Mountains After Mountains

I found myself surrounded by majestic earthen mountains and the sound of roosters crowing. Here I am in Haiti. This is not your average vacation. For a birthday treat, I decided to participate in a medical missions work. The rest of the world perceive this country to be destitute, bureaucratic and chaotic. I found it beautiful and loved the simplistic life. 

Standing in rooftops is a common practice in Haiti where the views are just awe inspiring.

These colorful tap taps in Port-au-Prince is the common public transportation in the city. 

 

The group I was with, OnCall: Medicine with a Mission, supported a relatively new local clinic that provides free medical and dental care, as well as free medicines to those who need it. We spent most of our days serving a relatively low income community in Port-au-Prince, where people could not afford to get care. But one day of the week, we partnered with a local community group that outreaches to a town 2 hours away. Waking up at 5:30am, we took the road less traveled and full of dirt. The scenery is luscious with green banana leaves.

This is my roughing it adventure to the town of Thomazeau. Where we had to cover ourselves to avoid a different shade in the end. I was spared but my black bag didn't.

 We saw more than 100 patients. We kept going from morning and through the hot afternoon sun under wooden coverings. Yet in the midst of the technical and medical, we find the most precious things that allow us to appreciate life more. 

This 93 year-old man brought in his childhood sweetheart for a check-up. A medical doctor visits this town once a month. Only then they get healthcare. 

By the end of the day, we are greeted by a beautiful sunset as we head home.