Jamaica Was Fun – I Dared To Care!

At the end of last semester, I packed my bags and journeyed to the land of my birth: Jamaica. Having experienced my last Jamaican Christmas five years ago, I was filled with joy and excitement. My mind raced as I thought about sorrel, black cake, jerked lobster and jerked pork. There was also a hint of fear as I thought about the recent news articles coming out of Jamaica; but I committed myself to not allowing fear to spoil my trip.

My Air Jamaica flight was delayed as usual. I arrived in Kingston a day ahead of my luggage. The Air Jamaica customer service representative, upon hearing my frustration, informed me that regardless of what I was feeling, she knows she will see me next year, so I should relax. “Welcome to Jamaica” I thought to myself. On my way home after picking up my luggage on the 23rd, I was stopped by a police officer who dishonestly accused us of speeding. My driver was able to change the officer’s opinion with 20 U.S. Dollars. The joys of being home.

My first three days were spent in the rustic community of Islington, St. Mary. I had the opportunity to visit family members, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years. I marvelled at how much my siblings had grown since I last saw them. My “shy little brother” informed me that I had to meet his girlfriend, and my “little sister” planned for me to spend Christmas Eve in the town with her and the love of her life. Wow!

Christmas dinner consisted of Pork, Chicken, Fish, rice & peas and vegetables. I got introduced to several new slangs; almost everything was new. Almost! Appleton Rum with pepsi tasted the same! Joy! On Boxing day, I my trip brought me home to perhaps the most beautiful parish in Jamaica; Portland! Home sweet home! Irrespective of how much I grow, I seem to have a special connection to Portland.

I spent my birthday in Kingston, between home and Prendy’s on the Beach in Hellshire, where a childhood friend treated me to lobster washed down with a few bottles of ice cold Red Stripe beer. Ahhhhh!!! I rang in New Years watching fire works on the waterfront with family and friends. As a teenager, I enjoyed the fireworks in Downtown Kingston, and was saddened by the news that they had discontinued it a few years ago. I’m happy that the government saw it fit to recontinue this event, as it is a favorite New Years eve social outlet for many Jamaicans. To complement the firework, the organizers produced a free concert with performers such as Jimmy Riley, Etana and Elephant Man. Several thousands of us jammed throughout the night, and even tolerated Elephant Man’s rendition of “we are the world.” Fun times.

March third was my favorite concert to date. Shaggy, being familliar with the challenges facing the Bustamante Children’s hospital (the only one of its kind in the Caribbean), decided to stage a pricey concert to raise funds for the institution. With quality sets by Shaggy, Etana, Sean Paul, Lady Saw, Toney Rebel, Buju Banton, Tessanne Chin among others, there were no signs of regret from the thousands of paying patrons who showed up for this worthwhile cause. Not only was I thoroughly entertained, but the event revived my belief that the solutions to Jamaica’s many problems will not come from a government which is both bankrupt of ideas and resources, but it will come from ordinary Jamaican teachers and farmers, christians and rastas, young and old, from town and country… those who have a genuine interest in the success of themselves, their children and grandchildren. Orville “Shaggy” Burrell, I salute you.

NOTE: I wrote this when I returned to school in January, but forgot to post it. It is largely unedited.