Photos

Around since 1946, the Hotel Montana, a long-time jewel in the crown that is the suburb of Petion-Ville, suffered major damage during the earthquake in 2010. Two to three hundred people went missing, some of whom were never recovered. After the destruction, the hotel donated the salvageable contents of its freezer to a restaurant for use in their impromptu soup kitchen. Reconstruction of the hotel began in April of 2011.

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Located less than 9 miles from the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, the El Rancho Hotel is well placed for the business crowd it caters to. In the commercial Port-au-Prince area of Petion-Ville, the hotel is also close to the Dominican Republic's Embassy. They make themselves even more amenable with their smoke-free atmosphere, library, fitness center and wireless internet service. Their 72 guest rooms are equipped with sound-proof windows and babysitters are available. Weddings and conferences are facilitated, and those in need of medical services are catered to as well.

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Petion-Ville's Best Western Premier hotel, the first of its kind in Haiti boasts 106 guest rooms that are the very height of luxury. Nestled near the rising mountains and yet conveniently close to the sea, this newest business hotel has all the amenities for an all around experience of elegance and efficiency, Haitian-style. Outfitted with conference rooms and meeting venues to seat from six to two hundred people, the hotel also has a fitness center, gourmet restaurant and full service spa. Not to mention a magnificent view of Petion-Ville from every room.

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Four years after forming and the year of the release of their first album, Difficiles de Petion-Ville split after an argument between band-mates turned sour. The success of the album, Ce La Vie, which, in 1970, was the embodiment of the desires of the youth of the day, became almost overshadowed by the politics within the band. Robert Martino left the band to begin his own projects and was replaced. The band would go on to record other albums from 1970 to 1984.

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During the years when Les Difficiles de Petion-Ville's members were not playing together, they all kept busy working within the realms of the music industry. Robert Martino had work with other acts such as Top Vice, Gypsies, and Misty Jean. He also worked with Reynold Nader 'Sinsin', Fabrice Rouzier and Jean-Louis Olson among others to revive Scorpio. Even outside of actually performing, the link with music remained. Lead vocalist, Henry Celestin kept busy working sound and lights for events.

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The members of the band, Les Difficiles de Petion-Ville include, on lead vocals, Henry Celestin (founding member), Robert Martino (guitars, founding member), John William 'William Ti' (gongiste), Reynold Nader (guitar accompanist), Sony A. Louis 'Ti Boeuf' (drummer), Claudy Emmanuel on bass guitar and, on tam tam, Joseph Arius. This is the band's fourth reunion and they hope to parlay the sound of the past despite the many changes and separations it had endured throughout its nearly 50 year history.

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Here is a picture of Camp Canaan. A lack of proper planning seems to be the culprit behind the rapid and complete deterioration of Camp Corail. Promised to have been an almost completely self-sustaining community for those displaced after the 2010 earthquake, the community was to have presented 30, 000 jobs and provide schools, health care and amenities like electricity, food and water. While it met some of its targets, the factories, like one promised from an apparel company from South Korea, were not open for business when the masses moved in. Soon, thousands more than planned for flocked to the promise of new jobs, erecting tents and shacks to house themselves.

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Chicken, eggs and other by-products of poultry are once again allowed to cross the border from the Dominican Republic into Haiti. Following a ban on all products of that nature from its closest neighbor earlier this month, Haiti has since entered into an agreement that will see the return of the trade once certain standards and requirements have been met by Dominican Republic exporters and Haitian importers. The Haitian veterinary service must be furnished with a list of all farms in the Dominican Republic which have been deemed free of the avian flu and then permits must be sought to transport the products into Haiti.

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Apprehended for inappropriate dress and behavior! It's the new stance of Government Commissioner Me Lucmane Delille as he seeks to return a high moral standard and a sense of decency to the young people of Haiti. His tall task includes stamping out the wearing of too-tight clothes by young women, possibly viewed as an indecent sexual offense, and torn shoes and dirty, worn socks by young men. It remains to be seen how well these vices, including noise pollution, may be policed, but the Commissioner says he is determined.

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The wonderful Saut Mathurine Falls is free to see and the experience would be worthwhile at any price for the spectacular beauty of the destination. In preparation for the journey, one should note that the months for rain include May, August, September and October, with November through to March being the driest months. The temperature there, on average, lies between 23oC and 26.6oC. Pack a good, comfortable pair of shoes for walking, a camera, clothes for swimming, drinking water and bug spray. It's also wise to pack an umbrella for the journey, especially during the four rainiest months of the year.

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