tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52489284382415609032024-03-19T01:01:29.409-07:00Fulbright in Jamaica 2010-2011The purpose of this blog is to give all who are interested a look into what it is that I will be doing in Jamaica for the next few months. Wink wink at my concerned family members. Love you guys.
Thanks to all who have supported me and continue to support me as I embark on this journey that is life abroad-and on my own, well, OUR own (this is Negasi, my son's, blog too.)Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-89254255608478463702011-04-11T08:59:00.000-07:002011-04-11T08:59:55.098-07:00Solace on Bobo Hill (Bull Bay, Jamaica)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVFIUUdpE8hyphenhyphennPcrWo25LRDlvMR6F72HZGiCKN0_5ZTDaXQbr8LKNgJ_PDp1mHwLsFRDHaQVAlZLI-gH2Qr-DihplAjmHvV4X8R6l89V_rEhg3tDTOUv3QG9EBhnZZQDzbQ4MXG1hzjE/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVFIUUdpE8hyphenhyphennPcrWo25LRDlvMR6F72HZGiCKN0_5ZTDaXQbr8LKNgJ_PDp1mHwLsFRDHaQVAlZLI-gH2Qr-DihplAjmHvV4X8R6l89V_rEhg3tDTOUv3QG9EBhnZZQDzbQ4MXG1hzjE/s640/IMG_1453.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jamaica, Bull Bay, Bobo Hill...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the outside of the guest house where I slept. I spent a great deal of my time in this house being that I came for the Sabbath, a day of rest- no work, no writing, no phones, just very chill. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from my guest house on Bobo Hill.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sun sets.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quaint cabin</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Such powerful artwork on display in my guest house.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His Imperial Majesty (painting)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Think this photo captures my mood while on Bobo Hill pretty well. Yes, I used my camera's self-timer. Stop judge mi!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEHShPUCEt5QlzWQhyphenhyphen4Wduyz5gFksy3tzRenLdVIbK_uj3oVJB3bSyWCgyWSWC4J3tgZRKE_Y-VY_v7Y9wFTfPtjdHWMU6pelnVpUlK2RREsn80vAJu2Ne2-LvCCTxq6YUwjuT72HjbU/s1600/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSEHShPUCEt5QlzWQhyphenhyphen4Wduyz5gFksy3tzRenLdVIbK_uj3oVJB3bSyWCgyWSWC4J3tgZRKE_Y-VY_v7Y9wFTfPtjdHWMU6pelnVpUlK2RREsn80vAJu2Ne2-LvCCTxq6YUwjuT72HjbU/s640/IMG_1496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Sabbath service is coming to a close. The priests are proceeding out of the tabernacle. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrwNjqKo9EyYWx3W98SPojcjS0caLeSi0-xyL64m-qelLtdVZNntdNflzocQZLQm-m7tLXA1-wsDsy8OByKkXFdLSfhhPOja7_IWSRwwtgtXSqaWzH-wN2_Dc9N02SlO3woXv_iQcZoo/s1600/IMG_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrwNjqKo9EyYWx3W98SPojcjS0caLeSi0-xyL64m-qelLtdVZNntdNflzocQZLQm-m7tLXA1-wsDsy8OByKkXFdLSfhhPOja7_IWSRwwtgtXSqaWzH-wN2_Dc9N02SlO3woXv_iQcZoo/s640/IMG_1501.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From left: Tiffany, my coursemate, Priest Ijah, moi, young Princess who lives on Bobo Hill (ooh, I forgot her name) and Priest Joshua</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-78038749192361359322011-03-14T13:42:00.000-07:002011-03-14T13:42:51.822-07:00On My Mind: Vybz Kartel, Haile Selassie I, and Mutabaruka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCaY3Amgpc1WJLr2PLOUUZhFkhmRF08hrxK3FMBQ9enLcXb4ukliudAFvGGMPnI87nCX3oLgskuCkthmk3qo5ygw2CwP169pRW_xRh8ajhlwbjbLwh05pdP_HOLQfOMY5Al2uDqSu0xs/s1600/Vybz-Kartel-UWI-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCaY3Amgpc1WJLr2PLOUUZhFkhmRF08hrxK3FMBQ9enLcXb4ukliudAFvGGMPnI87nCX3oLgskuCkthmk3qo5ygw2CwP169pRW_xRh8ajhlwbjbLwh05pdP_HOLQfOMY5Al2uDqSu0xs/s400/Vybz-Kartel-UWI-7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I attended a lecture at UWI last week given by Vybz Kartel- yes, Vybz Kartel a.k.a. 'di teacha' (?), and current king of dancehall known best for his sexually explicit and highly controversial lyrics. "Bleach-out face" man, however, has become his latest nickname. In several of his latest songs he boasts about his use of cake soap, a skin lightening agent, which has, in his opinion, contributed to his skin being "pretty like a coloring book." The title of the lecture, which was prompted by Carolyn Cooper's column in the Sunday Gleaner that denounced Kartel's skin bleaching as an act of self-hatred, was "'Pretty as s Coloring Book:' My Life and My Art."<br />
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Now, I should state that it's been almost an entire week since the lecture, but I've been back and forth when it comes to formulating my opinion of the reasoning Kartel uses to explain his skin bleaching practice. Prior to the lecture, I listened to him on New York's Hot 97 radio show with Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg. Of course, Cipha Sounds got right to the heart of the matter asking Kartel to explain the change in his skin tone from a rich, chocolate brown to a ghostly yellow (this was Cipha's own description- hilarious.) To my utter surprise Kartel quoted His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Haile Selassie I as a means of explaining why skin bleaching is OK. Haile Selassie's words, spoken during his 1963 address to the United <span style="font-family: inherit;">Nations and later adapted in Bob Marley's classic song,</span><i style="font-family: inherit;"> War</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">, are "Until the color of a man's skin is of no mo</span>re significance than the color of his eyes...the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion to be pursued but never attained..." He quoted H.I.M. yet again at the lecture held at the UWI campus. As a matter of fact he began his lecture with this quote and even asked a student from the audience to expound on it. This shows that given the amount of negative controversy he's been receiving as a result of his lightened skin, he's decided to use (manipulate, misconstrue, distort, etc.) the words of H.I.M. in his defense. Now, really people - Rastafarian or not- do we honestly and truly believe that Emperor Haile Selassie's historic words are relevant in this situation? <br />
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I attended another Rastafari Youth Initiative Council meeting yesterday where <a href="http://www.mutabaruka.com/">Mutabaruka</a> was the guest speaker. He, too, touched on the absurdity of Kartel attempting to lead the public to believe that the words of Haile Selassie could be referenced as a means of condoning his practice of skin lightening. One point Mutabaruka made was that if the color of a man's skin doesn't matter, why change it? This is what Kartel has done, yet he insists that he's comfortable with his natural, Black self. I'm not convinced. Yes, he is one individual person. So, why should how he feels about his Blackness or how he portrays this publicly matter to me or anyone? Only because he is by far the most influential person among persons age 15-24 in Jamaica. I'm just saying...<br />
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I'll stop here, as I'd like to avoid steering this post in the wrong direction. Looking forward to your comments. <br />
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<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hundreds of students gather on the UWI Campus to hear 'Di Teacha'</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mutabaruka</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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Peace and Love.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-51268934253051632272011-02-28T15:40:00.000-08:002011-02-28T15:42:27.530-08:003 Years in the Making<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZcoHtR_9KsrnNm3kIFT2SOuoyfk7YsocLBQSEbJCLzW9yeF4LlVBwM6GzQyGmbQyo5HTl8bmHJFp7O6AvSGYaN6EKxdlYetLtCNYtOmCy0w_jnlc97uqTPPBD6rtMaKvgpdYIESxtPA/s1600/IMG_1236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ZcoHtR_9KsrnNm3kIFT2SOuoyfk7YsocLBQSEbJCLzW9yeF4LlVBwM6GzQyGmbQyo5HTl8bmHJFp7O6AvSGYaN6EKxdlYetLtCNYtOmCy0w_jnlc97uqTPPBD6rtMaKvgpdYIESxtPA/s640/IMG_1236.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Negasi is 3 today-yay!! Can you imagine? It's been 3 years since he was re-introduced to the world (still trying to figure out what he was doing here before.)<br />
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Negasi celebrated his day at school having treats with his friends.<br />
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I'll share with you some photos of Negasi's progression since he was 'unearthed' until today...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6naMTlX78G4XKmUFunjpOE2-OOJYJK36gV9iROko6Yr-_NE1xV6R_sjYmsxuhrnrpXB19EPBPw7CCeoBg6JVkC2UkYQ01svOu44oTzIbaTvPG9DOxf1APYObUYpuRR3NTPYapfzZtoyU/s1600/P1010053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6naMTlX78G4XKmUFunjpOE2-OOJYJK36gV9iROko6Yr-_NE1xV6R_sjYmsxuhrnrpXB19EPBPw7CCeoBg6JVkC2UkYQ01svOu44oTzIbaTvPG9DOxf1APYObUYpuRR3NTPYapfzZtoyU/s640/P1010053.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">True Pisces..notice the fish tail.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 of Negasi's favorite cartoon characters. Concerned? Just a tad.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l_ZreiIrYcEkutE3zIXFY_tXGMDW4XeLllIvDFytjVng45OZN-XHvpUZqAFI0yDJoK8UQ4KWk_CVM4Pej-H9_daLA2n9BDuP1yn88t-hTRApE1r1FBGyk8gwq9lClZk-1vZQuqOsIVM/s1600/IMG_1210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_l_ZreiIrYcEkutE3zIXFY_tXGMDW4XeLllIvDFytjVng45OZN-XHvpUZqAFI0yDJoK8UQ4KWk_CVM4Pej-H9_daLA2n9BDuP1yn88t-hTRApE1r1FBGyk8gwq9lClZk-1vZQuqOsIVM/s640/IMG_1210.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He's awoken to a celebration. No, his excitement level didn't increase much more than this.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">His class of mainly boys</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh-d2Q-GJYcWu5PRasIjatJHa-PdHRcpc2BP8w2OwaFBwkVfOAb8fLGsiEnGTENWaXiVhDS70j7lYrmrjBHkWWWsv64nmhQP7l7vJCS_1c5CxYmoKVt8eG9ix2OqAqydLtWMGA7RGlJo/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh-d2Q-GJYcWu5PRasIjatJHa-PdHRcpc2BP8w2OwaFBwkVfOAb8fLGsiEnGTENWaXiVhDS70j7lYrmrjBHkWWWsv64nmhQP7l7vJCS_1c5CxYmoKVt8eG9ix2OqAqydLtWMGA7RGlJo/s640/IMG_1212.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trying to handle the ice cream situation (it's always a 'situation' when it comes to ice cream.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">That's young Shawn at the head of the table. He and Negasi are good friends. I admire Shawn for his level of maturity. He opted not to wear a party hat because of the discomfort it caused him, nor did he want an ice cream cone. He said it was too messy.</span></td></tr>
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Peace and Love.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-34894348993015990342011-02-25T20:36:00.000-08:002011-03-13T21:35:57.353-07:00What to make of "RastaMouse?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRY4NlQvIf174-bp_peZEv5BBYBLaCTr2hqu1jQUXSIwk_FUOa8MWz6O_3yN9Po-5solVgHH4grRkapGAkVGVQhd0l79WTA9IqgCnVHRnk0VHcJcUJ2vFL7kT8o16NMEGhPGufKfe5BuU/s1600/rastamouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRY4NlQvIf174-bp_peZEv5BBYBLaCTr2hqu1jQUXSIwk_FUOa8MWz6O_3yN9Po-5solVgHH4grRkapGAkVGVQhd0l79WTA9IqgCnVHRnk0VHcJcUJ2vFL7kT8o16NMEGhPGufKfe5BuU/s320/rastamouse.png" width="270" /></a></div>The BBC has got a hit on its hands with the new children's cartoon, "RastaMouse." The main character is a Rastafarian mouse who fights crime...what do <i>InI</i> think??? Reinforcing stereotypes or instilling cultural pride? Feed<i>forward </i>please!!<br />
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Also, check out this <a href="http://repeatingislands.com/2011/02/25/rastamouse-mania-meet-the-man-behind-the-reggae-loving-rodent/">post</a> on Repeating Islands, a blog I follow for a look at how the individual who plays the main character's voice perceives the show's concept and message.<br />
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Here is a link to the official RastaMouse website.<br />
<a href="http://www.rastamouse.com/">http://www.rastamouse.com/</a>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-6700045121806736842011-02-17T15:13:00.000-08:002011-02-17T15:13:24.719-08:00Jamaican Resort's Idea of Entertainment Strangely Reminiscent of Sensationalization Surrounding African Women's Sexuality circa 18th Century Slavery -We visited a beach on Jamaica's resort town of Ocho Rios a few weeks ago. Who did the hotel hire to entertain the shiploads of tourists? See below. Any thoughts? Oh, there was a minstrel-like man performing, as well. Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of him.<br />
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<b>Peace and Love</b> (amidst the madness)Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-51085808616020006822011-02-15T11:18:00.000-08:002011-02-16T18:45:48.170-08:00Rastafari and Resistance (Giving thanks to Horace Campbell for the title)The past few weeks since I last blogged have been beautifully busy...Beauty & Business...beauty in the business being handled. (Sigh) I digress. What I mean by this is I've been flanked by guests for the past 3 weeks- an old friend, my sister, Darise, and Negasi's Dad once more. Also, research has been moving along in a "healthy" manner. I've begun a second course related to my work here in Jamaica entitled <i>Rastafari in the Global Context</i>, and with each Rastafarian artist I meet and interview I am introduced to <i>at least</i> another. Good stuff.<br />
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Negasi and I sealed this past weekend up by attending the Rastafari Youth Initiative Council's monthly general meeting, which was held in the community of Shanti Town in Linstead, St. Catherine this month. A group of close to 20 RYIC members all boarded a chartered bus this Sunday leaving from Country Farmhouse in Vineyard Town heading to Linstead. We hadn't made it far before the bus was pulled over for a "routine" stop by armed policemen. The stop was made in downtown Kingston close to Coronation Market ( I am uncertain of the exact road we were on when stopped.) Upon being stopped the driver paused the music of the Nyabinghi drums and Rasta chanting that played from a CD provided by one of the members. After reviewing the driver's documentation, the police officer decided to issue a ticket to our driver for failure to wear a seat belt and for not having a badge, which I believe is a requirement for drivers of coaster buses in Jamaica. In the ten to fifteen minutes it took the police officer to contemplate whether or not he even felt like issuing a ticket, then actually write the ticket for our driver, some members on the bus began to chant [down Babylon.] Watching as the police officer began to catch on to the words of the chant and quickly become incensed, I became uncertain as to how the whole ordeal would end. It wasn't long before we were all ordered off the bus for a "routine" search. So, with Negasi asleep in my arms, I disembarked with the others to allow the police officers to "do their job" (of disrupting a busload of peaceful individuals who, on that very afternoon, were headed to carry out the urgent task of empowering and mobilizing Jamaica's marginalized communities.) What ensued was a blatant act of discrimination against Rastafari- threats to arrest, accusations made by the officers of possession of ganja, and, of course the knowledge that a busload of Christian churchgoers would not have been dealt with in the same manner. To make a long story short opinions (stereotypes) were exchanged, voices raised, and warnings issued (one of the officers warned that my taping of the ordeal was an offense- he'd do well in the NYPD! :D) before we were allowed to enter the bus again and continue on our journey...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Intimidating, no?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQbe0jvBhyphenhyphenKf86LOzlTtNwXGWmndiKvKLC0ci9PVUQ35l-GlwZLEG6-Z9rhMn6nSkQ7OBzyjdxN_e7oiiIgLIR7VNJQMjR8XuokLfE3kWd_HaT6-Yq3lkZNGYbuxe6iRSKSvN1CxecCQ/s1600/IMG_1103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQbe0jvBhyphenhyphenKf86LOzlTtNwXGWmndiKvKLC0ci9PVUQ35l-GlwZLEG6-Z9rhMn6nSkQ7OBzyjdxN_e7oiiIgLIR7VNJQMjR8XuokLfE3kWd_HaT6-Yq3lkZNGYbuxe6iRSKSvN1CxecCQ/s640/IMG_1103.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Outside of the bus after being ordered off to allow for a search. Nothing was found.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Police officer as he searches ones' belongings left inside the bus.<b> </b></span><br />
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</tbody></table><b> View video of part of the whole exchange below. Followers, PLEASE post feed<i>forward</i> on the issues that arise in this video, spoken and unspoken, into the "comments" section of this post. </b><br />
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Anyway, a little negativity couldn't sabotage what we set out to do. The meeting was an immense success, positive vibes all around. Issues such as the dangers of medical vaccinations that we are often required to give our children, the importance of eating ital, repatriation and reparations were addressed. Ras Tyehimba of <a href="http://www.rastaspeaks.com/tyehimba/">RastafariSpeaks.com</a><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">was the guest speaker for the meeting. Here is a group photo of the gathering. </span></span><br />
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PEACE & One Perfect LOVE, always...Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-21122389041987137012011-01-21T10:46:00.000-08:002013-12-05T19:46:55.813-08:00Looking to Re-build a Community & Re-tracing Rastafari's RootsPast few weeks? Irie. <br />
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My involvement with the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ras-Penco/132336730163516#%21/profile.php?id=100000120606893">Rastafari Youth Initiative Council</a> really shifted into full gear following my return to Jamaica after a much-needed trip home (Shout out to my whole fam.) Yes, this means more work, but I've begun to look at more (enjoyable) work as my spirit's food... So, I'll be working with the RYIC, which has been in existence for about 2 years and has over 100 members in and around Kingston, to plan one of their biggest annual events, a celebration for Empress Menen's Earth(birth)day in March. Myself and the entire youth council are very much looking forward to this event.<br />
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In a collaborative effort to improve low-income and crime-ridden communities throughout Jamaica, members of the RYIC and Donisha Prendergrast, grand-daughter of Bob Marley and creator of an upcoming documentary on Rastafari's international presence, made the trod to Tredegar Park All-Age School in St. Catherine this week to reason with the students on the <a href="http://go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=17186">recent violence</a> that's taken place in their community. The visit was meant to be extra special for the school, as Julian Marley and several other up-and-coming reggae artists would be accompanying us. Oh, and it <i>was</i> special indeed- most of the students asked each of us what our relation to Bob Marley was- Whoo!! This got a little out of control. Hahaha.<br />
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Anyway, Donisha acted as the MC for the afternoon inviting different students up to the stage to share their thoughts and personal experiences related to the gun violence in their community. All I can say is that this was extremely heart-wrenching. Every student (ages 5-12) who took the mic had at least 2 members of their immediate family taken by gun violence. Even worse was that some of these young people could recount in great detail their loved ones' death. A little girl pointed to a tree on the school grounds and told us that it was there that her father was shot three times, once in the head, chest, and leg. Heavy stuff. Heavy stuff. On a brighter note, the visit did allow the students to express the many feelings manifesting in their young, yet seasoned hearts and minds. What they loved even more was being able to ask Julian Marley questions, the most popular question being <i>'Who ah yuh fadda?'</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tredegar Park school students looking on as we introduce ourselves.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reasoning with the students.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Young schooler as he asks Julian Marley a question.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More questions- of the same sort.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Julian Marley poses for a photo with the students (as some marvel at his locs.)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This little girl came up to me and said, "Miss, mi friend dem tell mi seh mi favor yuh." I say, "Really? I don't see it." So I ask her to take a photo with me. As soon as I look at the photo I'm like "oh S!@#, it's my mini-me!" What do you guys think? Do we look alike?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This little girl is named Amaya. She was brave enough to take the stage and tell us about her father's death by gunmen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Our visit to Tredegar Park All-Age School ended in a round of performances by recording artists, Dax Lion, Calico, Kabaka, and Kelissa, along with some impromptu performances by the school's very own aspiring musicians. Following the performances, each student was given a notebook with Bob Marley's picture on the cover. In their new notebooks, the students wanted autographs. Yes, I was bombarded by students who wanted my autograph! And, they thought they were the ones who felt special that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">After leaving the school we headed up to Pinnacle, the site of Jamaica's very first completely self-sustainable Rastafarian community. The site was owned and founded by Leonard Howell, the man cited as being the 'first Rasta' because he was the first to have openly hailed Haile Selassie as the Messiah, something that was unprecedented during his time. The visit to Pinnacle was a pleasant surprise for me, as it was on my 'to see' list both for my Fulbright research and my own personal interest. We were given a tour of what remains of Pinnacle (it was raided by Jamaican police in 1954 and the 4,000+ Rastas inhabiting the land were forced to relocate. Many of them became squatters in Trenchtown) by Sister Hodesh and young lion, Tafari. Before I move on to the photos, I must say that what took place at Pinnacle was really a travesty. A large Rastafarian community was well on its way to what people the world over are trying to achieve in their homelands today - self sustainability, and the government (it's believed 800 armed? policemen participated in the 1954 raid) forcefully terminated an entire community's livelihood. On site were a bakery (Sister Hodesh recalls that the best bun in Jamaica was made right there at Pinnacle,) a water well, many homes, farms, schools, and of course, an expansive ganja farm. Above all this, Pinnacle sat on top of a hill that offered a glorious view of Clarendon, Kingston, and St. Thomas. Have a look see...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from Pinnacle- St. Thomas?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another great view...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Painting of Leonard Howell</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXfb4AfTOKIW2ZrA7n8pyFMq0WYrfxd0v0pT2KdPdGtYA3IwowH99jmD9vwN2iBTyEvF0QCGvBUe9PHKQMizLMcE3E0VFlFlhrPQsQXYlH2kdY6l4uJVhay-A-vGVmGHbm6C5G4-RB0/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fXfb4AfTOKIW2ZrA7n8pyFMq0WYrfxd0v0pT2KdPdGtYA3IwowH99jmD9vwN2iBTyEvF0QCGvBUe9PHKQMizLMcE3E0VFlFlhrPQsQXYlH2kdY6l4uJVhay-A-vGVmGHbm6C5G4-RB0/s640/IMG_0930.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Tabernacle</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQfYGGAgsjab4-mkHpBuuifKBX1l9F9siZjlb_nSFKwHqMYyoFtOP6rAEjoDTRQWnEmftGLqO0LII9XtaIAk7o01ESgYsdaU1fwdP2nClmmLa6ZxJM7IZ9QAmRh3nWgi8EtPpJ9z1bUo/s1600/IMG_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQfYGGAgsjab4-mkHpBuuifKBX1l9F9siZjlb_nSFKwHqMYyoFtOP6rAEjoDTRQWnEmftGLqO0LII9XtaIAk7o01ESgYsdaU1fwdP2nClmmLa6ZxJM7IZ9QAmRh3nWgi8EtPpJ9z1bUo/s640/IMG_0942.jpg" width="480" /> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Water well once used by persons living at Pinnacle. The government of Jamaica, however, cemented the bottom of the well prohibiting its use. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLWvx7FfU_j9jJsm725CZ5j9cJ7xV3Vj1wfcJFutSTIhZNpb2-QZyD2MNeUdhdbs0ABtN8FTCj1OZuyAzChrcv89265IeGHR8McgR7E-DWChE5TCXhWm8LBEnnSZGDlK-YY09QUAMz5E/s1600/IMG_0946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLWvx7FfU_j9jJsm725CZ5j9cJ7xV3Vj1wfcJFutSTIhZNpb2-QZyD2MNeUdhdbs0ABtN8FTCj1OZuyAzChrcv89265IeGHR8McgR7E-DWChE5TCXhWm8LBEnnSZGDlK-YY09QUAMz5E/s640/IMG_0946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPh0cAdZ4A4CXKSs3mvwMKNiAbNZfcPhgFDeZx4Hs4fJbPs-LrulSBG3yNnspnWtDQdGSdky-kUDD7r-SRQcmM4pu1wHpgZ1Q8m18XSjDAPWcvPl7iRwcJoZlNxgor6A_CsUwPuxo9HY/s1600/IMG_0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPh0cAdZ4A4CXKSs3mvwMKNiAbNZfcPhgFDeZx4Hs4fJbPs-LrulSBG3yNnspnWtDQdGSdky-kUDD7r-SRQcmM4pu1wHpgZ1Q8m18XSjDAPWcvPl7iRwcJoZlNxgor6A_CsUwPuxo9HY/s640/IMG_0939.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Donisha and I listen as Tafari tells us about some of the hardships he and his mom are facing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Peace and Love</i> as always. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-68196547985235216312011-01-20T15:47:00.000-08:002011-01-20T15:47:17.218-08:00In and around Kingston: A trip to Port RoyalOver the weekend, we took a trip to Port Royal, a place I always imagined would be of greater interest to a man just because of its association with old-time pirates and battleships. Then, I thought, "Well, Negasi is a man, right?" Sure enough, he was crazy about the idea. He's on board with anything pirate-related.<br />
<br />
OK, so I will give you a brief (taken from the internet) synopsis of Port Royal before I get to photo sharing.<br />
<i>Port Royal was called "the richest and wickedest city in the world". It was founded in the 1650s by the first British settlers who came to Jamaica. The town grew up around Fort Charles and soon became packed with traders, shopkeepers, innkeepers, soldiers, buccaneers and pirates. There were also a number of craftsmen including carpenters, bricklayers, tailors, goldsmiths and silversmiths. By 1690, there were between 8,000 and 10,000 permanent inhabitants at Port Royal. Some houses were three or four storeys high. Everything was available including bars, taverns, restaurants, coffee houses and brothels. </i><br />
<i> At a few minutes before 12 midday on Tuesday, June 7, 1692, an earthquake struck Port Royal. A huge tidal wave destroyed ships in the harbour and carried one of the ships into the middle of the town. Many of the buildings were destroyed and most of the city disappeared into the sea. Over 2,000 people died and more than 3,000 had serious injuries. Many of the victims were swallowed up by the earth. There is a very exciting story about Lewis Galdy; he was swallowed alive into the earth by one shock and then was thrown into the sea by another shock. He swam until a boat took him up. Galdy lived forty-seven years after his miraculous escape and is buried in the St. Peter’s Anglican churchyard in Port Royal. </i>(Big up yuhself, Jamaica National Heritage Trust Website for this bevy of information.) Pretty interesting, no?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A1KLzpKRTGaZgAIdGg6q_il94whlHe41V4WdnvT2ggTQ-TwBB1pvOClbEn8noKL5TZCRtIexjNdjOD8TQsyzqXNg1J3LvwA5Hj5rKYde3N-R05IfRbeNLK3CJcMGBuL9ylKCca0IThc/s1600/IMG_0894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8A1KLzpKRTGaZgAIdGg6q_il94whlHe41V4WdnvT2ggTQ-TwBB1pvOClbEn8noKL5TZCRtIexjNdjOD8TQsyzqXNg1J3LvwA5Hj5rKYde3N-R05IfRbeNLK3CJcMGBuL9ylKCca0IThc/s400/IMG_0894.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This appears to come a little too naturally to him, don't you think?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs6Rxkh6TedLf2bN3uAOnkszJZFF9e1r56uwR8IAdP-iyk3kQ9vs8KJEjqGBGSnaAgNOSToCDD97C4ZanaPeU1J5wDoHLF0UnuJJvo81iOceqzriJ_74rbH5_LemzGiK2vDxO2JronF4/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBs6Rxkh6TedLf2bN3uAOnkszJZFF9e1r56uwR8IAdP-iyk3kQ9vs8KJEjqGBGSnaAgNOSToCDD97C4ZanaPeU1J5wDoHLF0UnuJJvo81iOceqzriJ_74rbH5_LemzGiK2vDxO2JronF4/s400/IMG_0897.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Negasi as he tells a very detailed story of how 'the pirates' would go into the garden you see behind him and play football.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x7vFVcbWLaQdvU4S_9DkpThfX0jvriQoGH_k68WT_6tdKPg3znJwO6lngHf9kWw56RpTmoP851maQqcARQBqhENyAZXJx2w6iC3_Ta-HWoZtudUXHSElBqxURESe3tGyyx9Ivp8VPTA/s1600/IMG_0899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x7vFVcbWLaQdvU4S_9DkpThfX0jvriQoGH_k68WT_6tdKPg3znJwO6lngHf9kWw56RpTmoP851maQqcARQBqhENyAZXJx2w6iC3_Ta-HWoZtudUXHSElBqxURESe3tGyyx9Ivp8VPTA/s400/IMG_0899.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Fort Charles, canons...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxhDNHsXrv5tPcsi7NuUiOgxMA53Pb8j-QXXkm4yQsI_LNJ1sS1i0_NnkuzJHIS4Ju12Fuy_L1qZo3fKGo1I1FYGlPm8w5giCnTi4zzShgkH8u2kRpC7jhoTPjBWFWDngIOJng__O0tk/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxhDNHsXrv5tPcsi7NuUiOgxMA53Pb8j-QXXkm4yQsI_LNJ1sS1i0_NnkuzJHIS4Ju12Fuy_L1qZo3fKGo1I1FYGlPm8w5giCnTi4zzShgkH8u2kRpC7jhoTPjBWFWDngIOJng__O0tk/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">More canons...</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm_xX-PcUtwVhsvFefjTaTtjQLMa8hgUWYOJBLZIv0b9krqkpwNTkoC8LVIeS4REzfUvPZ7nSUheI7xKpbXwQhfcVGKxFMQ1TJNRcnadakc_QvcSYeOkZUYYZc_s4l3_hoj-_aGtm1Sg/s1600/IMG_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbm_xX-PcUtwVhsvFefjTaTtjQLMa8hgUWYOJBLZIv0b9krqkpwNTkoC8LVIeS4REzfUvPZ7nSUheI7xKpbXwQhfcVGKxFMQ1TJNRcnadakc_QvcSYeOkZUYYZc_s4l3_hoj-_aGtm1Sg/s400/IMG_0902.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">The Giddy House-tilted at a 35 degree angle by a 1907 earthquake. This structure used to serve as an artillery storehouse.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDtfUY4ZyvzC7bySkkW2nIDxVGP4o8yZ4npppD7wgIJaT7eXx4OlpkEoxRJBb7lFjZrcfA9uYi1r7mMF7aHcjDXYV6bFl2cnGkaw4oKp-9h2NpP6jcRX152sd-5-OQBL9VwcbKaUuFuU/s1600/IMG_0906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidDtfUY4ZyvzC7bySkkW2nIDxVGP4o8yZ4npppD7wgIJaT7eXx4OlpkEoxRJBb7lFjZrcfA9uYi1r7mMF7aHcjDXYV6bFl2cnGkaw4oKp-9h2NpP6jcRX152sd-5-OQBL9VwcbKaUuFuU/s400/IMG_0906.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some folks who took the tour with us. They stand upright, yet leaned over in the Giddy House. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AGcFqbGBxBHSRs4P540uYL7oXvpJTWSgygP8Y01o-IaQrybNIPvmsRoUxXNlREtA4MwC5tp3iF1cb_1zikpZU_FYaMl-Qks3flW0J1V5i8xILVaDghYxYmJQJ9u17o3uCTfk4D5MPfM/s1600/IMG_0907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6AGcFqbGBxBHSRs4P540uYL7oXvpJTWSgygP8Y01o-IaQrybNIPvmsRoUxXNlREtA4MwC5tp3iF1cb_1zikpZU_FYaMl-Qks3flW0J1V5i8xILVaDghYxYmJQJ9u17o3uCTfk4D5MPfM/s400/IMG_0907.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Better pic of the slant.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitln7GhjpJpTptMoKUVvYIfWKLELbn1lySVl6nGvhq-Lzg5fSViY4z2keHzOuWI4WVkgHbtYB3gNv7cnUzZ8iyMuOYdAwouooLx6aN6Fcb9wKs_RG7C7BmD3ORWZ4ROMUvjAb50q2xN1A/s1600/IMG_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitln7GhjpJpTptMoKUVvYIfWKLELbn1lySVl6nGvhq-Lzg5fSViY4z2keHzOuWI4WVkgHbtYB3gNv7cnUzZ8iyMuOYdAwouooLx6aN6Fcb9wKs_RG7C7BmD3ORWZ4ROMUvjAb50q2xN1A/s400/IMG_0910.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Lo and behold....an anchor!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-64672257898512836702010-12-18T12:46:00.000-08:002010-12-18T12:49:18.770-08:00Passing Through PortlandSo we visited Portland, a parish of Jamaica voted most beautiful among the handful of native-born Jamaicans I've asked. A few quick facts on Portland:<br />
- It has the lowest crime rate in Jamaica.<br />
- It is the birthplace of Jamaica's famous jerk sauce.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, on the day that we visited Jamaica was experiencing some very odd cold weather. It was also rainy so we were unable to swim in Portland's beautiful beaches. After 2 hours of driving from Kingston to our destination we ate at an ital restaurant...magnifique! We then saw a cool-looking castle-like structure, stopped at the Blue Lagoon, drove over the Rio Grande, watched some surfers do their thing in the rough waters, and sampled some jerk chicken (Mommy had jerk lobster) roasted breadfruit and sweet potato. Despite the rain we had a good time and saw first hand just how beautiful Portland is.<br />
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<tr style="color: black;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEQOzdEl7wmZB7GhjuqzEXvAQMn-uAIciyxvr77kHbs5aypb4pnIEtalBTluOh0-p1GhYFOnUYKt-GGi0fmdlR48G281mYRv4vBUx5GBkpTF4VVpiQ9miuu0AW5u60ivuOkKs_klyNVE/s1600/IMG_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEQOzdEl7wmZB7GhjuqzEXvAQMn-uAIciyxvr77kHbs5aypb4pnIEtalBTluOh0-p1GhYFOnUYKt-GGi0fmdlR48G281mYRv4vBUx5GBkpTF4VVpiQ9miuu0AW5u60ivuOkKs_klyNVE/s400/IMG_0774.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You can see from this pic just how cold it was in JA this day. Negasi is wearing long pants and a hoodie. Ignore my footwear.</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="color: black;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zEAV2QvsxZ8E-8Cox3qpjgYLlegFPbtOaVwBI9SdGr98mO7D0ZwyzZORQK8v9yRE7oAYrt79BCeaMm0_zn-8E_C-evSoNyloCFk9p_9GkGemefbpQ8tz2zWlhOg-JtDdyuxD-c6ZXTw/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zEAV2QvsxZ8E-8Cox3qpjgYLlegFPbtOaVwBI9SdGr98mO7D0ZwyzZORQK8v9yRE7oAYrt79BCeaMm0_zn-8E_C-evSoNyloCFk9p_9GkGemefbpQ8tz2zWlhOg-JtDdyuxD-c6ZXTw/s400/IMG_0770.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the bridge we took to cross the Rio Grande and the Rio Grande below, of course.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiQBXnq5LFiAEGQm-5D3Pz1QYNLy_61jyd3FtEAgUpKai9YXPSHgaWKqEqEWmbM75kZfhRNn89WUinRj7-GLvHlZJ_a0OJhLAyFu-p7OHOMge_QdC4cZOpypKlBrCKi56ZAsaveaCieE/s1600/IMG_0776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiQBXnq5LFiAEGQm-5D3Pz1QYNLy_61jyd3FtEAgUpKai9YXPSHgaWKqEqEWmbM75kZfhRNn89WUinRj7-GLvHlZJ_a0OJhLAyFu-p7OHOMge_QdC4cZOpypKlBrCKi56ZAsaveaCieE/s400/IMG_0776.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An old (let's think haunted, possibly) castle. Whoo,whooo (my ghost voice)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqqlQQ8JW9hUw2iRt3Ulpj8Cnpqt_jyd9EVWbLrdcrWaBn1aqlbpsGtrvZGvGFgU-iydZsHfdVO_g6I2iRl0NZh6Je-jCe8xJSTHgZhj8NzBfLdLhaDD7OoLgvOQVUF2xxBVIkhJ2Fzo/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqqlQQ8JW9hUw2iRt3Ulpj8Cnpqt_jyd9EVWbLrdcrWaBn1aqlbpsGtrvZGvGFgU-iydZsHfdVO_g6I2iRl0NZh6Je-jCe8xJSTHgZhj8NzBfLdLhaDD7OoLgvOQVUF2xxBVIkhJ2Fzo/s400/IMG_0780.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Snapshot of the Blue Lagoon. Look at that blue!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZmCjLQVBi4DDiUYPefx15dAJVb-afZ0aRv2JsPUPIf0E1fPftAmHTGjfxei53sf-8LBzTeReWV9K-rlKRP0kTTlKuNx8HxhMKzZfZyhFgfu8eRHkD5ME2vYt1oSKBAUp_ajSz6Z9FGs/s1600/IMG_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdZmCjLQVBi4DDiUYPefx15dAJVb-afZ0aRv2JsPUPIf0E1fPftAmHTGjfxei53sf-8LBzTeReWV9K-rlKRP0kTTlKuNx8HxhMKzZfZyhFgfu8eRHkD5ME2vYt1oSKBAUp_ajSz6Z9FGs/s400/IMG_0783.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Us at the Blue Lagoon.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzu8GlUe1fIWahyzMxaxODNuRd_MXhP9YJbNVCXJRqclO3i95h0bENkp7HoR7UA5kXPpx30rhiSfF2nOqP9Y-U4hQZViZxeHDUnbrWuenyoPQwu9Tgpvbdeg-Ut1KI7dqO_LTy-9u-YY/s1600/IMG_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzu8GlUe1fIWahyzMxaxODNuRd_MXhP9YJbNVCXJRqclO3i95h0bENkp7HoR7UA5kXPpx30rhiSfF2nOqP9Y-U4hQZViZxeHDUnbrWuenyoPQwu9Tgpvbdeg-Ut1KI7dqO_LTy-9u-YY/s400/IMG_0788.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">These are fishnets. I just thought the concept was so innovative. What do you think?</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> Well, that concludes this post, folks. I just wanted to give all interested a look at what we're up to on a semi-regular basis. Thanks for following!<br />
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Peace and Love.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-22300744630655810352010-12-17T11:36:00.000-08:002010-12-17T11:36:35.708-08:00Negasi's take on JamRockChildren adapt so easily and are oh so resilient. I admir-envy them (yes, that's a word I made up.) Negasi is no exception to this truth. I remember in October when we saw his Dad off at the airport after he had spent several weeks here with us in Jamaica. When he actually left our sight to board the plane Negasi cried and cried all the way to the car and then cried some more for much of the ride back home. But, please believe me when I tell you that the next morning he was able to explain to me that "Daddy is not here right now. He went on the airplane." Amazing.<br />
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Well, needless to say, Negasi (despite a few colds and subsequent hospital visits) has certainly been enjoying his experience here. He went from feigning sickness and exhaustion just so that he wouldn't have to go to school to absolutely looking forward to each school day. All of the staff at Negasi's school are women, and he addresses them as, 'Aunty' so he comes home with lots of stories about his various aunties. This week the school had their annual Christmas party. Here are some pics:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4fSysQM5n2zDmFpPNPLanODmIhYM095C574RF3iX1hXlNgoe2Ybnl5YzdEL5oXDO2aBK5Wt1f8ooySM631-SJi00wLSW2lHEWJJzGlNc2WbMUrgTxgDx5_qjNZoQypUhtLi_CA5SjZw/s1600/IMG_0796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4fSysQM5n2zDmFpPNPLanODmIhYM095C574RF3iX1hXlNgoe2Ybnl5YzdEL5oXDO2aBK5Wt1f8ooySM631-SJi00wLSW2lHEWJJzGlNc2WbMUrgTxgDx5_qjNZoQypUhtLi_CA5SjZw/s400/IMG_0796.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Negasi in his purple school uniform shorts.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ycBbo4V_Iv3IZLEk9urx69yUmPQ06Qg3vD1oKEyXe1h2iSss6RSGygmJFZ_UDrTSnbCAU7GWIKaNwCNZJE5-VxVvvUGnBOZv2hauuR6fwl2mR8EKWpty3Z7Gu4_rvKblLfI9ElcZkfM/s1600/IMG_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ycBbo4V_Iv3IZLEk9urx69yUmPQ06Qg3vD1oKEyXe1h2iSss6RSGygmJFZ_UDrTSnbCAU7GWIKaNwCNZJE5-VxVvvUGnBOZv2hauuR6fwl2mR8EKWpty3Z7Gu4_rvKblLfI9ElcZkfM/s400/IMG_0797.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Negasi and his schoolmates.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIWOCeI0msbT7oxJB4Jlx1VZ7pwZg-mVoWm781P99FSE6-DBPGKR-4YaCtSiOCYZOfMqkKl1t2y4D92C41gS0mrVwQis0Ki_B-7jhJr92N55xGmzl4bEVap62Xz4gXMCrVwGYbqadgBA/s1600/IMG_0798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVIWOCeI0msbT7oxJB4Jlx1VZ7pwZg-mVoWm781P99FSE6-DBPGKR-4YaCtSiOCYZOfMqkKl1t2y4D92C41gS0mrVwQis0Ki_B-7jhJr92N55xGmzl4bEVap62Xz4gXMCrVwGYbqadgBA/s400/IMG_0798.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Negasi on the monkey bars.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Negasi on top of a playhouse.</span></span></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Negasi basically finds the fun in every situation. For example, he's made a game of climbing our front grill. See below.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQgWf6ItGG5mrwk7IaVG69f6RSXCnf7ib0wo5mAAqiQk-GCP2phuCce8N7Ycj0ggvUyCQVx6oXdGBbU8Y4iFwsgrTIhllWk9rdJ5K4rBY5Qaz8PWyADCKdlxiZTgk6d4L0n6the1RUk4/s1600/IMG_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQgWf6ItGG5mrwk7IaVG69f6RSXCnf7ib0wo5mAAqiQk-GCP2phuCce8N7Ycj0ggvUyCQVx6oXdGBbU8Y4iFwsgrTIhllWk9rdJ5K4rBY5Qaz8PWyADCKdlxiZTgk6d4L0n6the1RUk4/s320/IMG_0665.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
More of a look into Negasi's Jamaican life...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioctf6xmHbNNUbZxjUDvxYvODUrznDIw9YNqga_3sNz6CQLk7dwObyXLJ_2vZK8_TLTENug8J1y_GaAH47cwwx7MYJsQuSDhvhMW7C_LGx0PP8Hsu-CFDa6yq4OAbwnMz724ZP3uJWFAE/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioctf6xmHbNNUbZxjUDvxYvODUrznDIw9YNqga_3sNz6CQLk7dwObyXLJ_2vZK8_TLTENug8J1y_GaAH47cwwx7MYJsQuSDhvhMW7C_LGx0PP8Hsu-CFDa6yq4OAbwnMz724ZP3uJWFAE/s320/IMG_0263.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">On our way from school</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uJVoi2zfAehqnFrzXCmIB0sIgMhwuPelyGtKWg-M6YmIP8p0hCKEKCBh3BSm2yQY-LfbXX45F38jBlnxUZHQpbneybJ390M2SOAZ8QEQ435EyFlOECshlmgA3j4dp0AH_LHZGn8Kx88/s1600/IMG_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uJVoi2zfAehqnFrzXCmIB0sIgMhwuPelyGtKWg-M6YmIP8p0hCKEKCBh3BSm2yQY-LfbXX45F38jBlnxUZHQpbneybJ390M2SOAZ8QEQ435EyFlOECshlmgA3j4dp0AH_LHZGn8Kx88/s320/IMG_0397.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Playing on the swings in the back</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3qTCzAHWvYoZe6OqKIwES9w7-ePaFGB2-4KGc_DNhKwbuBPebfffN6VoiAW1YEO5zPevS54N-hlR8RElrtTv9jPyEIRLzkV7QFpiXeso9wdJVv6UkQjcpUhq8jLDxT32WLxkmG0V74w/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3qTCzAHWvYoZe6OqKIwES9w7-ePaFGB2-4KGc_DNhKwbuBPebfffN6VoiAW1YEO5zPevS54N-hlR8RElrtTv9jPyEIRLzkV7QFpiXeso9wdJVv6UkQjcpUhq8jLDxT32WLxkmG0V74w/s320/IMG_0666.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Telling his cat to get ready for the picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_8yrekzBZ5nOAfKenB34E7qNLT1I7nTvcblwCbvNAZK-RlpNExcC09oSuEunRC8IxaeOTftavItN7z8A4rtlVu4cmcSTxZUELqzKlKXOFDxAUh9IFTj_u2-fzJdCwZVSKdmna8nDaoU/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_8yrekzBZ5nOAfKenB34E7qNLT1I7nTvcblwCbvNAZK-RlpNExcC09oSuEunRC8IxaeOTftavItN7z8A4rtlVu4cmcSTxZUELqzKlKXOFDxAUh9IFTj_u2-fzJdCwZVSKdmna8nDaoU/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">Negasi wearing his funny glasses.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4HcoxIu3-PN0WjsMynKFTD7ik-oBZrRoZXi2feDJWDuuQuSq8MgoYAfRmiKH6f1KQBxPnGKobe660xO22yBhL9M4w8Q4BA0MMz52ZCsekA1S6gZzD1QtKVOLNAUMThllRFygK48htj0/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4HcoxIu3-PN0WjsMynKFTD7ik-oBZrRoZXi2feDJWDuuQuSq8MgoYAfRmiKH6f1KQBxPnGKobe660xO22yBhL9M4w8Q4BA0MMz52ZCsekA1S6gZzD1QtKVOLNAUMThllRFygK48htj0/s320/IMG_0675.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">At a Christmas fair.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtEDSmSPeMNhpHfyNdZ6P7V_cYrLATWPqTImpl2XktMg4AJRSej4qmzpcA_srEhTjpx5QdOM7SqfeoQ5L7Aurr99uDc1Fty_o3h3zhlWpb0otc2iKhWsT-Mrkt4oHlpZFSWeW-x14kq4/s1600/IMG_0627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtEDSmSPeMNhpHfyNdZ6P7V_cYrLATWPqTImpl2XktMg4AJRSej4qmzpcA_srEhTjpx5QdOM7SqfeoQ5L7Aurr99uDc1Fty_o3h3zhlWpb0otc2iKhWsT-Mrkt4oHlpZFSWeW-x14kq4/s320/IMG_0627.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">At a bus stop after school. Peep the shoes.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YfjChC5fySH0vlMbnje96Rg6J7iqwFEVSfoNtLewjvoy6VZRHa5mYyGRZwu1Pd2iiFI-Q7aCFbwn7a3f_5ZyYmCdBmgutW_cs2yJyeYDKUGTG2WwhEC3d6W01_XN1jny6dgy7q5KM60/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YfjChC5fySH0vlMbnje96Rg6J7iqwFEVSfoNtLewjvoy6VZRHa5mYyGRZwu1Pd2iiFI-Q7aCFbwn7a3f_5ZyYmCdBmgutW_cs2yJyeYDKUGTG2WwhEC3d6W01_XN1jny6dgy7q5KM60/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Negasi watching his prized portable DVD player</span><span style="color: black;">.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rXhYHvJTLRSgIGr0dlxl2-f9soQ9ELdYaclK7tphuL-e1OBmhnb3kFXPtbRMaQ5Ba-UBI_g-5V7guqKnBE_wN-EinvBJO6C4ngYxgTsuL57AEXUXeBZL93S8n605don9B3MQI13OM6A/s1600/IMG_0421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rXhYHvJTLRSgIGr0dlxl2-f9soQ9ELdYaclK7tphuL-e1OBmhnb3kFXPtbRMaQ5Ba-UBI_g-5V7guqKnBE_wN-EinvBJO6C4ngYxgTsuL57AEXUXeBZL93S8n605don9B3MQI13OM6A/s320/IMG_0421.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Negasi with the ball he uses to practice his soccer skills</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-52016098587451010832010-12-12T13:03:00.000-08:002010-12-12T13:12:01.457-08:00It's GROWN on me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>**The following is all taking place in my mind:<br />
<b><i>TVJ Commentator</i>:</b> Mizz JohnBuptiste, Top 5 things you've GROWN to love about Kingston, Jamaica. GO!!<br />
<b><i>Me</i></b>: (I immediately break out into a sweat because 1. I realize that I'm going to be on Jamaican TV and 2. that already seems like way too long a list. Eeeek! But, like the trooper I am I collect myself.)<br />
OK. These are the top 5 things I've grown to love about Kingston:<br />
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<b>1. Icy cold 'bag juices' that can be purchased from just about every vendor with something edible on either their stationery or mobile stall</b>. For those of you not familiar with what a bag juice is, it is just that- a bag of juice. I purchase these on days when I am particularly hot because Negasi believes that 'girls must carry boys because boys get too hot under the sun.' Don't ask me where he's gotten this from- I'm working with him on improving. When its 1-2 p.m. and you're standing in a crowded bus park in either downtown Kingston or Half Way Tree, you get a bag juice (I prefer the guava flavored one) and a bag of St. Mary's banana chips to go with it. Not only does this cool me down, but it also holds me over until my next meal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPFVqU2ye7sdFLFk1k6yBBsHI0EKJMyzgqVXKdLnc84nr8gkl98pT3M4-pGw3p08rc7TTn5GMjuoXmIn57DQyiQ5YAffYnce7xcO7LYxx8osSWa4fs9DD0kbHA04fgDm1L_KvBmFKKw8/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPFVqU2ye7sdFLFk1k6yBBsHI0EKJMyzgqVXKdLnc84nr8gkl98pT3M4-pGw3p08rc7TTn5GMjuoXmIn57DQyiQ5YAffYnce7xcO7LYxx8osSWa4fs9DD0kbHA04fgDm1L_KvBmFKKw8/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The young man pictured here is sucking away on a bag juice. </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</tbody></table><b>2. Political and Social Consciousness among the common folk of Jamaica.</b><br />
If there's one thing to which Kingston is a testament it is that poverty and adversity do not have to prohibit one from seeking and obtaining knowledge. Some of the most intellectual and thought provoking conversations I've had have been with individuals of the lowest socio-economic class, many of whom do not hold a university degree much less have been privileged enough to have received an uninterrupted formal education.<br />
In a previous post I spoke of the deeply embedded color consciousness that pervades Jamaican society. However, I failed to mention the strong traces of Black pride among a considerable portion of the society. No, I have not surveyed the entire country but when you walk down the street and are hailed as 'Empress' (a term of respect most commonly used by Rastas to address a woman; the term originates from the Rastafarian belief in the divinity of Emperor Haile Selassie I and Empress Menen.) it becomes hard to deny the apparent respect held for this country's African roots.<br />
Lastly, I guarantee you that it is possible to walk up to any Jamaican on the street-man, woman, young or old- and ask them about their opinion on Jamaica's political state. The facts will be there along with justly formulated opinions. For instance, while in downtown Kingston one afternoon, I asked a young man who looked to be around my age about the huge construction job that had the label 'Digicel' printed all over the fence that enclosed the site. His reply was very insightful. He explained that Digicel, Jamaica's leading cellular service provider, was building its main headquarters there in downtown Kingston. It was just part of the government's scheme to turn poverty and crime stricken downtown Kingston back into a corporate center. He went on to explain that this is largely why Dudus had to be 'removed.' Had Dudus been around, he went on, he would've had a major hand (financially) in this scheme, as he was the area's 'don.' Also, he added, the entire scheme was the government's way of performing ethnic cleansing on downtown Kingston.<br />
<b>3. Random Art.</b><br />
Kingston is good for its random displays of artwork. The city's poorest, richest, and in-between areas are adorned with murals with vibrant colors, social and political messages, and sometimes pretty intricate design.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2pc60miBeO3HNifFYskFaQIjbvXy2s8ytprtvv3uGjFkUYTM9IjN36iyelzoOiRgHpfqQhPjcqDJLuTsU6aaPZo9EeVOeX5Wmu9cT0PMw6uQoEHC9J351-6EKMm05_hT-EXuQpnLQA/s1600/Murales-8-250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-p2pc60miBeO3HNifFYskFaQIjbvXy2s8ytprtvv3uGjFkUYTM9IjN36iyelzoOiRgHpfqQhPjcqDJLuTsU6aaPZo9EeVOeX5Wmu9cT0PMw6uQoEHC9J351-6EKMm05_hT-EXuQpnLQA/s320/Murales-8-250.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An example of a street mural in Kingston. Pictured in these two are Bob Marley and Jamaica's national heroes.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSwlLgTIB5Q1MKrWBofOnWkgcPy2KvGMk80ai_W03eDPFo1z0dfANPuZc2rW3RMP44fGCd6Qr9Iz9L__4dOtsokRBfSzx5umr-ztqsEQb2yNJi4F3luje4dKAQUppC2qdrQjcv50xaiI/s1600/IMG_0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSwlLgTIB5Q1MKrWBofOnWkgcPy2KvGMk80ai_W03eDPFo1z0dfANPuZc2rW3RMP44fGCd6Qr9Iz9L__4dOtsokRBfSzx5umr-ztqsEQb2yNJi4F3luje4dKAQUppC2qdrQjcv50xaiI/s400/IMG_0264.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">This carving rests on a tree outside of Negasi's school. I've admired it for months and finally took a picture to share.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><b>4. That there are chill-out spots within Kingston. In other words, Kingston does offer some aspects of country.</b><br />
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<tr style="color: black;"><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqQMEksZynCd_GTgeOfMt_OfsBypPml9IFlTR9COyMjC4A1vCcEK2s5Orp2JUCFhzdBg1FwxTpTPj2vJihbm-p2A9B28HYQ9UXuKNTFRX7sxlopjcDdna6PTgdM__xOzHb-frNxoJLfc/s1600/IMG_0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqQMEksZynCd_GTgeOfMt_OfsBypPml9IFlTR9COyMjC4A1vCcEK2s5Orp2JUCFhzdBg1FwxTpTPj2vJihbm-p2A9B28HYQ9UXuKNTFRX7sxlopjcDdna6PTgdM__xOzHb-frNxoJLfc/s320/IMG_0283.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entryway to Hope Gardens, which I've mentioned in an earlier post. Dope, no?</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Some weeks after moving here, my faculty supervisor took me out to lunch to a spot a few minutes off campus. The place is in Gordon Town and is referred to as 'Look Out Point' because of the view. Upon entering this small community he pointed out two things. The first was where one could get the best herb (gotta love UWI) and the second was where one could get some hearty and delicious ital food. I think I fell in love with the restaurant even before I took my first bite from a plate of ackee, rice and peas, boiled whole wheat dumpling and yam. I fell in love with its ambiance. This restaurant is pretty much situated off of a cliff and gives you a great view of mainly lush foliage and what I believe is the community of Hope Valley. In addition to all this, Shanty Man, the Rasta who owns and operates the restaurant is always in the best mood.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZm236aikq5KE3jgCwIgOFKFQJZRQF1nDkhdxx7IAveZ4w2VW6mZXLRV253nSeRVALyjI3US_yEaWHGCGrwD4rgr3mvPPVq3_Z268dGxoO6nQX6aAgGdNiTTRGANiw1mq8KAOIKxogiY/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZm236aikq5KE3jgCwIgOFKFQJZRQF1nDkhdxx7IAveZ4w2VW6mZXLRV253nSeRVALyjI3US_yEaWHGCGrwD4rgr3mvPPVq3_Z268dGxoO6nQX6aAgGdNiTTRGANiw1mq8KAOIKxogiY/s400/IMG_0623.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><b>5. Public transportation system.</b><br />
When I first moved to Jamaica my biggest issue <i>was</i> transportation. The situation has drastically improved, however. Although it's still of utmost importance to be ever so cautious and alert when using public transportation here (and in NY. haha) I am ever so grateful for having several bus routes that stop just outside or minutes away from my place! Shout out to everyone who I ride the number 78 bus with each morning to drop Negasi off at school. This line runs from downtown Kingston to August Town. Another lovely thing about riding the bus here is...well...the music selection. I got on the 78 one morning and as soon as I took my seat Maxwell's 'Fistful of Tears' started to play. Needless to say I almost touched the sky.<br />
One downside to public transportation here- the drivers drive like madmen!! But, hey, I'm never late...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawkkPgKSHjBYHp9dGMjoGBw8BMDiG6okGHa-GT0OpNOekMYbuhT-TmO-JOcvKTPLqrX2RyQxZ6uwG57bgJObE3inlDxyOU2wSmg6cS_wtiZgKR46zjOIKpdCxm9O9KSy6pqCK-AWqpHo/s1600/IMG_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawkkPgKSHjBYHp9dGMjoGBw8BMDiG6okGHa-GT0OpNOekMYbuhT-TmO-JOcvKTPLqrX2RyQxZ6uwG57bgJObE3inlDxyOU2wSmg6cS_wtiZgKR46zjOIKpdCxm9O9KSy6pqCK-AWqpHo/s320/IMG_0668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of Jamaica's better (this means air-conditioned) buses.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Until next time, people. Peace and Love.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-83414904941835106772010-12-04T10:40:00.000-08:002011-02-23T11:05:59.418-08:00Always good vibes at the Bob Marley MuseumFor a person like myself who doesn't<i> love </i>the club scene ( I never have...it's nothing against Jamaica) I've found the perfect alternative for a Friday night in Kingston with no plans. Where, you ask? The Bob Marley Museum. Yes, it does sound a little weird to spend your Friday night at a museum, but trust that it's not strange at all. Since I've been here I've been to several really great events/functions at the Museum. Usually there's live music and 9 times out of 10 it's an event fulldorsed by the Rasta community so I never cease to meet good people, many of whom are able to assist in my research here.<br />
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Last night at the Museum a concert to commemorate Emperor Haile Selassie I's and Empress Menen's coronation was held. All proceeds were to be given to the Haile Selassie High School in Kingston. I'm not even sure who was slated to perform. However, I was definitely happy I went as Sizzla made a seemingly unexpected performance. Aside from the massive egos clearly onstage as he- and his entourage- performed he gave a really good, high-energy performance. In a Jamaican's words he 'mashed up di place.'<br />
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Now, for a few photos I took at the event...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw5H2NSq1CAOgnI4GXlQyDQyEiFp3aYJuqOeOgWj5NsETZCCSB-4UbXSfFgASSDYEGorKXMWH4c0kUJjRMKD4aaBG2E2NE0qzzDNN5z65DddxiwK3jLGGFpug3J-6_q7r0ah2VYJnky8/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw5H2NSq1CAOgnI4GXlQyDQyEiFp3aYJuqOeOgWj5NsETZCCSB-4UbXSfFgASSDYEGorKXMWH4c0kUJjRMKD4aaBG2E2NE0qzzDNN5z65DddxiwK3jLGGFpug3J-6_q7r0ah2VYJnky8/s640/IMG_0655.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sizzla</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-6IA1UD-mxT47PVKoqHdKZ-hSCrQ6Vt_nsUhMl91zOv9GOkTO-Ry4F7IhoeURrNvr2zQtYHieZar7yGGRqy1fGsTJNvkArWW9UFeAQdo8qLnhgMJTusdZ0uTgDsExOO5_3aRgt28yBw/s1600/IMG_0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-6IA1UD-mxT47PVKoqHdKZ-hSCrQ6Vt_nsUhMl91zOv9GOkTO-Ry4F7IhoeURrNvr2zQtYHieZar7yGGRqy1fGsTJNvkArWW9UFeAQdo8qLnhgMJTusdZ0uTgDsExOO5_3aRgt28yBw/s400/IMG_0642.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Reggae artist, Protoje and I</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-252237202935120542010-11-24T10:47:00.000-08:002010-11-24T10:47:15.257-08:00Oh, how quickly we forget...I was thinking about my blog recently and it dawned on me that I might not be painting the fullest picture of Jamaica as I've come to know it with my not-so-consistent posts. I might have only hinted at this in 1 or 2 previous posts, but I must reiterate the following: Jamaica IS a developing nation. It's a tough place to live. It is not for the thin-skinned nor the weak-minded.<br />
Why have I felt the need to remind my readers of this (yes, all 13 of you), you ask? I've come to realize that I'm much more likely to post something on my blog after a pleasant experience I've had here in Jamaica than I am after a not-so-pleasant experience here. And, whaduya know? I haven't posted consistently since August, folks. Life here ain't easy. Let me give you a few examples of this and why I constantly find myself annoyed with a whole host of things here, namely the class system that plays a huge role in pretty much every aspect of Jamaican life.<br />
1. Before I even moved to Jamaica I was able to meet my first landlord in Queens, New York while she was visiting family. At the end of our first meeting she asked me if I was a Rastafarian. WTF!! Who does that anymore?? This is something at which I cannot even get mad. Shame on me for not being able to foresee the difficulty I'd have with this landlord during my tenancy and long after I vacated her tiny, overpriced flat in a mock Suburb of Kingston just from that one question alone. <br />
Please believe that there are tons of classified ads in Jamaica's newspapers in which renters request 'decent Christian individuals.' Wheredeydodatat, you ask? Jamaica, baby.<br />
2. Jamaica is having extreme difficulty making up her mind on her stance on Rastafari. In Jamaican homes, schools, and businesses the general consensus is, 'Bob Marley all day, every day.' However, you will find that members of the Rastafari community are generally considered to be of the lower class here. Color consciousness- excuse me- obsession with skin color continues to pervade Jamaican society. Meeting a Eurocentric standard of beauty is key, also. I've noticed, and my Jamaican-born schoolmates agree that retail store employers are more likely to hire applicants who are 'pretty' or 'light.' The opposite exists where domestic workers, sometimes called helpers or maids, are concerned. One noticeable commonality among domestic workers in Jamaica (it is very common for the average middle-class family to hire a domestic helper to do house chores throughout the week) is that they are usually middle-aged, darker complected women. Notice a trend?<br />
3. This place in no way caters to the handicapped or disabled. OK, I'm whining now, but this has irked me for a while. I often see persons in wheelchairs, walkers, or the things you place your arms into to help you walk upright because there is a physical rehabilitation center located just off of the University of the West Indies Campus, and man!...these people barely have sidewalks to walk on. The last thing I'll say on this matter is that the U.W.I. campus has few ramps for persons with disabilities.<br />
<br />
That concludes my overdue rant. I leave you with descriptive photos:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_c3iqaluaZZu8aP9k8_CkLGaIld_2ToBL4S3FEkPn94vJDDfbNiMCWzSXHiFNoWoxU5Gk6LpGxBAGn8Les5dEnRXC_DxJUar1MZWlnScUNabBofznTXrkwYnx0TuTGv6pGdZ-Q00mP8/s1600/IMG_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_c3iqaluaZZu8aP9k8_CkLGaIld_2ToBL4S3FEkPn94vJDDfbNiMCWzSXHiFNoWoxU5Gk6LpGxBAGn8Les5dEnRXC_DxJUar1MZWlnScUNabBofznTXrkwYnx0TuTGv6pGdZ-Q00mP8/s400/IMG_0521.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My expression after the people at Courts told me I wasn't eligible for a price plan on a washer because I wasn't a Jamaican.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsseF1lcJXYXth2Tmqn5K6v9Y02lUN4RXTZx58orRkc8av3KqxTcVLzwAE1PBitoZsFuROjAK64EApJY8ezqjybDcvoCtg3seZhvm4N-EGa6aIMpPodEM81ZAmPPDHruHBQMutZrRpOc/s1600/IMG_0394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsseF1lcJXYXth2Tmqn5K6v9Y02lUN4RXTZx58orRkc8av3KqxTcVLzwAE1PBitoZsFuROjAK64EApJY8ezqjybDcvoCtg3seZhvm4N-EGa6aIMpPodEM81ZAmPPDHruHBQMutZrRpOc/s640/IMG_0394.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Negasi disappointed at the fact that the public park gates were locked at 3 p.m on a Friday afternoon.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-28551353359615736892010-11-07T20:25:00.000-08:002010-11-07T20:53:57.891-08:00Hope in Kingston: Our Trip to Kingston's Botanical Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: left;">Now that the threat of Tropical Storm Thomas is behind us, Mommy, Gasi, and I decided to venture out of our safe home well-stocked with all types of hurricane preparedness things- you know, water, water, bottled tap water, more water, canned food, candles, matches, etc.- and take a trip to....WENDY'S!!! Yay!! I had ( I won't speak for Mommy or Negasi) a serious fast food itch. I know how pathetic that sounds, but it's the truth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #6aa84f; text-align: left;">Anyway, that's not what this blog post is about. It's about what we did after we stuffed our faces at Wendy's, which was take a stroll through one of Jamaica's Botanical Gardens, Hope Gardens. I think I can speak for all three of us when I say we were amazed at the ability to simply walk through a tall gate (the entrance to Hope Gardens) and take ourselves away from the madness and haste that is Kingston. The whole time there all I could think was, 'Dudus WHO? Political strife WHAT? Murder capitol WHERE?' Hope Gardens is FREE to the public- this is a first for me in JA so I was appreciative of this alone. The Gardens are so expansive that we did not and could not possibly have walked the entire grounds in one afternoon. Natural beauty abounds the Gardens. Think beautiful, ancient trees with roots whose strength you just don't see in NYC (I can't talk for the South or the rest of the US.) OK, OK, so this is one of those things you must see. Enough with the descriptions!! For your viewing pleasure:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApvxPzS5PlVvP0DYHcXesA_ARcw33deevT-HytYhWyGdGnhyHT-6AyaoGnISqO6k0IzmRvmpgjhXc5zQAlRPJj_o6Y7_s44YZfIhQYhVbepgo2eXgGmpVNrAYgDazxx1oIaUTa2BPCYQ/s1600/IMG_0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApvxPzS5PlVvP0DYHcXesA_ARcw33deevT-HytYhWyGdGnhyHT-6AyaoGnISqO6k0IzmRvmpgjhXc5zQAlRPJj_o6Y7_s44YZfIhQYhVbepgo2eXgGmpVNrAYgDazxx1oIaUTa2BPCYQ/s400/IMG_0382.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Curly weave?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There he goes.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I come.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mommy and Negasi.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fishies!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL8vw40yTb42K5gPigBkXAN1Cdret1vR7RXVHokGcVaChsJiG4_ZeAMphjwOLo2_Z9LziwcNHIqq-q_jQkodH8aVXJ_k8nOfXDGcylAnGWGDTWiNkPMWSBmrVGKdRUkIL3IjKk4LDYj4/s1600/IMG_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL8vw40yTb42K5gPigBkXAN1Cdret1vR7RXVHokGcVaChsJiG4_ZeAMphjwOLo2_Z9LziwcNHIqq-q_jQkodH8aVXJ_k8nOfXDGcylAnGWGDTWiNkPMWSBmrVGKdRUkIL3IjKk4LDYj4/s640/IMG_0336.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Excited about nature...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gfrWaC6ClB_BbXyB8KeCz23dTWbueRYNENs-DliVN3-kF0OS0A4oRz6q-URRlDE7JUxnw2X-4bU5vcDRfHD1jP471QfiTx6DVJHCmZT1eycuNX7zT6ROyYy46SfGh-ZBVtnpKIaGvbQ/s1600/IMG_0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gfrWaC6ClB_BbXyB8KeCz23dTWbueRYNENs-DliVN3-kF0OS0A4oRz6q-URRlDE7JUxnw2X-4bU5vcDRfHD1jP471QfiTx6DVJHCmZT1eycuNX7zT6ROyYy46SfGh-ZBVtnpKIaGvbQ/s400/IMG_0337.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let's call this the 'Tree of Life'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCGrUvREoSBwL2YriE5x4hgqtM5OHucv0gHpqUeTRnG0Rdljyf0To0vXKnwQ5wlQ_etAJU3hglv0JHtja8CnucEEqfpb-_YVein9w9AVhj8s8hYlUJx_RwTgh0R5LNfjoJ3fzYH4MqX8/s1600/IMG_0338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCGrUvREoSBwL2YriE5x4hgqtM5OHucv0gHpqUeTRnG0Rdljyf0To0vXKnwQ5wlQ_etAJU3hglv0JHtja8CnucEEqfpb-_YVein9w9AVhj8s8hYlUJx_RwTgh0R5LNfjoJ3fzYH4MqX8/s400/IMG_0338.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Does this remind anyone else of Coming to America's Zamunda??</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQB8vaCn2AvY-7WuKkiN6GShWLXMMqMxUU-q6tMMGFBDIn59sEIXvxwYCcyJucOT99-fmgX94W6XNYKIqvXQmQCpt06w7Yw2hm0h3ygBUZSnGNkZVi1Q7sEx0HwGHHWWl8UKgIC6AysU/s1600/IMG_0342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQB8vaCn2AvY-7WuKkiN6GShWLXMMqMxUU-q6tMMGFBDIn59sEIXvxwYCcyJucOT99-fmgX94W6XNYKIqvXQmQCpt06w7Yw2hm0h3ygBUZSnGNkZVi1Q7sEx0HwGHHWWl8UKgIC6AysU/s400/IMG_0342.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">These trees make me laugh for some reason..</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS0Y31ktg7_412YP9ud91bjK_EOEyMbQeeJc4jfiAq8GQOvDOdqSgRE8gjFcltg11EzvKIdGuETt5gs0xlcXt1SVl9XAnZ0IJGW6UQgBCTICRTFKJyey-DMU7_U3g48oLN0MTQ8pn6rE/s1600/IMG_0344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMS0Y31ktg7_412YP9ud91bjK_EOEyMbQeeJc4jfiAq8GQOvDOdqSgRE8gjFcltg11EzvKIdGuETt5gs0xlcXt1SVl9XAnZ0IJGW6UQgBCTICRTFKJyey-DMU7_U3g48oLN0MTQ8pn6rE/s640/IMG_0344.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone should hug a tree once in their lifetime.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzWC5XM54BiesjgnkXjnlUR8UvRV_ysi1z1oonCdDQeCCUYYiq5GZbALOGjbt4-82zBwwKzNE1WcmDaVjia7zTPizg0u-O0Y5B7Mb6Scpc6mcAyHh0HcH0i1WQsOVAbpsaawmKcukIXw/s1600/IMG_0345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzWC5XM54BiesjgnkXjnlUR8UvRV_ysi1z1oonCdDQeCCUYYiq5GZbALOGjbt4-82zBwwKzNE1WcmDaVjia7zTPizg0u-O0Y5B7Mb6Scpc6mcAyHh0HcH0i1WQsOVAbpsaawmKcukIXw/s640/IMG_0345.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB9C2b-BHDjjg0ztZuqu5ISHxFZ90EchsTyMxVTmKqItaEAUeNxl6oS9TLCGZo86qC-zlRzO8HJr12N6O0HCWMo6awBA8umQ9dq4wEy43zM8M6rcfOAxD_mllTaJQqVE9yWlsepPFG0s/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEB9C2b-BHDjjg0ztZuqu5ISHxFZ90EchsTyMxVTmKqItaEAUeNxl6oS9TLCGZo86qC-zlRzO8HJr12N6O0HCWMo6awBA8umQ9dq4wEy43zM8M6rcfOAxD_mllTaJQqVE9yWlsepPFG0s/s400/IMG_0346.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Charlie Brown joined us for the day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi540__iFi2oxAihNpexjoFBFne4aW3MoDaDZZWCNDTyipCoIKoJXe7j2lkayS3R2Tx2t-wx7vwDfDyqMFEYrEGB6AK3sCQsUE5rHbjAygmT2IgQWmyo1HWJVPrUSv_WsGh8reAbKryB3s/s1600/IMG_0348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi540__iFi2oxAihNpexjoFBFne4aW3MoDaDZZWCNDTyipCoIKoJXe7j2lkayS3R2Tx2t-wx7vwDfDyqMFEYrEGB6AK3sCQsUE5rHbjAygmT2IgQWmyo1HWJVPrUSv_WsGh8reAbKryB3s/s640/IMG_0348.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Real Bushman...I kid you not he opted to sit and eat his popsicle on this tree stump as opposed to the neatly crafted bench just steps away. IMMEDIATELY after he took his shoes off!! Then, he orders me to remove mine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPGxqu2yU8D1Cv1BpESLTr8L-cl71rCk3rf6tMvym49JUt_BPjFX1O8SfeEubFztpDG1VNjFChjMYoOVRnxv2OjhNRJELkAYTmWzha1avcQpj3ZgsTRPR6iwgdFB_Q0c1SNS1y1ut8K8/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPGxqu2yU8D1Cv1BpESLTr8L-cl71rCk3rf6tMvym49JUt_BPjFX1O8SfeEubFztpDG1VNjFChjMYoOVRnxv2OjhNRJELkAYTmWzha1avcQpj3ZgsTRPR6iwgdFB_Q0c1SNS1y1ut8K8/s640/IMG_0349.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nature's footrest.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8KredD7M1007TT4Kzw7lB2rG1Rwx0idFcV-IeSFk6XY1g1t8IPPZ1QFdhq7qXUBXELlGjSyH3GMGNOMHYOdT2OiDjPHGYt9cKv1KZkJWhrHU-H5jcMRX0yePE5CKbrgvZvJ5s5ZeW7s/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8KredD7M1007TT4Kzw7lB2rG1Rwx0idFcV-IeSFk6XY1g1t8IPPZ1QFdhq7qXUBXELlGjSyH3GMGNOMHYOdT2OiDjPHGYt9cKv1KZkJWhrHU-H5jcMRX0yePE5CKbrgvZvJ5s5ZeW7s/s640/IMG_0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Return to nature</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PLG9ZAR2zUUtGHX01ghhbGBO94Kmw7fEoiAtZWpfkgGIUYuu_H9WgVdqoTy_zxji-5kuJh4ix7rEbDWV76SVojFbsgvBWuhByrmUoJth0awUJlJCq2_8hXkOfauKT4JCbBir1zUcXvg/s1600/IMG_0351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PLG9ZAR2zUUtGHX01ghhbGBO94Kmw7fEoiAtZWpfkgGIUYuu_H9WgVdqoTy_zxji-5kuJh4ix7rEbDWV76SVojFbsgvBWuhByrmUoJth0awUJlJCq2_8hXkOfauKT4JCbBir1zUcXvg/s400/IMG_0351.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from down below.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This sculpture really spoke to Mommy and I because we've had to get down and dirty washing clothes by hand...we have no washer : ( </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqACOyDzNJzrlKuUgoziJabK3kFt09Re9SJF7Dy9t7hvS-5mdlV3y4o3jhUgjLhUgso3hXZZERZi1dtv_jbS8Bf8ZgPv3AFWKzRIH5fT3x1dNx0KUrjVTUa0j3DRVV4WgP3GNteiKlpg/s1600/IMG_0364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqACOyDzNJzrlKuUgoziJabK3kFt09Re9SJF7Dy9t7hvS-5mdlV3y4o3jhUgjLhUgso3hXZZERZi1dtv_jbS8Bf8ZgPv3AFWKzRIH5fT3x1dNx0KUrjVTUa0j3DRVV4WgP3GNteiKlpg/s400/IMG_0364.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Negasi against a massive tree trunk.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-55112553941874444332010-10-26T21:32:00.000-07:002010-10-26T21:40:22.632-07:00Big Ups to Walter Rodney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTHEigGfsGO4zA33o80B8yjb9jwUUoH1QxzQwb_oTUQ4vnpWtkcbn1iJuClG3YPfSLRAnDaU8JTIxzNnPEbFHQ_WsIkJ0xk2zvwCDSNkYrXgzckmZL1kwq8BWyE3cCvCKxxw-mQT49EY/s1600/walter-rodney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTHEigGfsGO4zA33o80B8yjb9jwUUoH1QxzQwb_oTUQ4vnpWtkcbn1iJuClG3YPfSLRAnDaU8JTIxzNnPEbFHQ_WsIkJ0xk2zvwCDSNkYrXgzckmZL1kwq8BWyE3cCvCKxxw-mQT49EY/s320/walter-rodney.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>Last week I attended one of the Institute of Caribbean Studies' lecture Series dedicated to the life and works of Walter Rodney. It was titled, <i>From RODNEY to RAGGA; From BLACK Power to GOLD Power: 'Who Will Sort out the Nation?' </i>For those of you who aren't familiar with Walter Rodney he was a renowned activist and scholar during the Black Power Movement in the Caribbean in the late 1960's. To say it in plain terms the brother was saying and doing things that were unprecedented in that region at that time, all to promote Black liberation. Guyanese born, Rodney studied in Jamaica at UWI-Mona (whoop whoop!) where he earned a degree in History. From there, he was awarded a PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London at the young age of 24. His research focused mainly on African slavery. His most famous and groundbreaking work is <i>How Europe Underdeveloped Africa</i> in which he so wonderfully analyzes Western scholars' publications to refute the white-race ethnocentric approach used by most of these scholars to explain the developing 'backwardness' of Sub-Saharan African countries.<br />
<br />
I was so humbled at this gathering. One thing I'm beginning to love about UWI-Mona is the constant feeling that I am among greatness. It truly is a privilege to- on a regular basis- interface with elders who not only write about the events and movements of the Caribbean that for so long have inspired me, but who have also lived them, reasoned with, marched beside, and fought with the greats like Walter Rodney, Mortimo Planno, Aime Cesaire and the list goes on. They send the light. I receive it with open arms.<br />
<br />
One thing that disappointed me a bit by the lecture was the lack of youth present. This was something addressed by a member of the audience who commented that at these lecture series he rarely sees the youth. This led to a heated discussion on Jamaica's future. In this man's opinion Jamaica has got tough times ahead if the country is to depend on a generation 'entranced' by the not-so-forward looking messages of Vybz Kartel and the like.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, being present at the meeting compelled me to write the following letter to the late Walter Rodney. Yes, he's passed, but he'll get the message.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Dear Brother Rodney,</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>You were soooooooooooo dope!!</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Peace and Love,</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Your Daughter in another Life</i>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-29635131816704269672010-09-30T20:59:00.000-07:002010-09-30T21:02:16.890-07:00That Nicole is a B%$#@!You know, back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, I took a break from watching the 24-hour news coverage on it and thought to myself, "Damn, I'd hate to be named Katrina right now." Well, whadayaknow... Tropical Storm Nicole has mashed up Jamaica over the past few days and will continue to do so through the weekend. I've never been scared of rain, but I've been thoroughly frightened the last two nights finding myself wanting Negasi to run to me in fear of the lightning and thunder just so that I wouldn't feel so bad. He was fine with it all. Lots of running and exaggerated and prolonged screams, but this was all for fun.<br />
<br />
Seriously though, Nicole is a bitch. She's destroyed numerous roads, bridges, farmlands and homes across the island. 9 people are said to have passed as a result. The destruction caused by the storm raises many concerns around Jamaica's infrastructure. One of the most tragic incidents occurred just minutes away from my first residence in an area called Sandy Gully. A family of six was inside of a home built on a gully whose wall collapsed during the storm. Subsequently, this home and two others, which were vacant, also collapsed. I think the following comment made by a reader of one of Jamaica's newspapers encapsulates very well my initial thoughts when I heard this awful story.<br />
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<i> Sorry about the loss of lives. <br />
<br />
Jamaicans please stop building your homes on gully banks. Life is hard and much poverty exist, but I learnt in sunday school in the 60's, the foolish man build his house upon the sand and the rain came tumbling down. The rain came down and the floods went up and the house on the sand went splash. <br />
<br />
Look at the homes on Red Hills Road Sandy Gully bank, mushrooming like wild fire. Is no one looking? The government must address this with the same conviciton they went about in their defense of particular citizens. The lives of the Jamaica people are important, poverty is real, hard life is real, but come up with a solution. Singapore provide homes for its citizens with stringent rules and regulations. Jamaicans, become discipline and let the rules work, it is for your benefit in the long run. No more homes on gully bank, river bank or river bed no matter. Doing as you like will only cost more lives. The sea always come back and claim its course. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkfkytn14stKv0VpL8u7XZeZuJny38r06OQqEKTgJ-2WKwp9z_5w2-YSBQPPRwdNZYspybVTHAg-MykjGixDr1VFG_KsAc4jFtbkBOEqeqmF4nlW1glNa_Ek8pqDQXzwEEfGNQUME81A/s1600/FloodA20100929NG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkfkytn14stKv0VpL8u7XZeZuJny38r06OQqEKTgJ-2WKwp9z_5w2-YSBQPPRwdNZYspybVTHAg-MykjGixDr1VFG_KsAc4jFtbkBOEqeqmF4nlW1glNa_Ek8pqDQXzwEEfGNQUME81A/s400/FloodA20100929NG.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pray for the families affected by the storm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peace and LOVE.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PHtGZcT9_QeW_dO8eAyUX2PK75NG8G866KIg5eeUe5rS69hRLF_DoKttRsIFKKBIYXs2yrIDUZZUDkyC6Wpm9OhnyC8eH0-ITXFzys_YhXI3x-T0lDO6JYM5fTCJi61u1m8O1i3q9cI/s1600/FloodA20100929NG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-74016173348188547192010-09-29T13:29:00.000-07:002010-09-29T13:52:20.894-07:00Bob Marley, Immortal Soul<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCHOIRrBERzutLySiCwdPvcz8nrtaSJcwz3UmMSQ0wIEsycfJFAGfkms9YuL1nQ1ANGmmCAUPJrZa18-HpdSgAXQATzcjX_kUoOTyXje1FqQ4OMoWBTfS-prDgUGgFqPAJL2E4kj4bmk/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCHOIRrBERzutLySiCwdPvcz8nrtaSJcwz3UmMSQ0wIEsycfJFAGfkms9YuL1nQ1ANGmmCAUPJrZa18-HpdSgAXQATzcjX_kUoOTyXje1FqQ4OMoWBTfS-prDgUGgFqPAJL2E4kj4bmk/s320/IMG_0225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIcbsCeNgrB20ge9fUj4-iyk6V3yREu2Dhk6WDLYREivXgqsxnzyHCX4HmY8jEzg9J8VWqNbhQXUXriuvAmtMHPqtux4qdvNFNNS0QHxaKMyLzpUTye6va03lfbznsUOV1zRcc0IX7i0/s1600/IMG_0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIcbsCeNgrB20ge9fUj4-iyk6V3yREu2Dhk6WDLYREivXgqsxnzyHCX4HmY8jEzg9J8VWqNbhQXUXriuvAmtMHPqtux4qdvNFNNS0QHxaKMyLzpUTye6va03lfbznsUOV1zRcc0IX7i0/s320/IMG_0222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
So we took a trip to the Bob Marley museum over the weekend. This marked my second visit and it was just as rewarding as the first. It's definitely a tourist-y spot but I'd recommend it to any and everyone with just an ounce of admiration for Bob- excuse me- the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley. He received this title when, in 1981, he was awarded Jamaica's third highest honor, the Order of Merit. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGN_h01wTbq7F54rMSuV8iQV9xtYGtGTcGBTs4fdb2ffIObe7eV4QYI1uTcghYe-zIQ8Wt9Fsx12ev2Ny_AdjwVOju7KKUmTHZhhxTyGc5ryfPWM4ID4P2jNKcZbte-9J6ntelAENgsw/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGN_h01wTbq7F54rMSuV8iQV9xtYGtGTcGBTs4fdb2ffIObe7eV4QYI1uTcghYe-zIQ8Wt9Fsx12ev2Ny_AdjwVOju7KKUmTHZhhxTyGc5ryfPWM4ID4P2jNKcZbte-9J6ntelAENgsw/s320/IMG_0224.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfz8KPlDFJAke0ER5x7jXe0x9FDyuMrdd7WQm-66BY29qyxviHGDnEhyphenhyphenL0Al9QQqJkmAYlIZ2Z05Ely8UtRTx1JCZpL8ovjSWwtMdj448KD5n1h7XvjHRBqbk9uffC36p-fhKNum9To/s1600/IMG_0221_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCfz8KPlDFJAke0ER5x7jXe0x9FDyuMrdd7WQm-66BY29qyxviHGDnEhyphenhyphenL0Al9QQqJkmAYlIZ2Z05Ely8UtRTx1JCZpL8ovjSWwtMdj448KD5n1h7XvjHRBqbk9uffC36p-fhKNum9To/s400/IMG_0221_2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Is this or is this not an awesome pic? Come on, I expect to see some comments on this one. At long last, we get a glimpse into what Negasi was up to during his past life. Heh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">e.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I mean, I have for a long time been a fervent Bob fan, which has led me to learn his life story, a majority, if not all, of his music, etc. etc., but I still got chills as I walked through a guided tour of his former home and recording studio turned museum located on Hope Road in Kingston. I would definitely go as far as saying his spirit was alive and present in the home while we were there. Unfortunately, but understandably cameras are not allowed inside the museum so I haven't a thing to show you of the actual exhibit inside the home. However, I'd use the following words to describe the tour. Breathtaking. Skin tingling. Inspirational.<br />
OK. I'm going to keep this post short, but I want to leave you with a few sidenotes.<br />
1. Bob Marley was once named 2nd sexiest man in the world. (faints on the floor)<br />
2. I had a Wayne Marshall sighting shortly after leaving the museum. I know, I know. Less exciting, but I thought it was worth mentioning.<br />
<br />
Peace and LOVE!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Can ya see me? Can ya see me?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-19334561107050927542010-09-29T12:55:00.000-07:002010-09-29T12:55:49.793-07:00Crash Course: Life 101<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">How long has it been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2, 3 weeks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is much to be written about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do I begin? I will start by saying my living situation here in Kingston has taken a total twist in that I am no longer residing at my cozy (disgustingly overpriced) 1-bedroom flat nestled within Kingston’s suburban neighborhood of Hope Pastures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because the inevitable took place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What every Jamaican living in New York warned me about actually came to pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guessed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My flat was robbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thief got away with my Blackberry phone (what on Earth was I doing with one anyway-in Jamaica or America?) and a wad of money I had withdrawn in hopes of purchasing a vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boohoo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instantly traumatized and unwilling to take any chances with not one, but two laptops in the flat I packed my bags and the three of us were out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being uprooted in this manner- so abruptly and unexpectedly- when I was just beginning to get comfy (perhaps this is a no-no for a foreigner anyway) led me to feel extremely disappointed and a bit depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt (still feel) like I was literally being forced to start all over again when I was already beginning to feel a little behind because the bougieness and seclusion derived from my being in this ‘suburban’ neighborhood was, in several ways, starting to inhibit my contact with the “real” Jamaica. I mean, daily door-to-door car service is enough to shield anyone’s eyes from the realities, whether<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>painfully harsh or beautifully genuine, of any country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make a long story short my depression, albeit brief, has come to an end. Back to discovering and enjoying the island...</div><div class="MsoNormal">Although the incident put me through the ringer it proved to be a most abundant source of reflection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll list the lessons I believe should be taken away from this experience and others that have since taken place as a result.</div><ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">ALWAYS listen to your spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I mean by this is that I kept telling myself it’s ridiculous to need cash money to purchase a car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t matter that this is not America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s illogical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, after being encouraged to do so by others I withdrew the money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Money gone.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">It’s a powerful skill to know how to create a balance between the wants and concerns of family members and those of your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chances are your family’s concerns, regardless of how overwhelming they may become, are genuinely out of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it’s important not to lose sight of your own goals and wants and concerns while trying to satisfy your family.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Never give up.</li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I will leave you with the lyrics to Dennis Brown’s “A True.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fitting, no?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peace and LOVE.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're living for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're loving for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know who we're praying to</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're singing for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know who we're playing with</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're working for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know who we're talking to</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're listening for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're writing for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're dancing for</div><div class="MsoNormal">We got to know what we're striving for</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A true, mmm, a true, mmm</div><div class="MsoNormal">A true, mmm, a true</div><!--EndFragment-->Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-17675742312893278192010-09-06T20:41:00.000-07:002010-09-06T20:41:32.859-07:00Country Livin' Part II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xars2UDiu37JhCKhq2e4taIv6hBg3mVM4fOls7YGcmnSUHObIMxfO8tSwl_MPyf43hS0rjgShM6J7iQrMJu1L5NSMthP9hxIS_lkilln0N5kRmesQf6HbsznwNLlIvlX5E4x-1emusA/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Xars2UDiu37JhCKhq2e4taIv6hBg3mVM4fOls7YGcmnSUHObIMxfO8tSwl_MPyf43hS0rjgShM6J7iQrMJu1L5NSMthP9hxIS_lkilln0N5kRmesQf6HbsznwNLlIvlX5E4x-1emusA/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I just liked this butterfly. We kicked it for a while. I was surprised to still see her there each time I came onto the porch</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViavDALkcebK8jEfy1RhR7YHLD-dbw5rLmHDLR32xLYrn7v6XZikKBwrAzmZAGsFm3FM7MpL5dUgMatmnX2IjcjclnE_bp1ZlS9F2DmN7Xz0qJZelgoPdCRKZ0uusuiP2nXjD_5SZNj0/s1600/IMG_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViavDALkcebK8jEfy1RhR7YHLD-dbw5rLmHDLR32xLYrn7v6XZikKBwrAzmZAGsFm3FM7MpL5dUgMatmnX2IjcjclnE_bp1ZlS9F2DmN7Xz0qJZelgoPdCRKZ0uusuiP2nXjD_5SZNj0/s320/IMG_0109.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Roasted breadfruit.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDkRo6vGVaDUMJYy2SzEy2vCWY8v5beQNxmCWVbCpfCzyCSTtZ06gEMt6RtbeYPrLFv6bL0XHNGJghCf0AhvHFpNbhVDqaGFxTUqQWQlTadlLnyFskCEp9fcDMXe-zfCouIzoXQnftbE/s1600/IMG_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDkRo6vGVaDUMJYy2SzEy2vCWY8v5beQNxmCWVbCpfCzyCSTtZ06gEMt6RtbeYPrLFv6bL0XHNGJghCf0AhvHFpNbhVDqaGFxTUqQWQlTadlLnyFskCEp9fcDMXe-zfCouIzoXQnftbE/s320/IMG_0131.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kgj39LfLP_KOGpwp5NnzRfWV_PHytnaNVBdXrgG452yAHH6Sg6Kf-zmawAPQeMpTUNhtlV7VyY5MRqPsIYtBoNmD0hvJb58MRXwvMU3yphfDw-0CRwXIp9Ke-oPHHWKUkvyXhyphenhyphenraG10/s1600/IMG_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3kgj39LfLP_KOGpwp5NnzRfWV_PHytnaNVBdXrgG452yAHH6Sg6Kf-zmawAPQeMpTUNhtlV7VyY5MRqPsIYtBoNmD0hvJb58MRXwvMU3yphfDw-0CRwXIp9Ke-oPHHWKUkvyXhyphenhyphenraG10/s320/IMG_0121.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ZfUx1K8W1E97vx-dx_wa5o80ZplKf9Gcn8Pn9_LNa7wWUGckGDwV471uwK3Q7edyvViKHj10XldklZidAQ1S1CtYLwAJVqGpjHHDZ4Ai6E8Vs0Bp-fLPbsUOeueJ1bmA9XfTLPJaVM/s1600/IMG_0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9ZfUx1K8W1E97vx-dx_wa5o80ZplKf9Gcn8Pn9_LNa7wWUGckGDwV471uwK3Q7edyvViKHj10XldklZidAQ1S1CtYLwAJVqGpjHHDZ4Ai6E8Vs0Bp-fLPbsUOeueJ1bmA9XfTLPJaVM/s320/IMG_0145.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Poor cows.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju99jmP4zQ-OC7_gujLD_T2kR_C2kFmgmTq_fZvP4jBhbYSLaoGd942ygyXmse9P78hlm65MiTTGqsDp6KA1_uVdPYWBDAf8dWKvNOq-wqqlx_twAOhD0AO8Z7ko7u8YKfotTqmJFhdVY/s1600/IMG_0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju99jmP4zQ-OC7_gujLD_T2kR_C2kFmgmTq_fZvP4jBhbYSLaoGd942ygyXmse9P78hlm65MiTTGqsDp6KA1_uVdPYWBDAf8dWKvNOq-wqqlx_twAOhD0AO8Z7ko7u8YKfotTqmJFhdVY/s320/IMG_0125.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Father. Son. Sugar cane. Common ground</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-42434656707223701752010-09-06T19:17:00.000-07:002010-09-07T06:22:58.131-07:00Country Livin': Our Trip to Lambs River in the Parish of Westmoreland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Good news. Negasi and I have received a visitor! Whom, you ask? Negasi's Dad. Yes, yes, finally some relief from our bout with homesickness. I will let you watch the following video because I think it best captures the significance of "the reunion." <a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=432719073918">http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=432719073918</a><br />
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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.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j37vSmqxRuWfcLevaDbPgXq5rBhs5MX-VML23q3W8Bd_7CvuDPFijUSoTHyy-8XKPxkO0_B0pVwNqZYZbFS03_iPsqZLmDK1NI75U0GXTHG5dbRjQ1M1UwwLH9AS7sENNBrL5INpOwo/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0j37vSmqxRuWfcLevaDbPgXq5rBhs5MX-VML23q3W8Bd_7CvuDPFijUSoTHyy-8XKPxkO0_B0pVwNqZYZbFS03_iPsqZLmDK1NI75U0GXTHG5dbRjQ1M1UwwLH9AS7sENNBrL5INpOwo/s200/IMG_0101.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Our 2-day rental (and Negasi on the left)</span></td></tr>
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</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">The Ride</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span">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.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span">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*</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span">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. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><span class="Apple-style-span">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.</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-80409832756840920452010-08-24T10:07:00.000-07:002010-08-24T10:52:26.432-07:00Positive Vibrations: Reflections on the Inaugural Rastafari Studies Conference (Aug. 17-Aug. 20th)<span class="Apple-style-span">So this post is related to the last in that I will be reflecting on the event, which spawned my early August departure from NY, which, in turn, led to my acute homesickness. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">August 17, 2010 marked the beginning of the 4-day Inaugural Rastafari Studies Conference whose theme was 'Negotiating the African Presence: Rastafari Livity and Scholarship.' Needless to say there was great historic symbolism behind the conference. August 17th marked the 123rd birthday of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, founding father of the Rastafari Movement. The year 2010 also marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of "The Report of the Rastafari Movement in Kingston, Jamaica," as well as the 80th anniversary of the Rastafari Movement itself. Ah, a present in which history abounds!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Despite a recurrent issue with time and staying on schedule there were positive vibes throughout the four days. Rasta elders and youth, many of whom would make the daily trek from nearby August Town to UWI- Mona campus where the conference was held, were in attendance. It was especially nice to see the various Rasta families- mom, dad, and several small children. Clearly the Rasta community in Jamaica and abroad (you had Rasta scholars and community leaders from places like Mexico, France, South Africa, the U.S., Antigua, and Martinique present at the conference) were committed to the aim of reasoning to come to a solid plan of action to ensure Rastafari's continuation throughout the 21st century and beyond. The diversity among the conference attendees as well as the seriousness with which topics such as economic sustainability for the Rasta community in Jamaica, the role of Rasta women, and so on were discussed truly spoke to this notion that Rastafari is some sort of "play thing." Graduate or not, I guarantee you everyone in attendance was educated- and extremely eloquent at that. Don't mean to sound like the many white folk who so quickly use the A-word (articulate) to describe the world's most brilliant black men and women as if it's a surprise that we actually have active brains BUT I want to use this platform to counter the misconception of Rastafarian people as uneducated and lacking any real intellectual contribution to society. In short, I was further humbled by the great minds and deep intellectual insight of the Rasta elders at the conference.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span">Here is a photo taken at the conference. This one was taken by a woman named Joanna Francis. It is of Barry Chevannes, author of many books on Rastafari and professor at UWI, and Prof. Jalani Niahh, conference organizer and my faculty supervisor at UWI.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ3MVO1mbwtEKHnCgn_dk4LklFQZedm3GO2LMGxDD0YvahtbXNQCfkN5rv-TncfTQYU3zOKbTwkdCyjfVSPiahmPMNcomzByREGH2U3q3ac9POB5aYiyZOzNa0hrm-F8lfxL258q_HGA/s1600/rastafaristudies01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJ3MVO1mbwtEKHnCgn_dk4LklFQZedm3GO2LMGxDD0YvahtbXNQCfkN5rv-TncfTQYU3zOKbTwkdCyjfVSPiahmPMNcomzByREGH2U3q3ac9POB5aYiyZOzNa0hrm-F8lfxL258q_HGA/s320/rastafaristudies01.jpg" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5248928438241560903.post-16680262910728284232010-08-20T22:20:00.000-07:002010-08-21T11:48:21.833-07:00Missing Home Already<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEo2q9kyjcVtRY3qhPzjnZGQIQ5Q1b4g5XVoZjuerUml5Dk6244HC2wlkAAPVV8tiOYcvVdM51QRXqcScKbbEKgs6H4Zlboe-7rmCvqaglLFoR5iZxssDUYL90Yc5x01pUMS-UWu6Ibo/s1600/104_1457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEo2q9kyjcVtRY3qhPzjnZGQIQ5Q1b4g5XVoZjuerUml5Dk6244HC2wlkAAPVV8tiOYcvVdM51QRXqcScKbbEKgs6H4Zlboe-7rmCvqaglLFoR5iZxssDUYL90Yc5x01pUMS-UWu6Ibo/s320/104_1457.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Can you identify the persons in this photo? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can. These people make up the little family that I (and God, of course) made. Oh, how I miss the perfection that comes from the unity displayed in this photo. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jamaica is beautiful. Jamaica is nice, but it's tough to enjoy when you're missing home...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure this feeling won't last long. I promise to post something much brighter (and more intellectual) by the beginning of the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Peace and Love.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17112428079767079440noreply@blogger.com9