It’s very different in Haiti, and each trip reveals more differences. Some differences are very obvious, at least for me based on my location in the US.
For example, when arriving in PAP, I find it hot, humid, usually Smokey, LOUD and crowded, this is all very different than where I live.
There’s street vending, or street markets, where I live we don’t have there – anywhere. There’s traffic jams (bloukis) caused by a lack of real driving etiquette (I’m sure there are traffic laws, but haven’t seen anyone follow any – it’s a free for all -- even the pedestrians are part of it, weaving in and out traffic.
The food is different, there’s a lack of electricity, few homes have running water or plumbing, and some homes are actually tents -- these are the obvious differences.
But there’s something else – the Haitian people have no difficulty, shame or concern expressing their world view or what we call it here in the USA – their religious beliefs. (This of course includes VooDoo and Karnival and other related activities, but those would most likely be very welcomed in the US so that open expression is really not something I’d put in the ‘differences’ category).
In the USA you’d probably never see a truck or bus painted in bright colors with Bible verses, statements about the greatness of God or the name of Jesus. I remember the first time I was in Haiti seeing these things not only painted on vehicles, but on buildings (that we not churches) and even used as part of the name of the businesses. It’s a striking difference. Striking.
Enjoy the photos of examples of everyday life in Haiti, where people are unapologetic about their faith and the rest of the population manages to go about their daily lives, unaffected or offended.
In Haiti it really is live and let live – now that’s really different.