July 10, 2008
In a place like Haiti, life is never easy. Right now, I’m sitting in an internet cafe in Dajabon ~ the Dominican border town across the river from Ouanaminthe, Haiti. I tried to sign on at the “beautiful downtown” internet cafe in Ouanaminthe a couple of nights ago, but it took me 30 minutes (I kid you not) to not get online! The connection is a little slower than I’d like here in Dajabon, but it really isn’t too bad.
This is just another reminder of how things work in the real world outside America. Yesterday would be another good example, when Joseph Israel took me and our friend Ganel on a 13 kilometer motorcycle ride up toward the mountains. Part of the road was nothing but broken rock, but we managed to get to a popular market that is held in a remote village each Wednesday. Joseph sent Ganel and me wandering, so he could negotiate the best price for a goat to bring home without the seller seeing a “rich” American standing by. Had I known I was riding home with a goat, I might have passed on going to the market in the first place ~ although in retrospect, I wouldn’t have missed the ride for the world.
Ganel and I walked through a maze of people selling all kinds of vegetables, fruits and wares ~ in addition to more donkeys, goats and cattle than I’ve ever encountered. At one point, I got to watch a recently deceased cow (head still attached) being butchered on a flat piece of cement. A man with a large machete made quick work of separating the rib cage and selling off all the pieces of beef, including the tail. It was a pretty amazing site to stand there and watch it all. I know that’s what happens at butcher shops all over America. It’s just that you don’t get to see all the pieces being divided and sold off one-by-one. It’s also sad to realize there is no way to keep the meat fresh. Yesterday was extremely hot, and with no refrigeration you know the meat will barely last until evening and still be edible.
But back to the goat. Ganel was instructed to tie the goat’s legs together, and the real fun began. With me in the middle behind Joseph who was driving, I had a 13 kilometer ride with a goat attached to my back. The best part was it bellowed (loudly!) in my ear the entire ride home. I’m still having a little trouble today hearing okay. At first, I thought the goat would be permanently attached to my back, but I was pleased to find that Ganel was able to peal it off the second we arrived home. The goat is tied now tied to a tree next to our kitchen ~ awaiting our team that will arrive on Monday. I really hope everybody likes goat!
Seriously, this is just one of a million stories like this that I could share with you. Hopefully, it gives you a better idea of how truly difficult everything is in a country like Haiti. It’s amazing that somehow these wonderful people have learned to cope, without constantly complaining about how hard their lives are.
Blessings until next time!
Craig
