crossing Haitian border - Page 2

hansbert · #11 10-23-2002, 02:52 PM

The correct spelling of the famous hotel in PAP is OLOFFSON.

arturo · #12 10-23-2002, 03:31 PM

The quanitity of disinformation about Haiti never ceases to amaze me. Please don't anyone take any of this as a personal attack because it isn't. When was the last time - if ever - either of the two members who replied with no information other than "don't go" been to Haiti? Never mind, it doesn't matter.

My advice is to judge the facts and ignore the opinions that appear without them:

Fact: The Oloffson (yes, that's how it is spelled) is open. You can call for up-to-date information at 509-23-4000 or 509-23-4102.

Fact: There is widespread poverty and deprivation in Haiti, much like what is found in many parts of a large Spanish-speaking Caribbean nation that is not Puerto Rico.

Opinion (mine): Everyone should make their own mind up about what it is like in Haiti (there is only one way to do that). Whether or not it's worth a visit boils down to your purpose; I don't think it is one of the better leisure destinations in the region but there are significant business and relief work opportunities.

Hillbilly · #13 10-23-2002, 06:05 PM

I have been to Haiti several times, I have several Haitians among my students, and they tell me that it is not safe in many places.
There is no real police force, and banditry is widespread. Perhaps on the main roads between PAP and the border, and certainly over towards Jacmel where Hydor Quebec is providing power, things are different, but the last I heard a guy went over to Haiti from Dajabon, was robbed at knifepoint in Juana Mendez (Ounamenthe in Creole) and had to walk back across the border with nothing...

HB

Go and tell us about it...

mne01 · #14 10-24-2002, 12:32 PM

Hillbilly, you say "last you heard" someone got robbed. That can mean a lot of things. I "hear" a lot of things happening here too but it doesn't make me leave DR. So I would be more interested in what you experienced yourself when you visited H. This is not to be smart, I am honestly curious since I am thinking about going myself.

As a matter of fact, I went there last week, but i just visited a market on the other side of the border during an hour, so I can't say anything about the country in general. We were the only whites there and there were hardly any dominicans (of any color) there either but nothing happened to us. People seemed mostly curious, if they paid attention at all. A couple of very aggressive policemen turned up though and scared the hell out of people by pointing their rifles randomly into the masses. We never felt that there was any threat towards us though. But as noted by some forum members before, "feeling safe" and "being safe" is not the same and I wouldn't want to draw any conclusions about the country from this very short visit.

Actually, I know this french man who lived in PAP for two years and who now lives in DR. He says - and this might be controversial for some of the forum members - that the Haitans are actually more respectful towards foreigners than the Dominicans. For example, while domincans would typically stare at foreigners without shame, Haitans wouldn't. According to him, you are also less likely to get robbed in Port-au-Prince than in Santo Domingo. Before getting upset about that statement, keep in mind that these are his words, not mine.

The last part of my very limited knowledge about Haiti consists in what I have been told by my Haitian classmates. They are showing great frustration with the image of Haiti produced in DR, typically by Dominicans who never visited the country, and they are very eager to promote another, more positive picture of the country. They also agree that as a foreigner in Haiti you are not likely to get into trouble.

I remain interested in accounts from people who actually went there.

Best,

mne

Quisqueya Girl · #15 10-24-2002, 01:15 PM

For those of you interested in travelling to Haiti and want first hand accounts:

First my background: I have travelled to Haiti a number times on brief visits and lived there once for 3 months in PAP. Also, I am a white American female.

These are generalizations and are not going to apply to every situation.

Safety:

The safest way to travel to Haiti is to have previous, well-established contacts there who are going to look after you and manage your logistics. That's always the best way no matter what country you travel to.

If you are travelling strictly as a tourist for the first I would fly into PAP (even from the DR). I would stay at a major hotel such as the Olafson (life is too short to worry about spelling), El Rancho or Hotel Montana. Arrange for transportation to the hotel ahead of time if they offer the service. Then talk to people at the hotel about someone trustworthy who can act as your guide.

Generalizations:

The countryside is safer than PAP. You won't have very problems outside of PAP.

Don't travel at night by public or private transportation. The biggest problem in Haiti is not the pickpockets but the 'zenglendos', the really bad nasty gangsta types.

The Haitian people are really wonderful despite what some DR1 posters have said (in other threads). Just be respectful like all humans deserve and don't treat them like "the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere". C'mon everyone has their dignity.

Ask before you take photos of people then give them a few coins as a way of thanks. Many Haitians are embrassed by their poverty.

You are probably more safe being white or being a foreigner. You are certainly not a target because of it. And outside of PAP they will be extremely curious about you.

Would I recommend going to Haiti? Sure if you are the adventurous type. If you are high maintenance then check into an expensive hotel, spend your time by the pool being waited on and then leave.

-QG

ps just a side note: I call myself Quisqueya Girl (though I can barely spell that either) because I am extremely interested in Hispaniola/Quisqueya as a whole. Haiti and the DR are so intertwined I find it hard to learn about one without learning about the other.

hansbert · #16 10-24-2002, 02:42 PM

I have also been a few times to PAP last time in early 2000. I never felt scared and in the daytime there should not be any problem as far as security is concerned. The area between Champ de Mars and Blvd. Jean Jacues Dessalines is very dark in the nighttime and people say it is dangerous and that hold ups may occur. If you stay up in Pétionville where the well-off and middle class Haitians live there should not be any security problem in the nights. Apart from the expensive hotels (Rancho, Montana, Kinam) there are also some cheaper hotels but there you may face longlasting black outs.You can move around freely without fear even in the lower part. People are extremely nice, friendly, helpful and charming, probably due to the French influence in their culture.In Haiti I have never met any stubborn, arrogant and uneducated Domi style Macho man like the hundreds of thousands in this country who due to their total ignorance consider themselves superior to any humble and poor Haitian.

JOHNNY HONDA · #17 10-25-2002, 02:36 PM

Ist point i want to be clear that i find Haitians to be very nice and amazingly friendly people however i do stand corrected for saying not to go to pop,i should have said i personally would not go at this time,you make choices foryourself
2nd for Arturo yes i have been to Haity many times once for 3 months nonstop,oh as you so eloquently put it never mind ive seen some of your other posts and i realize you know all