Monday, May 22 – Wednesday, May 24, 2023
_{(video links are imbedded in underlined blue words)}

My journal serves as a memory for moments in my life I could otherwise forget. 

I spent the day finishing some necessary tasks and final packing before we left the apartment at 4 pm and encountered a little traffic before getting on I-87 to the Albany airport.

There was no line at the JetBlue counter.  A gentleman took care of checking me in, however, while walking away I realized that he forgot to hand me back my passport.  While at the counter, I decided to change my return flight to Friday the first rather than Sunday, June 3rd.  I was charged although I had not used all my credits from a previous canceled trip.  I was not assigned a seat at that time.  I felt cheated.  When I reached security, the boarding pass had the wrong birthdate.  I had to return downstairs to see Chris, the agent who had checked me in, to have the boarding pass corrected.  There was again no line and I went through security to the departing gate in a matter of minutes.  I am not used to such speedy service checking in.  This is the advantage of a small airport.  The flight was on time but the plane ride was a little bumpy and landed with no major problem.  My nephew and his wife came to pick me up after a short wait.  They drove me to my brother’s house in Plantation, Florida.  I was so glad to see them all after so many years.  That night, I had a mango and a Chinese pau (sweet pork roast on a brown bun) for the first time.  My brother and I talked late while his wife was teaching online.  I slept in my nephew’s room while he was still traveling in Philadelphia where he attended a wedding.

The next day, after a walk around the neighborhood, my brother and I organized a dinner of Haitian food from a local restaurant for the whole family.  While around the table, I called my sons to converse with their cousins and spouses.   We had lively discussions and banter sometimes so boisterously that we disturbed my sisters-in-law who was teaching in her office.

Although I woke up early on Wednesday, I listened to videos before packing and getting the room back in order.  After coffee and prayer, I went walking around the area today again admiring the vegetation and the colorful ranch houses.  I ate 3 small mangoes for breakfast, unfortunately not the ones from the tree in the front yard . They were not ripe yet.  At noon I warmed some of the leftover food from last night for myself, my brother and his son who was back from his trip. It gave me a chance to talk to him as he was just a small boy when I last saw him.  This visit was a good way to reconnect with every member of my family here in Florida. 

By 3 pm, my brother dropped me at the Honeywood Suite by Hilton hotel where I met my friend Carole at the desk.  At 5:30 pm, we went for the cocktail hour provided by the hotel.  Feeling hungry, I ate a burrito, some tomato soup, and fruits.  At 8 pm, we took an Uber to go visit Carole’s friend’s house in Hollywood.  At 10 pm, we returned to the Hotel, packed what was necessary for our trip and had clothes laid out for the early morning departure to Haiti.

Thursday, May 25, 2023
We woke up at 4 am to get ready to get the 5 am shuttle.  There were a few people waiting to go to the airport too.  Checking in was not time consuming.  At the airport gate, Carole met many of her Ayiti Community Trust (ACT) board members and friends convening for an annual retreat.  We boarded the plane and were in the air by 8:15 am.  The plane ride was uneventful and we arrived in Cap Haitien on time.  Looking at the sky, feeling the air as we went down the stairs from the plane onto the tarmac, hearing the troubadour, I felt this special connection with the spirit of the land of what was, what is, and what is to be. 

Security and customs were navigated easily.  We met some of the ACT board members who were also traveling at the exit waiting for transportation to the hotel.  We went through part of Cap Haitien to get to Caracol where we were introduced to the Villas where the foreign workers/ management/ supervisors of the industrial park live.  There were welcoming drinks for all followed by a brunch.  There, I met a board member, Ouiji Theodore and learned that he is a designer with stores carrying his brand (https://thebkcircus.com/). 

The scheduled ACT Retreat agenda to meet the beneficiary of allocated funds and the area unfolded.  We visited the industrial park area of Caracol. The buildings and ground are protected and security is enforced.  I was not allowed to see the Haitian workers in action.  There are controversial stories about the creation and maintenance of this facility.  When information is so divergent, it is important to hear them critically and discern reality. 

Then, we traveled to St. Suzanne commune de l’arrondissement du Trou du Nord, Department du Nord-Est, to go in the direction of some historical rocks to view the petroglyphs–images made by scraping away at the surface of rocks made by indigenous people 12,000 years ago.  We stopped at the plaza where the church is located at the center of town.  I peeked into the church then went to the rectory of St. Suzanne church where I talked to the pastor (cure) and saw the choir practicing for mass and children as well as adults registering for upcoming confirmation in the parish. 

The wooden bridge leading to the caves housing the petroglyph was broken and impassable by car.  It would require more than an hour’s walk to reach them. However, a few in the group who were very motivated to find and to view the markings forged ahead. Some of us who were not so adventurous decided to return to the Villas.  It took a while to reach the complex.

At the villas, we were given an hour to rest and get ready for the welcoming cocktail hour by the pool.  That evening, we met Mr. Robert, a veteran of the town who came to give us a historical timeline for the controversial building of the factory on agricultural land.  Mr. Robert candidly presented his experience with the establishment of the Caracol Industrial Park.

The mayor of Caracol, Renel Pierre, welcomed the group and talked about the security and other good things happening in the area.  He also mentioned how the town takes pride in Charlemagne Peralte, a Haitian nationalist who fought the 1915 American Occupation of Haiti and was assassinated in 1919 for his stance against the invasion.  We also met Alendy Almonor, the co-founder and director of media, of Sa Kap fèt Okap.  This group of local young individuals in the media were present and documented the night’s event.  This was a filled and informative day.

Friday, May 26, 2023
I woke up very early to leave at 5 am. I had been unable to sleep well hearing a noise within the box in the bed probably made by the bed slats.  We did not have coffee or breakfast. We were to travel to Limbe, an arrondissement in the North of Haiti, the largest city after Cap Haitien. The way felt long.  I believe it took us 2 hours to get to Limbe.  In conversation in the car after seeing some clothes for sale hanging in front of a house on the road as I mentioned the word ‘thrift store’, I drew a strong negative reaction from a member.  I understood that it was felt that people from The U.S.  were dumping their old unwanted clothes in Haiti to alleviate their conscience.  I still believe that because we do not produce our own material for clothing, we could look at ‘thrift’ stores as it was historically established in the US.  We could organize the stores for our own benefit and prevent these goods from filling our garbage piles and landfills when unwanted clothing is dumped in the garbage instead of being recycled.  The stores provide jobs and the “underprivileged” clients can choose their own clothing (size, color…) at low cost giving them a sense of autonomy.  To really prevent the flow of unwanted goods, we should do like Mahatma Gandhi who revolutionized his life and those of his people by refusing to wear the dominators’ style of dressing and using his own home-spun khadi loincloth.  A person of conviction must act to eliminate what he/she objects to so vehemently or modify its impact to suit the people’s needs.   I started to have a headache from the lack of caffeine and such emotional disagreement.

We finally had breakfast at FAB Plaza Hotel before visiting a few schools where the AbriBiz, an ACT sponsored project is being implemented in Limbe. This Agri-Business program focuses on training young people to explore agricultural projects that can develop into businesses which support local agriculture and personal entrepreneurial skills.  These groups started with products such as cassava, kremas, and confiture, three products which are prized by the local population.  Several people in our group bought fresko at one of the first schools visited and took a group picture.  I was craving to taste that childhood treat and disregarded all water safety rules.     

After visiting a second school, St. Agnes, we went to the Federation des Groupements Paysans de Limbe (FGPL) to understand the process of making kasav.  We learned the history of that enterprise and the people who manage it.  The members of ACT had a taste of freshly cooked kasava with manba and/or confiture. 

During the car ride to another area in Limbe, someone (I am paraphrasing) stated that we should be taking pictures of what shows the beautiful things the country has to offer rather than the piles of garbage.  I had just taken a picture of tankers and wondered what they were doing in the port.  But the word garbage really triggered an interior negative reaction. It is one of my pet peeves. I did not voice a response in order to avoid contention.  However, I pray to have a way to make a difference on the subject besides advocating only.  Since 2012 after 17 years of absence from the country, the garbage situation became a concern when I saw on a Sunday a lady with her beautiful white clothes walking by a pile of garbage and a car ahead splashing filthy water next to her.  Since then, at every public opportunity soliciting collective action, I spoke about how garbage physical, mental, and spiritual robs our people of health, sanitation, and human dignity.   Organized management of garbage would create many jobs for the people if we had a state concerned with all its citizens’ welfare.  I believe with the partnership of people in Haiti and the diaspora we could handle this disastrous scourge that affects our country.  We have the know-how within our communities, the power, and we can get the funds to do it.  ACT’s pillars in an asset base approach of lakou and konbit is giving me more ammunition to encourage action.   Our environment will be protected, more pleasant and healthy for all the inhabitants as well as the visitors to the country. Entrepreneurs can manage the garbage and recycle materials. The people will learn through civic education their responsibility to maintain a clean space for themselves and their family.  When we travel, as in our case, we choose clean, spacious, pleasant areas to sleep and eat.  All Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Haiti should take on that responsibility to educate and manage garbage in the sphere of their projects so that everyone has the same opportunity for clean and healthy space.

We had lunch at the same venue we had breakfast earlier with several members of the different AgriBiz teams we had visited.  The agronomist (Carine Florvil), and InnovHA leaders— Christelle Yardley, Wilson Joseph—made a presentation about their history and purpose.  I talked to several people listening to their reactions to what was happening through this program.  After this day trip, we returned to Caracol under heavy rain.     

In the evening we had dinner at the Caracol villa dining room where ACT honored visionaries and/or entrepreneurs such as Geoffrey Handal of Agrilog who was in attendance.  Angie Bell from Okap could not be there so she would be honored separately at a dinner with the ACT staff at Ekolojik Hotel.  We were able to view on screens those who had been already honored in Florida—[Virtual: Conrad Schut,  Dannie Augustin, Yve-Car Momperouse, Magalie Noelle Dresse, Jeff Lozama]. After this long day, I felt exhausted mentally and physically.  I hope sleep will regenerate me.

Saturday, May 27, 2023
We were to have breakfast at 8 am.  I got ready by 7 am and went walking around the complex while I prayed and read my Magnificat.  We had breakfast: coffee, a special grilled Haitian bread, scrambled eggs, juices, and oatmeal.  By 9:30 am, the friends of ACT met in the hallway to go to Fort Liberte, the capital city of the Nord-Est Département.  We drove there and met Mr. Robert, who was one of two guides, to talk about the history of Fort Dauphin/Fort Liberte.  The fortress was built as part of a defensive system in 1735 on a small rocky promontory that allowed to see the city and protect the bay during colonial conflicts between Spain and France.  As with any historical sites in the country, unlike other nations, these structures are not maintained.   

In one of the war rooms for ammunition or soldiers’ barracks, I met Eifel Jacques, an artist, who had it decorated with cardboard images of nature reminiscent of Basquiat’s art work as well as some Roman mythological characters.  He also had some fanal (lantern) structures hanging around the wall.  He wore a black blouse with ruffles with a center inscription that said in pink “Dream Big”.  I took a few minutes to talk to him before the group arrived.  We each have a story and when people see us in passing, they have no idea of our convictions and our accomplishments.  Eifel for me was one of our unsung heroes.  He mentioned that he loves to do art, play theater, and entertain.  I am sure my brother, the choreographer Martial Roumain would have found him fascinating for his artistry.  I admire Eifel for doing what he likes to keep himself busy and relevant despite stated opposition by other members of the community to who he is and the work he does to maintain the fort clean.  When the others came where we were, they raved over Eifel’s work and bought some of his hanging collection.  We took several pictures of Eifel and his art. 

After we left the fort, we went to the town square and visited St. Joseph Cathedral.  St. Joseph is the patron saint of the city of Fort Liberte.  I asked the choir that was rehearsing to sing a song to the Holy Spirit for me as tomorrow was Pentecost.      

We went by a patisserie and many people bought pates and other goodies.  We then drove to the Marien Hotels & Resorts where we had lunch.  The lobby had several lifelike sculptures and Haitian paintings decorating the walls.  I ordered the lanbi and ate while overlooking the ocean below the restaurant.  The whole group seems content and relaxed in this setting.

In the afternoon, some of the friends of ACT joined the board members to go to the Agrilog farms in Fort Liberte.  Mr. Geoffrey Handal talked about the new crop of purple potatoes he was growing for exportation as well as peppers.  He mentioned the partnership he has established with the local farmers for production of local crops.  He also stated how he needed more agricultural partners to plant manyòk (yucca) to produce cassava.  I talked to him about the Vincentian Family Haiti Initiative (VFHI) in Savanne Perdue and he made a short video of what was needed to participate in this project. 

ACT was invited to visit the UNESCO Lakou & Museum afterward.  It is a yard filled with mango trees and small huts built for different spirits such as deity of water and St Antoine of Padua (cover for another loa).  One of these huts was also built to house a museum of voodoo artifacts such as drums, krich (clay water jugs), clothing for ceremonies, etc…  While on the ground, I bought a coconut and drank the water.

After driving back to the complex, we rested a little while before the cocktail hour.  One of the guests was a man from the Institut de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine National (ISPAN).  He presented the work being done in the area to preserve the patrimony.  He also mentioned what he was trying to do personally in education and health in the area with the collaboration of a priest from Florida.

When I went to our room, my stomach and bowels went into distress and I had to use the bathroom the whole night.  I had not been cautious enough with what I ate and drank.

Sunday, May 28, 2023
I did not attend the Mother’s Day brunch at the beach and leisure activities at Labadie and the boat ride to Ile a Rat. 

I stayed in bed all day unable to eat or do anything but sip water.  Lèlè the cleaning man came in and was surprised to see me there.  He brought me some tea.  As usual in Haitian culture in some places, it had salt in it.  When Carole came back, she ordered another tea for me and some white rice.  I just tried to sleep again.  It seemed I had missed all the fun of this retreat.

Monday, May 29, 2023
In the morning I started to go less frequently and was able to drink more water. By 9:30 am at breakfast, I was able to eat a piece of bread with morue (cod fish).  We left the Caracol Villas for a hotel closer to the airport in Cap Haitien: The Ecolojik Resort.  We were assigned a suite (B2).  We each had our own room.  We had lunch with Carole’s people working on community college curriculum.  One of the ladies was educated by the Salesians sisters and she knew all the sisters I currently deal with.  I could not eat the whole fish that I had ordered, so I took the leftovers with me that I froze when I got to our suite. 

That night, I dreamt about my deceased daughter, Natalie. She was dressed with an overall black cape but her hands were contorting in an arthritic flare while holding on a carton of eggs. She was motivating herself by saying: “stay straight”.  By coincidence, that same night, my husband said he had also dreamt that Natalie and his deceased sister were having pizza on the porch at our old house.  What did all this mean?  A warning? But things will be ok.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Carole did not sleep well because the room was too hot. I woke up early, but I stayed in bed and prayed.  At eight o’clock Carole and I went down for breakfast.  I ordered an omelet with cheese and ham while we were offered a nice blend of korosòl, ginger, and garlic tea. 

As Dreema, an ACT team member, was returning home through the airport in Port-au-Prince, we asked her to buy the Dorcean’s books “Change Yourself and Change Your Country” which is published in three languages for Carole and me.  We were so grateful  that she could do this.

We were driven to the airport in Cap Haitien where we met the driver who was to bring us to Cormier. When we got there, we waited by the beach while the rooms were being readied.  While Carole, her visiting cousin, and his driver ordered food for lunch, the restaurant warmed yesterday’s fish for me.  It was still delicious.  We walked along the shore in the afternoon. At dinner, I could not resist to order a soursop (korosòl) sorbet.  While we were at the restaurant, I talked to a French lady who has lived in Haiti for the past two years working for the World Food program. We went to our room early, as lightning was starting with torrential rain. This was the first day during our trip that we had time to rest and relax before returning home.

Wednesday, May 31. 2023
I woke up several times in the night listening to prayers as we had access to the internet.  Around 7 AM, Carole and I went on the balcony to talk and enjoy the ocean view. Half an hour later, we went downstairs to have a breakfast of fruits (papaya & pineapple), coffee, grenadia (passion fruit) juice and a Spanish omelet.   We talked to Mr. Simonet, the owner of the place, who mentioned that his 90-year-old mother was still living on the premises and active in the business of the hotel.  Mr. Guesly Michel of Ayitiya gifted Carole three books by Garnel Michel and Jackson Déus as well as samples of his products: hydromel (Lune de miel), and energy juice (Sexy).  I seized the opportunity to buy an hydromel bottle and a juice for Pierre.  

We found two lounge chairs under an almond tree to relax for the day.  I made some calls.  Carole went to the computer to confirm our flights for the next day on Spirit Airlines to go back to Fort Lauderdale.  We spent most of the day at the beach.  I met a man with a boat who offered to give us a ride for a fee.  I played with his three girls in the afternoon, and after floating in the water for a while, I decided to go change.  We had supper while it was raining very hard.  I ordered a vegetable soup; it was delicious.  When we got to our room, we packed for the next day. 

Thursday, June 1, 2023
I got dressed and went to breakfast.  We enjoyed a citronelle tea, coffee, fruits, and a vegetable omelet.  By 9:30 am, we were ready to be driven to the Cap Haitien airport.  While in the waiting room, I heard my name called.   The attendant wanted to know why I had my suitcase locked with a non-standard lock.  I told the agents that my golden suitcase had no lock and it was probably Carole’s.  It seemed that they had broken her lock, and she was not happy about it.  I bought 4 bottles of Barbancourt and a jar of confiture (jam).  The plane was late. When we landed in Fort Lauderdale, I walked to customs to get my bag and check out.  Everything went smoothly there.  There were many people lining up in a special line for the Biden’s program.  I texted my friend Evelyne who lives in Miramar and waited for her outside the terminal.  We got lost for a few minutes leaving the airport.  We had supper while catching up about our families.  Afterwards, Evelyne and I went to her sewing room to chat and do word games such as spelling bee.  She enjoys it when she gets the ‘genius’ award.  I had Pierre confirm the return flight to Albany for me.  I enjoyed talking and reconnecting with Evelyn’s activities.  She gave me gifts of cloth coasters for friends and my grandkids.

Friday, June 2, 2023
I woke a few times during the night and felt my throat hurting and my eyes burning.  Finally, at 6 am, Evelyne got up.  We talked for a while, we had coffee and a slice of a bread she had baked.  I packed my bag to go back to Albany.  Evelyne went to Adoration, and her husband peeked in around 9:45 am to see if I was ok.  Later, Evelyne drove me to the airport.  My flight was delayed due to a storm.  From the departure time scheduled for 3 pm, we boarded at 5:30 pm.  We arrived in Albany after 9:30 pm.  Meanwhile my eyes were swollen, red and were oozing.  I put a hot compress but my eyes kept on spurring white discharge.  It took a while for my suitcases to come on the conveyor belt.  By then it was 10 pm, there was no taxi around and the information desk was not staffed at this time. I talked to a police officer who told me to call from the inside phone by the dais.  There were no answers on the service phone.  I went outside and prayed.  The airport was getting empty.  Finally, I saw one car pulled by the curb. I asked the driver if it was an Uber or a taxi, he just asked me where I was going and I took a chance.  I asked him for his name and said I was calling home to say that I was on my way.  We got lost by the state offices but by 10:30 we made it to the parking lot of my apartment complex.  There were many young people by the front of the building, I asked the driver to go around back where the elevator was.  My husband came to pick me up by the door and I was able to get home to wash my eyes properly from all this oozing.  It was probably an infection.  I started to feel the fatigue of the trip as I had not eaten a meal since breakfast and whatever else was affecting my immune system.

Although not feeling well physically, I was glad I had gone on this trip as a friend of ACT.  Meeting the young people strengthened my resolved to continue my part in supporting work in the country, collaborating with other groups, and advocating for what I believe will make changes in the country for all its inhabitants.