Ever have those sleepless nights, laying in bed, wondering to yourself what post-earthquake Haiti would look like through the eyes and ears of a “Planet Earth” producer? Well here’s your chance.

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I’ve spent a few childhood vacations sailing around the Caribbean islands in those gleaming-white, floating tourist kennels, visiting predetermined ports for minimal amounts of time. I rather enjoyed those trips, at that  time of my life, but now that I’ve outgrown hats with cartoon character ears attached to them, I prefer my traveling through different means; means that inject me more into the culture, and provide an authentic, local, and beneficial experience for all involved.

Caribbean cruise ships have always stood drastically detached from the impoverished countries they visit. Because of the recent decisions of a popular cruise line (to protect the integrity of the cruise line, I will refer to it as Coyal Raribbean) to dock at the Haitian port of Labadee, this microcosm of inequity has reared its vicious head yet again.

First mentioned in The Guardian, and causing ripples all over the internet, I can’t help but feel the same kind of frustration as expressed by quotes such as this, found on Sphere, “I just can’t see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue and enjoying a cocktail while there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets.”

The rebuttal: Coyal Raribbean’s vice-president states, “Labadee is critical to Haiti’s recovery; hundreds of people rely on Labadee for their livelihood. In our conversations with the UN special envoy of the government of Haiti, Haiti will benefit from the revenues that are generated from each call.”

How do you feel, and why? Could you eat a burger knowing about the starving people on the other side of Labadee’s 12 foot wall? Do you see cruise ships as an integral part of the recovery project (carrying food aid and donating proceeds)? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.

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“A lot can happen in a week. And some things can stay frustratingly the same.”

I’ve been following Matador.com’s campaign to help Haiti since I posted their efforts on TheExped last week. There are a few things to share.

First things first, this is a huge undertaking and, to be done correctly, may take time. It seems as though Julie and the crew don’t want to simply ship a planeload of willing people down there with little more than their own energy — that could prove futile and even disastrous. They are hard at work, contacting organizations in the U.S. and Haiti, coordinating localized and larger-scale donation drives, reviewing volunteer information, and keeping everyone up to date.

In recent updates, they are verifying New York City and Miami donation sites and sharing their medically-qualified volunteers with the organization Partners In Health. Also, it was reported that a Matador volunteer reached an orphanage in Port-au-Prince to deliver supplies. For more information, head to their update here.

Just this afternoon, the tone of their update took a turn towards the frustrated, and seems to echo the volunteers’ moods: “Why are we still in a holding pattern?” With frustrations beginning to rise, they remind everyone that Matador is doing all they can to work with dependable organizations and to navigate the seemingly endless bureaucracy. Their four points at this time are as follows:

1. Volunteers ARE needed, though often under strict conditions. (The screening process takes time.)
2. Donation sites need volunteers for sorting and packing. (Inquire everywhere.)
3. NYC area volunteers are needed for an event tomorrow. (Thursday, the IIHA in NYC, is looking for volunteers to staff a panel discussion on the state of the disaster relief. Please email Jenna Felz at felz@fordham.edu)
4. Decide if you’re in this for the long haul. (Be patient, opportunities will arise and your help will be even more valuable then.)

For more details on the above information, refer to their 1/20/10 update or their homepage.

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The tragedy in Haiti is that of epic proportions; as unimaginable as the projected number of fatalities. Our friends at Matador Change couldn’t stand aside and watch as more pictures of the destruction are released. They have issued a call to any and all that are willing, to volunteer their help to the victims. The goals of their original post (and one we are happy to share) are to:

1. Spread the word via Twitter (by retweeting this post at the retweet button below, or this posting this message: @JetBlue: If @MatadorNetwork could fill a plane with volunteers, would you fly them to Santo Domingo to help #quake vics in #Haiti?
2. Help us fill a plane!
3. Share your contacts and on-the-ground knowledge of the region.
4. Spread the word.

One reason we love the travel community is this: Matador asked — you answered! The latest update from the site, at 7:00 p.m. EST today, says they have received over 900 offers of help, energy, and skills to the people of Haiti. Truly amazing!

They are now in the organization phase, working with (or convincing) JetBlue for a plane, and the Red Cross to ensure organization upon everyone’s arrival. At this point, they encourage everyone not to lose this incredible wave of initial energy because of the time it takes to organize logistics.

Those interested in getting involved with this effort or donating to the project, you can e-mail Julie at: matadorhaiti@gmail.com

We will do our best passing on any news we get, but for the latest news, keep checking back with Matador Change.

The post Help Haiti! Volunteers Responding To Matador.com’s Call For Help appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.

If you need a hint as to the devastation that is Haiti right now due to “the big one,” check out these pictures over at the BBC. UNICEF is already coordinating relief efforts, and donations are being accepted at their site. You can also help out by giving to the American Red Cross, and Operation USA.

The post Haiti: Devastation In Pictures appeared first on The Expeditioner Travel Site.