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This last trip we took to Haiti, I naturally pulled out my camera right away and started shooting pics of our adorable little cousins. After that, I decided I didn't want to use my camera on this trip. Being a photographer, this is one of the hardest things to do. I often find myself missing moments or avoiding things because of my camera. So, I packed it up and just used my phone camera and my photographic memory, ultimately living in the moment. {I apologize in advanced for the quality since they are from my phone!} Carnaval I am not a Carnaval person, at all! I had never been and never really planned on going to it. I didn't realize that there would still be action going on in Jacmel during the time of the national Carnaval in Gonaives. Overall, I am happy I got to experience it…it was crazy! What an amazing experience to see and appreciate the art. click here for more picturesCamionette I know, I know…how do you know The Real Haiti without riding on a camionette? Well, this is my confession: After traveling to Haiti for so many years, I had my first camionette ride! We were walking down the street in Jacmel with a friend without any destination in mind. Endy said to me, do you want to jump on and just ride downtown? So, we did. We got on and rode downtown for about 20 minutes with people jumping on and off. For those of you who don't know what a camionette is, it's a pickup truck with benches on the back and a roof. You jump on and then tap the glass by the driver when you're ready to get off. Then you get off and pay the guy in the passenger seat. It's super cheap and fun to be with the locals. I always wonder where everyone is always going. Everyone is always so busy in Haiti!
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It always takes me a week or two to get a blog post up after I've returned from Haiti. I go into a US culture shock and I have to adjust back to my life as a blan trapped in a Haitian's body…lol. Here goes the first one after our trip this March. After arriving from the airport, we went straight to Endy's mom's house. I got out of the car and the first thing I hear is, "DIANA, DIANA, DIANA, DIANA!!!" I turn around and here comes running our cousin's little boy Skye (pictured third on right). He was walking with his other cousins and uncle from church and saw me down the road all dressed in his little black suit with his orange shirt, tie and handkerchief. I've had a special bond with this kid since he was a baby, born right before the 2010 earthquake. Not sure what's funnier, the fact that he is almost more mature than I am at 31 or that every time he sees a blan on TV he says it's me. These 3 are just too cute! 
About 5 years ago, I was searching for a gift for my husband Endy online. I came across Zoe Nation Apparel, a site that sells shirts with sayings in Creole and English promoting Haitian pride and culture. I bought a shirt for Endy and I bought myself one. It said "What do you mean I don't look Haitian." I thought it was hilarious and also serious because what does that even mean? People say it all of the time to Haitians.  Two years ago, I started this blog. I created business cards. I took a picture of me in the shirt for the back of the card as an attention grabber. Everyone who sees it, loves it. I get blank stares and lots of questions like, "Are you French? I see your last name is Pierre-Louis." And I tell them, "No, I am Haitian." Then it starts a conversation. Last year, I was at a Haitian event that had a fashion show. There were models representing Zoe Nation Apparel. They were modeling the Haitian clothing line. My husband grabbed the owners attention, Isaiah Fleurimond, and showed him my business card. He was in shock. It was so awesome to meet each other. We connected instantly. We kept in touch and this year we started selling the shirts on this website. This November, 10 kids from Jacmel (ACFFC) got the opportunity to visit South Florida to work on a project. I told Isaiah and he generously offered to donate shirts to them. And then this happened...  Isaiah is an absolutely pleasure to work with and know. His professionalism and love for life is reflected in his success. Thank you so much for these shirts. The kids absolutely love them! THANK YOU, MESI ANPIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
New York photographer Vanessa Geffrard is looking for Haitian women to photograph! Here's the info below and please share it with your NY friends :) WHAT: Beautifully Haitian Photo Project will involve individuals shots. Participants will have copyrights and access to pictures via private online gallery. WHERE: 70 Welling Court Queens, NY 11102 WHEN: August 31st at 5pm COST: FREE WHO: Haitian/Haitian descent women Call/text Vanessa at 443-850-3800 or email her at vanebellephotos@gmail.com if interested in participating and questions (and so she knows you're coming).  
First tip I can give to get to Jacmel is hire an experienced driver or ask someone you know that has experience. It's not somewhere you want to try to drive yourself if you're not used to mountain driving and Haiti driving. Also, make sure the car you're traveling in can handle mountain driving. There are also professional companies that have buses that go to Jacmel as well. Our experience in Jacmel We arrived at the 2 story freestanding building at ACFFC - Art Creation Foundation for Children - with beautifully decorated in mosaics on the front, including the choublack (hibiscus flower) with inspiration from Haiti’s logo. We entered the little shop where the art is for sale to visitors with so much to look at…papier mache masks, ornaments, wall hanging, bowls and glass mosaic bottles. We were given a tour downstairs and upstairs where we saw the computer room, the pharmacy and the library. Art made by these children is everywhere…it’s absolutely beautiful. Aside from its aesthetic beauty, the beautiful children were sitting quietly waiting for their professor to come. We chatted with them and hung out for a little bit while we enjoyed the view of the city of Jacmel. The city of Jacmel is covered in beautiful mosaic walls done by the children of ACFFC throughout the years. We got to drive around and see all of the different designs and creativity! Carnaval in Jacmel We were lucky enough to see Carnaval in Jacmel, Haiti...a kind of toned down version of Carnaval in the capital. During Carnaval every afternoon (around 2 p.m.), the city shuts down and everyone starts celebrating...it's pretty wild! Bassin Bleu in Jacmel, Haiti Bassin Bleu is a must see in Jacmel! Again, you will need an experienced driver and a local to help you get there...it's quite a journey, but so worth it!! There's lots of walking and climbing, including roping down a small rock. Don't worry, everyone's super helpful! I was definitely nervous to do it at first, too. Look at this amazing view. Lakou New York in Jacmel Lakou New York is a beautiful mosaic boardwalk in a public area, perfect for getting some exercise or strolling around with your honey. It's right on the ocean and you can find vendors selling classic Haitian goods and snacks. Hotels in Jacmel
 Have you been to Jacmel? What's your favorite activity to do there?! Let us know in the comments! Lots of contests going on this month for Haitian Heritage Month! Have some fun and win some prizes! THE REAL HAITI - HAITIAN POSE CONTEST: Show us your best one in a photo!Show us your best Haitian pose and win an original photo print of the San-Souci Palace taken by Diana from TheRealHaiti.com. This is a $100 value! We want to see those Haitian poses so please submit them to our wall now at: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealHaiti. You must submit it on our wall to be eligible! The one with the most votes will win the beautiful photograph below of San-Souci!  San-Souci Palace in northern Haiti is where I fell in love with this beautiful country. The Sans-Souci Palace was the royal residence of King Henri (Henri Christophe) of Haiti, Queen Marie-Louise and their two daughters. It was the most important of nine palaces built by the king, as well as fifteen châteaux, numerous forts, and sprawling summer homes on his twenty plantations. Construction of the palace started in 1810 and was completed in 1813. Its name translated from French means "carefree." Location: (Milot, Haiti) This listing is only for the print of the photograph (FRAME IS NOT INCLUDED). Picture this photograph in your house! Show of your Haitian pride! Contest ends 5/31/13.  100k JOBS HAITI - HAITIAN FLAG DAY: Photo contest100K Jobs Haiti is honoring Haitian Flag Day! The flag will celebrate its 210th birthday on May 18th, 2013! 100K Jobs is marking the occasion with a contest to give you the opportunity to show and share your Haitian Pride! NOTE: IF you are a non-Haitian you have the option of sending us a photo of you working or having fun in Haiti! Please send a description of the photo!!! Here are the rules: 1- Starting today May 1st, take a creative photo of you and the Flag. 2- Send the picture to cassandreh@partnersworldwide.org or michelee@partnersworldwide.org 3- We will upload the photo to the 100K Jobs Facebook page 4- Once we upload the photo we will send you a link to email to all of your friends telling them to go to 100K Jobs Facebook page and first, Like the page, and then Like your photo 5- Photos will be accepted until May 18th at 5 pm. The person whose photo has the MOST LIKES will win a wonderful prize from Haiti. AND that person will have the honor of having the MOST Haitian pride. We will announce the official winner the night of May 18th. The prize will be sent by mail.  HAITIAN HERITAGE MUSEUM - Mr. or Ms. May 18: Creative project contest |
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