July 2008
Each year, around 16 July, by the thousands of pilgrims traveled 
Jump to ent water, which is located about forty miles northeast of Port au Prince. From the four corners of Haiti and the land of immigration are the United States, Canada and the Dominican Republic, they arrive by foot, donkey sleep in taptap car or looking for answers and comfort to seek spiritual or the graces of the Virgin. It
in July 1848 that the Virgin miraculously appeared to be the first time to a farmer in the area who have seen the top of a palm at the base of waterfalls, or there River waters Latombe collide with Earth force petrified and now sanctified by the event.
Jump to ent water, which is located about forty miles northeast of Port au Prince. From the four corners of Haiti and the land of immigration are the United States, Canada and the Dominican Republic, they arrive by foot, donkey sleep in taptap car or looking for answers and comfort to seek spiritual or the graces of the Virgin. It in July 1848 that the Virgin miraculously appeared to be the first time to a farmer in the area who have seen the top of a palm at the base of waterfalls, or there River waters Latombe collide with Earth force petrified and now sanctified by the event.
Falls On the way, many visitors who make a detour by the Church of the Virgin Bakal to attend the first celebration of the day. On the steps at the entrance to the church from beggars to appeal to the generosity of pilgrims flock to the slightest way.
Before it is day, traffic is already heavy: TapTap and cars pile up one after the other until nothing moves. Even the motorcycle taxis can no longer find their way in and the honking of impatient drivers, the pilgrims have no choice but to continue on foot.
Along the way, under a tree, the crowd accumulates to see a snake and it cries out to the appearance of an embodiment of Erzulie, goddess of love. Some pilgrims pause to light candles and sanctuary dedicated to the pantheon of Voodoo Loa improvised.
Once at the "jump", visitors gather in the basin, under the waterfalls blessed. Before bathing, Mary, a businesswoman living in Port au Prince has gone to buy herbs at one of the many vendors that can be found throughout the descent, long a hundred meters, leading from entry to the pelvis. "Basil and concern for luck, able to backache ... Each herb has its function," says Marie while shredding the leaves and pouring rum on the ground for Guinea. With the herb mixture obtained, it rubs vigorously throughout the body so that the potion to take effect and maintain good health. All around her, both men and women are throwing away their old clothes unclean. With this symbolic gesture, hoping that all the difficulties, problems and disease will go away and run off with water, "as if we abandon an old skin."
Before it is day, traffic is already heavy: TapTap and cars pile up one after the other until nothing moves. Even the motorcycle taxis can no longer find their way in and the honking of impatient drivers, the pilgrims have no choice but to continue on foot.
Along the way, under a tree, the crowd accumulates to see a snake and it cries out to the appearance of an embodiment of Erzulie, goddess of love. Some pilgrims pause to light candles and sanctuary dedicated to the pantheon of Voodoo Loa improvised.
Once at the "jump", visitors gather in the basin, under the waterfalls blessed. Before bathing, Mary, a businesswoman living in Port au Prince has gone to buy herbs at one of the many vendors that can be found throughout the descent, long a hundred meters, leading from entry to the pelvis. "Basil and concern for luck, able to backache ... Each herb has its function," says Marie while shredding the leaves and pouring rum on the ground for Guinea. With the herb mixture obtained, it rubs vigorously throughout the body so that the potion to take effect and maintain good health. All around her, both men and women are throwing away their old clothes unclean. With this symbolic gesture, hoping that all the difficulties, problems and disease will go away and run off with water, "as if we abandon an old skin."
On the cavities of the tree that took root in the middle of one of the pools where the water rushes down sanctified by the apparition of the Virgin Mary, the faithful light their candles and send him their requests. With open arms and loud, Jacques Verrettes, a farmer born in Artibonite, pray for his family. "I owe the money I borrowed to pay for schooling for my son. The virgin hear me and help me to repay this debt. "Jacques has beautiful tile work on the ground hard, but the meager revenues are insufficient to support the entire family. "The virgin is miraculous, it does me not refuse this favor ... "Near the tree, the sound of the waterfall can barely hide the cries of a faithful into a trance. Under the seizures, his companion was struggling to keep her. It binds a blue scarf around his arm and made him drink rum, "so that the mind is calm and abandons his body."
Soon, music was heard, the fact is that rara entry Jumping. All pools are now crowded and it becomes difficult for some to find a place to bathe. Some young people play to throw water and are reprimanded by the oldest. " Before it was not like that, people came from all over to worship the Virgin and purify themselves ... But now young people come to enjoy creating the mess ... "says Rene leaving. The Haitian diaspora living in the United States last fifteen years never lost a pilgrimage.
On the way back to the small town of Saut d'Eau, pilgrims, purified water, but also hungry, stop for refreshment in the many improvised kitchenettes that can be found throughout the road.
After working twenty years in restoring the United States, Lionel Calvin moved back to Haiti in 2005. His brother, he inherited a plot where he built a small restaurant. Recently he bought a plot next to the source. "I would build a hotel with thirty rooms ...." According to him, if visitors know there is a place to sleep, eat and relax near the jump, they come in large numbers throughout the year. "... But as the road is not paved and improved, it is difficult to attract anyone. To Saut d'Eau to happen, there is only one vehicular entrance, a stretch of 6 or 7 km between Carrefour Saut d'Eau and Dubuisson, which may take several hours to be covered.
In Haiti, the lack of infrastructure hinders the development of tourism and just "development" of places of worship such as Saut d'Eau. Throughout the month of July, other ceremonies and voodoo pilgrimages take place all over across the country, as Plaine du Nord and Cap Haitien. The development of road infrastructure is a basic condition for the operation of a resource most valuable land of Haiti: its religious holidays, festivals and pilgrimages. On this point, paving the road between Mirebalais and Port au Prince, whose work is in progress, represents remarkable progress.
On the way back to the small town of Saut d'Eau, pilgrims, purified water, but also hungry, stop for refreshment in the many improvised kitchenettes that can be found throughout the road.
After working twenty years in restoring the United States, Lionel Calvin moved back to Haiti in 2005. His brother, he inherited a plot where he built a small restaurant. Recently he bought a plot next to the source. "I would build a hotel with thirty rooms ...." According to him, if visitors know there is a place to sleep, eat and relax near the jump, they come in large numbers throughout the year. "... But as the road is not paved and improved, it is difficult to attract anyone. To Saut d'Eau to happen, there is only one vehicular entrance, a stretch of 6 or 7 km between Carrefour Saut d'Eau and Dubuisson, which may take several hours to be covered.
In Haiti, the lack of infrastructure hinders the development of tourism and just "development" of places of worship such as Saut d'Eau. Throughout the month of July, other ceremonies and voodoo pilgrimages take place all over across the country, as Plaine du Nord and Cap Haitien. The development of road infrastructure is a basic condition for the operation of a resource most valuable land of Haiti: its religious holidays, festivals and pilgrimages. On this point, paving the road between Mirebalais and Port au Prince, whose work is in progress, represents remarkable progress.
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