Haiti Lesson #14.....Never Mount a Motorcycle From the Muffler Side in a Skirt

Each afternoon, we had an activity scheduled. On Monday, we had an outing to the "market" scheduled. This is another one of the physical activities that had been stressing to me. To get to the market, we had to take "taxis". In Port de Paix, a taxi is not a yellow cab with a meter. It is a small motorcycle with a young Haitian man that does not speak Emglish driving you to a place you have never been. To say I was freaked out is an understatement!!! I was getting advice in both ears from people that were seasoned taxi riders..... Trust the driver, hold on tight, remember the address to the school, wear shorts under your skirt and most importantly....don't get on on the side with the muffler. 

So....as all those taxis lined up for their passengers.....I scanned the 15 or so drivers and tried to pick the one with the most experience and the kindest expression because I was going to need both to make it to the market. I approached the driver, he accepted me as his fare, I mounted that motorcycle from the NON muffler side, I held on to that young man tighter than his mommy ever did and I trusted that driver. We swerved past every pothole we could get around, slowed down for the ones we had to go through. As I learned there were no traffic laws in Haiti...no one has the right of way I closed my eyes and prayed. 

Psalm 56:3-4 

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?