Wow, I’m really on a nerdy streak recently: calling a camera sexy yesterday and making a Lord of the Rings reference today.
Well, after spending the night in the Fort Lauderdale airport, I hopped on another plane to land in Port-au-Prince around 8am. Well, the last of our group of 6 landed around 3pm. Meaning this:
…was the position of the day. Fighting off the 100 degree heat and spotty showers.
Kyle is reading. Andrew, who had spent 6 weeks in Haiti already is catching come much-needed rest. Ashel had just arrived. And Philip, the fearless leader and mastermind of this expedition in Haiti, is at the far right.
If you didn’t notice, Philip’s multi-color green shirt is a byproduct of the extreme heat.
Caitlin was soon to join us, the final member of the group. Her luggage is still in limbo, though.
But here we are now… the center of much international attention for the first half of 2010: Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Besides the labyrinth of streets, the collapsed buildings and extreme overcrowded atmosphere choked with pollution – both physical and atmospheric – make it an intimidating location for the first moments on the streets.
Port-au-Prince is what I would call “in your face” – nothing here is truly taken at face value and very little has a real “price.” Deals can change at the drop of a hat and the initial aggressiveness can easily turn off even the most experienced traveler. However, the aggressiveness is not the worst I’ve ever seen – many places in Morocco would put it to shame – and, quite honestly, its just the way of things here.
Even the touts and hustlers wanting to “help” unwary green travelers with luggage to their car. Of course, not releasing the luggage until paid upwards of US$20.
In a way that might escape most people, its actually quite a beautiful thing. Its a game. And if you want to be a traveler in P-au-P – a wanderer, if you will – you must play along.
And what a game it is!
Driving is more like Frogger with the big trucks and United Nations and NGO convoys than anything. The rain just makes it stifling inside the car.
But, no doubt, this city is fascinating. Just what I’ve seen thus far. I’m eager to get out into the city. I’m eager to explore this place and its people and all of its bizarre world.
Stay tuned…
-Noah D.
