jacmel

Jerry shares his favorite andeyò memories

HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE! Yes we are screaming because we love summer over here and we cannot wait to introduce you to this new series: ANDEYÒ. In creole, the term andeyò means countryside, cities outside of the capital. In Haiti, most of us have many memories of the countryside mainly because we spend days/weeks there during the summertime. No better feeling than leaving the routine of Port-au-Prince, jumping in a car and smiling through the ride. From the big waves in Jacmel, the Citadelle in Cap-Haitian, the greenery of Miragôane or the delicious food in Gelé, the countryside of Haiti is the place for a lifetime of memories.

Enjoy this new series as different people share their favorite andeyò memories.

Happy Summer!

My favorite andeyò city is Jacmel. The things that make it so special during the summer is the activities that they have on the seaside especially lakou new York. My favorite summer memory there is when my daughter had just turned one year old. I wanted to introduce her to life like that and give her opportunities to do fun things fun at a young age. Things that I didn't get opportunity to do myself. During summer, we went to the beach and the river everyday. I held her in the ocean to teach her how to swim and I loved these moments. Everyday we ate different seafoods with plantain or breadfruit and rice. Another great memory is climbing trees to get cacao and mangos

 
During summer, we went to the beach and the river everyday. I held her in the ocean to teach her how to swim and I loved these moments.
— Jerry

Haiti Highlight: Jacmel

Our sweet Caribbean island is home to diverse landscapes and rich beauty, and while we love that our work and home life is centered in the vibrant city of Port au Prince, there is nothing else like a quick beach getaway. That's where the lovely Jacmel comes in.

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Located in the Southern part of the island, Jacmel is an old port town originally founded by the Spanish, but repopulated by the French. The French influence is heavy, but most heavily seen in the grand colonial architecture. There are buildings centuries old complete with large pillars, wrought-iron gates, spiral staircases, and intricate designs tiled across the floor.

The colors are just as rich as the history with pops of blues and greens spread across the town. The photo below is from the iconic Hotel Florita, known for its classic gingerbread style architecture and delicious rhum sours. 

Beyond its beautiful beaches and preserved architecture, Jacmel has a vibrant arts scene and serves as one of Haiti's most culturally-rich hubs for handmade goods. This especially come to life every year in Carnival season. In February, our team not only got to experience the colorful parade, but we were also able to visit some of our partner artisans, our woodworking team! Boss Jonas and his team live in the mountains and craft beautiful wood pieces completely by hand. 

Lastly, Jacmel is home to Bassin Bleu, a series of 3 deep natural pools tucked away in the mountains. Accessible only by a guided hike through lush mountain greens, the pools are a deep, mesmerizing teal. You can spend the afternoon jumping, diving, and swimming with the mermaids. 

Oh and did we mention the sunsets?