Awesomeness of Summer 2015

“Stuff your eyes with wonder, he said, live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds.” ― R. Bradbury

In the States we have 3 months of summer. It’s gets warm towards the end of June and early July. Due to the length of the season I prefer enjoying the temperature by remaining and traveling throughout the 50 states. During fall and winter I backpack through other countries, although not to necessarily travel to a warmer territory.

My summer bucket list included neighborhood that I wished to visit, activities and trying new restaurant. I tend to remain flexible during the planning process, more often than not I encountered people who referred me to new activities or location. Every other weekend during the summer my plan was to leave town and visit places such as: Action Park, Ocean City Maryland, Annual Camping Trip, Camel Beach Park, Blue Man Group Show, Downtown Boston in Massachusetts, Amish Society in Lancaster, Governor’s Island.

I didn’t have the chance to complete a handful of activities due to too many recommendation. I also decided to go back to Haiti and backpack through various countries at the end of this year. When you have limited resources the only option left is to prioritize.

The highlights of summer 2015:

Blue Man Group, NYC

Though I encourage all music lovers to attend this show and witness the talent of those musicians, it is actually fantastic for everyone. The venue is intimate and their demonstration is very interactive. If you intend on visiting,  select the first 4 rows to experience more action as water and objects fly throughout. The show runs a solid 90 minutes with no intermission. Eat before attending; they only sale snacks and drinks.

Ocean City, Maryland

I start my summer on Memorial weekend and end it on Labor Day almost like everyone in the US. Those 2 weekends are my ladies weekend. Last year we went to Atlantic City and this year I wanted to visit Ocean City in Maryland. We stayed on the board walk and paid $3 for an all-day bus ticket as mode of transportation. The experience was indeed unforgettable.

Out there we literally party from dawn to dusk. We got there on Friday evening around 9pm or so. The shops were preparing their grand opening for the season; it was difficult to locate a place to eat. We settled for Pizza near our Hotel. Most rental homes were already hosting parties.

The following day we ate breakfast, went to the pool and few hours later caught the bus to Seacrets. It was around noon to be exact. The line was about 3 hours long. My plan was to experience what many said to have a great Caribbean-like atmosphere, so I waited. Don’t believe what you hear. It was nothing like the Caribbean. More like a zoo, possibly worse. I always enjoy new experiences but being in an overcrowded beach front area, surrounded by drunk and euphoric young adults who do not know how to handle their liquor and sole purpose that weekend was to do just that. Hmmm…

On the other hand, I love the chairs, tables and tubes on the water while being catered by the waiters. Although by the time I got there it was impossible to get a seat. The many performances during the day were a plus. They have a jerk chicken specialty that you must not order under any circumstance. The purpose of the bartenders was to get you intoxicated. They even served free shots. Unless you are open-minded, friendly, have a nonchalant attitude it is not the weekend to visit.

 

Camping, Pocono’s Mountain, PA

I mean after 3 years camping, we still can’t get it right. Every summer I visit a camping site for the weekend with the family. We do invite friends not too many. It is meant for us to form a stronger bond.

We visited Turkey Swamp Park, Delaware Family Campground and this year, Foxwood Family Campground. I prefer Delaware Family Campground because of the lake, the pool, being surrounded by other family and the many activities available right at the site. You should visit Turkey Swamp Park if you want the true camping experience and I chose camel beach because of nearby attractions I wanted to experience.

If you are going camping, get there before the night falls. My team is never ready. This year we got there around 6pm but had to buy food nearby for the weekend. Only by nightfall we were back; visualize setting up tents in the dark with 2 small lanterns. At least my car was close enough to use the light. At this site unlike others, it was very rocky so we could not get the tent into the ground. We decided to put heavy objects on each corner until morning because by night the temperature drops to 50 degrees.

Apart from my sleeping bag and my sister’s cover nobody else made sleeping arrangements. We eventually shared my sleeping bag with my sister and her friend from school, while the guys’ tent shared a twin comforter. I spent the night tossing and turning due to the cold.

We woke up by 8am to prepare breakfast and fix the tents. It took us 2 hours to light the fire. They sale a gel fire starter, do not waste money it does work well. First collect dry twigs do not be conservative; make some sort of tower. Purchase fluid fire starter instead of gel starter. Wooden wax goes a long way, can easily make it at home or bring newspapers. Only then can you start putting the fire woods shown on picture above.

From the Campground we visited Camel Beach. I love going to waterparks or anything related to running water. If you love extreme adventures skip this park and head to Action Park (Mountain Creek), Dorney Park, Tomahawk Lake, etc… I guess with the best marketing team just about anything. It does not look anything like the presentation on their website. We arrived by 10 am, the lines were very fast. We manage to try every ride in no more than an hour. The park is very small; a family oriented environment. My sister and I were thrilled at the fact Carimi was playing. I had to show them how it is done. It is the only waterpark with a Caribbean Theme bar right at the center. By 2pm the park got crowded and took about 20 minutes to get on a ride. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the wave pool before heading back to the campground

Bushkill Fall was our last stop for the weekend on Sunday. Mother Nature can be so beautifully breathtaking. This park is a great way to experience the wonders of nature through various trails and activities. Out of the many trails we selected the longest to hike, which was the red line. A 2 mile scenic view of 8 different falls composed of rocky path, staircases and bridges. I am definitely a native Caribbean girl. While everyone insisted on wearing comfortable sneakers, I had on flip flops to climb; I could hear all the comments from pedestrians: “I can’t believe she is climbing with sandals and a dress”. I made the mistake of using a guide in Jamaica at Dunn’s River Falls, nothing can compare to having the freedom to enjoy my peace of mine in the midst of wildlife through a long journey.

 Amish Village, Lancaster, PA

For 4th of July, we went to Lancaster; my sister lives within 15 minutes  from there. Amish lifestyle is one of humility, modesty, obedience, equality and simplicity. I asked a local at the village in Lancaster about their beliefs and way of life. What struck me the most is her comment about “everyone wearing the same clothes to not bring attention upon them but their neighbor”. Amish stop going to their education after grammar school. While they use electricity for their businesses, it is forbidden to have power in their homes to separate themselves from what they believe to be the “mysterious ways of the world”. For Amish, the very concept and progression of the automobile breeds pride and inequality. Amish travel by horse and buggy, trains and buses are use as mode of transportation to shop, work at markets or visit far settlement. I had the pleasure of riding a buggy through the village and many farms; it was such a wonderful experience.

I got to eat their preserve meat. The parents of the 3 girls on the picture are acquaintances of the family. They raise chickens, cows, fish, goats, horses, etc… For important events we buy our animals from them. They offered us some food and of course I could not say no, I had to try.  I saw the daughter digging out a plastic bag from the ground which contained meat and gave it to us. I paused and asked why it was in the soil. She laughed and explained during winter, ice and snow is harvested and stored in dugout pits. If done correctly, the ice can last for most of the summer. They also store products in insulated enclosure and covering it with something moist. When the moisture evaporates, it carries off some of the heat and cools the food.

Clint Borgen stated: “when in foreign land, you learn more about your own country than you do the place you’re visiting.” All through the weekend our entire discussion was related to Haiti. It brings tears to my eyes thinking about a land with so much potential yet so illiterate and unaware of their capabilities. I have lived in the states for the past 8 years and traveled through 16 countries, none can be compared to my life in Haiti. While growing up in Haiti I was told about an American dream and the land of the free. It was a great opportunity to complete my education in the states only due to the political instability in Haiti but as they say: “there is no place like home”.An all year tropical territory, imagine the farming and production capabilities. I hope we keep our green essence: the beautiful landscape, nature, beach, rivers, and elegant constructions throughout our development era. Within the next few years I expect to develop a small village in Haiti with the Amish method of simplicity, humility, and acceptance of who we are, where we are, need to be and how to get there. Continue the work of many organizations like the Heifer Project.

It is practically impossible to progress to our full potentials as a people if we Haitians continue to ignore our reality and aim to be like everybody else instead our individual nature. Our resources are disproportionately distributed within 10% of the population while the rest remain uneducated, overworked and underpaid. Our political system is a complete chaos and fraudulent. Diaspora, those who reside in Port-Au-Prince and many others who travel presents a make believe world to others who can only see the rest of the biosphere through our eyes. We offer one side of the story which motivates many to leave their home in quest of this imaginary world. History repeats itself years after years and nobody wants to expose the truth, the reality and cost of leaving what is our home. The consequences of our ostentatious life, imaginary world, follow us after decades resulting in facing humiliation by Dominican Republic; sons and daughters losing their values, manners, traditions, and languages; countless debt binds us to unfamiliar territory; our home being the poorest country in the world, an unscholarly and discouraged population; lack of pride in who we are, our history.

I haven’t been home in 4 years, after seeing pictures on social media so much has changed. Our dollar value has drastically decline but the cost of living continue to rise. The media is depicting the negative aspect of our nation, they failed to show us how many investors, what we Haitians call “etrange” are purchasing what the media showed us to be a land in despair. Our motto is very powerful: “L’union fait la Force” (in unity there is strength). It is time to take pride and invest in ourselves and prepare for the future of the next generation. We need to stop criticizing blaming everyone else, expecting everybody else to do the work. Every one of us has a duty to land a shoulder to the other, to educate each other, care for one another, and protect what’s ours. As they say “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”.

 

Farms, Mount Joy, PA

Ever spent a weekend in a rural environment, perhaps at a farm? If you are interested in volunteering or visiting a farm or rural habitats look up Heifer projects. Heifer International works with impoverish communities to end world hunger. This organization is unlike any other organizations; their approach to end hunger is not through handouts. They provide hands on ecological agriculture and industrial experience to families or communities.

The village visited raised fish, goats, cows, crops, etc… Heifer provided to one family different paired (Male & Female) animals the concept is to multiply production, to pass on the gift. Female offspring are given to another family and they continue to share throughout the community by giving away another female to the next family. Within 3- 5 years the community became self-reliable, and was capable of building a school, a hospital and a trading center (market to trade their products). Heifer did not only give them goods, they educated them on how to raise animals, cultivate their crops, and sell their production in other to sustain their family and community.

Seeing the community way of life is such an aspiration. Understanding their capabilities, and the notion of sharing to progress and grow. Their system is unlike the US government social services method as you can tell. Majority of people eligible for assistance in the US allow the system to disable them instead of allowing the structure to help them evolve. Social services should change their procedures by providing training during the length of the benefactor’s support and making sure lessons are implemented before additional relief.

A country such as Haiti can also benefit from Heifer’s approach. The government should empower families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity by providing resources, education, and support to prevent people of the province from leaving their home but instead achieve independent communities and market.

Downtown Boston, Massachusetts

When I travel, I prefer being alone or a group of no more than 4 people. I do things in my own pace and my own time.  While I visit historical significant site along the way, my priority as always been to relax and blend in like a resident of the town. I love going to local lounges, bars or restaurant to interact and listen to stories. Boston is simply the ideal place to travel. There is an abundance of things to see and do.

The structure of the city is breathtaking and original. My favorite place to relax is Boston Common Park, and despite being the oldest park in the country, its charm remains intact. Throughout the park one can see flowers blooming, graceful swans in the pond with a variety of other bird and several memorable scattered statues. Resting on the grass in the midst of it all filled with tranquility, was my favorite part doing the day.

 If you are interested in touring stop at the Boston Common Visitor’s Center to pick up a map.  I suggest the self-guided walking freedom trail tour. A 2 and half walking tour guided by a red brick trail. If you are not interested in walking, a second option is a Trolley tour of the town. Boston Common is 15 minutes away from Harvard University and Harvard Square by train or by car.

Action Park, Mount Vernon, NJ

To tell you the truth I wanted to cancel this activity after reading the many reviews online. I am glad I tried it for myself because it was the most wonderful experience. This park is now my favorite waterpark compared to Hurricane Harbor, Dorney Park, Camel Beach, King Dominion; it is the most thrilling, enticing, extreme adventure park that I have visited.

Action Park do not offer fast passes like order parks. It took me about 30 minutes to 1 hour to get on most slides. I suggest arriving early around 10am to enjoy all that the park has to offer. Purchase your admission ticket in advance to save a few bucks. A 30 percent discount and free parking is offered online instead of $44 plus a $6 parking fee at the door.

I got there at 12pm and manage to get on the Vortex, Tarzan Swings, High Anxiety, Bombs Away, Rogue River, Thunder Run, and Colorado Rapids. I suggest in addition to the rides that I have tried: The Gauley, Surf Hill, Zero G, Cliff Jumping, Vertigo (is about the same as Vortex so choose one), H2-Oh-No (This slide is always open. Tell everyone to give you the right of way because you are going to this specific slide), Alpine Pipeline and Canon Balls (was closed that day but it looks fun), Thunder Falls or Thunder run (are about the same if you are not afraid to try it alone. I advise doing the Thunder Falls which is the single ride). My favorite ride of the day was of course Colorado Rapids. Although some rides require removing your shoes I recommend bringing your water shoes anyway and get ready for a workout for the day as you go up and down slopes to get to every section of the park.

Even though the park is worth $35, the food and drink is ridiculously expensive. A sandwich/fries and a drink cost $15 to $20. It cost $1 extra to add onions, lettuce, tomatoes or cheese. The small locker cost $15; it should be able to fit a school backpack just to give you an idea. A $5 reimbursement is provided once key is returned. Action Park also offers Mountain Alpine Coaster, Sky Ride, Zip-lines, The Appalachian Ride, and a Bike Park.

 

Stay tune for ” Sweet Memories of Summer 2016″