Haiti:   Encountering Reality at Its Best and Worst!

Why Haiti? Looking vs. Seeing The Purpose The Experience The Memories
How It Began The First Look      
The Purpose Perception of City 
The Process Perception of Country      

A Look at the Life of People Living  in the Country

Visitors Mean A Holiday

December 9, 2003 our group was flown to Cap Haitian, where we checked into the Hotel Roi Christophe (hot shower, too) and then visited the ICC North office.  Chi Chi (at left in white shirt)  was a super host.  We boarded the van (below) to visit some of ICC's rural projects.  It was raining, and we came upon a truck with a flat tire.  Our driver thought he could get around it, but it was too slick.  Our van began to slide into a ditch much deeper than it appears.  In fact, there was a danger it would overturn, so we all got out, and the van was pushed back.  Then the truck was pushed aside. But, we didn't go far.

A heavier rain began to fall, and our secondary project was out of reach, too.  So, we decided to stop right where we were.  Got out, and walked to a combination school and clinic, drawing a lot of attention.  I couldn't help but wonder what all those kids thought about the crazy "blans" (Creole for white people).  I blew up some balloons, which they call "bladders," and soon a large crowd had gathered.  We had a lunch of sandwiches, cheese and cold, bottled water.  Then it was back to work -- the rest of the group learning about the clinic from Chi Chi and I blowing up "bladders."  There were more people than there were balloons, and I had to retreat inside the house.
Chi Chi (left) tells the group about the work at the clinic.  John Mark (blue shirt)  interpreter. The woman at left is a nurse, and  told us something we already knew: They need a new road.

Brother and Sister Watch Curiously. Young male children often go without pants, to save on the washing chores.

A look at the bay where Columbus sailed

Above is real country road

 More Pictures of our time spend in the country

You see a great variety of housing in Haiti.  Some are beautifully painted, others just very simple shelters

Sugar Cane (Haiti "candy") at left;

 the family laundry dries at right on cactus spikes

Cactus hedges provide protection from intruders.  At right, a driver's view of country driving.

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