Sorry if this sounds like a diary, but anyone is welcome to read (or to not). I don't mind putting my personal thoughts out there which is what I wish to do here; I will also have pictures for the interested.
Currently listening to a couple of neighbors arguing about nothing. Haitians have such a colorful way to joure that I can't help my eavesdropping. It's funny as hell. I went outside to see what exactly was going to only find the whole block (katye) plunged in pitch-black darkness. There is a blackout, the sky is cloudy, and no moon out. I'm not sure the people arguing can see one another.
Here as in the States, the whole day has been gloomy. The morning was extremely cloudy and I feared the flight would get canceled. Caught the plane out of Atlanta (to Miami) at 8 o'clock and it scared the shit out of me. I've been through turbulences before, but the whole plane ride was bumpy. They couldn't even serve anything because of the shakiness. The (Jamaican?) lady sitting next to me started saying prayers. Traces of paranoia overcame me and I wished I had been alone, instead with my family. That way if there was a crash, I could be the only fatality. When we got to MIA, I asked my mom if she got scared and she gave me bug eyes. She had slept through the whole thing.
Endless hours in MIA airport, crappy food, and it's raining hard. My only hope was the flight didn't get cancelled for the day because I hate airports.. Boarded the plane and the plane sat there for more than an hour before departing, waiting the storm out. The wait almost made me go crazy. So irritating. Sunny skies came and a smooth plane ride followed. Majestic mountains arisen out of nowhere announced Port-au-Prince. Ugh, they really need to raze those seaside slums...they ruin the view. Crazy excitement, anticipation...my eyes are fixed on the world outside the window. I know what most see, but I'm still an optimist and I refuse to give up. I see what could be.
I hate those people who work outside the airports. The ones outside who hound you, touch your luggages despite your vehement protests, and then expect payment because they were nice (?). My mom got caught in such trap. After one helped her, she instructed my dad to pay him and immediately, 10 of them came out of nowhere wanting money. My dad was so pissed at my mom's faux pas. He kept telling her to roll up her window and not give them any mind, yet my mom kept telling them "m' pa gen anyen. m' pa gen anyen. se monnen m' pa genyen". I was amused; it's really hard to escape these people even when you want to. My dad gassed out of there and told her that these guys should be avoided at all cost. If they see money, they'll go crazy. My sister asked how "blans" deal with this. My dad tchuiiipped....they take advantage of Blan.
To avoid traffic, my dad went through the craziest corridors (I can't call them roads) in PAP. Mezanmi, m' pa bezwen di nou. Tout rout yo kraze net. Holy cow. So many people in Port-au-Prince...so many young ones. The streets are so clogged with people and before my eyes, passed the whole scene of Port-au-Prince. Sad to see so many pretty young girls, many dressed up nicely, k'ap drive nan lari. Lakay needs help badly. So many of us turn a blind eye to the sight. Kale je nou pou ka we kler. Se pa konsa bagay yo ta dwe ye...men kile n'ap mobilize'n pou vre chanjman? We don't want the responsibility; nou vle se lot moun ki pou mete fatra a deyo.
One thing I love about Haiti, especially PA is how colorful things are. The billboards, posters...and it seems to attract customers, businesses compete about who can make their places of business pop out the most. The end results can sometimes be said to be garish with many paint jobs, arts, etc... but I love them. They're beautiful and give the place an unique flavor. For the most part, I hate cities that I deem too...sterile.
To avoid traffic, my dad went through the craziest corridors (I can't call them roads) in PAP. Mezanmi, m' pa bezwen di nou. Tout rout yo kraze net. Holy cow. So many people in Port-au-Prince...so many young ones. The streets are so clogged with people and before my eyes, passed the whole scene of Port-au-Prince. Sad to see so many pretty young girls, many dressed up nicely, k'ap drive nan lari. Lakay needs help badly. So many of us turn a blind eye to the sight. Kale je nou pou ka we kler. Se pa konsa bagay yo ta dwe ye...men kile n'ap mobilize'n pou vre chanjman? We don't want the responsibility; nou vle se lot moun ki pou mete fatra a deyo.
It's very exciting to read someone else's "Greetings from Haiti" and having just gotten back myself, I find that I am hanging on your every word and reliving the excitement which is still fresh in my memory. Please do your best to post pictures while you are there. I understand that you are supposed to meet HX staff member Patrick Romulus (PatrickBest) to pick up a "komisyon" for Amber (oops...was I supposed to mention that?) Anyway, he can probably help you post pictures if you are having any difficulty.
Too bad I'm not still down there since it would have been a blast to actually meet an active HX forum member in Haiti. (The last time that happened was when I met JC who is unfortunately currently MIA.)
Thanks for sharing. I am glad that your family and you made it safe back home. Please take videos of Haitian college students (university) I want to hear them speaking. I always wonder what it would be to be around college students who are my age in Haiti.
Please, if you can, go anwo St Pierre and you will out beautiful street museum (that's how I call them) si w vle we plis koule vibran peyi ya.
... Please take videos of Haitian college students (university) I want to hear them speaking. I always wonder what it would be to be around college students who are my age in Haiti...
Here we go again. Let homegirl have her vacation. HQueen, you do you! You guys did the same thing to CoolP. "CoolP take a picture of this, then take a picture of that!!" Those who want to see specific things in Haiti, go buy your own plane ticket and take your own pictures.
I can't wait to have my own "Greetings from Haiti" thread. Let somebody ask me to go take pictures of their makomè's house or something. N'a gentan konnen!
... Please take videos of Haitian college students (university) I want to hear them speaking. I always wonder what it would be to be around college students who are my age in Haiti...
Here we go again. Let homegirl have her vacation. HQueen, you do you! You guys did the same thing to CoolP. "CoolP take a picture of this, then take a picture of that!!" Those who want to see specific things in Haiti, go buy your own plane ticket and take your own pictures.
I can't wait to have my own "Greetings from Haiti" thread. Let somebody ask me to go take pictures of their makomè's house or something. N'a gentan konnen!
Wow dude, calm down. I was not asking you for anything. If she does not feel like taking any pictures, she is an adult and can say no. As far as for CoolP , I was not on the forum when he went to Haiti.
