29330: Morse (response) Rob/Stu Culture (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

 oloffsonram@aol.com

I've been describing cultural activities, especially the Fet Patronals, since 
the Summer. Then people responded by saying that the Airport Rd was unsafe. 
Well, the airport road situation seems to have been taken care of for the most 
part.

If you're looking for cultural activities in Haiti come on down for the week 
starting October 31 finishing November five. All Saints Day, Day of The Dead, 
Guede ceremonies, bands, parties, also a cultural festival in Jacmel honoring 
Mme Nerva, etc, etc.

Then there's the Jacmel Film Festival at the end of November which should be 
even more packed than it was last year. I hear celebrities will be coming into 
the country for the Film Festival. Asgar Leth's film "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" 
should be quite an attraction. I'm hoping our friend in South Africa isn't 
angered by the film.

Most of the activities in Haiti are attended by locals and resident foreigners, 
not people coming into the country. I can tell because the band has been 
gigging quite a bit through the Summer. The first week of November, we, RAM, 
will have gigs in Petionville, Jacmel, Gressier, Port-au-Prince, Laboule and 
then back to Jacmel.

For the first time in many years we can say here in Haiti that "this year is 
better than last year". It's not utopian society yet but we have taken some 
strides.

I think it's good to air out the nasty political stuff on the list. Get it off 
our chests; but sometimes I notice that all the political talk doesn't reflect 
the reality on the streets. Things are calm in most of the country but I will 
say one thing; Economy, economy, economy. People need work. People need jobs. 
School activity is there but not the way it should be. A lot of people can't 
afford to send their kids. My morning commute right now takes half the time it 
does when school is in full swing.

Richard Morse
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