When someone yawns in the States what is the immediate assumption? It’s that they are tired due to lack of sleep, right? Well in Haiti there is a different way of thought. When someone yawns they are asked if they are hungry. Because so many people are constantly hungry here, and when you are hungry you don’t have as much energy so you yawn in exhaustion. This, I think, is one of the biggest examples of how malnutrition is infused in the culture of Haiti.
This past week I have focused a lot more on cultural differences and how they come from a lack of resources. For instance, Americans are often told that they eat way too fast here. Why? Because we eat for the taste where as Haitians eat to be full. The slower you eat, the more full you feel along the way.
Another difference in culture is planning ahead. I have found that often times it does not exist. Things such as moving, planning a wedding, or making other major life decisions are often done as spur of the moment things. I really don’t have an explanation for this one, it’s just the way it seems to be in Haiti, I’ve noticed. For example, I have a Haitian friend who told us 2 weeks ago that he will be moving to Brazil next week. This isn’t for a quick trip. He will be living there for 3 years to go to school. This is the type of decision that would take me a year to plan! But it is more normal here for such a decision to be made quickly.
With decisions being made so quickly, you would think life moves faster here. But no, I often do not know what day it is. Time feels almost irrelevant and people are often late to things as everyone is moving to their own schedule. Even for church! I noticed this because I have been going to an english speaking church down in PAP on Sundays and 2 weeks ago we were running VERY late. I obviously was nervous and thinking that we would miss the whole sermon but my friends told me not to worry because church often starts as much as 20 minutes late anyways. WHAT?? This was the craziest thought to me, but sure enough. We showed up 40 minutes late and they were still doing the beginning worship songs. I guess this just shows that island time is a very real thing. I am honestly growing to appreciate this though, as I learn to take in more of my surroundings such as this beautiful view from the other night.
Learning to adjust to all of these cultural differences has been something I have had to work on. Especially being okay with being late to things which was very hard for me. But even if they are sometimes late, or making fast decisions, the Haitian people work harder than I have ever seen. Maybe this is because they need to work hard in order to feed their families. Either way though, the fact that I am now used to seeing pregnant women walking up the mountain with several pounds of something in a basket on their head should be enough to prove that this country is nonstop.
Speaking of work, I’m working hard at the center, but its all volunteer. If you feel so moved, click on “support” above and help support the work I am doing at the malnutrition center.
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