Port-au-Prince, Haiti

 Place: Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Weather: Mostly sunny skies, 71/89F.

Route: From Curacao 807 km NNW.

Population: 987,310 (2015)

Places to visit: Musee du Pantheon National Haitien, El-Saieh Gallery, Notre Dame Cathedral, Citadelle Fortress and San Souci (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Significance: I decided to spend my first Christmas in Port-au-Prince. The country of Haiti is the only country with a successful revolution led by slaves - I'm going to write more on that tomorrow. The city also went through an awful earthquake in 2010 that killed over 200,000 people and destroyed thousands of buildings - including the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is still in ruins. It is the poorest country in the Americas - mostly because it has been treated as a pawn by greater powers in the region - including the United States.  It is the kind of place that Christians should be thinking about at this time of year - a place where a high proportion of its population suffers. A place that needs investment, while respecting its independence and incredible history of fighting for freedom against great odds. A history that should be celebrated, but has been instead vilified by some. More on that tomorrow.

Images:

Colorfully painted houses in the hills of Port-au-Prince (from cityzenbyazin.com)

Notre Dame Cathedral, which is still in ruins from the 2010 earthquake (from pulitzercenter.org)