Jamaica has been experiencing the worst drought in the last 20 years. The entire Corporate Area aka New Kingston has suffered severely from the drought due the lack of improved systems. I have been without water for a week, but have now seen a steady stream of it coming back to my apartment. But the National Water Commission has instituted a water lock-down during certain hours of the evening. So much so, that when I went to the club last Saturday there was no water to flush the toilet or wash your hands. Now imagine that…Even though this was a health hazard (the club still gave out drinks in glass cups) the club would not loose out on profit. Here is an article regarding the situation and loss of water at a hospital: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/UHWI-second-hospital
I have been having a love-hate relationship with the hotel (and its management) that I am living in. The Internet has not been working properly for almost a month now and we have been experiencing a water shortage worse than most in our area. Although this sounds like the privileged American tantrum, and this is the Global South…Jamaica is not as rural and out of date as people would like to picture the Global South to be. Plus for some reason the is something wrong with the piping system here. Water is not supposed to be brown…
So once I get better access to the internet, I will provide a detailed update of my Thanksgiving adventures with my mom. For now, I have to go do a rain dance on my porch because we are in desperate need of rain to replenish the resovoirs! As my mom would say ‘water is becoming the oil of the 21st century’…Think about it! Also pay attention to the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. It is real! We all need to do our part to conserve this precious earth for the generations to come.
Today my mother, classmate, and I went to a place known as Morant Bay located on the Southeast Coast. It is not as heavily populated by tourist as the north coast. It is sort of like the ugly duckling, but very green, beautiful, and gives you an appreciation for Jamaica. Morant Bay is known for the Morant Bay Rebellion. The rebellion was led national hero Paul Bogle. 10km north lies a small town known as Bath. In the 17th century (1690s) a runaway slave discovered hot springs that cured the injuries he received while running for freedom. He was so impressed that he went and told his master (supposedly, but why go back if you are running away?). In 1699 the government bought the spring and created the Bath of St. Thomas the Apostle, and then formed a corporation that would administer mineral baths for the sick and infirm. The waters have therapeutic value for skin ailments and rheumatic problems. The water is scorching hot at 130 degrees Fahrenheit. (Source: lonely planet Jamaica) While there a man travelled from Canada to heal his body from a recent stroke. Also ate the fruit from which chocolate comes from, ackee and okra with breadfruit…hmm…oh so tasty
Had to share this beautiful rainbow outside of my apartment…
Wow…so I am loving the beauty that is Jamaica. Jamaica is so much more than the yards and shanty towns sung about in many 
tunes. The roots, culture, food, and natural beauty of the island is breathtaking. It is more than just the all-inclusive that most tourists flock to for fear of the ‘natives’. I had a lady at my job ask the driver what the ‘native language’ of Jamaica…SMH…anyway…Over these last few weeks I have discovered my roots from my great great grandparents in a place that my mother always thought was just a memory of her mother. However, we have now made the reality of my grandmother’s dream true by finding the “Trower’s Yard” in Clarendon. However, due to the imperialist job market my family spread across Latin America & Caribbean leaving behind memories, but bringing their culture everywhere. From Cuba to Nicaragua to Antigua to Panama and who knows where else we are trying to patch our history together.
Being in Jamaica I have never felt as though am I in a foreign land. I have always felt a sense of home, a sense of belonging but with just a little ‘yankee’ twang. As most say I look the part I just have to keep my mouth closed (lol).
Anyway, I have travelled up the north coast to Ocho Rios -> St. Ann’s Bay -> Runaway Bay -> Falmouth -> Montego Bay -> down to the south coast -> Westmoreland -> Whitehouse -> Mandeville -> Clarendon -> Yallah -> Morant Bay. I have been to almost all fourteen parishes in such a short amount of time and still feel as though I have so much more of Jamaica to discover. 
So part of my time here in Jamaica is trying to help my mother’s side of the family make the links of our history. I knew my grandparent’s family migrated to Panama to work on the canal from various Caribbean islands. They say the people of the Caribbean go where the jobs are, so there is a lot of trans-migration across islands. It is evident in the culture and the food the links between the various islands.
I went to Clarendon which is located west of Kingston. 
I met cousins, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and the deceased. My family there is quite large. There is even a “Trowers Yard” (see below)
It was an emotional experience as well as a fruitful one. It was sort of like a coming home. I ate coconut fresh off the tree and natural sugar cane.
Even brought some home with me. All in all a great weekend. Can’t wait to go back with my mom.
Last Thursday, Kingston experienced an early Christmas season. The city came alive for an exciting night of Fashion, bargaining and fun! It was a night of shopping in style at greatly reduced prices (almost 75% off) on selected items.
In the midst of a steady decline in the economy, high inflation, and spikes in joblessness (sound familiar…) Jamaican consumers have kept their money in their pockets. Many believe that concerns about income and job prospects will probably continue to act as a restraining force on high-street spending for some time.
In an effort to stimulate the economy, get people spending, Fashion Night Out Kingston was created. They made it clear that it is not to be confused with Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out that happens in the fashion capitals of the world. The sponsors believe that it “is reminding everyone why we need to shop again, and trumpeting the mantra that “if we don’t shop, people lose their jobs”.
Source: Jamaica Observer
It was definitely a night of frenzy similar to our “Black Friday.” I have been in shoppers rehab since I have been here, but my co-worker helped me to quench my shoppers itch while helping to stimulate the economy.
So my weekend was not that exciting, but now I wish I went to the cocktail party at the American Residence. Not that I want to schmooze, but because for some reason the Jamaican artiste love performing for the Americans….FOR FREEE!!!! So I thought it was only going to be free food, free drinks, and some steel pans. Ahh…okay been there done that…But to my surprise Taurus Riley performed as well as finalists from Jamaica’s version of American Idol called ‘Rising Stars’. Sadly my one of my co-workers had no idea who he was, but I was able to guess his name based upon the description given. This is the second time I have missed a free concert and vow not to miss one again, but I am reluctant to go to the Halloween party on Friday because I don’t really celebrate it.
On another note, I was filling out my re-entry visa application today and was asked to give my “Christian Name”. Now I stopped dead, because I had no idea what my “Christian Name” was. After looking at the form again, I realized they were asking for my first name. But why is called a ‘christian name’? Tamika, please enlighten me about your people…
Nothing else really exciting to say, but take a look at this cartoon that was published in the newspaper that pokes fun at the Minister of Education who is a staunch supporter of accountability within education (which is what my thesis is on). He believes parents and teachers should be more accountable, but it seems like some don’t agree. This cartoon is in response to the surge of violence in schools
Source: Jamaica Observer, October 26, 2009
So I have been getting pressure from friends and classmates around the world to update the blog. Well, my life is not as eventful as people may think and I don’t want to hear critiques from…stating that I am ranting when I am only expressing my sentiments. I try to carry my camera, but never get a chance to take pictures. My life is pretty boring just work, home,gym, and sometimes I go out but still don’t know anyone here. Plus the violence in Kingston keeps me from exploring too much on my own.
I was suppose to go to an event at the American residence but a co-worker bailed on me. After getting dressed, even putting the contacts and makeup on, I received a phone call that made me extremely home sick. So I fell into a mini home-sick depression, put my pajamas back on, and decided to watch tv, read, and procrastinate even more on my thesis. Maybe I should crash the reception happening downstairs…
It is sad that even the maid forgot about me today. She came to apologize before she got off for not coming to clean the apt. today and brought me fresh towels as a peace offering…Pathetic I know…
Another co-worker bailed on me for church tomorrow. I was really looking forward to it, as I have not been to church since I have been here. So I am back to bedside church and weary of making plans with co-workers again…
Tamika now you can call this a rant :)
Yesterday was a Jamaican National Holiday called “National Heroes Day”. It is held every third Monday of October and honors the seven national heroes of Jamaica (Paul Bogle, Marcus Garvey, Norman Manley, George William Gordon, Nanny of the maroons, Samuel Sharpe, Sir Alexander Bustamante). On this day Jamaica’s honors system is bestowed upon dynamic individuals. This year ‘the fastest man in the world’, Usain Bolt, was honored with the Order of Jamaica (OJ) one of Jamaica’s highest honors. It caused quite a stir in the nation because some argued he was too young and has not done enough to deserve such an esteemed honor. He is now the Honorable Usain Bolt OJ and an ambassador-at-large. Hmm…lets see if this puts pressure on him to actually do more…
Anyway, so I decided to venture out to and partake in the festivities happening across the island. I went to a place once known as the “wickedest and richest city the world” called Port Royal. 
The Port Royal Seafood Festival is held annually on National Heroes Day. There are lots of vendors selling fried fish, steamed fish, fish or conch soup, lobster, shrimp, bammi (cassava), festival (fried dumpling), roasted breadfruit, roasted corn, and live entertainment.
This years headliners were Lady saw and Beenie Man. It was definitely a good time. However, I know for next time not to show up until eight hours after the start time because Jamaicans don’t start the show until the late late late late in the night. I naively thought the show would be over by 9pm the latest since there was work the next day. HA! Silly American…But it was worth every moment.
Traditional Folk dress of Jamaica patterned after the European “British” influence.
