Jacmel and the Mountains of Haiti
May 12, 2020
Having traveled the way I have traveled, I realize that I am very fortunate. Yet, like many people…sometimes I get stuck in my own head and forget the blessings….So in showing you a few of these visits…maybe I can remind myself….of how life does have its lar-gesse of soul touching experiences….
Haiti has its history and reputation obviously; but, like most things it is much bigger than that….this is Jacmel, Haiti…
For some really, familiar reason, Haiti is not generally considered the Caribbean!!! Now, here is some evidence to the contrary 🙂 This was/is as blue and beautiful as it gets….fresh air coming off of the hills, mixing in with the ocean breeze…with very little population….
There are a few locations that are smaller resorts – but, not jam packed with people….provide a wonderful back drop for the contemplative….
And, even the natives are friendly 🙂 One thing I will add in…..Haiti has some excellent cuisine. It is amazing how some of the poorest countries have some of the best food….not, only that….the company was absolutely excellent as well…. 🙂
Haiti is what it is….no doubt, but, considering the history….and all the civilizations and countries that attempted to make it a sole source of labor and commodities in the global chain of production….these were some BAD ASS Mo’fo’s…sitting here…’with all due respect’….recommended reading….
To the Mountains….
Heading on to the next destination….there was a welcome party….and as I mentioned it is always wonderful to see the kids….or the adults in touch with their inner child….
The little homies pointing at us, bet you they are bad as ever…. 🙂 and of course right around the corner….here we go…up the mountain….
That truck is loaded down…but, what was so intriguing for me is what was tied to the back….one of my favorite dishes….. reminded me soooooo of being in Liberia/West Africa. When I saw it, I said to myself ‘Oh, the meat is sweat oh’!! In my Liberian Accent 🙂 🙂
But, moving along through the mountains….just sharing pictures here…so you can see and get a good feel….feel it…..
Sometimes, it is better to not share the words so that we each can acquire and feel our own interpretation….I hope that you found something for yourself……
Bidonville – Petionville – Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
May 12, 2020
When I first began to travel as an adult, I would take ridiculous amounts of pictures. Often times, these pictures reflected the disparate life conditions that people face. As a general practice, I don’t do that anymore. It, too often, reflects the viewpoint of an outsider looking in, providing commentary, and judgement of life dynamics we/they know absolutely nothing about….so often, we don’t even know we don’t know!!
Never-the-less, because the general absence of knowledge regarding Haiti…and the intense disparate treatment many of us of privilege create…either directly or indirectly….I am going to show you some of the ‘Bidonville’s’….
While this is someone’s home I can across downtown, it is only a start:
The ‘bidonville’ for Haiti means – ‘thrown together’!! A person/family basically finds whatever materials they can find…and throws them together to create a home. Sometimes they are separate standing, but often times they are all built together – on top of each other – no basic utilities:
The pictures do not provide the complete justice needed to understand these circumstances, but if that is what you seek…then, you will know!!
But, let us not get this twisted….Haiti has immensity of ‘Bidonville’….but, like most places the socio-economic absence of equity can be intense. Up in those hills, above the ‘Bidonville’, is what we call ‘Petionville’. Generally, called a suburb of Port-Au-Prince, but also considered separate….
and a few more….
Again, it would be easy to turn this post into an expose on structural violence, and the disparate life dynamics faced by many. But, I want to keep it more focused on the attempt to see something beautiful….
A walk around the shopping areas will give you clear indications of the SEPARATION. However, it also provides intriguing access to a portion of Haitian culture, for this is where I actually purchased this amazing painting…
Rolled up and packed in a warehouse…took hours to find something like this….for me, it is the Haitian version of the famous statue by Auguste Rodin: ‘The Thinker’…. and, I am constantly striving to demonstrate improved thinking and reflecting….although, I will admit….sometimes I am successful with that…and well….sometimes not….
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