A Few Coins

Haiti Journal – October 2010

“A FEW COINS”

Driving in Haiti is an experience in itself!!  The congestion of cars, in what we call the ‘parking lot game’ is quite an incredible sight.  Unfortunately we see it and experience it all too often.  The local mode of transportation is something called a “TAP TAP”.  Traditionally, artistically designed and brightly painted buses or pickup trucks, however now, many are decrepit pieces of rusted metal in dire need of mechanical and cosmetic repairs.  These Tap Taps are a cheap mode of transportation and transport the majority of the Haitian population, as a very small percentage have their own cars.    

It is while driving in this ‘organized chaos’ we are constantly sought after by the traffic merchants:  People wandering through the streets, in between cars selling: cell phone covers, phone chargers, antennaes, water, juice, floor mats, wiper blades ; You name it; someone’s got it for sale.   Boys with dirty rags cleaning the dirt off of everyone’s cars as they drive by!  Ladies tapping on car windows attempting to sell fruit from the basket they gracefully carrying on their heads.  Amputees leaning on their crutches, holding out their hands not selling anything but waiting for money to be dropped into them.

The sites we take in while driving!!!  There has been a noticeable increase in the number of street side beggers since after the earthquake.  Julio and myself don’t believe in giving money as we don’t want to contribute to the on-going charity problem.   It’s very difficult to turn people away, especially when ‘the blonde lady’ in the car is a magnet for beggers!  Julio always teases me….’DUCK’  they are coming your way!!!!

One particular day on the street by the airport, as I was in my own little dream world, when the ‘tap, tap, tapping’ on the passenger window was heard again!  My patience was running a little thin that day and I didn’t even turn my head.  Instead I asked Julio how to say in creole ‘What do you have for me?”

When I turned to look out the window, my heart just melted!!  There was a petite garcon…probably only 4 years old with the most contagious smile and matching smiling eyes!  What a sweetheart!!!  We both just grinned and rolled down the window.  I told Julio that I still wanted to ask him what he had for me.  So I turned to him and said “Sa ou gen pou m?’  The typical response is a shrug of the shoulders, but not this time.  In a sheepish manner and still with the biggest, happy smile, he held out his hand to me and uncurled his fingers away from his treasures! 

A few coins is what he had to offer!  We couldn’t believe how he was so eager to share.  I curled his fingers back around the coins and said ‘No sweetie, you keep them’.  I know he didn’t understand me, but Julio said a few words to him.  Of all people, we would have given money, but we didn’t have any on us.  We gave him a couple of suckers and his grin broadened even wider! 

A few coins!  A small boy’s treasures and probably everything he had!!  Every time I think of that moment, my eyes mist over, but my heart fills with such a feeling of love.