Krik Krak Restaurant

OR (if you can't see the first slideshow)

I finally uploaded some of the photos from my cultural awareness group's excursion to Krik Krak. As you can see, it's a very tiny restaurant, but the Haitian flavor offered is huge.

procrastination & unknowing

Why am I a procrastinator? I'm reading Herman Hesse's Demian instead of researching Haiti. I'm tiresome of these lessons that don't seem to be occupational therapy related. I'm asking Haitians in Haitian restaurants about Haitians in general. They are so willing to fill me in on the culture, to explain how Haitians react to doctors, to demonstrate expressions. I listen and nod and wonder if someone asked me the same questions would I be able to generalize Americans that way. "Americans are materialistic. We shop til we drop for items we don't need. We rush to the doctor if we have a little sniffle. We have road rage. We enjoy violent movies and video games. We're all Christian."

This project is starting to seem silly to me. It has it's benefits, but to think of all Haitians in one way is ridiculous. How to occupational therapists interact with Haitians? I don't know. Be culturally sensitive. But isn't that what we're supposed to do for all people? Is this not in the occupational therapy practice framework in something called "context"? Who knows, I have yet to read it in its entirety.

Anyway, anatomy class was exciting. We did the lower extremity, the knee joint. Medial meniscus, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL). It's all an anatomical jumble. I usually know absolutely nothing in class, and then become a scientific genius right before exams. I consider myself a slow learner in that I must read and study the same thing several times before I get it. But at least I get it. My professor, Dr. Aqua, said he wanted to recruit me for the clinical doctorate in occupational therapy or doctorate of professional studies (D.P.S.). Woohoo for me. I figure I'll graduate, get some experience, come back, and get my D.P.S.

I'm buying OT books galore. Whatever I can find, I buy. I'm spending more than I need on books that are not even required. And it's so worth it. I especially love Occupational Therapy Without Borders. It's a great book for people who want to go to other countries and help while not knowing how to help as OTs. Nurses go to give shots. Surgeons operate. OTs...um...help them make sandwiches?

Absolutely not.

Krik Krak

I and the culture gang went to Krik Krak for a traditional Haitian meal. The cuisine was less rich than we thought it would be. "A Fellow Culture Friend" (named to disguise) told the chef that he expected the food to be more frenchy. The chef said that people are more health-conscious, and she tries to accommodate to their wishes. Fine by me, but not by the goat I ate. Very interesting flavor and texture. Kind of gamy and intense. I had to tone it down with the rice and beans. Replace the goat for chulettas, and I'm home again. I took tons of pictures which I will post soon.