Greetings from Fond-des-Negres, Haiti!
After two lovely nights at the Visa Lodge in Port-au-Prince, Jen and I packed up our bags and headed to Fond-des-Negres with Majors Robert and Rae Doliber! We left around ~9:30 AM and started our 2.50 hour drive out into the countryside.
Given that we spent a significant amount of our morning in the car, I felt it would be appropriate to comment on the roads and/or driving conditions in Haiti, as they are pretty different from our own. Specifically, in terms of the Rules of the Road, it truly appears as though the phrase "Anything Goes" is the only rule to follow. In driving around Haiti, you will see your fair share of unorthodox things, including the following:
(1) Motorcycles everywhere, populating the roads like mosquitoes at dusk, with riders who rarely wear helmets and who often exceed the passenger limit (allowing 3 passengers on average).
(2) Tap-Taps (taxis) painted in beautiful, bright colors with elaborate designs and portraits (sometimes of Jesus, God, or Celine Dion), which are surrounded by phrases or themes pertaining to salvation. (Side Note: We learned the Tap Taps were decorated in this way, as the drivers thought the religious-elements of their vehicle would bring them good luck, fortune, and safety while on the road...Even though this might explain the paintings of Jesus, God, or the incorporation of scripture, I am still baffled by the reference to Celine Dion).
(3) Functional stoplights that often go unnoticed. (Side Note: Apparently, a group of NGOs tried to improve the safety of several major intersections within Port-au-Prince by installing the stoplights. Unfortunately, Haitians never learned the meaning of stoplights, as they were not incorporated into their version of "Driver's Ed." Although the intention was good, this is sadly yet another example where the execution was poor and yielded little actual benefit.)
(4) Old school buses or trucks from the U.S. that have been converted into Tap-Taps, in order to maximize the number of passengers each driver could accommodate within one trip.
(5) Tap-Taps that are "top-heavy," overflowing with luggage that the roof-racks were simply not built to withstand. Moreover, sometimes the "luggage" includes passengers. These bold individuals will sit on top of the mounds of luggage (no seat-belts, no straps); this occurs even when traveling on major highways where the speed reaches upwards of 70mph.
(6) An overwhelming number of pedestrians in the street or alongside the street participating in markets who are just one misstep away from the vehicles as they race past, creating a dust storm of dirt in their wake.
(7) Honking! Good lord, the honking! Haha, I realize this is a sound and not a sight; however, it has to be documented. Haitians driving at high speeds through the streets will honk at all hours of the day regardless if someone else is present on the road. I have never seen such a fascination with honking, as that which is present here in Haiti.
(8) License plates from other countries including, the United States and Canada for cars that had been donated and/or disposed of here in Haiti and where the owners of the vehicles chose not to pay the registration fee or update the license plate. (Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might initially think.)
Wow, after writing this post I am reconsidering my chosen profession... Perhaps I would have been better suited as a traffic cop? Haha, who knew I had so many opinions regarding the rules of the road. Although...all of these points do relate to public health, right? Haha, maybe there lies my answer.
Alright, well that is it for tonight! I will be sure to update you about our first day volunteering at the Bethel Hospital tomorrow!
Best,
M
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