this is definitely worthy of a post

So experienced my first earthquake! well at least the first one that I was awake for! It was a very odd experience. At first I thought it was just the loud thump of someone falling out of bed in the room next door but then the noise carried on and the shaking of the room was a little too much for that theory. I was in bed at the time trying to download and watch this new viral Kony2012 video, I never did finish it. Anyway so I poked my head out the door, to witness the rest of the volunteers doing the same all looking slightly puzzled. There were exclamations of 'did you feel that?' and 'was that an earthquake?!'. I suddenly became acutely aware of where I was - Haiti which we all know had a major earthquake 2 years ago.

The air was then filled with wails and cries of the locals who were obviously sent into a fearful panic after the terrifying experience of 2 years previously. For the next hour or so the wails continued and the sound of a helicopter circling echoed around the complex. My guess is it was out to survey any damage done - which I have heard is very little and there are no reports of injury or fatalities.

Anyway once the initial adrenaline rush was over I headed back to bed. I must confess though that I packed a rucksack and had my shoes by my bed just in case a bigger one happened and I had to run. My rucksack had the most random stuff in it though I thought as I looked through it in the light of day. Things I thought i would need in an emergency included - my stethoscope, alcohol handwash, my camera, a light scarf, pair of shorts, fact 50 spf, a torch, money, my travel documents, phone, hair clip, pen, sunglasses, creole phrase book........I suppose some of that might have been useful.

On a lighter note I stitched up my first head wound today on a very drunk man. It definately feels different to the plastic models especially when your patient keeps moving and trying to kiss your hand!