The state of contrasts where beaches look like gardens of heaven while cities and villages resemble dumps; where over 80% of population are faithful Catholics who practice bloody cult of vodou at the same time; where absolute poverty on one hand and unthinkable luxury on the other feather in.
“This country is so good that there isn’t enough words to describe it”, – an omnipresent and omni-discovering Christopher Columbus who discovered the isle of Haiti in 1492 used to elucidate in a letter to Spanish king. He must have meant coastline beauties since should a navigator have gotten to the countryside of the state, especially nowadays, his views would have hardly remained the same.
Walking around settlements with absent infrastructure, unpaved roads by the houses that lack window frames and are surrounded by dumps many meters high, you get surprised how people can live here at all. But barefooted tots running around and adults busy with household cares illustrate that it is possible. Impression of travelers changes entirely once they head to the shore. High coconut palms, warm white sand and azure water make bring one to understanding of what Columbus was writing about and feel yourself a holiday-maker on the world’s best resort…Photo reddit.com
It is surprising how that state with natural resources this rich can be one of the poorest in Western hemisphere. Nevertheless, there is no encountering beggars and tripled prices for “the whites”, which is customary for markets of countries alike. This is how locals were influenced by recent rough political regime. Dictatorship left a strong impression in consciousness of citizens concerning the fact that all the resources have to be honestly earned. So one shouldn’t be surprised on seeing seven-year-old boys transferring goods or cleaning counters. This is no exploitation of children – it is a very special mentality of Haitians. Agriculture is considered to be the main source of the country’s income. Poor people work the land growing rice, coffee and corn. They sell harvest on local markets. Families that do not have land plots of their own hire themselves out to more prosperous farmers.
A completely different atmosphere is in the capital’s suburb, small town of Petionville apparelled with luxurious villas of the island’s nobles. This spot is no different from any other resort of the Caribbean. Shopping malls, brand boutiques, galleries and restaurants – all of these are settled here, in a small civilized nook in Haiti. Numerous hotel complexes and cottages that belong to local crème de la crème and bring them substantial financial resources are situated here. Official currency of the state is considered Haitian Gourde but US dollars are in free circulation as well.
Yet, there is something in the country that unites the both tiers of Haitians – it is religion, or more precisely as much as two of them. Almost entire population practices Catholicism. But many buildings nearby cathedral churches are a riot of vodouist flags colors. It is the main sign that masters of the cult carry out their bloody rituals there. Photo huckmag.com
Sure enough, tourists are not invited to ceremonies in daily life, yet it is very much possible to get to a special Vodou holiday that is celebrated annually almost at the same time with Halloween. However, if you are extremely sensitive beware because spine-chilling sacrificial offerings of animals are still conducted here. The most popular since ancient times till today have been such rituals as fresh blood of a freshly slaughtered cow drinking and biting off of a living cock’s head. Guests of the country are heartily welcome to take part in celebrations. But don’t forget to bring some sal-ammoniac with you in case you happen to be such a guest.
In a local history museum in every country you visit, you will certainly notice similar archaeological finds - fragments of clay products. Pottery, born millennia ago, but “living” even today, can rightfully be considered one of the most tenacious one. The uniqueness of clay was noticed by our distant ancestors who lived in caves ...
Ice cream with a taste of horse meat, pickled insects, fish with deadly venom, etc – Japanese cuisine has things to surprise, amaze and shock you with. And truth be told, enumeration of these dishes doesn’t help my appetite at all. But we are not after exotic stuff. True culinary tourism is an attempt to comprehend mindset and feel national distinctive color through traditional cuisine – not try most exotic dishes.
Composers of antiutopias predict hundreds of sorrows to the people of the future who are from times to times forbidden to celebrate weddings, however, it seems, everything is not so terrible. In Chinese province Yun Nan near the foot of Himalayas the matriarch tribe mosuo resides that is not familiar with the concept of marriage at all.
Austrian tour operators launched an unusual touristic tourdesigned for fans of singing style called yodel. Hikers wander through the Ziller Valley, a broad trail narrows opening the way for only the most avid travellers, then track leads upwards. Tourists look into the interactive station shaped as a giantsonorous walk-in cowbell, then they go around thelargest alpine horn and head to place...
A mini toast, a slice of cheese and a sip of strong coffee. "That is not a buffet!" a waiter will pronounce indignantly, looking at the disgruntled tourist’s face. The generous Ukrainian soul cannot understand how locals manage to eat their full with that. Therefore, before going to a new country, you need to know exactly whether in the evening you should prepare a couple of sandwiches to indulge them in the morning,...
The New Year in Ukraine did not always start with a Christmas tree, and instead of Santa Claus and Snow Maiden, guests were waiting fora minx girl - Malanka and motor-boy Vasyl accompanied by the retinue. All the follies were out of hand: the ridiculed riddles carried a sacred content, dictated by the logic of the myth of the duel of spring and winter.
Christmas arrives with a warm overjacket on its shoulders. At night it brings warm light of the first evening star and in the morning it wakes you up with shine of white but warm sun. If my great-grandmonther’s grandmother had been asked about her Christmas feelings, I believe, her words would have been identical to mine. Because together with a bowl of kutia,...
Vitamins, development of resistance to cold, correct day regimen... That's all good and useful, especially when the winter weather swirls in, but sometimes we all have to pamper ourselves and at the same time to be protected against germs and colds. And the best way to do it is to sip some mulled wine.
A little son came to his father and suggested to run away from mom and granny to the North Pole? Now, do not indulge into tragic speeches of severe frosts, pitch darkness of the polar night and hungry polar bears! Give a conspiracy wink to a little brave one, and give him a real man's job for his school winter holidays that is to learn how to build an igloo, night shelter in ever-frost lands.
In those days when the Persian soldiers were second to none, and both the Roman Empire and the Arabian Peninsula were conquered by their power, skilful fingers of winner nation craftswomen created their first masterpiece. The carpet called The Springtime passed into history as the most precious of all time. It symbolized powerful rule of the Persians, and its beauty told about the divine origin of the king Khosrow I.
It is said, the easier it is, the better we feel, however, is it always like that? We know that not all the nations follow this principle. OUTLOOK has found out the strangest, toughest and hard in articulation international languages and would like to share it with the readers.
OUTLOOK often tells about the kitchens of the peoples around the world, but when it comes to Italy, writing about the country should be a crime. Each of its twenty regions has its own culinary world with the subtleties and specialties. Let the title of gastronomic capital of Italy be Bologna, its official capital - Rome, too, has something to boast about. We are telling you what is remarkable about Roman cuisine...
Traditional Japanese kabuki theatre has always been a mystery to the European mentality: only an expert on the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun can understand a play without guide’s tips. The word kabuki is sometimes translated as "the art of singing and dancing". Why not an operetta? The essence of performance is not confined to musical presentation only...
Our "Peruvian cycle" is replenished with the story of the most revered animals in Peru. Being the link between the present and the past, they play an important role in the life of this nation. Wise ancestors of the modern Peruvians, the ancient Incas, were living in harmony with all life that surrounded them.
Do you happen to get hungry? That is great as we go on with our story about the most popular street food from around the world. It’s freshly cooked - fall to, you guys! Let's start with the South Asian countries, namely Singapore - seafood-rich in vitamins and minerals occupy a key place in the diet of residents ...
Experienced tourists believe that one of the best sure-fire ways to quickly tune into the beat of another culture is to try local food. In order not to be at a loss when choosing dishes and save precious time for spiritual food, OUTLOOK gives you selective advice on street gastronomy from seven spots of the globe.
Trip to Latvia breaks the chain of mundanity, awakes secret fantasies which usually remain dormant in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Wandering between the centuries-old pine trees, fresh Baltic breeze languidly runs over strings in wait for off-beat adventure. Dreams do come true – you just need to know a right place to make a wish.
Carpets hang on walls as a symbol of wealth, lay on floors to create coziness and are presented as expensive gifts. Studying fancy pictures in the shapes of diamonds and stars on them attempting to figure out their meaning is a fairly amusing thing to do. Globally spread carpeting traditions were borrowed from eastern peoples who were the first to learn how to make yarn and fabric out of fibrous materials.
Upon hearing word combination “Hindu woman” an image of a beautiful woman wearing sari and definitely with numerous adornments and pictures on her body emerges in our imagination. Where does passion for body decoration come from in national traditions of this people?
The free fight has not feminine face. The good girl could smile in a pretty way and care colorful dress but not strike out wildly. But in the fierce Ands such gentle flowers do not grow. The true Bolivian cholit will be quick on the uptake, and it is able to fill in if necessary. But on Sunday, having gathered the starched skirts, she will desperately go to fight
Photo reddit.com
Photo huckmag.com
