June 17, 2011
We woke up early this morning to go to the city market to buy goats. Oy, oy, oy.
After a bumpy ride to the market (seriously, there are few paved roads and even those are filled with dips far beyond the size of an American pothole), we were greeted by goats, cows, chickens, vendors, and tons and tons of people. At the market, we bought eleven goats to give to families near the compound. I was only minimally part of the goat buying experience. I spent most of the my time by the car taking in the scene...
In the two-ish hours we were there, I saw enough animals slaughtered to make me never want to eat meat again. Designated butchers would whack pigs in the head until they were submissive enough to slaughter. At one point, they cut a pig in half and all his insides fell to the ground. There were bleeding cows walking around as their owners tried tirelessly to kill them. One cow got away causing temporary chaos in the market place. I was covered in ash and dirt and animal stench by the time we had our goats bought and loaded in the truck.
I was mildly mortified by the only market experience, but grateful for the experience nonetheless.
When we got back to the compound, we tied the goats up in the back and I preceded to wash my hands better than I’ve probably ever washed them in my life. Then, I showered and now I feel like a new person.
I love that I am getting to experience things that Haitians experience every week. I don’t feel like HAC is a separate entity, but rather a part of the community we’re in. I feel like there’s a lot more I could say, but I am running on little sleep and slight dehydration. More updates to come soon. Much love from Haiti.
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