Technology in Haiti

Since it was the weekend we spent the last two days relaxing at the beach. After being around the kids all this time it can be a little overwhelming. So Haley and I decided we needed to get away from them to clear our minds a little bit. We loved sitting on the beach but all we could talk about was the fact that we have to leave in less then a week and we are not ready for that yet. At the beach today we think that an orphanage took some kids to the beach. It was so fun to watch the little ones play in the water. They were so happy and having so much fun with it. The group also gave them all pops. The pop out here is served in glass bottles it was very entertaining. They had pure enjoyment from the pop and a day at the beach.

We also met an interesting lady at the beach today. She had told us that she traveled to Haiti because she thought that Haiti would be a cheap country to travel through. She then told us that on her flight over she was annoyed with some of the people because they were here on a mission trip. She's like these people live a low quality life but they could just change it themselves if they wanted to. She said that Haiti could change themselves if they wanted to. I don't think she has really dived into this culture. These people need someone to show them the way out of poverty. They need to be shown life skills to help break this cycle of poverty. She finally ended the conversation saying maybe next time I travel I will just go to all inclusive. It will be a lot easier and cleaner. Haley and I both left and were surprised by this lady. I think we were both frustrated with what she was saying so we just walked away from the conversation.

One of the things that I have noticed since being out here is the use of technology. In the states you see everyone on their phone. One of my favorite things about traveling is putting my phone away and not letting it be a distraction in my life. The first days of not using it can be tough but soon I forget about it all together. I rarely see people on their phones out here and I have maybe seen a dozen iPhones since I got here. Its kind of nice to be disconnected from the world and just talking to people. Haley and I get so excited when someone speaks in English and we can actually hold a conversation with them. We also like the fact that we can talk about whatever we want on the tap-tap because no one will know what we are talking about.

Speaking of tap-taps we had an interesting ride back to our hotel today. Our tap-tap all of the sudden stopped in the middle of the road today. All the people that were on the tap-tap with us pulled us forward so that we were sitting in the middle of it. Soon all these guys walked past us and they had painted themselves black with charcoal. They were also singing/chanting. We think the ladies pulled us forward because they didn't want them to touch us with the charcoal. We started slowly driving when a guy with a mask started chasing our tap-tap and slapped Haley and I on the leg. It was one of the creepiest things I have ever happened to me. I have not been scared on this trip but that scared me a little. We had this happen at three different times on our way back to the hotel. Tomorrow we plan on asking locals what it means when they do that!


Technology is also used by kids all the time in the states. Wherever you go you also see a little kid using technology. I think that technology can be used to an extent. If you have a long car ride or some situation like that. Kids also need the opportunity to go outside and explore. The best way for kids to learn is by exploring on their own. Many of the kids I see here are playing soccer. These kids are also in really good shape I have never seen so many six packs in my life at a beach. I mean some of these kids are really built. I think that part of the reason they are so built is many of them are carrying water buckets to and from their house everyday. These kids also do not have technology so they go outside and play and get a ton of exercise.

Sometimes I wish that we could take technology away. Technology is making us unsocial, many people lack social skills because the only way they communicate with people is through their phones. When communicating with phones you may also read the message in the wrong way and get offended by it. I think that in the states we should go back to building relationships through face to face conversations. When sitting down for meals put the phone away and actually talk to someone. Haley and I have had so many interesting conversations because we don't have our phones at the dinner table.

With Love,
Abby