Today is our eighth day in Haiti. There has been a lot to see and experience, but above all, there is a lot to report. We have made the most of the last few days to gather material, talk to local people and make new contacts. As a result, writing here has taken a back seat. Now I would like to try to organise the events of the last few days and give you an overview of what I (we) have experienced in Haiti so far.
After our arrival in Cap-Haitien on Friday morning, we got straight down to business. We had our first conversations with our contact Ric, and on the same day he took us to the market in Cap – as the people here call the city. We had already experienced the bustling crowds brimming with life on the way from the airport to our accommodation and watched in amazement as everyone here passed each other. At the market, this colourful hustle and bustle was mixed with overwhelming smells and an abundance of goods on offer, which made it impossible for me to take in the market in all its facets. I have snippets in my head.
– Lots of bags filled with cinnamon and cloves – A trader who came towards us carrying small bags of salt and pepper on a blue clothes hanger – All kinds of meat, laid out in the open at the entrance to a market hall – Fresh fish – People with knives cutting up the meat – Sweet smells – Pungent smells – Smells I had never smelt before – Tropical fruits – Circling flies – People who are not bothered by them – Vendors pushing wheelbarrows lined with cloths and filled with all kinds of things through the narrow alleys – Loud babble of voices – Glances – Dinner in a restaurant by the water –
That same evening: our first meeting with Jefferson and Lens.
Ric Jefferson and Lens deserve a separate article just to describe what great visionaries we met in them.
They had a significant impact on our experience in Haiti, and we are very grateful for that.
The focus of the weekend was on finishing articles as quickly as possible, especially one on the elections that did not take place that weekend. (15 November 2025)
On Saturday, our camera guy Darryl from Great Britain joined us. We also arranged to meet Lens and Ric for an interview in a hotel on a hill, which offered us a wonderful view of Cape Town and where we would spend a lot of time writing, researching and conducting interviews.
©Darryl Hinchley
This interview was the first time I really grasped what intelligent visionaries we are dealing with. Despite many reasons that would make it immediately understandable that someone would be at a loss, these young men have a vision that understands quite precisely what situation their country is in and seeks to overcome it. You can read more about this in my article on the possibilities of ethical tourism in Haiti.
As soon as it is published, you will find it here.
On Sunday, we had the opportunity to attend a national league football match here in Cap and to film and report on it, also in preparation for the Haitian national team’s final World Cup qualifying match, which would take place the following Wednesday. Haiti would have the historic opportunity to qualify for the World Cup, for the first time in over 50 years, if they won this decisive match.
©Darryl Hinchley
©Darryl Hinchley
©Darryl Hinchley
Ric runs a YouTube channel that shows the hidden sides of the country and thus tries to counterbalance the negative international coverage. He took us to the historic Citadelle Laferrière, which is not only an architectural marvel from the early 19th century, but also a historical monument and product of Haitian independence in 1804. On 1 January 1804, Haiti became the world’s first free black republic to liberate itself from the yoke of slavery… More on that on another day.
©Darryl Hinchley
©Darryl Hinchley
So, Citadelle Laferrière and, immediately afterwards, Sans Souci Palace, which must be accorded at least equal historical and architectural significance.
©Darryl Hinchley
©Darryl Hinchley
Tuesday was devoted to work. I put the finishing touches to my article and in the evening I interviewed Jefferson.
On Wednesday, everything here revolved around football and I was able to witness live how an entire nation celebrates every single ball won by their team. Haiti secured victory against Nicaragua and secured their place in the World Cup. On the anniversary of Citadelle Laferrière, which is celebrated here in style, the Haitian national team achieved the unthinkable. The streets were filled with dancing people who were able to leave the hardships of everyday life behind them for a few days. The World Cup hasn’t started yet, but Haiti is already a winner.
That’s all for today!