Time Zone |
America/Chicago |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-6 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-5 |
Time Zone |
America/Port-au-Prince |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC-5 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC-4 |
Ruby is a small incorporated town in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, United States, located about 60 miles northeast of the state capital of Baton Rouge and adjacent to the Mississippi border, and characterized by a quiet rural atmosphere and a deep community culture. Sparsely populated, with fewer than 500 people according to the most recent census, the town dates back to the late 1800s and, with its early rise to an agricultural economy (e.g., cotton and soybean farming), still retains the rustic look of a traditional Southern town. The town's landmarks include a century-old community church and several Victorian-style homes, and the annual fall "Ruby Family Day," which blends elements of local Cajun and Creole culture, has become a shared memory for the surrounding residents. Despite its small size, Ruby epitomizes the serenity of the American countryside with its simple folk and distinctive Louisiana southern flavor.
Located on the Caribbean coast in the south of Haiti, Jacmel is the capital of the South-East Department, about 100 kilometers from the capital, Port-au-Prince. This vibrant seaside city is known as "Haiti's cultural treasure" for its well-preserved 19th-century French colonial architecture and its rich art scene.
Once an important coffee and sugar trading port in Haiti in the 19th century, Jacmel is home to a large collection of colonial buildings with iron balconies, colorful wooden houses, and stone streets, and in the 1990s, local artists launched a preservation campaign to make the city one of the most intact displays of colonial architecture in the Caribbean, with the Historic Center of Jacmel inscribed on the reserve list of World Heritage Sites.
The Carnival of Jacmel, held every February, is Haiti's greatest cultural celebration, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to the streets. The city is also home to numerous art galleries and craftsmen's workshops, known for their unique metal sculptures, paintings and Vodou flag crafts. The Museu Bascom has an important collection of indigenous Haitian art that showcases the unique flavor of Creole culture.
Visitors can stroll along the esplanade for a Caribbean view and explore the St. Philip's St. James Church, built in 1895. Surrounding natural attractions include the Bascom Blue Waterfalls and the Pinon Island Ecological Reserve for hiking and diving activities. With its safe and friendly tourist environment, Jacmel is the ideal gateway to explore Haitian culture.