Haitians depend on highway transportation. After Hurricane Ike, many parts of the country were separated from each other. Port-au-Prince is the hub, in the center of all routes. Massif de la Hotte (southwestern department) has been cut off from the capital when the bridge washed out just south of Miragoa`ne.
This past weekend, I was able to vist Les Cayes and Port Salut. However, it meant crossing this river each time in a small boat. My photo is from our boat looking south at the folks who want travel north. Taptaps, buses, and trucks line up on both sides of the crossing - dropping off or picking up passengers and their goods. The boats have no motors - they are poled, paddled, pushed, and pulled across. Porters work at the water's edge, fiercely bidding against each for the business of carrying customers and freight from dry land to a boat. Somehow, I had the privilege/coincidence of carrying me both on Friday, headed south-bound, and on Monday, going north to Port-au-Prince. I knew from the first time, this man would have no problem carrying me and backpack!
Yes, everything that is going to be sold must be carried. I saw: dozens of chickens and goats headed for market; entire boats filled with 100+ sacks of charcoal, bags of fruit, rice, sugar, and beans; large trays of freshly baked bread; dozens upon dozens of 5 gallon containers filled with gasoline or diesel; and people - hundreds of people! This past Monday, I watcher a cow-herd pull/drag his herd across the river. Things were going smoothly, until the largest bull broke away, swam to the closest hill side, and headed uphill at a full trot.
Every day in Haiti gives greater truth to the familiar maxim - Life is what happens between the plans!
2 comments:
oh my goodness. That is a wonderful photo. I still am having trouble imagining you being carried on someone's back. This is like something out of a bible story.
woah, that water is amazing, you should send your photos to National Geographic, there really good!
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