Honk Honk Tap Tap

Haiti is a fantastically different place. The people are bold and the culture is rich. We haven't been here long but are learning lots very fast. Fun facts to know so far...

-There are these vibrantly colored vehicles that drive all of over the place and people are constantly hopping in and out of the open backs. They are called Taps Taps. They are basically Hait's version of taxis but are called Taps Taps due to their tin roofes; when you want the Tap Tap to stop moving so you can get off you pound your fist on the roof.

-Speaking of driving... NOT LIKE AMERICA. There are no traffic rules. Or patterns. Or stop signs. Or turn signals. Everyone just drives through the streets irregardless of the side of the road, the speed they are going, or who is in their way. Vehicles get really close, as in very very very close. There are times when no more than half an inch will separate us from the car driving beside our bus.

-Honking is not considered rude, it's more of a "hey I'm right here, greetings!" Therefore there is a large amount of honking, meaning that it never really stops.

-Many yards and complexes are walled in but they do not have barbed wire here to put around the top. Their soluation? They take shattered bottles and embed them in a cement/mud-like substance on top to try and keep out unwanted guests.

-Nonverbals are used much more often here. Members of the group called it the Language of Love. A hug, a handshake, or a honk are perfectly common and acceptable means of communication.

-On top of a bus is a just fine place to put a living goat.

-Water is purchased here in bags about the size of juice pouches. Vehicles similar to dump trucks drive through the streets overflowing with the bags and as it slowly moves along people run up and buy what they need.

On a side note, next time you use the bathroom at home, use for all of us! Squatting and then placing your toilet paper in a garbage can nearby is a little different from what we are used to.