Monday, November 4, 2013

BASSIN ZIM

Bassin Zim is the name of a beautiful waterfall that Haitians around Hinche prize and promote as a tourist attraction.  Take a look.

Our group made the short trip from Hinche to the falls the day before we headed home.  That Friday was a national holiday, so Neil Van Dine and his family came from Pignon to meet all of us there and to deliver me back to my FHC companions.


Some set up chairs and soaked in the beauty and sound of water falling down rocks into a pool.  The more nimble scrambled up slippery slopes and across streams to the grotto above the main falls.  Crowds of youngsters eagerly offered to be personal assistants to help us navigate the treacherous route up.

The grotto at the top is an interesting spot where voodoo ceremonies are sometimes held.  
It is not hard to imagine that at night with only torches for light the grotto would be really spooky. 

Well into the grotto, some of the graffiti is very ancient.  It needs to be protected from the contemporary graffiti that thoughtless tourists post.  



There is a concern that as more foreign tourists come to Bassin Zim, the falls and the grotto need more management to prevent abuse.  I hope it doesn't get too commercialized and lose the intensity of its natural beauty combined with the aura of mystery and spirituality.


Bonus:  For an entertaining video to promote tourism to Bassin Zim, click on this link.

--kjl

1 comment:

  1. 'Twas a good way to end the week. (From one of the "non-nimble" ones.)

    ReplyDelete