My Love for Haiti

Petionville

I've fallen madly in love with Haiti with all its disparity, corruption and ugliness. The crushed streets, the downed buildings, the pungent smell of smoke and debris, the sewage mixed with drinking water, even the rigid bureaucracy are all to loath and despise.  They spoke to me, whispered to my heart. But despite the ugliness and hopelessly it was the beauty and faith that sustained the people that made me believe and love the country.

The people who suffered so much and harness so much remorse. Yet, hope and love was clearly sparking in the eyes, so powerful I felt the tremor.  All around Port-au-Prince, you see it clearly enduring in the street corners -- the women, the children, the working-class men -- all trying their best, never giving up, and living each day like it could be their last.

In this island nation, with much of the government infrastructure demolished, we can expect a significant GDP contraction accompanied by an increase in inflation as a result of severe shortage of particular goods.

I saw the grime of Cite Soleil, the crime, the gangsters, the thugs. I was ready to make a huge sacrifice for her, despite not knowing what lay ahead.

Then on my next to last day, I was taken up on a hill to Petionville and saw the charm and elegance of this natural sanctuary.   The physical beauty in the mountains and the breathtaking views of the torn city below. I had seen Haiti with all her ugliness and fell in love with her.  Now I had seen true uncovered beauty of this Caribbean country and loved her just as much.

It was an unexpected gift.  Like all of a sudden given the miraculous gift of sight.  And you turn around to meet face to face with your lover and all of a sudden you realize that she is ten times more beautiful that what you expected.  She is fresh, new, delightful and you love her just as much.