Andeyò : Throwback on Mennen'm La Tours

Today, we are closing our Andeyò series and saying goodbye to summer with this throwback share by Ann-Sophie. Thank you for sharing all your Haitian summer memories with us throughout this series!

A few times during my coaching trips or events in the US, some people will ask me "How do you do it? How do you plan all this? Where do you even find the contacts or know where to start?" Recently, this question got me to talk (with teary eyes) about the real reason this comes easily to me now. Even though the format is different now, in essence, it is the same as what started it all. For about 7 years, I was taking people on tours almost all over Haiti. When I started Mennen’m la Tours in 2015, It was 100% focused on social tourism, meaning creating employments an d promoting social development through touristic activities.

Throughout this journey, Mennen’m La tours focused on touching some areas of Haiti that I deemed too beautiful not to be known by most people, sometimes we were the ones to install the first toilets there! Creating jobs by allowing locals to: rent rooms in their houses, give cooking classes, teach art classes, do storytelling (ti koze ak peyizan), and tour guests around places they called home: These beautiful and underdeveloped pairs of the country.

No need to say it came with huge challenges but also amazing memories. From the art classes in Jacmel, to the beautiful beaches of Ile à Vache, to the local peanut butter in Nippes, these tours truly allowed me to discover time and time again the beauty of this country!

Today, I may not be taking people around Haiti anymore but these souvenirs always bring a smile to my face and played such a big role in the person I am today.

All pictures were taken by Verdy Verna.

A collection of andeyò memories

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!

RÉGINE

My favorite Andeyò city? This is a hard question. I love so many places but my favorite place is an area of Cas calls Savane Perdue. It's in between Thomond and Lascahobas.

I worked there for almost 10 years along a man made lake that flowed from the peligre Dam. My favorite memory from there is eating the harvest, and getting lost amongst all of the stories that people told there. I even have a running list of "betiz" because I dream about being able to master Kreyòl that well.

ANNE -MARJORIE

My favorite andeyò city is Port-Salut . I was marked by it’s beauty the first time I visited it as a child , my parents and I went on a road trip in the south and when we got there we spent days at the beach playing in the most beautiful sand I’ve ever seen and collecting unique seashells that we brought back with us to decorate our home .

I have many great summer memories, one of them was my first solocation to port salut as a young adult when I had  the opportunity to spend days with local artisans and I got to co design woven bags with them ,some of them were fishermen as well. I ate lots of fresh sea food it was so dreamy. I would wake up before to sunrise to do my devotion while watch the fishermen on the water .

KATE

My favorite ANDEYÒ city would definitely be Jeremie and fav summer memory would have to be swimming in the river with my mama. Just her and I sitting on those smooth white rocks surrounded by palm trees and then driving back home on my motorcycle. That motorcycle and river made me feel so free" Real, raw, peaceful freedom.

We would love to hear about YOUR andeyò memories! Share with us in the comments section

Jude shares his favorite andeyò memory

Our ANDEYÒ series continues! Today, we are sharing this video rom Jude as he pours his heart out and shares what the city of Gwo Mòn means to him.

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!

What summer means to Herby

Today, we are sharing what summer means to Herby who is such a bright light in our team. Herby is the king of smiles and dance moves and we never had a dull moment with him.

As we reflect on our summer series Lavi an Koulè, we cannot help but feel grateful for all of these summer memories that you shared with us. Keep reading as Herby also shares his memories and what summer means to him.

What does summer mean to you?

Summer season means a lot to me. Ever since I was a little kid, it has been the season where I go to the beach with other kids to swim and eat mangos. This is a time where I really feel like I am enjoying my vacation.

What is your best childhood summer memory?

My best childhood summer memory is going to Haiti’s countryside . I played a lot with my cousins. We ate tons of sugar cane and mangos and enjoyed the beach. It felt so good to be in such an environment with great people. That’s the type of ambiance I love.

How do you feel this summer with everything going in in Haiti?

I don't feel good about it at all. It affects me emotionally and mentally.

How are you planning on keeping your joy alive this summer?

The best thing for me to keep my joy this summer is to watch a soccer game as soon as I get off work. This is how I relax.

THIS OR THAT! SUMMER EDITION

Port-au-Prince or Countryside?

Countryside

Beach or river?

Beach

Mango or soursop?

Mango

Kenèp or sugarcane

Sugarcane

Thank you for reading! Click below to join the family and learn about great ways to support Haiti Design Co.

SAIKA AP VIV LAVI AN KOULÈ

Welcome to another interview of the series Lavi an koulè, a series dedicated to featuring Haitian creatives, entrepreneurs, artists and more; bringing colors to our lives through their work and personality. In order to celebrate summer and it’s colors all season long, we will keep the conversation flowing around joy, Haitian childhood memories, seasonal fruits and everything in between.

Introducing Saika in this Kreyòl piece….

Bonjou, bonswa tout moun! Mwen se Saika, yon kreyatè dijital. Mwen kreye kontni sou janm viv, sa mw wè ki bèl nan jem. Sou rezo yo,mwen rele Saiti ki se yon melanj ak prenonm Saika epi Ayiti. Paske malgre tout bagay, se Ayiti ki fèm. Mwen komanse asepte tit enfliyansè a selman nan lane 2020. Men mw komanse pibliye kontni seryezman en 2016 sou Facebook epi an 2017 sou Instagram.

Kisa ete vle di pou ou?

Pou mwen, ete vle di pi bon moman nan ane a. Menm sim leve an Ayiti kote li toujou fè cho, ete a toujou gon lòt anbyans. Pou mwen ete se pwofite lavi , se kè kontan, se avanti, se yon sezon poum rechaje batrim pou rès ane a.

Ki pi bèl souvni ou genyen de vakans ou?

Mwen gen anpil bèl souvni de anfans mwen Ayiti. Mwen te vreman renmen fè lago, jwe marèl, jwe kay , kawo, ak kouzen m yo epi kèk lòt timoun nan vwazinaj la. Nou te konn renmen envante resèt ak sa nou te gen anba men nou, soti nan chodyè a ki te fèt ak mamit, engredyan Nou pran lakay nou an kachèt ,etc. Nou te renmen fe eksperyans anpil anpil. Preske chak ane Nou konn ale Jakmèl kay matant mwen Meyè. Lotbo a mwen gen souvni jounen plaj yo, bon mango, kokoye ak zaboka ki soti nan pye bwa lakou Nou. Ti mache nan lavil Jakmèl, etc.

Ki fwi ou pi renmen manje nan epòk vakans ete?

Sanm pa menm ezite : mango ak melon. Menm sim voyaje e ke fwii sa yo disponib pandan tout ane a, pou mwen ete se pi bon moman pou apresye frui sa yo. Sa raplem kijan nou te konn itilize po melon a pou n rafrechi figi Nou lel fè cho lem te piti.

Kisa ki ede ou kenbe kè kontan nan lavi a?

Apre relasyon m ak Bondye, se lanati. Pou Mwen se pi bel mèvèy ki genyen. Mwen renmen bote ki genyen nan ti bagay senp yo. Zwazo kap chante, pebwa yo kap danse gras ak van an, tande lapli kap tonbe, solèy la kap kouche etc.

Kijan wap simen lajwa nan lavi ou ete sa?

Nan pase moman kalite ak moun mw renmen. Nan vizite nouvo zòn, nan pase tan nan lanati, nan redekouvri sam deja genyen nan lavim, nan pratike gratitid, nan kontinye cheche e apresye bote nan bagay ki pi piti yo.

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