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Motos & Bicycles ??

Motos & Bicycles ??

March 19, 2018 Posted by Keith Wight 4 Comments

*Note this post has been delayed from March 11th due to the website redesign. Enjoy!

Motos

I love the sounds, the looks, the feel and the thrill of riding a motorcycle. There is some inherent danger and little protection at the best of times but riding in Haiti brings that adventure to a whole other level. To begin with there is an overpopulation of motos, they are everywhere. Clearly the rules of the road, safety, weight planning, helmets and numbers of riders per motorcycle are optional. Most motorcycles are used for local taxis. The motos are relegated to the shoulders of the road or right down the middle. It is not unusual to see a whole family of 5 on a single motorcycle. I have seen motos carrying mattresses, 2 X 4 lumber, dragging rebar and several bags of rice or food is not uncommon. Obviously not for the faint of heart but don’t judge it till you’ve tried it.

Dodging down the middle of the road in St. Marc

Sometimes you wish you had a trailer

Just you and your buddies riding the open road with a couple of sacks of grain and a new TV

Lobster pots

Riding like a Haitian – no helmet, no gloves, no protective gear, no license – no problem.

Bicycles

As much as I love motos the HATS children love their bicycles. The rules of riding around the compound are a little better defined and helmets are mandatory. There are always a few repairs to do and the younger kids like Jonathan, Markenson and Dickieson insist on a repair job even if their particular bike doesn’t require it. They just appreciate the attention.

Sandra and Anne ready to roll

Fun fun fun

Josie will make a great taxi driver AND she loves to chat as well

HATS compound traffic jam

~Keith

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About Keith Wight

Joan and Keith Wight have been involved with HATS since 2011. Keith is a retired airline pilot and previously volunteered with missions in Belize, Zimbabwe, Panama and Honduras in various capacities. Joan is a retired music teacher and uses her abilities to assist with the office work and tutor the children at HATS. Since retiring they have committed to 4 months per year in Haiti. They live in Montreal and have 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws and 2 grandsons and 2 grand-daughters.

4 Comments

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  • Sandra MacDonald
    · Reply

    March 20, 2018 at 5:59 AM

    I love to watch (and you need to watch) the children ride their bikes. I love how their faces light up while they are getting ready and the speed with which they take off for that first lap! Keeping the bikes in good working order is a big job too, one you do well Keif, thank you! I also like to watch the Motos and the loads they carry….my favourite was a huge block of ice and the driver had a thin piece of cardboard between him and the ice!

  • Dickie MacDonald
    · Reply

    March 20, 2018 at 5:08 PM

    Great Blog, funniest Moto load I saw was a 200lb pig strapped to the gas tank.

  • BILL TITCOMBE
    · Reply

    March 24, 2018 at 12:51 PM

    Love the photos of the motos and the way in which they are loaded to accommodate anything and everything! So much like our India experience!!!!!

  • Wendy JOY
    · Reply

    March 28, 2018 at 4:01 PM

    Oh my word Keith you are brave I would be a bundle of nerves and need medication….SMILE.I really enjoyed seeing all the photos and learning about the Motos .Amazing what they can load on them .I’ll pray for safety for all who ride them .Through it all God is good ! Blessings Wendy JOY

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