Pou kont mwen (On my own- Seul-Solo)

I have to say that people have told me so many times to be careful in Haiti, not to let my guard down too quickly, not to wander the streets alone, not to take a taxi-moto (motorcycles that drive you wherever you need to go, by driving like maniacs sometimes!), that tap taps can be dangerous too (a pick up truck  thats sits oh so many people with two benches along the inside of the box). The truth is, they are all right. Yes, I've been warned by Haitians, Canadians, Americans, etc. And I did/do listen to them. 
But come on, if you want to just try to understand Haiti and feel like you are part of Haiti, you have to step -or jump- out of your comfort zone. I stepped out of mine. A tad. 

Tap tap nan Lavil (Downtown Port-au-Prince) These vehicles are very colourful and have quotes mentioning God, Jesus or Bondye (Bon Dieu)  painted everywhere, and some have caricatures of superstars such as 50 cent.

Although last week I got a ride back from work on a motorcycle for the first time, the driver was a friend of mine, so I didn't feel too nervous! But this week, I managed to find my way to Nos Petits Frères et Soeurs (NPFS) by asking two Haitian women directions, while ignoring comments coming from passersby: "Hey, blan! [insert kissing noises] Cheyi!" (Hey white, darling). 
Walking around in Haiti solo: Check!


Then I wanted to go to la Croix-des-Bouquets and decided I would take a motorcycle. It would be faster and perhaps safer than walking. 
Taking a motorcycle with a stranger, and dealing the fee solo: Check!


And, yesterday after work I decided I wouldn't wait around for my usual ride home, but would instead take two tap taps. I took the first tap tap with Lucardo, the program coordinator for KCH. He then made sure I got safely onto another one that would drop me off not to far from where I'm staying. After noticing that I was (obviously) not from Haiti nor used to tap taps, a haitian man sitting in front of me said that I should have been accompanied by someone. Instead of making me doubt about taking the funky looking pick up truck, I felt proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone. 
Taking the tap tap solo, and standing up to the driver who didn't give me my full change back, by telling him in Kreyol that he owed me and extra 10 Gourdes: Check!

I feel like I am becoming more independent...or less dependent. 


So far so good Ayiti, so far so good.