Although Haiti was fascinating and visually stunning, it was not an easy place to travel, from the wee fraction of it I was able to see in my short time. The hardest part for me was that I so completely did NOT blend. In a country so poor, anyone who doesn't look like a local can be a tried and true source of cash. Plus I had a backpack of camera gear, which attracted even more attention. So most of my time, walking the street became an event where I had 4 instant friends appear from the ether, wanting to walk with me and ask me questions, take me to their cousin's shop, etcetera. I now notice in this photo gallery there are few photos of people looking anywhere but at me; I had a hard time catching anyone NOT noticing me. It was tricky too to gauge what kind of reaction I would elicit from the Haitians I talked to - some were extremely friendly, some were belligerent, and many were just altogether indifferent and unimpressed with my attempts to chat. I can surely understand why some would be irritated by a stranger who doesn't speak French strolling around with a toy it would take them years to save the money for, if they ever could. Whenever I get frustrated though, I am always saved by the kids; still too young to have judgments about such things, their curiosity forever gets the best of them and they have to come running up and check out the weird guy! Followed by lots of giggling and running away.

Croix des Bouquets
Haiti

© Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli