the first weekend

So yesterday was kinda fun. We had spent Friday evening hanging out and making signs for the race on Saturday. (This is a race organised by a couple of the volunteers here to raise awareness of health issues in Haiti.) I really enjoy these times where we are just chilling together, it reminds a little of being on the ship. Although I am definitely still the newbie here, erin, jeanie and Sam to some extent obviously have a close relationship. I can imagine this is the kind of place that forges quite strong bonds. But me and Sindhu (the other newbie) are slipping into the way of life here and have felt nothing but welcomed.

Anyway Saturday was race day! So up at 5:45am (mum would be so proud of me!) to set up as people started arriving as early as 5:30! Ok so a word about Haitian time, everything starts as soon as the sun comes up about 5:30 and I am in bed by 9:30.

Right back to the race. There was a massive turn out and although it didn’t go completely to plan ie a lot of ppl cheated and cut corners, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Especially the kids! I think next time they will plan to have a kids race and an adult race. We also took ppls bps as they registered as a matter of screening and to raise awareness. HTN is a real problem here, people are having strokes at an early age and there is just not the rehab facilities to accommodate them. Plus so much of the Haitian life is based around needing balance and core stability. Imagine trying to ride a moto or tap tap with no balance, or crouching down to do laundry with no core strength. As the PT/OTs keep saying ADLs are very different here.

The rest of yesterday afternoon was spent at the pool. A small slither of paradise in this distructed country. After being promised that there was usually no one at the pool we walk in to find a group of about 25 americans who are over here on a mission trip. But the pool was lovely, a couple of prestiges (the beer here in Haiti), good food and good company. We spent the rest of the day there and by the time we got home I was very sunburnt (my legs are so painful) and very tired. That good tired where you have achieved something with your day, had a full day and spent lots of it in the sun