Moving through the gates of the Wesleyan compound at Anse-a-Galets, out into the rocky streets, definitely feels like walking into another world. Within the gates is a western community, with concrete block houses, a hospital, a duplex, a concrete block guest house, a tool depot; grass (during the rainy season) kept mowed by a Haitian yard keeper; construction going on at the location of the new guest house, a couple of trucks.
Outside the gates, rocky roads are typically lined with walls - some, concrete; some, reeds or sticks - all defining ownership and property, personal space.
Along the road are found shops
and the market and a whole host of items for sale,
including bars of soap, dried fish, some coconuts and packaged cheese,
tomatoes and melons from a local garden, sweet potatoes and cabbages.
One of the gathering places in town is a lovely fenced area, with a band shell structure.
The police station...
..look closely and you may be able to see the goat on the step on the right side of the picture. Goats run free like dogs or cats on the island!
Behind the Wesleyan compound is the town cemetery, where the deceased are laid to rest after a procession through the streets, led by a brass band. When the somber parade reaches the cemetery, the last song played is Auld Lang Syne!
And, a place very full of life is the Institution Foyer des Enfants de Jesus, the orphanage run by Madam Solliette who has rescued 70+ children off the streets of La Gonave.
Here one finds smiling, happy kids, loved and trained, educated - family!
Madame Soliette and her visitor from the states!
Beyond the gates - a slice of life in the city of Anse-a-Galets, on the island of La Gonave, Haiti.
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