Lessons from the Blan

So here in Haiti they call white people Blan. I could be spelling that wrong since I am just going from how I hear it and my creole (kreyol) phonetics have (lots) to be desired.  The word is more of an adjective, it can be a kind description or derogatory depending on how it is used. But one way it is used is to describe someone that does not fit into Haiti. So when you act really new and "white" you are really blan and as you get more into the flow of the culture they begin to call you "Haitian". Well lets just say I am for sure very "blan" at the time.
This blan has learned a lot over the last two weeks, unfortunately kreyol has not been one of them.

• I have learned to where shorts under my dress when riding a moto... because I am blan when I get off and have not figured out a way to get off without "stretching my groin muscles" 
• I have learned that when there is electricity... bring a flashlight into the bathroom when showering... (oh and maybe have a bucket of water in case the well runs out of water while you are in there.
• There is a lot you can get done in two hours when you know its the only 2 hours you will have electricity. I think this is a great motivator and creates some efficiency... especially in procrastinators
• Those Yeti coolers do not last 4 days in the Haitian heat with ice
• Ants can actually eat through and dig up the grout between floor tiles. And they find everything... even the things I cant see. 
• I am going to need to buy some Fans and figure out a way to get them here (not so much because I am hot... because I can't sleep with mosquito buzzing in my ear. I have the fortune of not really being allergic... I itch for 10-15 min. But they just find a way to pester EVERYONE. 
• Cockroaches have more will to live than I do. Seriously I have to hit them like 2-3 times before they actually die. One of them made it about 20 feet After I smashed the guts. 

Ok so yes these are all 3rd world living lessons, but... I love the fresh air every morning on the moto and the way everyone greats each other. The streets are busy with people and they know each other. No electricity can be frustrating, but I have learned there is nothing I can do about it... and maybe God did that on purpose. Maybe he wanted us to relax more, talk more, be present more. You can do some things with just fire at night... you can talk to others and play with kids, you can read, you can eat. You can not watch TV, you can not write emails, many "chores" are too inconvenient. I have learned to take advantage of this time. 7:00 is too early for me to go to bed, one day when I am more comfortable this time will be great for visiting with neighbors. But right now I read, I spend intentional time in prayer, I just relax. It is truly wonderful. When there are a bunch of dishes left and I know that means there will be ants... its hard to relax but I am learning the beauty of darkness.


I have had more experiences than I expected as well.

• My first week here was the HEALTH FAIR: I love the week of the health fair. I get to learn so much from therapist that have been working here for years. My favorite thing this year was the moms. I have worked with special needs kids two previous times and each time I was asked if I would just take their child by at least one mother. NOT THIS TIME. This time many of the moms were on the floor talking, playing, touching, and loving there child. It give me tears and goosebumps as I write it. These therapist and other advocates of special needs children are teaching these moms to love and give dignity to their children. There is a ways to go in the country, but it needs to start with the families. 
• Staying with a friend: I stayed with a friend in Port Au Prince last weekend. It was actually the whole family. It was a great time. I went to market with the sister/aunt and they speak very little English and I speak very little Kreyol. So we waded our way through the market and got stared at by everyone. I stopped at one point to try to point to something I wanted but didn't want the people selling to see me pointing. Literally all 16 surrounding booths were staring at me. I just started laughing and let it be. It really was a lot of fun and the family was great even if there was minimal verbal communication between some of us. 
• Pickliz: I made pickliz and had it with fried plantains just about every day this week. It was fantastic... but I made too much and probably some is going to go bad. But maybe not its pickled so it may last a while. The biggest win for me was the fact that I did not get sick which means I cleaned things well enough. 
• Moto Rides: I have successfully taken the moto for a week to and from work at the school. I am unable how ever to call the moto to pick me up. So I still rely on a friend to do that for me. Once I even got ice and got it back to the house on the moto... it was about 1/4 of a mile and one bag... but baby steps. 
• Teaching: I taught the second year students adaptive equipment this week. Although teaching is not my thing we did it in a more discussion format and I think it went quite well. I think this is one course that is very important for the therapist here is Haiti to teach as they are able to make and use creative techniques for equipment and teaching the technology we have in America is not the most beneficial. 

It has been a whirlwind, and it has really stretched this introvert to the point where I just want to lay down in a puddle a cry. But there are people that are major answers to prayers in this transition. I have overcome some silly fears and am learning daily the strength in dependence. I think a lot of my pride rides on my ability to be independent. One of my prayers for years has been that the Lord would deal with my pride so that I could love him and others better. Right now I have to depend on others for everything day to day. I have to depend on my friend to call the moto driver. I have to depend on the moto driver to pick me up. I have to depend on the family that I am renting from to allow me to charge batteries, refill water, get things from market, set up people to help me around the house, take me to church, and just help me navigate expat life here in Haiti. It's a very uncomfortable position to be in for me. I am used to serving others not needing from others. It makes me feel like a burden and I just don't like it. But I am learning... I am learning how you help someone can give them worth or take it away. I am learning how to be great-full and not always think that others expect something in return. I am learning the importance of relationship with those that help you and you help to decrease the feeling of burden on each other. These lessons are important for me now and as I increase my own independence here I hope that I will remember these as I am able to help others.


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^Life Foolishly

Rachel