Here are a few things I learned while there--
- Haitian peanut butter has some spice to it. There I was first clinic, eating my first of many PB and J's, and I kept getting a hint of chile or pepper. Finally, someone told me it was the peanut butter. I might have become a bit obsessed. It's delicious!
- Learned to sleep sitting up and sleep when you can. Almost everyday, we held clinics somewhere other than the HCM compound and traveled to and from via school bus. Between all the team members, the interpreters, the large bags of rice, coolers and med bags - the school bus was packed. After a long day of clinic, all you wanted to do was shut your eyes and grab a few winks. And most times, sitting up was your only option. I became quite a proficent.
- I "re" learned my pharmacology. Being a pediatric nurse, I very rarely give certain meds to my patients or know them by their brand name. After a few times of having to ask, I finally remembered that Norvasc is Amolodipine. Also, I learned to count pills by 5's - it's faster.
- I learned that the French I knew as a child, is still in my brain. Slowly throughout the week, small bits and pieces would come back to me. It was rudimentary, however, I was able to at least communicate a bit. My dad is so proud.
- Mangoes in Haiti taste a gagillion times better than here in the states.
- It takes at least 2 hours to get anywhere. Regardless of what you're told, plan on two hours. Then if it is actually the 30 minutes they told you originally, it's a blessing
- I learned when push comes to shove, you sleep on a tile floor with a life preserver as a pillow.
- When a group of 30+ people who barely know each other go on a trip and have a common goal, you are instant friends, growing into a family by the end of the week. Your personal space shrinks as well. (see #2 for additional reason why)
- Speaking of family (not mentioning we were a bunch of medical peeps), you have no qualms discussing such things as cankles, deodorant application, hairy legs, bowel movements or lack there of, drinking enough vs. peeing enough, etc. etc. Oh and a great new diet plan that Beyonce is going to promote called Miracle Water... :)
