Sunday, June 27, 2010

A study in Transportation

I know I mentioned in other blogs some of the unbelievable ways that "goods and services" are delivered in Haiti, but I will just mention a few and then when I get home, post some pictures. Even those don't truly do justice to transportation in Haiti.

I have seen:
Motorcycles- with 3 kids and a dad. Moms and babies riding with a driver. Packages hanging off both sides with accompanying passengers. Evidently, if one of these drivers should run into you because of their recklessness, it is still your fault and they expect all resulting injury to person or property to be paid for. They are a major threat on the road and a major source of accidents. (I've cleaned up a few casualties).

Tap Taps- these can be smaller trucks with raised toppers or beat up vans. They carry considerably more passengers than what is even remotely safe or comfortable, but it is the main means of transportation for most Haitians. Mothers, kids, babies, students, workers, etc. If they break down, (which is common) you just hop out and hail another one. They are entertaining in their colorful painting and sayings on them. They usually have some sort of religious reference such as "Jesus save us"or something like that. I have ridden in them a couple of times when either there was no other option or when our own truck broke down. It is not for the faint of heart believe me and there are so many people squished in that even if you stop quickly, you aren't going anywhere! Being tall and white is generally a curiosity for the kids who rarely see "blancs" out and about. Some of the little ones are afraid of me, but most will smile when I try to engage them.

School buses- there is a central area for school buses that load up each morning about 4:00am and go to Port au Prince and then return the same afternoon. It is about an 8 hour harrowing trip each way over the mountains on roads that are little more than dirt pathways filled with pot holes and erosion. Each bus is packed with people, and cargo, including on the top. It is cheaper to ride on the top with the large cargo, but honestly, I don't know how they keep from falling off!

Large Trucks- these are large like a dump truck but with open railings to hold in the cargo and people. They can be packed very high with people literally dangling off the top. Trips in from Dominican Republic can be packed in that way as there are more things to purchase in the DR for resale in Haiti

Vehicles- There are a few "cars" which act as taxi's, but most vehicles are either SUV's or pickup trucks. Other vehicles just can't hold up to the wear and tear. The big organizations will drive around in nice SUV's and are usually white for some reason. It seems rather impractical to me. And you will have a variety of other SUV or trucks which are personally owned by either missionaries or wealthier Haitians. Most missionaries will have drivers, at least at the beginning, because of the new realities of the road, but eventually some braver ones will venture on their own, at least in the rural areas.

Farm Vehicles- I have seen very few tractors here, but one in particular that we pass on a regular basis is pulling 7 very large carts, filled to the top with either straw or some such thing. How he negotiates the roads, I have no idea.

The Cart- The cart is an amazing thing to see. They are wooden about 12' long with an additional 4' of handle. The men who push these carts must be Herculean in strength because the cargo is always heavy and enormous! Occasionally, you will have a guy in the front, mostly just to direct, and then the guy in the back (usually a thin, wirery guy) is in the back pushing well over a ton under his own strength up and down hills and through potholes. It is absolutely amazing!

Bicycles- several people can ride one bike. They may sit on the bar in the front, or the handle bars or the back. I have seen 2yr olds riding on the front, Mom peddling and perhaps a 4 or 5 year old on the back. They drive along side the road, but are pushed off often as approaching vehicles honk to warn them to get out of the way. In the food chain of transportation, the bike is only superior to the walking pedestrian. (They are at the bottom of the food chain.) I have seen very young children on bikes not appropriate for their size, riding on main thoroughfares on their way to school. It is frightening to see. I am looking forward to taking Doug (my husband) to the bike repair area of town to see the incredible amount of used "pieces" that they have to repair and build bikes. As he used to be a competitive cyclist in his younger years, he may find this interesting.

It have contemplated as I have been here now for almost 5 weeks this trip, how normal some of these things have become compared to when I first arrived. It is just a reality to Haitians and a fact of life. There is definitely an art to walking in the city which most of us Americans are not used to. In the states, the pedestrian has the right of way (at least theoretically!) But not so in Haiti, you must constantly be vigilant and aware as you walk!
Even when I am out with Hanania, she is watching giving me instructions "OK cross, or No wait." I feel like I'm back getting instruction from my Grandma Eleanor when I was 5! But that's alright with me. In a new culture, you never learn if you don't embarrass yourself sometimes! And besides... there are plenty of verses in the bible about being like a child, right!!!!

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