I take a big breath in, and the smells of burning trash fill my lungs. Though it is an unpleasant first wiff it makes my heart smile and all I can think is, “it’s good to be back.” This is my third time in Haiti, and the day before I had just spent a week in Guatemala. It’s hard to take in the new language, especially because I know Spanish, but Creole not so much. I feel like my skin is radiating and I’m not a pale girl, but under the sun all year round Haitians are naturally a dark people. To be a minority is a different experience completely.
Honorable Mention 2009 FTF Teen Travel Writing Scholarship
Driving through the city via Tap-Tap (Haitian Taxi), everyone, and I mean everyone turns and looks at you. It’s not out of rudeness but simply pure curiosity for something they don’t see very often. Some smile and wave, it is mostly children who do that, and then you find the young adults to adults who have a very blank stare. They aren’t angry, sad, happy, or any emotion at all and that is more intimidating then someone being angry with you. It feels like they can see right through you and after talking with Gale, the woman who runs the program I travel with, it makes perfect sense why they stare so blankly like that.
It is no secret that Haiti is one of the most devastated places in the world. In fact, it’s the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. The kids are all still lively, and the teenagers are all “going to be rap stars,” but then the adults are where your heart begins to sink. The adults have realized where they are and how hard it will be to get out. Not that Haiti isn’t beautiful, but the government is so corrupt and it suppresses the poor so that they can never grow and flourish. They stare so blankly because after their early 20’s and still no rap deal, they have realized that this is what their life will be for maybe, the rest of their time on this earth.
That’s the reason I come, I want to know that I’m helping bringing hope back into these people’s lives. I don’t have to wait long for the feeling of hope to come inside me because we are at the clinic. The clinic is something our organization built and it is in the center of Blanchard, the village we help. You don’t see anyone in Blanchard with a blank face, no matter how old they are. They are filled with hope for a better life, and you can see it in their eyes. Upon arriving, you have 7 kids already attached to any extremity they can grab and mothers and fathers kissing your cheeks saying, “mesi, mesi! [thank you, thank you!].”
Traveling to Haiti, I don’t only learn about a new culture, or learn a new language, I learn how to hope and how to love. I learn how to be strong in my own life and how to help others no matter where I am. I can only hope that everyone takes a mission trip to a third-world country, not for the glory, but for the hope.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
0 Replies to “Haiti”
Comment on this article
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Thanks for sharing experience..
Nice Blog. Thanks for sharing a family resort.
Thanks for any other great post. Where else may anyone get that type of information in such an ideal means of writing?
I have a presentation next week, and I am at the search for
such info.
Very good article.
Very good post thanks for sharing with us
Thanks for this interesting post! keep up the great work! well done!
Grt place to visit.. This place is located after entering the Ranthambore National Park.. However, to visit this place u can evn get your own vehicle…
John, glad you liked the story. This park is in Ohio where the weather can be unpredictable! It’s warmest between late April and November, but even April has the risk of some snow. If you’re camping with kids, the safest bet is June to August, because it’s warmer and there’s little rain. Enjoy your trip.
Hey Maggie, I really appreciate your innovative traveling ideas. You have covered so many adventurous places. Waiting for some new destinations. Please keep posting.
This post are very useful one. It is great to see this blog. Thank you for sharing this.
Game Lover
It’s truly magical being there. I love the art this country offers. Their wall arts and crafts are just lovely.
Hi Maggie,
You always share to the world with something new and different destinations. Thank you so much for sharing.
The history of Cuhahoga valley national park seems interesting and must be a new experience when we observe scenes of National park from their scenic campgrounds.
which season do you think is the best time to visit this national park?
Very Interesting And Useful Post Thanks For Sharing With Us….
This Information Are Very Informative.
Wow, what a nice article. Makes you feel like you should pack up and go immediately. It seems Linblad runs a good operation and trips are kid friendly. Is there a list of particular dates that are family friendly or are there kid activities year round on board the boats. Any other advice on travling with kids to Ecuador and Galapagos would be really welcome.
Nice Blog, thank you so much for sharing this amazing blog.
Hello Michael, glad to hear your family is interested in a dude ranch holiday.
Since your kids are older and, hopefully, everyone in the family rides, you have lots of options. The Dude Ranchers Association is a really helpful resource in sorting through the many types of ranch vacations. For example, you can go here: https://duderanch.org/by-activity-amenity and search for ‘Advanced Rides’ and “Cattle Drives’ and that would get you some real working ranches that would have more of the lifestyle you seem to be looking for. One of our authors recommends the Hideout in Shell, Wyoming for this type of trip.
Looking for a real ranch experience with horseback riding (lots of it) and time in the open air with my son (15) and daughter (12) and my wife (49). I am 62. We live in NJ, my children have been sheltered but I grew up in a small coal mining town in Pennsylvania. I want my children to see another side of life.
very informative post i just checked your blog its very interesting and full of information we are tour operators in Indian Kashmir we provide Kashmir Holiday packages where you can live with local Muslim communities see their lifestyle and get a chance to taste authentic Kashmiri Halal food our Kashmir Tour Packages are customized and very cheap at pocket.
Very Useful especially who travel with there kids
I like it.
This post is very useful and informative..Thanks for posting..
This post is very useful and informative
thank you
Good information thanks for posting
Great destinations for First Night and New Year’s Eve! Check out our favourite ones in Europe: https://tapsy.blog/?s=new+year%27s+eve
Your Post Is Informative. Thanks For Sharing With Us.
Great to see! Thanks for sharing.
I was examining some of your content on this website and
I think this web site is really informative!
Continue putting up.
The dark tourism and light India is a nice article to read. Thank you for sharing it.
Of course, you can do travel freely and easily through these two countries yourself, but I enjoyed having the trip curated for me, including well-chosen local guides, comfortable transportation on call and some superb private tours, such as a Khmer cooking class or historic walking tour of Saigon, with flexibility in the itinerary for our group of five to follow their own paths, such as making an emotional detour to the moving Genocide Museum housed in the old S-21 jail in Phnom Penh.
I agree, the helpful information
Very Nice and Informative Blog About Heritage Rajasthan tour. Thanks For Sharing This Blog…..
I enjoyed reading your Italian family vacation story, and thank you so much for these tips. This surely gonna help us achieve a stress-free vacation in Italy. Great blog!
Nice Article..
Thanks for sharing this information with us.
For Richard re: dual citizenship US-Nicaragua… can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Hi Richard, In our travel experience, this type of document should work well for your travels, but if your wife is available, it can’t hurt to download the sample forms we have online and also have her fill out and notarize one for your trip with your child. The agency responsible in your case will be the carrier — we assume an airline — and if they can make a note in your travel record that they have approved the Nicaraguan documents you should be fine on both departing and entering.
Safe Travels!
Wow, great!!! it could be a great fun out there.
very informative article Travel forums provide first hand experience and advice to travelers and are a great source of information and travel tips.
As a signal parent, your life, world, actions are based on your childs well fair. Not your happiness or anything that has to do with you.
It should list where they are going, the dates that they are allowed to go and grant your permission for that trip. You want to include your address and phone number and probably the contact info for the adult traveling as well.
The grand archways and the paintings of Lord Krishna and his cows are a visual treat. Wander through areas opened for tourists and you shall witness the impressive aura and architecture of the Royal state of Rajasthan.
Thanks for Sharing
Hello guys my wife and I have dual citizenship US-Nicaragua, I’m planning to travel to the US with our son also dual citizenship for 3 weeks, with a Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) from Nicaragua, can I use the same to travel back to Nicaragua with the same Power of Attorney (Specific to Minors) since wife is staying back in Nicaragua to keep eyes on the house.
Congratulations to the winners! A question to all the professional travelers here, how are you planning the route ant the places to see while visiting a new country? As for me I just google the most touristic and popular places. It works mostly, but there were a few times when I realized that I have seen only some the places this country or city is famous for, and that’s sad. On my last trip to Armenia, I decided to take a tour and it was quite productive. It’s much more informative when somebody is telling you history and some interesting facts. If someone wants to save their time – make sure to ask them to help if you’ll ever be there.
Curitiba é uma lugar lindo, além de ser considerada uma das melhores cidades para se morar em Brasil.
Realmente a muito o que conhecer por lá, como também diversas outras belezas do nosso brasil.
Principalmente as praias do Brasil que são muito procurada por inúmeros turistas internacionais e nacionais.
As Praias do Litoral Paulista, divididos entre Praias do Litoral Norte e Litoral Sul.
As mais conhecidas são as Praias de Ubatuba com mais de 100 belas praias no litoral norte paulista.
Já no litoral sul, a região mais procurada são as Praias de Guarujá, a região conta com 23 praias de pura beleza e preservação ambiental.
nice article, i also read about Celebrate Christmas Eve 2018
Aloha!
I would like to add my baby equipment company, Nana’s Baby Equipment. I serve the entire island of Kauai with aloha!
Mahalo,
Sharon Hackleman
Your article is very useful for me. I like the content you make. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience. seedresort.com
Perfect
Was an honour and pleasure to host you both in the Maori Whakata/Welcome to Wanaka. Welcome back anytime to this wonderful part of the world.
Kia Kaha/Stay strong
[http://www.wanahaka.co.nz]