Middle Class Haitian Life
We drove through many broken streets, lined with garbage and street vendors and just stopped. We were here! We all piled out of the van and walked down a narrow alleyway between walls made of tin sheets. Piles of debris were everywhere and the path was dirt and mud. The smell in the air reminded me of a dump but I think it was because chickens and pigeons are kept in cages along the alleyway. After a few turns we arrived at Jurel’s house and were welcomed with open arms by his wife and children. Big grins and giggles greeted us as we filed into the 10 foot square dwelling. Their home, with tin roof, was smaller than Sean’s room. In that home was a large double sized bed on which the entire family will sleep tonight. Also, there were a couple TVs (that one surprised me), a dining table, four chairs, a hutch for dishes, and a fridge. Imagine that for a minute.
Not for a moment did any of us feel unsafe. They introduced themselves one by one and so did we. They thanked us for visiting their home and were astonished that we took 2 planes to come and visit THEM. Then the picture taking started. Of course, we wanted to take some pictures of our new friends and their modest surroundings but they, too, wanted to take pictures of us. It was hilarious! We must have posed for half an hour so they could all get a turn getting their picture taken with the ‘blancs’. They had nice cameras and cell phones and each one was well dressed and clean. That’s one real disconnect in Haiti. The people are neatly dressed and clean but surrounded by garbage. If I was to start a mission of my own, I would start a garbage removal program.
Below are pictures of Jurel in his home, his daughter and neice, the hibachi they cook on outside their home, and the narrow alley that leads from they home to the street.
