Haiti Style

When visiting another country it is really hard not to notice the differences between their country and your own. And now that I have visited Haiti twice I feel I can adequately explain a few of the differences. Remember, Haitians are VERY good at using whatever is available.

1. Our Mall vs. their outdoor version:

Grocery Store, Beauty Parlor, and a seamstress making your clothes need I say more?

2. Our grocery store vs. their market:

Their market can happen on any street corner. Streets are literally lined with people selling all kinds of stuff. But I have to admit the craziest thing is how they sell chickens. You will see people carrying chickens. Chickens tied up, chickens with their legs tied together and hanging around their necks, chicken pyramids lying on the street. And the whole time you are thinking, "those pour dead chickens. They better sale them fast." And then they blink, the chickens. And you blink thinking your eyes are playing tricks on you. But no, they really are alive, just...laying there. But the one that takes the cake is chickens in a black plastic bag with only their heads poking out. It makes me wonder if it is a new version of microwave cooking.
It all gives a whole new meaning to take out chicken.

3.Our Taxi vs. their Tap Tap:

We simply call a taxi or in New York you might hail a cab, lift your skirt and show some leg to get a taxi. Here it's generally one person to a taxi ride. NOT in Haiti.

There's no calling for a tap tap. You wait at designated points and hope you can get a seat in the mad rush of people vying for the same seat. And it is NOT a one seater, it's a seater for how many can cram into the same space. And that space is generally a small pickup truck with benches in the back with a covering of some kind over it. This picture is what I call an industrial size tap tap.

4.Our tree house vs. Girls clubhouse Haiti style:

Haitians are sooooooooo resourceful. And the children at the O are no exception. This is a storage cabinet outside in the play yard area.

What you can't see is there are two more girls in the bottom right hand section. And...they wouldn't let the boys in.

So I love to call this the girl's clubhouse!

5. Playing:

Here our children might play by themselves. In Haiti, the children love being together. At the O they do everything...well....in groups. Maybe we could learn from them about group management. LOL

Teeter totter and Jump rope.

6. Months vs. A Day:

On the way to the beach (two hour trip) we drove by this amazing sight. On the way home from the beach, hours later, we pass this sight again. Thankfully I actually had the forethought to have my camera ready. Dominique explained that this is very normal. They start at 6am and finish the project by 4pm. Now I'm not sure if he meant the whole house or laying a cement floor. All I know is there was a man on every wrung of that latter passing the bucket of cement so fast it would make your head spin. And they do this all day!!!! I think our construction people here in the US could take a cue from them!

The other picture is of a painting I found hanging on the wall at Wing's of Hope (home for disabled children) depicting this amazing sight. So of course I had to take a picture of it!

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my analogies of just some of the differences I observed. Personally, the marketing of chickens is my favorite! :)

HUGS, Kristina