UN: MINUSTAH or the Deck Bar and Grill
Although we are given a sandwich mid morning and a Styrofoam plate of rice, beans, and a small piece of meat in the early afternoon, we all enjoy a morning cup of coffee if there is water and our suitcase food. We are typically so busy working with patients that we do not have time to eat.
We so look forward to the UN’s restaurant called The Deck Bar and Grill. The Deck will send a car to the hospital which will drive us across town to the UN so we can eat dinner at the Deck which is really more like a crazy cafeteria. This restaurant is located up some stairs on a deck. It is somewhat covered on the periphery with awnings and open in the center. Cafeteria tables and chairs are crammed into the space the size of a 20 by 30 foot room.
To add to the atmosphere, the owner, Hans, has assembled a tubular system which produces a cloud-like mist. It is refreshing after you climb out of the crowded car, climb the stairs, and order your food. You then receive your receipt which you must take directly to the kitchen/grill window. Food is then prepared and your name is called out when your order is ready. It is easy enough – but you will not get your food if you do not follow this procedure! The food is wonderful and best of all – safe to eat – even the salads! The Deck has been a great place to debrief and process the day’s events. We also get to meet folks from other countries who are the peace keeping forces here in Haiti.
One night the hose system running the misty steam broke above my head and began spraying all over. I was soaked! So was Becky! Anywhere else in the world being sprayed by water in a restaurant would have been a disaster! Here in Haiti, however, it was so refreshing! Our showers had not been working that day as water just dribbled drop by drop from the shower head at the hospital. We had worked so hard and it was so hot that day. . . When the misting tube burst at the Deck, we enjoyed a community shower providing entertainment to the Italian SWAT team as the hose system was patched and re-patched several times! Nevertheless, we met some great folks and enjoyed a bit of gelato or ice cream in martini glasses with the Italians! A definitely great night! Who would have thought that a shower that day was possible? Ice cream as well!? An amazing perk! Becky and I were able to communicate pretty well with the Italians by speaking Spanish with an Italian accent! It was a fun night!
On our last trip to the UN a friend of one of the nurses brought his tap-tap by for us to ride to the UN in style! An amazing experience we all agreed . . . until we realized that all of the surgeons were with us as well! We had treated many Haitians who had been in tap-tap accidents during the week. Yikes! Luckily, there was no accident! We came home in the UN van – just to be safe!
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