We're back! Barely having shaken the Haitian dust from our shoes we are busily inventorying, scanning, pricing and preparing the incredible works that we brought back. Once again we ask your patience as we pursue the arduous task of getting the new paintings on the site. When you see the new offerings, we're sure you will agree that they are worth the wait!

On a very positive note, the Port-au-Prince airport has changed and definitely for the better. The physical plant has had some renovations and there are glimpses of even more changes to take place in the future. Fortunately the luggage carts are still available, though this year they cost $1.00. (Afterwards we weren't sure if that was $1.00 American or $1.00 Haitian but nevertheless, it is very convenient.) As you leave the airport, security only allows certain visibly tagged porters to assist you. All others are kept away. This really helped avoid much of the confusion and chaos that we had experienced in past years. While driving away from the airport, I realized how familiar the sights, sounds and smells of this country have become. We drove up to Petion-Ville eager to get settled in our home away from home - the Villa Creole.

As we pull up to the hotel, the young men that take our luggage warmly greet us. What a wonderful feeling to see familiar faces and have them recognize you! Our friendly bartender, the one with the terrific dimples, greets us with a warm embrace. Once again I need to take a few lines to compliment Roger Dunwell on his wonderful hotel. The fact that his staff is the most courteous, friendly, efficient and hospitable of anywhere we've traveled, speaks not only of the staff but of him as well! We cannot say enough great things about the pool, the food, the bar, the rooms….I could go on and on, When you next visit Haiti, treat yourself to a stay at the Villa Creole. While you are there, say hello to our friends, Nicole, Louisbert, Junior, Ouibert and all the others.

As usual our days begin with breakfast under the large almond tree. We have a driver, David, (the same gentleman from the previous year), who takes us to local galleries and homes of some of the artists, where we meet old friends and see what they have to offer. This year we've made arrangements to meet with a young man, Eric, with whom we've done online and phone business with in the past. Eric's job is to make contacts with Haitian artisans and find a market for their crafts. His organization has been very helpful in supplying local artisans with orders that translate into dollars. It's a great experience to finally put a face with a voice. Over lunch we discuss the possibility of meeting some of the artists that make unpainted metal drum art. We make plans to go to Croix de Bouquets, the area in Port-au- Prince where these metal artists have their shops. Eric has many connections and will be very helpful with translating and negotiating on our behalf.

In Croix de Bouquets we see many artists creating wonderful metal sculptures. It is incredible to watch these artists pounding, shaping and twisting the metal into the graceful and sometimes whimsical shapes and figures. Haitian artists are so resourceful; these old oil drums would sit forever in a country where supplies and materials weren't so scarce! We visit the shop of Serge Jolimeau, one of the better-known metal artists. Inside there is a treasure of metal work; birds, mermaids, fireplace screens. Before long we set aside a variety of pieces to take home. The metal work is just too beautiful to leave behind! We decide we would expand a bit and offer our customers (who in many cases have become online friends!) a different type of art. We would appreciate feedback on what you think of the metal sculpture we now offer.

This year we finally made it to Jacmel. The trip from Petion-Ville took about three hours. Traffic was unbearable and the winding mountain road seemed endless. As we drove through the countryside I realized that at every turn I was staring at an artist's canvas!

As the road rose higher and higher we saw the landscapes of Seide or Cadet, the farmers of Valcin, the imaginary cities of Duffaut, the list goes on and on. It was remarkable how everything that once was paint on canvas became reality and experience.

Unlike Petion-Ville, Jacmel was hot and humid. The tiny shops of the local craftsmen were filled with paper mache masks and animals, brightly colored placemats and coasters, key chains and a variety of other products. We ate at a local restaurant enjoying a Prestige and the beautiful view of the sea.

Another "first" for us this year was the purchasing of flags. We found a source of brightly colored sequined flags in a variety of sizes. Thinking that they could prove to be a nice addition to our site we brought some home. Hopefully you will like them as much as we did and want to add them to your private collections.

As usual much of our time was spent in galleries, meeting with artists and at the Centre'd'Art looking for just the right paintings for our customers. There were so many to choose from and though it was a great deal of work, we had such fun searching. Take a close look at the new works from Gracia, Alix, Rousseau and a new artist that we found at the Centre'd'Art, Jean Idelus Edme. Also, we were fortunate to be able to replenish our stock of the very popular, Blanc.

During the evenings we enjoyed dinner with friends at the Villa Creole and other local restaurants. One evening we met with our friend, the artist, Arijac. He had just returned from Mexico and showed us his latest creations. He is trying a new style, very similar to that of Picasso that is very interesting. The colors seem to be a bit muted, someone said they look like the colors of Mexico, earth tones with blues and greens.

One night a business acquaintance hosted a dinner party in our honor. We had the pleasure of meeting with community members and representatives from various organizations such as CARE and USAID. The evening was filled with good food, interesting conversation and of course a wonderful display of Haitian art.

The week went by too quickly, we never seem to have enough time in Haiti. It was sad to say goodbye to friends and to a country that still suffers with the evils of poverty, illiteracy, crime and hunger. From what we could see, though there was a lot of construction, not much has changed for the average person. But the mystery that is Haiti remains. The pride, warmth and incredible talent of the people continually strike at your heart and cause you to want to return again and again.

'Til next time,
Connie

To read about our 1998 trip click here
To read about our 1999 trip click here