23 YEARS LATER ROGER LAFONTANT

ROGER LAFONTANT 

" Je ne peux pas reommencer l'histoire"..disait un R. Lafontant piege au palais. Il  aurait repousse l'offre de se faire evacuer par un commando dominicain. " Je reste au palais" devait -il conclure. C'etait dans la nuit du 6 au 7 janvier 1991.

IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO
BY FRANTZ BATAILLE, MD

This title would have perfectly fit the late  politician in the  Haiti of the 50s, Louis Dejoie. He had been remembered for his glamorous dancing while tango in the exclusive Cercle Bellevue. But, on the opposite side, Roger Lafontant, a political leader murdered in jail  on the 30 September of  1991, 22 years ago, had given his tango an eerie hue.

Jailed alongside with a lot of friends, le Dr Roger lafontant , according to captain Stines Doura, then in charge of the Penitiencier National, had been sentenced to death by the then  incumbent president, Jean B. Aristide.  Other high ranking officers  have been said to  have participated  in the killing. This event ended up among  other  to the removing  of M. Aristide from office.In the early hours of that 30 September 1991, le Dr Roger Lafontant jailed for having attempted to seize power from the elected president , met his fate when a caporal  had him shouted down three times in the heart and  lower back. Dr Lafontant fell He  was latter dragged by the feet in the yard of the main Haitian jail. His body had remained there until authorities had decided to bring him at the Hospital general morgue.

Roger Lafontant , however, continue to mean a lot for his followers. Up to this point, he remains a charismatic figure who has tried to stop Haiti from slipping into chaos and anarchy. The former minister has been recognized for having helped the needy, in the lower class in Haiti .

To keep the flame alive, some of his friends and fans have gathered by the end of September, in North Miami , Fl,  to launch a week of souvenir. Many still regret that for  the past 20 years, Rl had been the only one to  dance the tango. Considering the fallen and  forgotten, a close friend of RL whispered : Roger L. is still alone. A way to call for a better understanding of the man who had sacrificed his live, so that  others  can  live and succeed in the path of the Haitian life.

TAITAS PERUVIAN COOKING

. TAITAS, BACK TO PERUVIAN TRADITIONS

This is not the geographic location that makes of Peru a unique country. Peru’s fame has something to do with its cooking.

I went to Taitas to probe Peruvian foods and dishes.

At a glance, I was a little bit reluctant. I’ve  always been acquainted with Haitian preferences and taste. But, seeing others leaning on Peruvian recipes can make everybody mouth-watering.

Taitas is a king of walk ins restaurant from which you can watch the buzzing life on West Flager St. It is even a passageway to nearby streets and stores. But, set up with an artistic touch by the owner, a open and nice guy in the late 30s, Taitas is a relaxing place.

It don’t take long for the customer to be served and sat at the table.  The scenic is typical with unfolded flag and  local symbols from this Andean country. In the while, chiefs and helpers go back and forth in the kitchen, an open one where you can observe your food being prepared. Few time later, a colorful dish is yours with salad, meat and several other preparations.

I have heard about empanadas, ceviche, bread of anis, all of them from Peru. Although I never go that far in eating Peruvian food, it seems that Peru has one the best cooking in the world, with Spanish, Inca, Asian and African influences. As Ms Marian Blazes wrote , “Some of Peru's most popular dishes are part Asian in origin, such as arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice) and lomo saltado, a beef and potato stir-fry.”In fact, across food-filled dish, one can perceive so many aspects and past remains that eating at Taitas is like travelling back to prehistoric times. It is said that even today Inca traditions survive in the daily cooking. Really, history has another way to repeat itself and it is across our taste and belly.

Taitas has a human touch too. Waiters, chiefs have an engaging way of treating clients, even those who stop buy just for a beer. Delivery service is available. The boss there has even a few times left for chatting with a passerby