Haiti - Day 4

April 9, 2019

No loud music but as it was very warm, I was unable to cool down well enough to sleep easily. The oscillating fan was causing a ruffle of the sheets that seemed to just irritate me, also.

A 7:30 alarm, and I was up and ready to go by 8am. No cockroach today.

Same breakfast as yesterday. It’s something but it’s sure not much. They could at least offer a couple of eggs. It wouldn’t take very long as there aren’t many rooms so the total compliment of potential gets is maybe 15-18, assuming all ate and all wanted eggs.

Before I left, the manager impressed upon me the Importance of a 5 star review and it’s impact on his hotel and the tourism of the town. I, of all people, understand this as a traveler who writes about his journey, he should have made sure my stay was as stress free as he could offer. He did offer a different. and nicer room, when the booked room had issues. He could have provided more assistance with the cash issue I had but he just blew it off. He never inquired about my day or offered suggestions. He didn’t seem interested. This is nit the treatment I am accustomed to with my choices, the room was interesting and the property a fading gem but the service needs improvement. also, the food was only passable, the drinks are small, and the cost is more than double it’s neighbor Koze Cafe. Florita charges service fee on top of the tax as a standard, Koze doesn’t. For example, rum sour at Koze was 220 gds and 450 gds at Florita...and then 20%.

The transport seemed to go a bit faster today but it took the same 3+ hours, door to door. The driver only spoke to me to ask if I spoke Spanish...no problem. It would have been courteous to ask if I wanted a water along the journey eh. Again...a service issue.

As we drive through the mountains, the air was cool. As we got closer to sea level...hotter and hotter. Once we were of the bottom, north coast of the peninsula, it was brutal. I not only was sweating but the exhaust fumes from scooter and truck with little to no emissions controls was nauseating. At this point, I was holding my breath frequently as consistent breathing was causing me headaches. He did try the a/c but only hot air...ugh.

I continued to be surprised by the amount of trash that exists. The live around it. It was common to see a someone selling fruit or vegetables at a market, on a blanket on the ground, with a pile of rotting trash next to it. Sometimes animals would be scavenging also. Politest water runs everywhere. I was told never to pick up anything off the ground. As it might have touched contaminated water or worse. It’s an epidemic problem there.

At the airport...I’m happy to leave. Even with their shirt gain' nuggets enjoyment, I will never return to Haiti. The value is just not here, from a cost versus ROE... return on enjoyment. That sad as the country could really benefit from for short tourism but the must learn to respect the traveler and not abuse for short gain.