The Haiti Experience...a look at how the journey to Haiti opened my soul

By; Hounsi Ryan

Haiti is a country that will definetly leave an impression. Once in Haiti, apart of you stays there and apart of Haiti comes back with you. Although this has been a war torn country for quite some time now, it is a beautiful country both people and spiritual wise. They may not have a lot of material possessions, but the spirituality they have makes up for it. This is most definetly our Holy Land.

Before traveling to Haiti, there are of course a few things that you'll need to get in order prior to your trip. Make sure you have all of your medications that you normally take. Visit with your doctor to discuss possibly giving you an extra amount of your prescriptions. Haitian medicines typically come from the U.S. and are the drugs that either didn't sell on the market or the drug has expired, thus making them harmful to you. So make sure that you have all the medications you're going to need, and then some...

Exchanging currency is not that difficult but I would advise against using travelers cheque's. We were not able to exchange those at any bank we went to in Port-au-Prince. It has to do with their new banking system, if the bank you purchase you travelers cheques from is not a world bank or a bank that Haitian banking officials are not familiar with, you can not get them cashed. Best bet, cash or credit card.

Always stay with the Houngan or Mambo you are associated with. As a good majority of us do not speak Kreyol, this can make you a target. There are times when the Haitian political situation can become very unstable, so it is wise to not travel to Haiti during these times. Depending on what your travel entails, be it to Kanzo or to merely observe Haitain Vodou at it's best, always stay with your guide!!! It is not advised to walk around town on your own. The streets are very crowded with pedestrians as most Haitians are without personal vehicles. The streets are also crowded with tap-tap's and other types of mass transit. There truly is no rhyme or rhythm to the traffic there, just go with the flow...but not alone. Especially if your business involves going to the Iron Market in Port-au-Prince. The Iron Market is an outdoor, yet covered huge flea market. There are more people there then on any given day in Manhattan. This place is absolutely nuts!

Give your guide your passport to lock up in a safe place. It is crucial to have in order to get out of Haiti. The airport is very small but very congested. Upon your arrival just outside the airport, you will be confronted with aggressive panhandlers who want to take you and your luggage to your hotel. Now keep in mind, this is a very poor country, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. So not every one's intentions there will have your best interests at heart. Politely but forcefully say "Mesi no!" (no thanks) once the cab drivers and bus boys confront you. They will at times try to remove you from your luggage as if to say; "come with me, I'll help you get to where you need to go." This is the only way they know how to make a living and yes they will fight over you. This can seem overwhelming at first, just stay with your guide and get to the vehicle of the people with whom you're staying as quickly as you can.

Now that we have the protocol out of the way, let's discuss the spiritual affect Haiti will have on you. As you probably already know, when entering a peristyle for a party, the Lwa are working on you in one way or another. Even though you may not have direct contact with them, they are around you as well.  If this is your first trip to Haiti, keep an open mind of what you'll see and experience. You made it to Haiti for a reason, if the Lwa feel it's not your time, it's simply not your time. You'll most likely return home very tired and drained from the whole trip. Some of that is the traveling itself, but a lot of that can be attributed to the spirits. This is when they will work you and get to know you even better having been to their home land.

When you go to Haiti whether to Kanzo or not you will feel the spiritual presence around you constantly. This is almost like a renewal or rebirth for some, as a matter of fact, the Kanzo basically is a rebirth! This can make you extremely tired for days at a time. It is rather difficult to explain, one must experience Haiti for themselves. This can not be described in words. Once your soul feels the generousity, respect and fellowship of the Haitian soul, you never forget that warm feeling of home. The soul doesn't let you forget. I felt the growth of my soul, the maturity that I need to gain in order to grow not just in the Vodou, but within myself to improve my spiritual connection with my ancestors, Met Tet, Lwa and God. Of course there is more to learning the Vodou than growing in maturity, however this is a huge step. Unless one has been prepared maturely, spiritually, has the abilty to connect with one's self and just as importantly, respect the community, one will not and can not grow. One must be able to respect and control the knowledge of the Vodou. A person who is placed in the position to kanzo but still has not out grown their arrogance and impatience, could endanger the house, community, but most importantly, themselves once being given the asson. Start with learning dignity, respect for the community and your neighbor. Practice patience and the ability to be humble as opposed to being arrogant and disrespecting those around you as this ultimately disrespects the Lwa, the house or sosyete, the spirits others walk with. This also demonstrates your inabilities to practice, understand and appreciate the very foundation on which the Vodou is based. Family, ancestors, community and worshipping God as a group. Vodou is a communal religion.