bit too much….
- Your water bottle is like another appendage
- You amend your personal list of powerful, fearless female role models to include the Sisters of Mercy. Actually, they now rank pretty much toward the top.
- You get peed on by a toddler at Azil feeding center but decide not to change before going to the hospital later, because urine dries really fast, and it’s just scrubs….
- The doctor in L&D keeps talking on his cell phone while performing a vaginal exam (not really funny, but definitely outrageous….)
- 3 or 4 people on one moto taxi seems completely normal
- The coffee is strong, the food is fried, and rice and beans are abundant. Yay for brown foods!
- You go Konpa dancing and quickly become an expert at maintaining your personal boundaries
- you have embraced your hair in its natural, unstyled state
- As cliche as it sounds, you realize that smiles and songs transcend almost all cultural barriers.
Hope all of you are well! We are almost at the halfway point of our trip and are doing great. Love to everyone!
emuinhaiti 