Beauty Amidst the Chaos

Haiti is a country full of extremes.  I think often times, it is very easy to see the ugly and the corrupt side of Haiti, not the beauty.  Right now, that is especially true.  A couple of weeks ago, Haitians gathered at polling stations all over to cast their vote for president, hoping for a brighter future for their country.  Yesterday morning, after much waiting and suspense, they announced the top two candidates in the running for president.  But, as is turned out, one of the top candidates is Jude Celestin (who also happens to be the son-in-law of the current president Rene Preval).  He is NOT who the people want for president.  The people believe that if Jude Celestin is in office, things will remain the same.  Instead, many of the Haitian people were voting for the popluar singer Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly, believing that he could bring about the change that country has been waiting for.  Currently there are demonstrations and riots going on throughout the capital and many of the surrounding areas.  Roads are blocked and tires are burning in the streets.  The people are rioting because many believe that the election was fraudulent, and that Jude Celestin is wrongfully taking the lead.  The common people of Haiti have no voice, no say in what occurs here in the Haiti.  A huge percentage of the wealth in Haiti is in the hands of a very small percentage of people, and these people have the control.  The government, the police, and the military are corrupt, making it impossible for Haiti to move forward.

In addition to the problems right now surrounding the election, the cholera epidemic continues to spread without constraint.  So far, more than 91,000 people have been affected by cholera and there have been over 2,000 deaths.  The numbers are continuing to grow.  Evidence shows that it is very likely that the cholera was brought to Haiti by the UN soldiers, most specifically the Nepalese.  Nepal had been suffering from cholera oubreaks in recent months.  The first cases of cholera, here in Haiti, originated in the Artibonite River, just downstream from a UN base where apparently a pipe, possibly containing human waste, was draining into the river.  Experts suggest that the epidemic will continue to grow before they are able to get the cholera under control, meaning there are many more deaths to come in the near future. 

As I said before, Haiti is full of extremes.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, Haiti is a country of extreme beauty.  I am reminded of that every morning when I stand out on the balcony of the retreat house.  The mountains stretch as far as I can see, and it is absolutely beautiful.  Most mornings, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and for a brief moment, the country is peaceful.  Last weekend, I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Jacmel.  Jacmel is a town located on the coast, and used to be a major tourist attraction here, before tourism became nearly non-existent in Haiti.  We stayed at a nice hotel, and spent two days at the beach.  It was a much needed mini-vacation.  For those few days, it was easy to forget that I was in Haiti.  The beauty and the serenity of the ocean gave me a renewed feeling of peace.  It was truly the beauty amidst the chaos of Haiti. 
Here's a small glimpse of Haiti in its finest: