The paving of Route Nationale #3

Facing west, in the direction of Pignon.

In 2008 when I first came to Caiman I flew from Port au Prince on MAF, since the 65 mile drive took 8 hrs.  By the time I started teaching at the university in Caiman in 2014, Route Nationale #3 was paved from Port to Hinche, so the trip took only 4 hrs.  The road had also been graded all the way to Pignon, as the plan had to be to pave it that far, but the money disappeared as it tends to do in Haiti.  Over the years the road deteriorated to the point that the 8 mile trip to Pignon took ½ hr.  Now (2017) the road is graded again in preparation for paving, and only takes 10 minutes (and now a good restaurant is there!).  The road crew is already putting in three bridges between Hinche and Bohoc.  Here are pictures of the one just to the west of the Bohoc market, along with a before photo showing the pedestrian crossing.

Facing east, toward the market.

Nov. 2014

Ecotour of HAFF (a syzygy*)

My American agronomist friend Rhoda and my Haitian bird guide friend Louiders finally got to meet!  Rhoda came up to spend the week with my team at HAFF (where she was a former intern) and we went on a bird hike with Louiders, who I met in 2009 and trained to be a birding guide.  Rhoda gave the two of us and Kristin a tour of the trails in the 40-acre HAFF compound in Bohoc while Louiders pointed out the birds, a black tarantula in a dark tree hole, and even a skinny green snake in a tree.  As a bonus, Louiders taught Rhoda some of the plants she wasn’t familiar with (including the banza, a vine with an edible root).  We saw a termite mound and all the trails it made in the tree, a cricket that blended in perfectly with tree bark, and a walking stick (known as a devil’s horse in Creole).  Louiders filled us in on the misbelief about cicadas (lasigol in Creole).  Louiders told us the cicadas grow bigger and bigger until they finally explode and die!  I figured out he was seeing the split skin left behind when the cicada molts from a pupa to an adult. 

Rhoda & Louiders

 *Syzygy - a straight line configuration of three celestial bodies.  Also the book by Frederik Pohl that I read on this trip, losing it twice – once for 2 days in my bed, and once at the Miami airport with my boarding pass in it (quickly retrieved from the snack counter where I left it).

banza vine

cricket

starfruit

eating starfruit

Rhoda and me in front of a termite mound

Dark termite trails along branches of a flamboyant tree

Ecology classes at HAFF

Last week I taught ecology to 7^th graders who attend the HAFF IBP school in Bohoc Haiti.  Friday’s class had 17 kids and Saturday had 8, aged 13 to 22 years old, chosen by their teachers to attend.  We talked about the importance of birds and bats, and I introduced two topics new for me to teach – native animals and littering.  We used posters provided by the Haiti Audubon society (thanks Keith!) to discuss animals that are native to the country – the ones that were here before Christopher Columbus.  One poster had a mix of exotic (lion, zebra), domestic (horse, cow), and endemic (solenodon, flamingo) animals.  We finished with a discussion of littering and being a good neighbor, and then had a campus cleanup contest – whoever picked up the most trash won a prize.  In the Friday class was an outstanding student named Donald who really took an interest in all the props I had.  I had wanted to give him a bird book and binoculars but couldn’t single him out from the class.  Fortunately he won the trash contest so I was able to give him the book and binocs as his prize.  Gregory won Saturday’s contest and I gave him a frog life cycle set (thanks LeeAnn!).  Thanks to Diranot and Rhoda for translating, and Kristin and Louiders for helping!

Central Plateau Birding and ecotours

If you would like to book an ecotour while visiting the Pignon and Hinche areas, call guide Louiders at 509-3881-2985 (current Nov. 2016) or email me (Debbie) at naturesphoto@hotmail.com and I will contact Louiders (in the photo). Contact me two weeks in advance to allow ample time for getting in contact with the guide (internet and electricity can be unstable in Haiti!). Until the internet is more common and accessible, this blog serves as the website for Louiders, and will be updated as needed.

The Central Plateau: Haiti’s Central Plateau lies between two mountain ranges, the Massif du Nord (600-1100 m, 2000-3600 ft high) and the Montagnes Noires (600 m high). Though it has become largely deforested, this region provides visitors many opportunities to enjoy Haiti’s bird life and culture.

Bird Tour: Over 230 bird species live on the island of Hispaniola, including 31 that are endemic (found no where else in the world). This bird tour gives you an opportunity to see many of these species while following the footpaths that bisect the region. Your guide will have one set of binoculars for your group to share, plus a bird book. Click here for birds you may see.

Cultural Tour: Sugar cane and coffee were once major exports of Haiti, and still provide a living for people in this region. On this tour you will learn about the sugar cane industry, from stalk to finished products. You might also get to visit a working press if one is in use during your tour. Coffee is the number two world commodity after oil. You will learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and turned in to the brew loved by many. You will also be able to purchase coffee directly from the roasters.

Rates: Foreigners - $20US per person for a 2-hour tour, $40US per person for a 4-hour tour. Reduced rates for groups and nationals are available. Tours are in English or Creole. Louiders will shape the tour to your needs! Specify whether you would like a private tour or don’t mind being with other visitors, or if you are a serious birder. --Tips are appreciated!--

There is a guest house next to the Pignon airstrip. Louiders will arrange to meet you in front of the university UCCC in Caiman (near Rt3) or at HAFF on Rt3 in Bohoc, and can arrange a ride for you if necessary.

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable walking shoes, binoculars if you have them, snacks if you need them, camera, water.

Tour etiquette: Your guide will let you know if you can take pictures of cultural activities. Ask permission before taking pictures of individuals. Respect private property, including livestock and dogs. Respect wildlife and be aware of how your activities affect plants and animals. Be conscientious about eating in public. Many people can afford only one meal a day.

Developed in 2009, this program promotes: Educational opportunities for Haitians and visitors, Sources of income for guides and cultural demonstrators, Development of business skills, Appreciation of our reliance on a healthy environment.