Mountain Retreat

In addition to the Port au Prince home were we have been staying, our host has a small home in the mountains. A charming 71 year old man, he lived through the evolution of Haiti this past century. While growing up in PAP, the population was only 150,000. In the 1970's his home in PAP had electricity, running water, postal service and weekly garbage pick-up.

Now, bursting at the seams, PAP counts over 3 million residents. None of the above services are in place. People have cisterns for collecting rain and they must purchase potable water. Electricity exists within the city proper, but is intermittent. Garbage fills the streets, the streams and the rivers.

Over 40 years ago our host built a second home in the mountains which served as a summer retreat for he & his family. During the Embargo (and subsequent Coup), it wad a place to avoid the military violence.

Today, his children are grown and his wife is in the USA receiving medical care. The quaint stone cabin is not often occupied, yet it remains full of history.

Our troupe took the day off from Relief Work and ascended the mountain above Pétonville to Fort Jacques. This military structure remains fairly intact (canons et al), though a couple of its walls did crumble during the earthquake and its aftershocks.

Our host's home is walking distance from the Fort. We spent a long, relaxing day learning of the local flora & fauna, listening to personal stories, picnicking and discussing Haiti's past & hopeful future.

It was wonderful to take in the fresh mountain air, meditate in the quiet countryside and get a respite from the overbearing tropical heat.

Today is our last in Port au Prince. We head out to another tent city to treat and offer our final donations.