04/13/09

For spring break I decided to go on a four day trip to Cap Haitian with Thom Wimpelberg and Marc Cadet (two teachers here at Sonlight). On Monday, we flew out of Port de Paix and arrived around 12:30PM. After buying some fresh roasted cashews from a lady outside the airport, we picked up a taxi and headed to the Christophe hotel. Once we arrived at the hotel it was clear to me why everyone suggested that we stay here. The hotel was built in the year 1724 and was built with Spanish architecture. There are a lot of archways and everything was open aired with two courtyards. The hotel also had a beautiful entry which had impressive landscaping and a nice pool that was barely visible because of all the trees, bushes and flowers.

After dropping our bags off in our room, we headed out to Fr. Picolet which was less than two miles away. On our way to the fort we came across Ft. Magny which wasn't much of a fort, but consisted of an array of cannons pointed toward the coast. There were little ruins left and one above ground tomb. We could see that other tomb had been next to the existing one, but only the brick outline of the foundation was left.

Moving on, we came to Ft. Joseph which was much bigger. We didn't spend too much time there but did take a couple pictures. It was getting later and we wanted to be sure to have enough daylight to see Ft. Picolet.

Ft. Picolet was located on a point along the coast. It was much larger than the two forts before. Much of it had broken down over the years however there was much to see. This fort had many cannons positioned to fire upon invading ships. There were a few levels and what appeared to be different buildings/room of unknown use. I was just observing and hadn't read anything about the fort so I don't know too much of its history. It was definitely worth the walk from the hotel though!

Afterward we came back, swam in the pool for a while, then showered and had dinner at the hotel's restaurant. I had a steak that was covered with a lightly creamy pepper sauce. It was delicious. After dinner we had coffee and then headed up to bed.

Marc had stayed downstairs and was using my laptop to chat with some friends online. After about fifteen minutes he came into the room and I must have fallen asleep soon after. Not too long afterward I woke up to him typing. I kept hearing a clatter as he was typing. I was going in and out of sleep wondering when he would finish. I do remember asking him when he was going to sleep but apparently I had shouted, "TWO RIGHT! (then at a normal voice as Thom explains it) Mark, you about ready to go to bed?" I have no idea what I was talking about with the "Two Right!" but Thom said that was what woke him up. He said I shouted it. Thom kept repeating it, "TWO RIGHT, Mark, you about ready to go to bed?". After that, we were all laughing because it didn't make sense at all.

Below is a picture of Thom and I at Ft. Magny. I am firing the cannon and Thom is about to catch the cannon ball.