Tap-Taps and Motorcycles

Today was busy. It rained like crazy. The thunder made our tent shake. The lightning was so bright you could see it from inside. I've learned that there are a lot more similarities between us and Haitians than I once thought there could be. Besides the basics of human nature, turns out Haitians don't know how to drive in the rain either.

This is a tap-tap. Notice the people sitting and hanging off the back.

So apparently tap-taps (or similarly spelled) are taxis. They are multicolored trucks with high gated backs and a cover over the top. People jump in and out and often hang off the back precariously. As if that doesn't sound dangerous enough, they drive very quickly and very close to the surrounding vehicles. Now imagine one of those getting into a rainy, muddy brawl with a motorcycle. That's what came through our ER tonight. It was nasty. As if a dozen admits during he day wasn't enough...let's just say the pebblestone floor of the ER is jokingly called "red rocks of Haiti" and our OR is still open for business (it's after midnight).

I guess the lesson from this shift is: Drive Carefully ( and don't ride in a tap-tap).

This is one of the pharmacies. This one had basic oral and IV meds.

We spent a lot of time drawing up our own NS flushes. This must have been at 1 or 2 am.

Yes, those are oral narcotics. A little to easy to access!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Just outside ped's tent, Haiti