Store in Cap-Haitian

Not everything we buy is from the open-air market. In Cap-Haitian is a store owned by a Wesleyan family who have opened their home to us. They have assisted the church and mission work in many ways that we are just now learning about. We are grateful to be working with them.

• Now when you go into a store in Cap you can see the items for sale along the walls. In this picture Cory is behind the counter but generally you stay on the other side. This store makes up the first level with the owner's family living above on three other floors. You tell the clerk what you want and he will write a list. Then your bill will be added up. You go to the next teller to pay the bill. Then you take the recipt to the last counter where they pull your items from the shelf or stock room, box up your items and hand you the box. This store and some others give you a better deal for buying three of an item or a case. Many people in Haiti earn their living buying in bulk and selling by the piece on the streets. There is a small shop near the mission that even has small plastic bags with about 1/4 cup of corn flakes in each bag.
  

Items available: Cream of wheat, Welches grape juice, mayonase, mustard, raisins and prunes, canned pears, tomato sauce, coconut milk-in can, V-8 juice, Coke in a can, canned corn and peas, Marsheno cherries, hot sauce, drink mixes, powered milk.... Like other stores there are also the non-food items: bug spray, drinking straws, mops, tooth paste, razors, Krazy glue, candles, bleach, tape and so on.

• Now if you still haven't found what you are looking for you can look on the sidewalks around town. There are hundreds of people selling thousands of items. Many of these people have a movable store set up in a wheelbarrow. Like the open market the prices can be negotiable.

• Still haven't found that can of tuna fish? Then try the little convenience store at the gas station. Yes, the price is "fixed" and higher than you may find at one of the other locations but this may be your only choice for some imported items. Tuna fish-canned, Smuckers strawberry jam, green tea, Ramen noodles, and imported Christmas candy are all available, at least for this week. Watch the expiration dates...

Still have a craving. Then you'd better write home for a care package, beg a favor of someone planning to come for a visit soon or find a local substitution. In the mean time, keep looking-one never knows what you can find if you look hard and long enough in Haiti.