So, soon after our visitor arrived it was off to the parish of Westmoreland to see the home in which Negasi's Grandpa Brian was raised. Instead of truly roughing it on one of Jamaica's infamous cross-country bus rides we rented a car- a cute Toyota Yaris. We quickly realized that our plans to leave Kingston at 8 a.m. to head to 'country,' as Westmoreland and I believe most parishes outside of Kingston are termed, were senseless. Why? Because Jamaican time is real, people! A friend of Negasi's grandfather's and resident of Spanish Town had agreed to meet us at 8 a.m. sharp and "escort" us to country. Believe me when I say that we didn't hit the road until 2 p.m. Let's call our escort Johnie. Johnie somehow knew everyone we encountered on the road, young and old, so getting to the car rental place was a journey in its own.
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| Our 2-day rental (and Negasi on the left) |
The Ride
Laaaaaawd! That car ride. That car ride. The roads through Jamaica's hills are no joke! They are narrow, not lit at night, and they are without railguards, so basically don't look down. : / To get a better sense of the fright in our hearts as Johnie's friend drove us through the windy, narrow roads of the never-ending hills think of that traveling fair that stops through a town near you once per year. You know, the one your parents brought you to when you were really young, but stopped after the countless stories on Oprah about how hazardous and shoddy the rides are. OK, we're on the same page. Now, I'd liken the drive through Jamaica's hills to the ride at the traveling fair that you couldn't wait to be tall enough for. This was also the most hazardous ride- wooden tracks, no seat belts, only a handrail that you'd hold onto for dear life. In short, we were relieved each time we made it to our destination.
The Home in Country
Webster's dictionary needs to insert a photo of the home we visited beneath their entry for the word, 'tranquil.' The ambiance of this place was just so relaxing- and naturally so. For all the folks who are into aromatherapy this and that, you'd love country. Why? Because you are able to bask in nature's own aromatherapy. On my first walk around the house my senses were greeted by deliciously fragrant grapefruit. Not like the stuff they sell at Bath & Body Works, now. This wouldn't make you dizzy or lightheaded or make you want to throw up after a while like that fake ish. Just good and natural grapefruit- not too loud, not too faint. It made me giggle. *Teehee*
And then there was the greenery. Avocado tree here. Breadfruit tree there. Sugarcane around the back and countless herbs scattered about the place. So lush, so healthy. It all just screamed, "Come live here and be healthy with us!" In short, our stay was not nearly as long as it should have been. We've already made plans to return.
Before I close this post out I want to give a big shout out to Grandpa Brian also known as Mr. Brian also known as Uncle Brian also known as Uncle B also known as Brian (pronounced Bri- aahn..Grandma Lavern, where you at?) When you visit someone's home you learn a little bit more about them, understand them a bit better. It's only a humble place like country that can birth a man just as humble. Peace and Love always.
Laaaaaawd! That car ride. That car ride. The roads through Jamaica's hills are no joke! They are narrow, not lit at night, and they are without railguards, so basically don't look down. : / To get a better sense of the fright in our hearts as Johnie's friend drove us through the windy, narrow roads of the never-ending hills think of that traveling fair that stops through a town near you once per year. You know, the one your parents brought you to when you were really young, but stopped after the countless stories on Oprah about how hazardous and shoddy the rides are. OK, we're on the same page. Now, I'd liken the drive through Jamaica's hills to the ride at the traveling fair that you couldn't wait to be tall enough for. This was also the most hazardous ride- wooden tracks, no seat belts, only a handrail that you'd hold onto for dear life. In short, we were relieved each time we made it to our destination.
The Home in Country
Webster's dictionary needs to insert a photo of the home we visited beneath their entry for the word, 'tranquil.' The ambiance of this place was just so relaxing- and naturally so. For all the folks who are into aromatherapy this and that, you'd love country. Why? Because you are able to bask in nature's own aromatherapy. On my first walk around the house my senses were greeted by deliciously fragrant grapefruit. Not like the stuff they sell at Bath & Body Works, now. This wouldn't make you dizzy or lightheaded or make you want to throw up after a while like that fake ish. Just good and natural grapefruit- not too loud, not too faint. It made me giggle. *Teehee*
And then there was the greenery. Avocado tree here. Breadfruit tree there. Sugarcane around the back and countless herbs scattered about the place. So lush, so healthy. It all just screamed, "Come live here and be healthy with us!" In short, our stay was not nearly as long as it should have been. We've already made plans to return.
Before I close this post out I want to give a big shout out to Grandpa Brian also known as Mr. Brian also known as Uncle Brian also known as Uncle B also known as Brian (pronounced Bri- aahn..Grandma Lavern, where you at?) When you visit someone's home you learn a little bit more about them, understand them a bit better. It's only a humble place like country that can birth a man just as humble. Peace and Love always.
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| The entrance |
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| Watch out, Bath&Body Works. |
wow nicole u really did lambs river{thats wat the area where brian home is called} justice. i guess if the drive was not so scary u wud probable go there every chance you get...glad u like it i have never visited there before so i am going by what you said...but as you know i am city born and bread country life just not for me..
ReplyDeleteHaha, Ms. Lavern. Thanks for the correction. Yeah, we definitely did enjoy our time there and I hope I gave the place its due justice. It's more of a feeling you get from being there than anything else, and it's hard to describe feelings sometimes.
ReplyDelete