Bonswa from Haiti!! Just came in from visiting a Haitian market. Needless to say, it was an experience. There were goo-gobs of people EVERYWHERE!! They were selling everything from hair care products, to charcoal, to raw pig, to chickens, and Mrs. Woodruff and Ursula even purchased some sunglasses. James was our tour guide and pointed out the things we had trouble recognizing...tobacco and a few fruits we did not know. The strangest sensation was that there was absolutely no regard for pedestrians. It was the most crowded place I've ever been and yet there were motorcycles and even cars riding through the market as if there were on the roadway!!! It was fun. We got some cute, cute pictures of Haitian children and also of women carrying loads of items on their heads, which never ceases to amaze me no matter how many times I see it. Walking through the market, being in Haiti period, is always a very humbling experience for me. Seeing people who look like me with such a struggle day to day is quite saddening. Though there have been major improvements since I was here last, it still saddens me to see the plight of my people. Little kids begging for money or food and even older women....they undo me everytime. Knowing there is so very little I can do brings me to tears. It is comforting that I fit in a bit more than my white fellow travelers. They look at me as if I am nothing new to look at and at my compadres with absolute awe. I'm talking straight, dead-on staring with absolutely no shame. The best is when the little ones who have no shame, yell, "Blanc! Blanc!" It is pretty funny to have the tables turned, but no one seems to mind and all have handled it with aplomb! Great trip so far and I am looking forward to many more experiences as we travel to St. Etienne...the place where I can see positive change happen right before my eyes. Orwva!
Bonswa from Haiti!! Just came in from visiting a Haitian market. Needless to say, it was an experience. There were goo-gobs of people EVERYWHERE!! They were selling everything from hair care products, to charcoal, to raw pig, to chickens, and Mrs. Woodruff and Ursula even purchased some sunglasses. James was our tour guide and pointed out the things we had trouble recognizing...tobacco and a few fruits we did not know. The strangest sensation was that there was absolutely no regard for pedestrians. It was the most crowded place I've ever been and yet there were motorcycles and even cars riding through the market as if there were on the roadway!!! It was fun. We got some cute, cute pictures of Haitian children and also of women carrying loads of items on their heads, which never ceases to amaze me no matter how many times I see it. Walking through the market, being in Haiti period, is always a very humbling experience for me. Seeing people who look like me with such a struggle day to day is quite saddening. Though there have been major improvements since I was here last, it still saddens me to see the plight of my people. Little kids begging for money or food and even older women....they undo me everytime. Knowing there is so very little I can do brings me to tears. It is comforting that I fit in a bit more than my white fellow travelers. They look at me as if I am nothing new to look at and at my compadres with absolute awe. I'm talking straight, dead-on staring with absolutely no shame. The best is when the little ones who have no shame, yell, "Blanc! Blanc!" It is pretty funny to have the tables turned, but no one seems to mind and all have handled it with aplomb! Great trip so far and I am looking forward to many more experiences as we travel to St. Etienne...the place where I can see positive change happen right before my eyes. Orwva! 
Great post, Y.
ReplyDeleteMore, please!