On January 12th, 2010 an estimated 230,000 people lost their lives in a 7.0 Earthquake that ravaged Haiti. While some parts of the Country were relatively untouched (like Cap-Haitien), the capital of Port-au-Prince bore the full brunt of the tremor. 5 years later, the Haitian capital is still licking its wounds, trying to recover from the edge of decimation.
Some 5 years later, the effects of the earthquake are still brutally evident. The downtown area,
There is, however, no other greater symbol of the devastation than Port-au-Prince's Notre Dame
With all that said, Port-au-Prince is by no means dead. On the contrary, there is a lot of life. Perhaps nowhere is the
Truth be known, you could probably even confine your visit to the areas of Petionville with it's bars and restaurants and clubs and wonder what everyone is on about. Or you could gawk at the sprawling tent cities and barrio slums. This is a city with a lot of faces.
Fact of the matter is, with extortionately expensive hotels and some of the worst value for money I have ever experienced, I didn't plan to stay long in the city. There might be a dimension to the place i've totally missed out on. Frankly speaking, though, I really don't feel a need to go back and explore that option. Port-au-Prince, though not the hellhole it has the reputation of being, is certainly not a regional highlight.
Some 5 years later, the effects of the earthquake are still brutally evident. The downtown area,
which was most heavily affected, still has half crumbling buildings and partially built roads. Port-au-Prince better resembles a war ravaged city than a Caribbean capital. USAID and other such relief emblems are splattered around every one-time doorway or make-shift juice stand. Any other country with the resources to do so probably would have patch over the scars by now. But Haiti has long been a poor country and bouncing back from the earthquake will take generations.
There is, however, no other greater symbol of the devastation than Port-au-Prince's Notre Dame
de l'Assomption Cathedral. Built between 1884-1914, the once mighty building was the crowning jewel of architectural achievement in the country. Sadly, the place of pilgrimage and worship was all but levelled, leaving little more than a skeleton as a reminder. It's worth asking around to find someone with keys to get inside, although a "contribution to rebuilding" would be required.
With all that said, Port-au-Prince is by no means dead. On the contrary, there is a lot of life. Perhaps nowhere is the
more obvious than the Market area, especially around the Marche de Fer (Iron Market). The dizzying unplanned covered "alleyways" twist and turn in every direction, all leading to a unmistakable red building. On one half is the truly bizarre voodoo market, arguably the tourist highlight of the city. This is the first place you get a glimpse into a vibrant artist scene in the city. Other dedicated street exhibit some of the most unique, if not a little dark, artist expressionism anywhere in the world.
Truth be known, you could probably even confine your visit to the areas of Petionville with it's bars and restaurants and clubs and wonder what everyone is on about. Or you could gawk at the sprawling tent cities and barrio slums. This is a city with a lot of faces.
Fact of the matter is, with extortionately expensive hotels and some of the worst value for money I have ever experienced, I didn't plan to stay long in the city. There might be a dimension to the place i've totally missed out on. Frankly speaking, though, I really don't feel a need to go back and explore that option. Port-au-Prince, though not the hellhole it has the reputation of being, is certainly not a regional highlight.
