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Haiti Part 1: A Country with a VERY Bad Reputation
None of my close friends and family was sure why exactly I wanted to visit the western most side of Hispaniola, also known as Haiti. Like most people their minds had been beset by images of rallying city folk advancing the streets with machetes in hand, spirits flying loose and free from voodoo ceremonies taking place around the clock, acute poverty and so much political turmoil that Haiti would forever remain a no-man's land for leisure travel.
Guess again.
Yes, ongoing political instability has been an issue the country has been dealing with for years and while all those images combined make for great nightly news stories and horror films the greater Haiti does not live up to the negative hype or stereotypes. Sorry folks, this is not going to be your guide to slum tourism or the darker side of the country. My primary reason for visiting the country was to explore the brighter opposites and there are many.
During the next few days I will share with you the details of my journey into Port-au-Prince, the long drive to island paradise known as Jacmel, as well as arts, culture, cuisine, events and perhaps I'll even suggest a place or two to stay. It would provide me with much delight to learn that one or two curious travelers find inspiration over the next few days to haul off to Haiti and in my wildest dreams many more travelers, but not all destinations are built for everyone.
For those who have decided to read further, I applaud your interest and invite you to continue down to a small selection of photos taken in both Port-au-Prince and Jacmel. Feast your eyes now on monuments, colorful tap-taps, beach hideaways and more.
One of my greatest beliefs is if you feed the people food and wisdom they'll always look for ways to come back. Tomorrow I'll start by exploring one of my favorite topics on any excursion: the local delicacies.
Tomorrow: Kreyól Cuisine
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John Jun 1st 2007 12:07PM
Let's see. Between Haiti and the Dominican, the Dominican has the highest peak in the Caribbean (10,000 ft), caverns, rivers, tons of beaches, jungle lands, waterfalls, wildlife areas, luxury resorts, golf courses, art centers and historical Columbus era sites. Haiti has deforested land (check out pictures of the stark difference at the border) and nothing else that can't be found on the other side of the border. The one exception being an old Napoleonic era abandoned fortress.
Why did you want to go to Haiti again?
Elizabeth Eames Jun 1st 2007 12:41PM
Because they are two completely different countries! I live in one and used to live in Haiti and long to go back. Haiti has a certain magic. Most of the people who visit here - the DR- never get off of the all enclosed resorts. Two different countries. Like France and Germany.
elsie vorbe Mar 14th 2009 4:21PM
hi, my name is vorbe elsei and i live in long-island new york,tha's my comment.I think the contry need a lots of help and never go back the way it's was before bye
Sam Jun 1st 2007 1:09PM
Haiti is a beautiful counrty and it is also the country that my ancestors come from and that my mother was born in. It is also played as a country where people will perform voodoo or that it is a dangerous place that can get you killed if you go into. I am so happy that someone is finally showing the REAL Haiti and not just the one that is in the news and that is portrayed as "unstable". I absolutely can't wait to see how she likes the food. I would definately recommend getting some cassabe trying some accason and some legume.
Shade Tree Jun 1st 2007 3:37PM
The only thing about me is the way I set my alarm clock for work the next day (this was back in the 1970s) and went to sleep and dreamed that there was a Book of Gold at my right hand. I randomly opened the book to a page in the middle and then I could feel myself living in the picture in the book.
Maybe it's safe to say that there is alot of life beyond a freeze frame.
Humberto Paredes Jun 4th 2007 11:24AM
I believe that you should write about Barbancourt Rum. It is the best rum in the world and comes from Haiti. It is exceptional and most people would not know that it comes ffrom Haiti.
ourman Jun 1st 2007 5:46PM
I am writing this from the second poorest country in the Americas (Nicaragua) and Haiti is the poorest.
Well done for going and not believing the hype. Here in Nicaragua we also have the second lowest crime rate in the Americas. But we also suffer an unwarranted reputation.
I hope your trip was fantastic and great job in showing the other side of the coin.
Adrienne Jun 1st 2007 9:44PM
Thanks all for the comments. Over the next few days I hope to provide a small sampling of what good things the country CAN offer. It was only a 3 1/2 day weekend stay so I'll definitely have to go back.
To answer each individual comment:
John - I think Elizabeth nailed my response on the head.
Elizabeth - My thoughts summarized exactly!
Sam - Glad to see you're hyped to read on.
Shade Tree - I didn't quite get your comment.
Humberto - I saw people grabbing boxes of the rum as we boarded the plane and didn't think to take some myself. Argh!
ourman - Gracias for the kudos.
A
Shannon Jun 1st 2007 11:21PM
I just wanted to say Hello. I just got back from Haiti May 26. I stayed at a mission in Grand Goave. I loved it. Part of my heart will always be there and I hope to visit several times in the future. Thanks for the great photos.
Nancie Jun 2nd 2007 4:54AM
A friend of mine is Haitian, and I would love to go there. Her father at one point was the Haitian Ambassador to Canada. The family has suffered first hand over the years, with all the unrest there.
Mike Jun 5th 2007 9:01AM
I've traveled all over Haiti during the last three years. There are beautiful areas everywhere one goes, as well as areas of land that have been destroyed as a result of people desperate for cooking fuel (charcoal). Mostly I've fallen in love with the Haitian people, especially the poor. They are,by and large, warm, loving, and surprisingly joyful under the circumstances. Observing the way they share and help one another with what little they have has been "life changing" for me.
Wendel Lumer Jun 7th 2007 8:48PM
Hait is such a beautiful country but due to political turmoil and unrest, Haitians are being forced out of their beloved country. I do hope one day, we will rise above all and clean up the country from all of those corrupt politicians and rebuild the country with a foundation of love, peace and economic stability for all. Long Live Haiti!!!
steve Jun 8th 2007 8:47PM
Thanks for the pics, don't worry Haiti is in a turning point right things will get better me and a close friend are building a first class resort in Jacmel, they're a lot more projects going on, just give us sometimes we will be alright.
James Dalphonse Jun 26th 2007 6:30AM
I visit Haiti all the time, and love it.
check out and join my Haiti group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/traveltohaitibyjamesdalphonse/
charita Jan 29th 2008 10:58PM
I am thinking about visiting Haiti this summer. I don't know much about the country, other than what is seen in the media and what I've read in travel books which is much at all. I would love to visit this country, but I am wondering is it safe there at this time in Port-au-Prince or Jacmel?
James Dalphonse Jun 28th 2007 7:09AM
last time we were in Haiti we stayed at in Jacmel.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/traveltohaitibyjamesdalphonse/