SHH! On the DL!

While thinking and researching topics for this month’s message “I decided it was time we had a very intimate and DL conversation" about a topic never discuss publically and when we do it’s only with our closest friends and companions. Personal Space is one of those topics we all have questions about but out of fear, embarrassment or simple ignorance we avoid getting the answers! Let’s kick it about some common personal spaces and some of the complications traveling can create.

Medical Conditions, Disabilities and Disclosures can be most challenging.

It is always advocated that disabled travelers arrive extra (2 ½ to 3 hours) early for their flights, buses or trains because of more thorough security checks. As with any other disability, successful travel depends greatly on advance planning.In the United States and its territories persons with disabilities, on medication and with special medical needs are protected under Federal Laws. These are outlined and prescribed in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and specific guidelines & goals of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The ADA is designed to integrate people with disabilities fully into the mainstream of American life. It protects: people who currently have a disability; people who have a history of a disability; people who are regarded as having a disability by others, whether or not they actually have a disability; and people who are not themselves disabled but who encounter discrimination on the basis of their association or relationship with a person who has a disability—parents of children with disabilities, for exampleThe TSA aims to provide the highest level of security and customer service to all who pass through their screening checkpoints. Current policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated equally and with the dignity, respect, and courtesy they deserve. Although every person and item must be screened before entering each secure boarding area, it is the manner in which the screening is conducted that is most important. In order to achieve the goal, TSA has established a program for screening of persons with disabilities and their associated equipment, mobility aids, and devices. Our program covers all categories of disabilities (mobility, hearing, visual, and hidden).
Additionally, TSA permits prescription liquid medications and other liquids needed by persons with disabilities and medical conditionsThis includes:
• All prescription and over-the-counter medications (liquids, gels, and aerosols) including KY jelly, eye drops, and saline solution for medical purposes;
• Liquids including water, juice, or liquid nutrition or gels for passengers with a disability or medical condition;
• Life-support and life-sustaining liquids such as bone marrow, blood products, and transplant organs;
• Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, or other liquids; and, Gels or frozen liquids needed to cool disability or medically related items used by persons with disabilities or medical conditions such as ice packs.
Non-liquid or gel medications of all kinds such as solid pills, or inhalers are allowed through the security checkpoint once they have been screened. We recommend, but do not require, that your medications be labeled to assist with the screening process. In the case of diabetes:
• Insulin and insulin loaded dispensing products (vials or box of individual vials, jet injectors, biojectors, epipens, infusers, and preloaded syringes;
• Unlimited number of unused syringes when accompanied by insulin or other injectable medication;
• lancets, blood glucose meters, blood glucose meter test strips, alcohol swabs, meter-testing solutions;
• Insulin pump and insulin pump supplies (cleaning agents, batteries, plastic tubing, infusion kit, catheter, and needle); Insulin pumps and supplies must be accompanied by insulin.
• Glucagon emergency kit;
• Urine ketone test strips;
• Unlimited number of used syringes when transported in Sharps disposal container or other similar hard-surface container.
• Sharps disposal containers or similar hard-surface disposal container for storing used syringes and test strips.
Insulin in any form or dispenser must be clearly identified. If you are concerned or uncomfortable about going through the walk-through metal detector with your insulin pump, notify the Security Officer that you are wearing an insulin pump and would like a full-body pat-down and a visual inspection of your pump instead. Advise the Security Officer that the insulin pump cannot be removed because it is inserted with a catheter (needle) under the skin. You have the option of requesting a visual inspection of your insulin and diabetes associated supplies.

If you are planning to travel abroad and you are on HIV/ AIDS treatment, you will need to think about how you are going to take your anti-HIV drugs with you. Some countries don’t allow people with HIV into their country, and so if you are planning to travel to one of these countries anyway, there is the risk that if it is discovered that you have HIV on arrival in that country you could be refused entry and deported. (THE US DOES NOT ALLOW POSITIVE PERSONS INTO THE USA)
To reduce the risk of being caught out, you may be thinking about not carrying your pills in your hand luggage, apart from what you will need for the journey. You may decide to put the rest of the pills you need into your checked-in baggage which may be less likely to be searched. However, in a situation where there are flight delays, or where baggage goes missing, you would be left with no pills to take, potentially leaving you in a situation where you would have no choice but to miss a dose, or even doses, of your anti-HIV drugs. Missing doses of your anti-HIV drugs would allow HIV to start replicating faster and could possibly lead to you developing resistance to one or more of your drugs. Another strategy for avoiding taking drugs through immigration control is to post your drugs to a friend in the country you are going to. Again, this can be problematic. If you didn’t post them in time to know they had arrived before you set off, and they were lost in the post, you would end up without your pills. There’s also the chance that your flight could be delayed or diverted to another airport in another city or even country. Depending on how long it took you to eventually reach your destination, you again could be without your pills for a time and could miss doses.
The best way to ensure that you won’t miss any doses because of being separated from your drugs is to keep all of the pills you’ll need for your whole trip in your hand luggage. Some men adopt a ‘belt and braces’ approach by packing double the amount of pills that they need, a full dose in their hand-luggage and another in their checked-in baggage, to ensure that whatever else may go wrong they’re unlikely not to have their medication with them. Most anti-HIV drugs these days do not need to be stored in a refrigerator to keep them from deteriorating. However, some do still need to be kept cool, such as the capsule form of Kaletra. Discuss this with your doctor before you travel, especially if you are heading to a hot country and won’t have access to a hotel fridge.
Finally, if you are travelling across international time zones, you’ll need to think about how this will impact on the times of day you take your anti-HIV drugs. You could always keep to the times you normally take them in the UK, however this could mean that you’d be taking them at unusual times of the day. For instance, if you normally take a dose at 9am in the UK and you travel to Mexico which is 5 hours behind the UK, you’d need to wake up at 4am to take your meds.You could instead gradually alter the time you take your pills, maybe by two hours each day. So, using the Mexico example, on the day you travel you could take your meds at 11am UK time instead of 9am. Then the second day you could take them at 1pm UK time, and finally 2pm UK time on the third day. This would mean that you would now be taking your meds at 9am Mexico time. When you return to the UK, you’d just reverse the process.
It’s probably a good idea to discuss this with your HIV doctor before you travel. He or she will be able to talk you through the best way to manage the change in time zone and taking your anti-HIV drugs. The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing
However, for those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, the method and focus of their preparation is necessarily different. Here are some pointers that may make traveling with a hearing disability a little easier. Starting with ticketing and reservations, be sure to inform whomever you are dealing with, be it a travel agent, airline, or hotel representative, about your hearing disability. If possible, plans should be arranged in person. This allows for the opportunity of speech reading if needed, plus putting a face to a name often results in more conscientious service. If, however, you must make your reservations remotely, many hotel chains and airlines do have TDD service. Request a written confirmation of all reservations, preferably by fax, so that you can check their accuracy as quickly as possible. Disassembly of power wheelchairs may have to be done prior to arriving at the airport, terminal or port. We know that this is extremely inconvenient, but no knives or cutting instruments of any size or material will be allowed past security. This will likely encompass scissors and, possibly, screwdrivers which are commonly needed for taking apart battery connections and such. Tools will be allowed to be packed in checked luggage for reassembly after the flight, bus or cruise. Security pat downs of wheelchair users (a regular occurrence) are likely to be more thorough and examinations of the chairs themselves, more intrusive. We are hearing reports of mirror checks underneath wheelchairs, battery boxes being opened by security, battery chargers having to be plugged in and demonstrated, and even testing batteries for explosives residue. Visually Impaired Travelers
The Braille Institute was kind enough to pass along this advice for travelers with visual impairments. Not surprisingly, as with other disabilities, planning ahead and making people aware of your situation goes a long way toward making your trip a successful one. Don’t forget any visual aids you use such as glasses or a magnifying device.
Carry Written Directions: Have directions written down before leaving. Even if you can't read them, you can ask for help by showing them to someone else if you get lost. It's also helpful to have a copy of the exact address of where you are going. A driver may not know where a specific hotel is, especially if there are several with the same name.
Keep Necessities With You: Carry your money, keys, tickets, etc. in a pocket. If you happen to misplace your purse or wallet or someone takes it, you still can reach your destination. Also, keep some extra money handy for tips.
Notify Others About Your Needs: Inform your travel agency, airline, and hotel that you are visually impaired. Tell those traveling around you as well. Sharing your visual limitations up front will enable everyone to take your needs into consideration.
Ask Questions: If you cannot see a monitor or find a gate at the airport, train, or bus station, ask a customer service representative or another traveler to help you find your way.
Carry Your Cane: Whether you choose to use it or not for mobility purposes, your cane helps notify others that you are visually impaired.
Ask About Discounts: Some amusement parks and other tourist sites give discounts either to visually impaired visitors or to their sighted guides.
Pre-board And Bring Carry-On Luggage: Avoid the hassle of crowds and obstacles in aisles by pre-boarding trains and planes. Packing only carry-on luggage saves you time and trouble by eliminating a visit to the baggage claim terminal.
Suitcases: If you do bring one, remember its type and color. It may be helpful to affix a colorful piece of yarn or a sticker to help you or anyone assisting you with easy identification.
Anticipate Guide Dog Restrictions: Some countries and states, such as Hawaii, either do not allow guide dogs or have quarantine requirements. Call your local guide-dog school for information on restrictions.
Enhance Your Sensory Experience By Going On Tours And Visiting Gift Shops: Some tour groups allow travelers who are visually impaired to experience an exhibit by touching objects otherwise off-limits. Gift shops often sell small-scale replicas of monuments you can touch.
Research Accommodations: Foreign destinations are likely to have accommodations or services different from your home city. Prepare yourself by researching your destination before you plan your trip. Hotel selection depends on many factors from price to location to pool size. However, one critical factor is accessibility. Under the ADA, hotel accessibility goes well beyond wheelchair ramps and bathroom-grab bars. Lodging establishments, depending on size, are supposed to have a number of visual alert devices to help hearing-impaired travelers recognize the ring of telephones, alarm clocks, a knocker on the door, or a fire alarm, in addition to in-room TDD units and closed-caption televisions. Be sure to get confirmation in writing about the availability of these devices when making your reservations! At the hotel, it is a good idea to inform the desk clerk that you're hearing impaired, just in case an emergency arises. With your copy of the written confirmation in hand, go over your reservation to make sure you are getting what was agreed upon. Similar pre-arrangements should be made for any activities you plan on participating in during your trip. Often, with advance notice, museums, theaters, sports arenas, amusement parks and many other facilities will provide sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, printed guides, special seating and more if you request it. If, for some reason, you must stay at a hotel which does not have these accommodations, there are portable visual alert systems available for purchase from medical supply stores. These devices flash a light when the phone rings, a fire alarm sounds, or can vibrate a pillow when an alarm clock goes off.

Travel with a Service Animal
Although we love them dearly, be they "seeing eye dogs," hearing dogs, or wheelchair assistance canines, anyone who has a service animal knows that they are not simply pets. As vital an adaptive aid as a wheelchair or Braille text, the general public needs to understand that service animals are tools, necessary to the lives of thousands of disabled individuals. Carriers must permit service animals with appropriate identification to accompany an individual with a disability. Identification can include documentation, a harness, or simply the verbal assurance of the passenger using the animal. Also, bring along the animal's health certificates with proof of vaccinations, and make sure you've checked out any international requirements when traveling overseas. When booking your ticket, make sure to notify the agent that a service animal will be accompanying you. It is also helpful to provide the animal's size and weight. The agent can then assist you in determining the most appropriate seating. Passengers with a service animal cannot be denied any seat, unless the animal obstructs an aisle or other area that must remain clear in case of an emergency evacuation. Deciding which seat is best for a person traveling with a service animal depends on several factors. Each aircraft or coach model may be designed differently; floor space, bulkhead size and the amount of room under the seats can vary. Smaller animals can usually fit under airline seats, which may provide them with a more secure ride. However, for larger animals, bulkhead seats may be a better option. Finding the right seat is important, but there are other issues to be aware of when traveling with your service animal. Harnesses, collars and leashes can set off the alarms at security gates. Security guards who are not familiar with service animals may be uncertain how to handle the situation. One solution is to put your animal on a "sit-stay" using a long leash, while you pass through the security gate, and then call the animal to you. This will make clear that it is the animal's harness which is setting off the alarm. Try to avoid sedating your animal as drug reactions may differ at high altitudes or with constant motion or rolling and can lead to illness. Also, do not feed your service animal just before departure, especially on longer journeys. Moreover, for everyone's comfort, relieve the animal prior to boarding.
Travelers with guide dogs and certain other service animals qualify for pre-boarding. Boarding first can be both easier on the animal, you and the other passengers, as well as making any possible seating changes easier to perform. Once you've gotten to your seat, it is recommended by many that a dog's harness be removed. This allows the dog better ease of movement and avoids the harness' catching on objects around the seat. It is always a good idea, when making hotel reservations, to inform them of your specific disability and that you are being accompanied by a service dog. Even if a hotel or restaurant has a "no pets" policy, this never applies to service animals. Furthermore, it is unlawful for any business to assess an extra fee or require a special deposit in order for a service animal to accompany an individual with a disability, even if deposits are normally required for pets. Two caveats do exist with regard to service animal access. First, the owner of a service animal is liable for the cost of any damage which might be caused by their animal to an establishment. Second, service animals may be excluded from a business if that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others; growling, snarling, or excessive barking may cause you problems, so be sure to keep your dog in check. Traveling with a service animal allows you the comforts and ease of mobility that you are used to at home, and it need not be a difficult proposition as long as you are prepared. Know your rights, your responsibilities, plan ahead, make sure everyone's aware of your situation, and you are on your way to having a great travel experience.Documentation, The Law and Gender Issues!
The absolute bottom line of travel to, from and within the U.S. in today’s world is that adult passengers (18 and over) are required to show a U.S. federal or state-issued photo ID that contains the following: name, date of birth, gender, expiration date and a tamper-resistant feature in order to be allowed to go through the checkpoint and onto their flight. Travelers who do not or cannot present an acceptable ID will have to provide information to the Transportation Security Officer performing Travel Document Checking duties in order to verify their identity. Passengers who are cleared through this process may be subject to additional screening. Passengers whose identity cannot be verified by TSA and ICE or Customs may not be allowed to go through the checkpoint or onto their plane, bus, train, or cruise ship.
Acceptable and approved identification includes current and non expired:
• U.S. passport
• U.S. passport card
• DHS "Trusted Traveler" cards (NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
• U.S. Military ID (active duty or retired military and their dependents)
• Permanent Resident Card
• Border Crossing Card
• DHS-designated enhanced driver's license
• Drivers Licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) that meets REAL ID benchmarks (All states are currently in compliance)
• A Native American Tribal Photo ID
• An airline or airport-issued ID (if issued under a TSA-approved security plan)
• A foreign government-issued passport
• Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) card
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Have your house in order, it ceases to amaze me that dead beat parents, wanted felons and international criminals casually walk up to security on a daily bases only to be taken into custody. Yes, LOCKED UP ON THE SPOT! Upon checking your identification random security checks are ran through sophisticated security software that will identify if you are wanted by a host of government agencies. This standardization of accepted documents better aligns TSA with other Department of Homeland Security components, including Customs and I.C.E, and REAL ID benchmarks. It is less common on domestic travel but always certain on international travel in both directions. If you have cleared up your business and are traveling within six months of the disposition, you need to carry a certified copy of the court clearance or decision to avoid being detained. Felons convicted in the US are able to travel to and from other cities, states and countries if they are currently not on parole or any other probationary period. Some countries however won't let certain kinds of criminals into their country, for example; if you convicted on a drug or terrorism crime.
Travel for transgender persons can be complicated and humiliating if proper preparations are not assumed well before traveling. It is actually a very simple measure from the travel industries point of view. No matter which gender you live your life everyday as, your identification , name on the travel ticket and personal documents should all support the name , picture and physical person .It is not very important what sex the information declares if all the other information is correct. Transgender people have as much right to travel as anyone else and have a right to express any gender they want, any way they want while traveling (with the exception of some head and face coverings). However, recent heightened airport security has meant increased scrutiny, harassment, suspicion and discrimination against trans people who fly.
All passengers 18 years of age or older are required to provide proof of identity at check-in and at the security check point. If your current name does not match your state driver’s license, passport or other government-issued ID, we recommend that you consider getting an updated ID if possible. However, under certain circumstances, you may be able to provide proper ID without relying on an outdated driver’s license or passport—if you have a paper rather than electronic ticket (e-ticket). The TSA rules on identification are as follows: “If you have a paper ticket for a domestic flight," passengers age 18 and over must present one form of photo identification issued by a local, state or federal government agency (e.g.: passport/drivers license/military ID), OR two forms of non-photo identification (credit card, school ID, Utility bill, etc), one of which must have been issued by a state or federal agency (e.g.: U.S. social security card). For an international flight, you will need to present a valid passport, visa, or any other required documentation. Passengers without proper ID may be denied boarding. The name you use for your airline reservation must match the name on your identification.Remember, however, that the more atypical your ID situation, the more likely you are to face increased scrutiny, hassle and delay. If you do not currently look like the picture on your picture ID, we recommend that you consider getting an updated ID with a new picture if possible. If you cannot or if you are still concerned about ID issues, consider carrying an explanatory note from a physician or therapist explaining why you may not look like the picture on your ID. Inability to change the outdated gender marker on your official ID should not necessarily stop you from flying. Many transpeople choose to fly regardless of this kind of ID issues and security people probably may not pay close attention to the gender marker. But be careful, a perceived discrepancy may cause you to be outed to or by airport personnel, and that can cause loss of privacy, discrimination and possibly even trigger hate violence. Another threat to transgender privacy and air traveling rights is a new generation of X-ray machine being deployed in some major airports.One machine, called the Rapiscan Secure 1000, uses low level x-rays to show security personnel an image of your naked body. Security personnel are able to see what genitals you have as well as any binding or prostheses. In airports where these will be deployed, they are planned for use only on passengers requiring “enhanced scrutiny” because of a perceived “anomaly.” According to policy, security personnel will only view scans of “same sex” passengers, causing serious issues for many transgender people. There are news reports however about this rules being broken by TSA security personnel.

AFTER THE TOURIST SIGHTS, CLUBS & SEX!

A question that is asked constantly by seasoned travelers and newbie’s alike is “What else is there to do other than eat, party and sun bathe?” In response there are many adventures and activities to enjoy, hate and participate in. Honestly, activities are among the top reasons I choose a destination. An outdoorsman who enjoys everything outdoors. My top picks for outdoor and adventure travel are:

La Republica Dominicana,

the Dominican Republic to most of us is my all time favorite destination and default destination to go when I'm short on funds or just want to chill for a minute. My love affair with D.R. & Santo Domingo the capital city began 12 years ago as a suggestion of friends. Over the years I have grown, developed and matured with the city studying Spanish and Dominican Culture. Meeting people and taking chances has provided experiences the average American only views on television or in magazines. I have established and maintained meaningful relationships with locals and ex-pats that have formed the foundation of “my get away from it all spot.” When visiting Santo Domingo and looking for new and different experiences I suggest waking up early one morning and heading north easily reachable by a leisurely drive, Metro and Caribe Busses or for the truly adventuress the local network of Gua Guas.Cabarete and Jarabacoa are the main adventure hotspots. Cabarete situated on the north coast between the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of the Cordillera is an excellent base for activities on land and in the water; already one of the best places in the world for windsurfing, Cabarete is also an excellent spot for surfing. Its close proximity to the mountains means that activities such as canyoning, cascading and horseback riding can be done in day trips from Cabarete. A local ex-pat and authority on D.R.’s gay community notes “Cabarete is quietly becoming a place where Gay tourists are starting to venture in increasing numbers.” The beaches are becoming outdoor clubs at night with all the bars and music creating festive atmospheres. The possibilities for other adventures are many as you are close to the resort town of Puerto Plata, Sosua, Rio San Juan and the popular seaside Samana regions.
Jarabacoa is the largest town in the Dominican Alps and an ideal starting point for numerous activities which take place in the central mountains, including: river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, paragliding, whale watching, hiking and diving. There are other towns well worth checking out. Sosua is a good place to go for scuba diving; Barahona, very rich in Haitian and Dominican culture is the largest town in the southwest of the country, a relatively unexplored region with hidden caves and fine coral reefs. It is also rumored to be the home of some of the largest and fattest -well you get the picture- in the country smile!Locally around Santo Domingo are the resorts and towns of Boca Chica, Juan Dolio, Haina and San Cristobal for swimming, beaches and resort style activities.

PANAMA, Central AmericaOne of my favorite rugged adventure spots is Panama in the southern end of Central America. Panama is an interesting mix of traditional & modern. The national language is Spanish and several native Indigenous Indian languages. English is widely spoken in Panama City the capital and Colon City, situated around the Panama Canal which is responsible for the heavy American influence in the modern areas. Many of the American servicemen who were stationed at the canal became ex-pats and started families and businesses. Interestingly Panama uses the $USD as the main form of currency, but costs are 30% less than in the states. A national Panamanian currency “The Balboa” exists but is never used. Among the many adventures to be had in Panama some of the most popular are deep sea fishing, river & creek swimming and hiking in the notorious Darien Gap that borders Columbia.Some of my personal favorites are Iguana Hunting in the deep rich and lush rain forests of Porto Lindo in the Colon region of Panama. Hunting is done mostly in the early morning hours by adolescent boys. They climb the trees bare footed shaking and chasing the Iguanas to the ground below where a group of us club them on the heads rendering them unconscious while we tie and bag them. We then return to town where they are skinned, cleaned and cooked for dinner.Another favorite is Island Hopping. At dusk we purchase a few cases of beer and hop in the dingy and travel from island to island picking up hunks and players until we make our way to a secluded spot where we exchange tales, stories and body fluids until the wee hours of the morning. Island hopping is not for the faint of heart as you are travelling in a very basic wooden boat on the ocean at night in the dark with people drinking. Not too much of a problem for me because I am always the designated captain because I don’t drink. A must see is the infamous Black Christ Festival “El Christo Negro” church & statue in Portobelo. The actual festival when hundreds of pilgrims draped in deep purple robes crawl for miles to the shrine begging forgiveness occurs October 21st of each year. Portobelo is also a scuba diving hotspot. If you have time it is fascinating to check out the Indigenous Indian Reservations in the Darien Province and islands of Comarca de San Bias and Bocas del Toro where you can view and participate in traditional cloth weaving & dying and indigenous cuisine and drinks. You will be required to purchase visas and visitors cards because the reservations are considered separate states, albeit it adds up to about $20.00. They are treated better than American Indians. They dress in traditional garbs and only come to the main land to sell their crafts and purchase supplies and equipment. They are a completely autonomous people and state with their own government and way of life as it has been for thousands of years.

De La REPUBLIQUE D'HAITI

Near and dear to my heart and the place I go for the extreme adventures is De La Republique D’Haiti simply known to most as Haiti. I decided to go to Haiti after seeing all the turmoil and drama around the country on the news. Haiti challenged every aspect of my instincts and skills. I traveled to a place I had never been, didn’t know anyone or anyone who had been to Haiti. Worse of all I didn’t understand the language or currency. Being the quick study I am it turned out to be something I learned long, hard and step by step. Haiti is definitely not for the bourgeois, weak, faint of hurt or those without an extremely strong sense of survival. A number of older travelers I have met have told me stories about how grand Haiti was back in the day under the regiemes of "Baby Doc and his Father".I fell in love with Haiti and joined the Peace Corps teaching school and directing an orphanage in the rural mountainous area of Jacmel. When not teaching English or elementary school I enjoyed swimming in the ocean every day (found out it gave me a skin rash that I had to treat long distance via D.R.) I have never walked so much and so far in my life, at least 10 miles per day to and from the town. When I returned to Brooklyn at the end of my tour I had lost 42 pounds (that alone made it all worth it) and was as dark as coal. I really enjoyed deep sea fishing with long poles and rusty hooks in riggedy old boats. I was living in Haiti during the 2004 revolution when the U.S. snuck Aristede out of the country in the middle of the night. For weeks I saw the UN Peace keepers fighting a losing battle on the streets.

Cruising is alive and well in major cities like Port au Prince and Bellville but very dangerous. I quickly learned Haitians are second only to Africans when it comes to mastering the DL! I refused to get involved in any way with Voodou , yeah just plain fear. I'm not afraid far away from it, but it scared the hell out me right next door. Travel to Haiti should only be attempted with someone familiar with the country and the language. These days I never fly directly into Haiti. I fly into Santo Domingoa nd catch the Caribe bus into Petionville. I feel it adds a n extra measure of security if I need to exit the country on the fly! The currency can be difficult to master at first because it is two tiered. In everyday life Haitians use the “Haitian Gourdes” but if you go into an International or upscale neighborhood you need to be able to convert everything into Haitian Dollars which can be very confusing. Basically with a few twists and turns you multiply or divide by 5. The public transport system would be outlawed in any other part of the world. Pick up trucks with 3 times too many people hanging on for dear life as you whip around very narrow curves and hills. Anyone not born in Haiti is advised to never drink or bath in the water if it is not filtered. This includes the ice, coffee and tea.

On the southern end of the island is the capital and seat of government "Port au Prince" and for that reason it is extremely dangerous as rioting, looting and gunfire are very common and impromtu daily. In the north is the beautiful city of Cap Hatien a very wealthy and prosperous section of the country but it is cut off by the unstable and most violent area of Haiti "Gonaives." Gonaives was the scene of the worse rioting and violence primarily motivated by opposition to Aristide, and on February 5, 2004, a group calling itself the Revolutionary Artibonite Resistance Front seized control of the city, starting the 2004 Haiti rebellion. When the rebellion first started I decided to stay the course because my color would deflect some of the anger and conflict directed towards foreigners. The days after they hustled Aristide out of the country in the middle of the night I stayed close to the orphanage and did not engage new persons. As the violence reached its peak and the country was virtually locked down I decided to return to the states. I learned and witnessed first hand how the promise of money can turn blood relatives against each other all in an attempt to survive another day.
Basically adventures can be had near, far and wide in any destination you choose. It is your choice to get out and see, live and experience all there is to learn. Researching the internet, the social web sites and fellow travelers months before your trip can enhance your success on any and all trips. There is always some one who made the trek before you!