As expected, our stay in Haiti didn't get any easier. Each day brought about new challenges, new cases and new obstacles to test our teams strength. On day two, half our team stayed at the clinic, helping patients, while the other half rode to Port au Prince to pick up our anesthesiologist at the airport and to receive a grand tour, if you will, of Port au Prince. There was definitely an air of nervousness as we left for our trip around Port au Prince.
What I saw, smelled and heard was by far some of the most worst things imaginable. As a defense mechanism, most of us stayed calm, but didn't really let the horror sink in quite yet. Nothing can quite prepare you for the sight of people bathing in dirty street water, the smell of dead bodies decaying in the rubble and the sounds of people yelling, screaming and fighting over basic needs such as food and water.
On a lighter note, over the next few days I will be sharing more images of our fabulous staff of interpreters and drivers. They were amazing, period. These guys helped us so much and looked after us during our many tours of the country. Below is Alfonze-he drove me through Port au Prince three different times and I cannot thank him enough for keeping us safe!!!
While we were waiting for our Anesthesiologist at the airport, those of us guarding the car met this local rapper and a Haitian policeman. This guy was hilarious and when I told him he should go to the States to become a rapper he declined saying, "I love Haiti-I will never leave Haiti."
These are the infamous "tap-taps," the local taxi. There were always tons of people crammed into these and sometimes people even sat on top to catch a ride.
Day two was my first real day of seeing rubble and tent cities...it really takes your breath away...
Especially when you see skeletal remains in the rubble...
Trash and pollution are just one of the many severe issues plaguing Haiti right now (other than the obvious poverty and hunger and earthquake and government issues). This was one of few dumpsters I saw in Haiti, and it wasn't even being used.
Trash lines the streets in Port au Prince...
In all my trips around Port au Prince, these were the only people I saw working to clear rubble and debris...
I created a short slideshow from day two...please CLICK HERE to view it. Thank you again everyone for checking in see what's going on in Haiti!
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Comments
Wow...that's a lot to wrap one's head around...thanks for sharing your images and your stories so we have a clearer picture of what life is like for the people of Haiti.
(04.13.10 @ 10:42 AM)Amazing images! I think I saw one work team also when I was there. It's so heartbreaking but hopefully sharing images of Haiti will bring more awareness to the US that they still need help!
(04.13.10 @ 11:51 AM)As I scroll through your stunning images, it really takes your breath away to see what still remains to be done on the ground to help the Haitians. I continue to be amazed to see the smiles on some of their faces and the resiliency and perseverance of these people..........
(04.13.10 @ 03:15 PM)