Haiti--the dark cloud of the Carribean |
 14 votes |
Haiti is a land of despair and not for the light at heart. It is not a place for tourists at the moment until the government changes. The real Haiti rushes at you the minute you step off the plane -porters grabbing your your baggage, knowing you will pay precious dollars to get it back.
-no traffic lights, no lanes, sometimes no road.
-La Saline slum, and the horrific cousin of Cite Soleil.
-Tap-taps, the brightly painted pickup trucks that serve as taxis, swerve through traffic belching diesel plumes.
-Goats, pigs and feral dogs trot through the crowd, nosing through smoldering piles of garbage.
However, when one is able to overcome the overt poverty and get to know the people themselves, they will find a very caring and loving society that closely resembles the French culture. The people are polite, caring, and willing to bend over backwards to help you out.
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| Favourite spots: |
One of the most interesting spots that I've seen in Port au Prince is the Museum, not too expensive and it has a very interesting portrayal of the Haitian history.
There are numerous markets and stores.
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I have explored 90% of Haiti. From Jacmel to Cap-Haitien and most points in between, though nothing spectacular sticks out I would have to say that Plain du Nord on a Thursday night to watch a voodou ceremony was the most fasinating-scariest thing that I did. Oh ya, I also got married in the mountains.
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| Sights: |
La Badie(very nice white sand beach used for cruise ship stop overs)however the road to access it is terrible.
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| Accommodations: |
Cap-Haitien--Mount Jolie (run by Quebecers) very nice, though very expensive. You don't get what you pay for.
Roi Christophe(very beautiful, also managed by Quebecers) has pool in nice surroundings, rooms are massive with balconies. Well worth the $$.
Impeccable service.
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| Other recommendations: |
Jacmel(for the artisans)
Leogande(for the huge dunes of Conq shells that wash up on shore)
Plain du Nord (for the voodou ceremonies)
One should also take extreme care after 6-7pm in Port-au-Prince, it is not a problem for someone to shoot you for the shirt off your back or your shoes.
Stay out of the slums, unless you have someone local to bring you there and DON'T act like a tourist there, they really don't like it.
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Published on Friday May 2th, 2003 by ta-shy
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