First time Farming

After two and a half years of living in Jamaica, I went farming this morning. My neighbor is a farmer and I’ve always wanted to try. I did. It’s exhausting. But in a good way.

Early start to the day: View from farmland

I woke up at 5:30 to get ready and out the door by 6:00. Georgie and I drove in his truck to his farm in Blue Mountain District, just a short drive away. His farm is on a hill! I wore some Levi’s and my croc rainboots (haha!) to keep away the ticks. He is currently growing sweet potato, sweet pepper, scotch bonnet, watermelon and tomatoes. Currently there is a dry spell happening and no water is falling. He must works with the elements because he doesn’t have an irrigation system. So you know, what I am telling you is what he told me. I am sharing you my experience and am in no way an expert on any farming. All I know is if you water it and give it sunlight it should grow. 

Too much sun for these tomatoes

pulling dried grass for mulch

Georgie told me irrigation works well in Clarendon and St. Elizabeth, two neighboring parishes that are flatter than Manchester. Plus he farms on a hill, I said that right? The view from his farm is beautiful. Anyway, he shared that all farmers know the Seven Star Rain. I make it a pronoun because it sounded really important. This is where, from June 7 to June 10 it rains; it didn’t rain this week. The leaves of the green pepper are yearning for some water! I hope we get water soon! He sounded disheartened, because this is his occupation.  And he works hard!!

We worked from 6-9:30am. I pulled out weeds around the tomatoes, I pulled out old scotch bonnet pepper plants- that took an hour. There was plenty. Then we took a break. I got banana chips and juice, ah, refreshing. We continued our morning by taking dry tall grass, after Georgie chopped it I took it, and spread it around the tomatoes to cover the soil. The soil was very dry. We did that for a good long while, because he has a lotta tomato plants. The sun was really warming up by this point. I’m a natural heavy sweater so this was just adding to more sweat. I was reapplying spf 50 on my arms and neck frequently. He then showed me another plot where the sweet potato grew and took out some sweet potato.

The farmer and his sweet peppers

Then we went to where the sweet pepper was and took some of those too!  Georgie said to me, as we were working his fields “See how much can be accomplished when you start early?”

We did a bit more mulching and decided to head back to Bellefield. I was tired! The moment I got in the truck my body just sighed in thanks for shade and rest. As gratitude for working on his farm, Georgie gave me the sweet potato he picked and the sweet pepper! OMG, I’m the one who is thankful! I’ll be filling up my belly with both. Nyam.

Here’s my letter of appreciation to all farmers:

Dear Farmers,

I appreciate you so much. Thank you for growing food. I love food. So, I love you too. And I pray your crops get the rain they need.

Food Lover Always,

Chantal   

The Start of Playing Catch up: September 2013

School started the first week of September. I was at school for the first week. I brought in new cow rope for skipping and some hoola-hoops. Then I peaced out to farin. I was very nervous to go home. I have become acclimated to daily life in Jamaica. I also knew I was going to be overwhelmed by the fast pace and commercial media thrown in my face. When I got home in Charlotte, I actually found I wasn’t. Not really.

Breakfast time with my frens

Plus it helped that my mom came home before me. The two of us went immediately to my Alum school and did the annual Pier to Pier swim!! It's in Wilmington, it's a fun event supported by the swimming community and my swim team participates! Plus its in memory of a room mate, team mate and friend who passed away in 2009. I totally floated that swim, the water was perfect for the swim too, temp was good, few waves AND BONUS CURRENT!!! Back in the day we had to book it regardless of conditions, understandably I was a D1 athlete then and other teams like UNC, State and Davidson, to name a few would also participate. The prizes weren't so bad either. I never got prizes. My mom did tho! (She's an open water fan). That ole' lady. You so fast fo yo age.This was also a trip to see my best best friends from UNCW and catch up and get some Wrightsville sun. I love you Wilmington! xoxo 

Dad soon followed in a couple days. The three of us tackled Charlotte together. To pack in as much family visits, we road tripped up to Chicago to see the bro. I also got to do a quick pit stop in Cincy to see Michelle, who I'd just seen in Wilmington. We also crashed with her to split the travel. 

Bro in front of a building at NWU

When we got to Chicago, we toured the campus. It was cool to see where my brother is currently studying his masters. I like Chicago. Plus! There were bicycle rentals everywhere. Really super awesome thumbs up. We celebrated an early birthday for him and had family time as the four of us.We cherish our unions very very much.

After Chicago, I traveled to Sarasota to visit the grandparentals, just me. It was good seeing them, as I hadn’t for several years. It was really chill. This was supported by the consistent rainfall. All day. Every day. That’s fine! They have DVR and we stayed indoors and watched the Daily Show and the news. My grandpa has a routine. At night I would steal the remote and his favorite chair to get his stink eye and a scowl. In jest, people! I respect my elders and returned said items...sometimes. We are a loving family with sarcasm.

grumps. i mean, gramps

I flew back to Charlotte to make it in time for one of my closest childhood friends to get married! I was a bridesmaid too, which secures my reason for going. Honestly though, this was what my trip home was about. I wasn't about to miss this ceremonial presence of love. Hooray to love and delicious food! 

When the bridesmaids and groomsmen stood awaiting the bride, we (the girls really) cried. Good Lord. Just ruining the make up the nice people skillfully placed upon us earlier in the day. A child relative came and gave us Kleenex; we tore it and divvied it up among us to look better for the photo documenter dude and lady. The wedding and reception were both beautiful. I was paired with the fun groomsman. This guy and I entered the reception by me catching a fish and reeling him in, its perfect style for a wedding.

the romantic wedding

being a bridesmaid with fellow friend and bridesmaid

I got my Taco Bell fix before leaving!

nom nom nom

After the wedding, I had to pack up and go back to Jamaica. The woman at security was concerned as I went,sobbing my eyes out, through the scanner . I wasn’t crying because I had to come back. I was sad I had to say goodbye to my parents again for an indefinite amount of time. Our reunions are maybe twice annually. I eventually got myself together to realize that I was on a flight with about 80% of the flight being honeymooners. Damn it. I suulked on plane until I sparked conversation with one of the many said newly weds. Then I peaced out public transportation/ small up style to home sweet Manchester.

whew. September done. get ready for a more consolidated version of the rest of the near 8 month blog hiatus. 

Up. Down. Up. Down. Up.

My sincerest apologies to those who supported my blog efforts, I had abandoned it due to sheer laziness. That’s as real as I can get on the excuses list, and I watched a lot movies and shows and my brain slowed down…okay enough with the excuses.

Today ignited my desire to blog again. It was an up. down. up. down. Up. kind of day. You can figure out what was an up and a down. I have a lot to catch you up on, but right now, I’ll start with today.

As I count down the weeks until I travel home and as the school is ending most of its major events and school celebratory days, ( May is Child’s Month) I have less work to occupy my time and thoughts. Therefore the thoughts of home (microwaves, washer dryers and the ability to drive a car) creep in this brain. Oh, not to mention how I’m about to dive head first in every clothing store! My clothes have had a two year hand-washing-sun-drying-ride my friends, they don’t look pretty. The initial walk to school had my thoughts on America whilst I trod along the winding roads of Bellefield. This is silly to be wallowing upon because Bellefield is gorgeous and such thoughts should be towards the lush banana trees and tempting mango ones as well as the rolling hills with farm land and cows and goats.

But then I remembered its Wednesday! It’s a breakfast programme ( british/ Jamaican style spelling right there folks) day. I went to assist and we fed 50 students fried dumpling and corn beefed with baked beans. The kids were very polite in receiving their bowls and utensils and tea. I enjoy this part of the day; I got to spend time with some caring adults and sincere children.

After the breakfast program, I went to my PE office and check on emails and news to sadly read that an amazing irreplaceable woman passed away today. Maya Angelou: An icon, an activist, an artist of strength and grace and so much more. I then began to look up her quotes and poems. I’m no good at talking about sad things. I can’t. But it gave reflection.

So I sought out the day to be patient and kind and patient. Lunch came around and today was grade 4 through ASTEP day to play basketball on the court. (yea! I helped my school get a court! Blog on that soon come). Only boys seemed to get on the court today. At first they were just lining up and shooting. But then they wanted to play a game. I was nervous because in past experience, this set of students can be rough. More grade 6 and ASTEP boys came, in particularly those who get categorized as the trouble makers. Be patient, I told myself.

They had so much fun with basketball. I saw team work and verbal communication and passing of the ball (I had to remind them of that, but they did it!). IT WAS AWESOME!! I only wished the lunch bell didn’t ring!

Afterschool running time:

I run with the students who walk to and from a nearby district which also has the flattest road in the area. It’s still hilly, but like I said, flattest. So I did that today. While we ran on the sides of the road, we heard a car approach and slow down. One girl trips on her undone shoes lace and the car stops. I go to brush her off. But the car is still there and the man driving is on the phone! I tell him to please be mindful of the road and as the abundant public announcements state driving and talking on the cell phone is a no no. He kissed his teeth and continued about his way. I am always protective of my children here. I didn’t care for his response. Thankfully the girl only had a booboo on her knee. 

I continued my run and get more than a handful of unwanted attention. After the cell phone man, I had built frustration layered with the hisses and yells. Good thing I still had 40 minutes of my run left to sweat it out. And I did, exercise is truly the best medicine.

 As I ran back in the rain, I realized it would be more difficult to travel to get produce from Mandeville. The drive is 20 minutes one way. I would have to catch a taxi and pile 4 in the back 1 in front. The later to travel the more sparse transportation will be.

Bummed on not having tomatoes for my dinner, I walk home.

Until!!

 A car filled with tomatoes is on the side of the road because of car issue. I asked the farmer if I could purchase some…and I got me 3 lbs of tomatoes! (Prances and frolicks!) Then, guess what- I continued my walking and I see carrots!! My neighbors’ front yard had a tarp with them and I inquired about those. I get me some carrots too! Ah! The universe answered!

So all in all, today was a more apparent display of the unexpected beauties of rural life. (with a side of frustration, but good won today.)

I’ll do better with this bloggery I promise.

Prospect Plantation

  I won a trip to Prospect Plantation in St. Mary from an open water swim I did in June. I decided to take my host mom and her grandson. The time it took to travel to Prospect and back doubled or tripled the actual amount of time spent at the tour. So it goes.

Here are some pictures of the plantation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The history is that some guy bought it and did something with it then died and transferred it to his heirs, who kept stringing it down the line and now it is leased by Dolphin Cove Tours. That’s how much I paid attention. Oh. And Winston Churchill planted a tree there and visited one time. Yup.

 

We rode in a Jitney. Multiple benches on wheels hauled by a tractor=  jitney. The tour guide was a hoot. I think he is the only sarcastic Jamaican that I have encountered.  I discovered after the tour he has been doing this line of work since close to when I was born.

The plantation is beautiful. My favorite part was poorly attempting to climb a coconut tree with my soft bare feet (note how close I am to the ground...still smiling!), while the Rasta farmer did it all the way up with his weathered ones. Bada$$.

 

My first visitors!

My mom and a couple friends visited me this summer. My first farin (foreign) visitors!!!

I was super excited. This happened right after MSC. The open water swim was after MSC too. My mom and I swam in the race. And we did great! I even got a small mention in the newspaper!

WEBSITE ON SWIM RESULTS.

It was so comforting to see my mom. We stayed at a hostel called Nix Na, a big three story colorful artsy place. And it’s a ten minute walk from 007 Beach. The same area where Ian Flemming wrote his books for James Bond.

We met up with Laura and Leah to go visit Kingston and traveled around there a bit. Everyone saw the Peace Corps Office, we saw Emancipation park, and we went to Tracks and Records. Tracks and Records is owned by Usain Bolt. The food was actually descent, I’ve heard mixed reviews. And I was happy to drink flavored Red Stripe Light. There is apple, ginger and lime. Red Stripe Light Ginger is delicious! 

But the best part was when I got everyone to visit Bellefield. This was the same day as my mom’s 53^rd birthday. It was the last week of school, and we got to the school right before lunch. I was able to ask a teacher to tell the students to sing her Happy Birthday. SO CUTE!!!!!

It was my mom’s favorite birthday I think anyways.

Laura and Leah played with the students during lunch time. All the kids at my school LOVED them!! Leah took pictures of everyone playing and such. She captured so much.

The most fun moments and the entirety of their visits went like a flash. I’m glad they came. 

( These photos are Leah's- and her great ability to capture my school, my town and emancipation park ( with the two nude bodies))

SKILLZ

Back from a four month? About? Hiatus. Of pure procrastination. Blogs are still odd to me. Add that with inconsistent internet and you have a person like myself!

After school finished I had Mid Service Conference. In where, a week at a comfortable hotel, we are taught more skills with our counterparts to assist in our service. I was taught Grassroot Soccer SKILLZ. With a z. It was energetic. There were two guys who trained all of us with enthusiasm and hilarious ice breakers. We were taught how to use soccer drills and games to teach about HIV/AIDS.

I thought that was weird too. But! It actually works!

How? You ask….

Well. Let. Me. Tell. You! There are 12 practices for each program. These practices address HIV/AIDS in different fun ways:

-          Dribble the ball around cones that are represented as risky behaviors, if you hit a cone on the first round- do a punishment ( jumping jacks), on the second round- your whole team does the jumping jacks, and the last round- all teams do the jumping jacks. This shows how if one person gets affected it starts with them, but then grows to affect their community, then expands to the country.

-          Another practice was how to ID an HIV positive person- this is where the kids lined up in a Wall (shoulder to shoulder) and had to pass a small ball behind them and the opposing team had to guess who has it when the coach says stop. This shows that you may not know who has the ball (or HIV!)

My counterparts and I did the camp at the school- and I thought it was a great success. When school begins in September, we’re going to try to do this then too!

Happy March 14.(159...and a million numbers after) Day

Today marks a year of living in Jamaica! I did take two weeks for Christmas. So 50 of the 52 weeks I have been some where about the island J There are days that I forget I am in a foreign country with the exports that are sold here. Then I look at the price tag. A year ago, the USA dollar = 83 JMD. Now a year later the Jamaican dollar has weakened to 96JMD…and rising. :/

I have learned so much about myself and about the conflicts of Jamaica. And so many of these issues are very linked. Alas, I am one person and do as much as one individual can do. The ultimate hope is that I can affect someone who will be able to pass it forward.

me march 2012 getting my mosquito net and standard medical kit:

me now with government issued friends patting our hair:

So cheers to a year gone. And a little over one year more to look to in opportunities for change.

And now, here’s a video of Bringle. He’s grown…and eats a lot. And likes to play with his plastic food bowl after then tear it to pieces. I know, I know, I'll get a metal one....eventually.

Oh, one more thing, Happy Pi Day. ( March (3), 14^th= 3.14159….)