This morning we got up extra early and went to pick up Louwannne, Louwannesue and Emmanual to go to the market tp buy them some new shoes. We also saw a soccer ball to buy them which they were asking for. We were at the market and I told them to pick out which shoes they want. They varied from super cool high tops to dress shoes. All 3 was only $60. They were sooooooooo happy.
I got them on film rapping for me as a team. They love to rap. I can't wait for you all to see. As we were leaving the market to go to our car I could hear the most angelic beautiful voice in the distance and searched it out. I saw a young boy (around 14) blind sitting on the curb kneeled down with a metal bowl for money and shaking a metal Maracas. He was singing the most haunting, most compelling , most beautiful song I think I may have ever heard. I recorded it which I plan on looping for the doc. I asked Jimmy what he was singing about, He said he was making up his own words singing about how people always say he is a begger pretending to be blind. It was clearly visible that he is actually blind. He was the singing how hard it is for him that people that he knows are saying such things about him and why would he resort to that. This poor little soul who I don't know his name. I look forward to actually translating to get a FULL understanding of this, I can't stop watching what I recoreded because it is so capturing in such a sad way.
I was out in Port-au-Prince all day with Jimmy and our security who was carrying 2 guns. He previously asked if we would like him in uniform or civilian. We said civilian, don't want to attract more people then necessary. We went out into PAP with my camera fully expecting to see awful things and be in danger, I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the fallen structure has been cleaned up and that their are way fewer tent city's. We were going to go into a tent city ( we had a security with 2 guns for gods sake), but decided why do that. That's not what I came here for and got a few pics from outside of them, I noticed people in PAP weren't as friendly (or maybe just fed up) as people in the mountains. I think they have just had enough, and enough of a lot of blancs (white people). We went through an area that was like the Hollywood Hills. It went from tent cities or just really poor to huge beautiful rolling hills of mansions one after another with security outside of every one with huge guns. It was a strange and surreal contrast.
We ended up back at or Hotel which is called the Hotel Oloffson. I suggest you check it out on Google. It is an old, eery (in a beautiful way), spectacular hotel. It has a lot of really interesting history which I won't get into. I will say that they have had a lot of famous writers, actors, singers and humanitarians, stay here. Every room has a sign with different names on it. We are staying in the room that Cameron Brohman stays in. This is him:
Cameron Brohman has lived and worked in Haiti for twenty-five years with extensive experience in the development, media and creative industries. In 1985 he implemented an innovative educational programme that featured video as a conduit of information exchange between students in Haiti and Canada. The award-winning interactive approach was eventually adopted in other countries. Mr. Brohman was also the director of a large project to transform a rare urban forest into Haiti’s first botanic garden and environmental university. His experience in project design, resource management, conflict resolution and cultural conservation has resulted in a diverse network of contacts within Artist groups, government ministries, aid and development agencies such as the UN and craft cooperatives, and at all levels of Haitian society.
Interesting, I think I may have to contact him.
We hung out at the hotel tonight with Jimmy our security, jimmy's cousin and met some blancs that have an organisation near the airport. We exchanged contact info because may come in handy.
I now am really ready for bed. I'm so exhausted after this whole planning of and the trip that I think I may sleep for a week after getting back. I can't wait.
I'm so happy with all we got camera or Iphone. We really captured people and just how beautiful they are and the country is. It is my mission to show you all that we need to help these people but not to let the media tell you anything bad about Haiti. They get such a bad rap about being dangerous and horrible but it is quite the opposite. The people are so accepting, generous and welcoming. I felt zero danger. Even in PAP. I want to show you the real Haiti. I look forward to all of you following my finished product. I am going to enter this into the films festival and weather or not it gets accepted I will show it somewhere. I will show you the beauty of Hiati that it deserves.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, but it does not need be ugly. I dare you all to resist what all the media says and trust me. If you do trust me you know I would tell all of the truth. I tell the truth now and say that they need our help desperately, but don't look down on them or feel sorry for them. See they beauty and strength they have to fight to survive. Look at our pics and soon film and see just how amazing they are and smile for them because that's all they want. No matter their situation they continue smiling all the time, so we should smile with them. We should learn from their strength to help ourselves. I know I have. I'm sorry for all the mooshyness on my blogs but I can't help it. The Haitian people make me so happy and sad at the same time it makes me a bit crazy.
This is my last blog before we come home and I hope you all have enjoyed my journey as much as I have. If anyone feels the need to help us out for our future projects weather it be here in Toronto or come to Haiti then please message me on FB or email me. We can use all the help we can. Thanks so much.
http://www.facebook.com/ToujouHaiti?ref=ts&fref=ts
or
www.toujouhaiti@gmail.com
See you on the flip-side :)
Bon nuit for now
Je'tieme Haiti toujou ( I love you Haiti, always).
Ps,
That may not be in right order but bare with me, Working on learning Creole :)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
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