Bits and Pieces

Haiti declared its freedom in 1804 from the French when the slaves revolted against their slave owners.  The French punished them by demanding restitution until the 1950’s.  No wonder the French are not liked very well.

Based on those who pay taxes, the unemployment rate in Haiti is said to be 80%.  That is not exactly an accurate figure since there are a lot of small entrepreneurs that sell things along every street but don’t pay taxes.

Leogane was the epicenter of the earthquake, population 10,000.  Ninety percent of the homes there were destroyed.

During the quake, parts of the earth looked like ocean waves, as high as three feet, according to the locals.  Our interpreters were on their way to a birthday party at a popular restaurant when the quake hit.  It hit just minutes before they arrived killing over 50 people inside, many of them were their friends.

If someone has a toothache, it is pulled, not repaired, provided he has money to go to a dentist at all.  Lynn is the head nurse on the medical team.  During our second clinic she pulled an adult tooth with her bare hands.  I try to be very nice to Lynn at all times.

Haitian time usually runs anywhere from one to two hours behind American time, and I don’t mean central vs. eastern time zones.

Most Haitians are smart, warm, optimistic, and suspicious.

Thank God I know a little something about business.  I would make a terrible doctor.  I’m not sure they want me back even to dispense vitamins and Tums.  As yet, I have produced no casualties but I do wish the Amoxicillin and children’s chewable vitamins were not the same color.

There was a lot of commotion in the streets last night.  Policemen were very visible.  It was rumored that Aristide was back in the country.  Just rumor, we think.  However, it is no rumor that Clinton will be in town today.  Wouldn’t be surprised if he put his name in the run-off election for president.

There are some 9 million people in Haiti and Port Au Prince has almost 4 million.

Our clinic Monday was held in the Citè Soliel slum.  I am told the UN considers this to be one of the most dangerous communities in the world.  We never had a moment’s trouble.  The people waited patiently to be treated, some as long as 5 hours.  They were courteous and appreciative to receive the treatment.

I am staying in what is supposed to be one of the better and safe neighborhoods of Port Au Prince.  The Internet Café across the street from our house was robbed at gunpoint on Sunday.  All the customers were robbed and no one was hurt.  It is now closed until they can hire an armed guard.  This is one example of the many dichotomies prevalent in Haiti.  Since the Café is my internet source, there will be a slight delay in posting this.

Everything runs on diesel in Haiti.  Gas is $8 (US) per gallon!

A 45# bag of charcoal costs 300 gourdes or about $12 (US).  The charcoal will last an average of 3 weeks.  Ninety percent of the population uses charcoal for cooking.  There are not many trees left in Port Au Prince.

Kenskoff is where the wealthy Haitians live.  That is where Sean Penn stays when he is in town.  One of our interpreters has seen Sean on several occasions.  He said he barely recognized him because he was dressed like a construction worker.  The locals say he has done some good work here.

More from Haiti...

Jerry Shelly