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This is a diary of my photo-documentary of Haiti:
Port au Prince, Jacmel, Carrefour, Leogagne, The Massif de la Selle region,
Mt. Jacmel, Sacre Ceour and Petionville.

Hugeaux is an artist and photographer. He is the creator of ARTE MECCO.

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Hugeaux

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www.hugeaux.com

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The Haitian Diaries
August 16 - 19, 2009
By Hugeaux
www.Hugeaux.com

This is the revision of the 34 page original manuscript.
Revised by Hugeaux

Haiti is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time.

Day #1 / Part #1

August 16, 2009
Sunday / Dimanche

Today is the day I take my trip to Port au Prince, Haiti. I am writing this entry while in the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Much of the conversation in the terminal is full of heavy Creole accents. The purpose of this trip is to see the wonders and beauty of this Black Republic. The weather is fine and about 86F. I hope my French would assist me throughout this trip. I am very excited about this adventure and especially the tour of La Citadelle. As the plane approached the island of Haiti from the northern side, I couldn’t help and notice why the Caribbean got her name. The Caribbean sea is so blue, you felt that when the plane turned towards it, you were falling into it. As we touched down at Haiti’s Toussaint L’Ouverture International Aeroport, I couldn’t help but notice all the people around the aeroport. Now the traveler’s fun begins. I was told that the only cars available were standards (stick-shifts). I haven’t driven a standard in over 20 years. Secondly, the directions I got from the Internet were of no use. I tried to drive to the hotel, only to stall in the middle of traffic, with tap-taps (a beautifully colored truck-bus) full of people and taxis cursing me in Creole. I got out the car and walked over to the policeman and asked him for help. He told me to follow him. Through all the cuts, turns and huge pot holes in the roads, he got me to La Plaza Hotel of Port au Prince where my hotel was. The people at the hotel are extremely helpful as they let me check in early. I decided to walk La Plaza ( the center mall in the Capital) and photographed its extraordinary beautiful monuments. I was greatly surprise to learn that African American sculptor Richard Barthe was the principle creator of several of these National Monuments. I photographed: MUPANAH (Musee de Patheleon National Hatien), The Jean-Jacque DesSaline monument (founding Father, created by African American sculptor Richard Barthe) which was fenced and surrounded by the many flags of Haiti, The Henri Christophe monument (founding Father), The Alexandre Sabes Petion monument (founding Father & Father of the PanAmerican movement), La Palais Nacional, The Jean-Bertrand Aristide monuments (un-finished which is suppose to an eternal flame of fire), The Neg Mawon sculpture(the famous unknown Maroon) and The Toussaint L’Ouverture monument in front of La Palais National ( founding Father created by African American sculpture Richard Barthe) and others. La Plaza was teeming with lovers, strangers and people just enjoying the sun I couldn’t help but notice how the beautiful mountains embraced the bustling city. Everywhere I photographed had a mountain in the background. After my experience in trying to find the hotel today, I decided to haggle for a traveling companion, for my trip to Cap Haitien, Palace Sans Souci and La Citadelle. The Internet mentions that the trip from Port au Prince to Cap Hatien is only 81 miles and about 3 hours. The locals mentioned that it is about 5-6 hours, over pot hole roads. At the entry of this diary, I am haggling with the receptionist at the hotel, who is calling her friend or cousin to be my travel companion. I had to turn away an elderly gentleman travel companion because he wanted too much. The view of my hotel room looks out over the red terra cotta clay roof into the beautiful blue Haitian Caribbean sky. The later entry of today. I ordered spaghetti with meat sauce. After having dinner at the hotel, I went to check my rental car in the parking lot. I noticed that I had a flat tire. Immediately, the concierge, the maintenance gentleman, the front desk receptionist and the rifle toting security guard came to help me. A friend of the concierge pulled up and told us that just around the corner near the gas station was a group of men who fixed tires. He was right. I went right up into the Creole confusion and told them I speak English and needed a tire fixed. They not only fixed the flat tire but changed out the old tire with the brand new spare on the vehicle. I paid them $15. I must say, that today reminded me of my first European visit 25 years ago in Bruxelles, Belguim. When nothing but kindness and Humanitarianism helped me to survive. I shall like to thank everyone who helped me today. PS: I shall not be going to La Citadelle and Palais Sans Souci. The people who I was haggling with mentioned that it is a 2 day trip and is impossible to travel and sightsee in one day. Today, I was pushed beyond my limits…what a great day. Tomorrow I drive to Jacmel, Haiti…..Good Night and may God Bless…Hugeaux


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