United States drug-enforcement agents appear to have come across the first details it learned about the alleged criminal empire of accused drug kingpin Christopher 'Dudus' Coke by chance.
Those details, according to a recent New York Times article, came out while investigators were grilling Jamaican drug dealer, Lloyd Reid, after a routine arrest on gun and drug charges in The Bronx, New York, in October 2007.
The article stated that Reid, who was convicted last year on conspiracy to distribute marijuana, told investigators about someone he depicted as "one of the most powerful men in all of Jamaica". ...
Weathering storms in Portland Cottage
Published: Tuesday | July 20, 2010
It was perhaps no later than 11 o' clock on a sunny Tuesday morning and Linford, the fisherman, was already preparing himself for a nap.
That might seem strange to those unfamiliar with the ways of fisherfolk of Portland Cottage in Clarendon, but in these parts, daytime begins at the stroke of three in the morning.
"Mi tired now man, mi can't talk right now," said Linford, waving me off when I had just arrived in the area. He was stretching out on a wooden bench placed strategically in the shade of a sun-browned mango tree. It was when I started walking away that he, apparently hit with a sudden bout of curiosity, spoke up again. "Who yuh say yuh is again?" he asked, sitting up straight.
I repeated my earlier introduction and told him I was visiting the area to find out what life was like there. ...
...Linford propped himself up against the tree and looked around. "It late now still. It hard fi yuh get nobody around here now fi talk to," he said.
The bearded middle-ager told me that because most of the people who lived in Portland Cottage were fisherfolk, their hours weren't like those kept by most.
"Early hours we move out and go sea. Dem time deh, man like yuh just ah turn inna yuh bed. Tee hee!' he snickered. ...
Published: Tuesday | July 20, 2010
It was perhaps no later than 11 o' clock on a sunny Tuesday morning and Linford, the fisherman, was already preparing himself for a nap.
That might seem strange to those unfamiliar with the ways of fisherfolk of Portland Cottage in Clarendon, but in these parts, daytime begins at the stroke of three in the morning.
"Mi tired now man, mi can't talk right now," said Linford, waving me off when I had just arrived in the area. He was stretching out on a wooden bench placed strategically in the shade of a sun-browned mango tree. It was when I started walking away that he, apparently hit with a sudden bout of curiosity, spoke up again. "Who yuh say yuh is again?" he asked, sitting up straight.
I repeated my earlier introduction and told him I was visiting the area to find out what life was like there. ...
...Linford propped himself up against the tree and looked around. "It late now still. It hard fi yuh get nobody around here now fi talk to," he said.
The bearded middle-ager told me that because most of the people who lived in Portland Cottage were fisherfolk, their hours weren't like those kept by most.
"Early hours we move out and go sea. Dem time deh, man like yuh just ah turn inna yuh bed. Tee hee!' he snickered. ...
USAIN has bolted from competing in Britain because of a massive tax net which could capture huge chunks of the Jamaican superstar's earnings.
Britain, which has moved to mend its leaking economy, has instituted new regulations which the BBC said would have caused sprinter Usain Bolt to lose more money than he would earn from competing at the Crystal Palace Diamond League meet next month.
Athletes competing in the United Kingdom are liable for a 50 per cent tax rate on their appearance fee as well as a portion of their total worldwide earnings.
Britain bases its tax charge on the number of UK events athletes compete in. If Bolt were to take part in 10 meetings worldwide, with one in the UK, the British government could tax him on one-tenth of his worldwide earnings. ...
Britain, which has moved to mend its leaking economy, has instituted new regulations which the BBC said would have caused sprinter Usain Bolt to lose more money than he would earn from competing at the Crystal Palace Diamond League meet next month.
Athletes competing in the United Kingdom are liable for a 50 per cent tax rate on their appearance fee as well as a portion of their total worldwide earnings.
Britain bases its tax charge on the number of UK events athletes compete in. If Bolt were to take part in 10 meetings worldwide, with one in the UK, the British government could tax him on one-tenth of his worldwide earnings. ...
Tricked by the 'coconut man' - Thelwell takes takes Lalah for a ride in Ipswich
Published: Tuesday | July 6, 2010
All I was trying to do was purchase one measly coconut and be on my way, but Thelwell the vendor had other plans.
Now, let me first of all explain how I arrived in the company of the coconut vendor in the first place. I was in the very quiet, out-of-the-way community called Ipswich in St Elizabeth recently. If you've never heard of the place, don't be too hard on yourself - many people haven't. The older folks, though, may know Ipswich quite well, since it was once, I'm told, a booming stop on the railway route between Kingston and St James. Today, though, Ipswich is little more than just another sparsely populated rural community with only shells remaining of buildings that were once hot spots of activity.
Now to Thelwell, who I've since been told is not a resident of the area, but a hanger-on who has recently started frequenting Ipswich. Now Thelwell doesn't have the best reputation, having been accused of being something of a conman, who is always seeking to use his head on strangers to manipulate them out of a few dollars. Some people in Ipswich have even started calling him Bredda Anancy, after the fabled spider. Of course, I knew none of this when I came across the gangly fellow standing near the old railway station in the community recently.
He seemed harmless enough, wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Nelson Mandela on the front. He also had a wide smile that exposed very few teeth. He might have been close to 50 years old.
"Sell yuh a jelly, boss?" he asked as I approached. Having visited the community with a plan to get to know the people, I decided that purchasing a coconut from the local vendor was the way to go. Besides, there was nary another soul in sight, and I had been there for close to an hour.
So I agreed to the purchase and the man held out his hand for payment. I thought this was a bit odd, and asked him where the coconuts were. "Dem deh pon di tree deh so," he said, pointing up to a tall coconut tree behind him....
/me sings for Thelwell:
Slide, mongoose!
Yuh name gone abroad
Slide, mongoose!
Dog know yuh name....
Published: Tuesday | July 6, 2010
All I was trying to do was purchase one measly coconut and be on my way, but Thelwell the vendor had other plans.
Now, let me first of all explain how I arrived in the company of the coconut vendor in the first place. I was in the very quiet, out-of-the-way community called Ipswich in St Elizabeth recently. If you've never heard of the place, don't be too hard on yourself - many people haven't. The older folks, though, may know Ipswich quite well, since it was once, I'm told, a booming stop on the railway route between Kingston and St James. Today, though, Ipswich is little more than just another sparsely populated rural community with only shells remaining of buildings that were once hot spots of activity.
Now to Thelwell, who I've since been told is not a resident of the area, but a hanger-on who has recently started frequenting Ipswich. Now Thelwell doesn't have the best reputation, having been accused of being something of a conman, who is always seeking to use his head on strangers to manipulate them out of a few dollars. Some people in Ipswich have even started calling him Bredda Anancy, after the fabled spider. Of course, I knew none of this when I came across the gangly fellow standing near the old railway station in the community recently.
He seemed harmless enough, wearing a T-shirt with a picture of Nelson Mandela on the front. He also had a wide smile that exposed very few teeth. He might have been close to 50 years old.
"Sell yuh a jelly, boss?" he asked as I approached. Having visited the community with a plan to get to know the people, I decided that purchasing a coconut from the local vendor was the way to go. Besides, there was nary another soul in sight, and I had been there for close to an hour.
So I agreed to the purchase and the man held out his hand for payment. I thought this was a bit odd, and asked him where the coconuts were. "Dem deh pon di tree deh so," he said, pointing up to a tall coconut tree behind him....
/me sings for Thelwell:
Slide, mongoose!
Yuh name gone abroad
Slide, mongoose!
Dog know yuh name....
After an initial denial, the state-owned Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has admitted that it hired and is still paying millions of dollars to a company partially owned by extradited west Kingston strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.
The UDC says it has one contract with the firm Bulls Eye Security Services Limited, but it is still checking its records to see if there are any others.
Late last month, the UDC told The Gleaner that it had not issued any contract to Bulls Eye, which lists Coke as a shareholder. Coke was previously listed as a director but is believed to have pulled out because of requirements that would force him to be fingerprinted.
But, last week, in a letter to The Gleaner, the UDC said it erred in its denial.
"We wish to state for the record that the UDC, in expediting what was deemed to be an urgent request from a Gleaner reporter to meet a cut-off deadline for publication, stated: "The UDC has not awarded any contract to Bulls Eye Security Services Limited.
"The company was engaged by contractors Jatlin Construction and Associates and Alcar Construction Limited for the St William Grant Park and Downtown Transport Centre projects, respectively," read a section of the UDC's missive.
"However, a further review of our records has indicated that in one instance, July 2009, the services of Bulls Eye were contracted within the provisions of the Procurement Guidelines by way of limited tender. The contract, which is valued at $5.28 million, expires on March 4, 2011 and services the UDC project located at the corner of Church and North (streets)."
The UDC argued that the $5.28-million contract should be placed in the context of its entire security bill of $205.4 million, spread across seven contractors. ...
The UDC says it has one contract with the firm Bulls Eye Security Services Limited, but it is still checking its records to see if there are any others.
Late last month, the UDC told The Gleaner that it had not issued any contract to Bulls Eye, which lists Coke as a shareholder. Coke was previously listed as a director but is believed to have pulled out because of requirements that would force him to be fingerprinted.
But, last week, in a letter to The Gleaner, the UDC said it erred in its denial.
"We wish to state for the record that the UDC, in expediting what was deemed to be an urgent request from a Gleaner reporter to meet a cut-off deadline for publication, stated: "The UDC has not awarded any contract to Bulls Eye Security Services Limited.
"The company was engaged by contractors Jatlin Construction and Associates and Alcar Construction Limited for the St William Grant Park and Downtown Transport Centre projects, respectively," read a section of the UDC's missive.
"However, a further review of our records has indicated that in one instance, July 2009, the services of Bulls Eye were contracted within the provisions of the Procurement Guidelines by way of limited tender. The contract, which is valued at $5.28 million, expires on March 4, 2011 and services the UDC project located at the corner of Church and North (streets)."
The UDC argued that the $5.28-million contract should be placed in the context of its entire security bill of $205.4 million, spread across seven contractors. ...
A day at the 'well'
Published: Tuesday | June 22, 2010
Pawp pawp! The large blue-and-white truck slowed to a stop and people started running towards it. They were coming from all corners with buckets and washing tubs in hand.
"Mitzy, mi tell yuh seh mi hear di truck! Run go tell Shirley and tell har fi borrow Miss Joyce big bucket and come fast!" yelled a woman, running towards the truck.
I was sitting inside a small shop across the road in Moneague, St Ann, when the driver of the truck hopped out. "Alright, alright, mine yuh bounce mi down!" he yelled before walking a few feet away to stand in the shade of a mango tree. Another man who was travelling in the truck walked to the back of the vehicle and started dispensing water into the containers.
"Ah me fus reach so mek sure it nuh done pan mi dis time!" yelled a short fellow wearing short pants and a merino. He was holding a bucket in front of him and ordering everyone to get behind him. Nobody seemed to have been listening to him though, as the more people showed up, the more they bundled. A small shoving match nearly got out of hand, and would have, if not for the timely intervention of the man dispensing the water, who threatened to pack up and leave if order was not immediately restored. The crowd quickly fell in line.
The woman behind the counter inside the shop I was sitting, chuckled. I asked her what she found so funny.
"Nuh Miss Inez big bwoy," she said. I asked her who among the crowd she was speaking of.
"Him nuh out deh. Dat is why mi laugh. Miss Inez sickly yuh know, and har eye dem dark, so it up to di big bwoy fi get di water when time di truck come," said the woman, looking through a window at the action across the road.
"Last week when truck come, di bwoy inna bed lay down same way. When Miss Inez come in and ask him weh di water deh, him mouth join church. Mi hear seh she nearly kill him wid some big lick even wid har bad eye," the woman chuckled as she related the story. ...
"Society for the Blind sets sights on raising funds" is a candidate for Most Tasteless Headline of the Year.
Well done the hecklers.
Published: Tuesday | June 8, 2010
Ahh, the market. Fresh produce, bargain prices, choices galore and ... crazy motorists speeding by at stomach-sinking speeds? Well, not normally, but hey, these aren't normal times. Last week, many vendors who usually sell in Kingston's iconic Coronation Market made their way to Three Miles, largely because part of the market was gutted in the recent hoopla, downtown. Others left to get away from all the madness. Their bills weren't going to pay themselves, however, so the goodly market folk set up shop (with tents and all) at the new spot near the Hunt's Bay police station. ...
... "Bwoy pickney, git up and go help di woman! Mi nuh feed yuh porridge dis morning? Nuh badda come embarrass mi," she said.
I asked her how things were going. "It going well, man. Going well. Mi did was fretting if di ting dem was going to spoil because of what really tek place last week, but di ting dem moving well, man," she said, smiling.
I told her I had heard that all the vendors would have returned to Coronation Market that morning.
"Well, to tell yuh di truth, mi woulda love if dem woulda allow we to stay right here," said Miss Pam, glancing across at the boy who was collecting a $100 bill from the woman who had apparently decided to purchase the cabbage.
"Donovan, put it into a bag and tell di lady thank you!" she yelled. The boy mumbled something to the woman and handed her a black plastic bag.
Miss Pam turned back to me. "Yes, dat is true. Some gone, but we on dis side nuh really go back. We hear seh is not di whole of di market reopen, so not everybody can hold," she said.
Then, she looked around and leaned closer to me. "Mek mi tell yuh something young bwoy. Is long time I nuh sell like how mi sell since day," she said in a hushed tone.
"It more convenience fi di people dem dan over Curry. Here, di people dem driving and dem just stop di cyar and tell we what dem want. Dem not even too haffi come outa dem cyar, so everybody ah shop like grand market. Nuff of these people we never see dem before, so dem never used to go Curry, but now dat it move, dem glad!" Miss Pam said. ...
FOR YEARS, the diverse cultural and educational contribution of Tivoli Gardens to Jamaica has been overshadowed by the perception that the community is a haven for thugs and gunmen. ...
Pfui. I'd go there tomorrow if I could....but I hang on the North Coast, thanks.
Who is behind Jamaica's mayhem?
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
The Editor, Sir:
I have read and watched with interest the developments in Jamaica since the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition issue has come to the forefront. And, I must say how interesting it is when one man must take the fall for the ills of many.
Yes, I say, many because, even though the spotlight is on Dudus, the real problem facing Jamaica is not Dudus; it is corruption in all levels of government. Dudus is just a product of the ongoing corruption that has infected Jamaican politics and society over the years.
Lest we forget, many members of parliament, in an effort to maintain power, have supported dons in garrison constituencies. And these events today are just a product of those actions. What is happening now, with the signing of the extradition order and the effort to arrest Dudus, is seemingly just a facade to save face and to appease the US State Department, which has stepped up pressure on the Jamaican government.
Let's ask the question, "what would have happened if there were no extradition request from the United States?", and "what will happen next?" Would the garrisons remain? Or rather, "will they remain when this is all over and Dudus is gone?"
It is time to hold members of parliament accountable for ills in their constituencies. Dudus has allegedly broken the law, but the politicians have been living above the law since independence. ...
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
The Editor, Sir:
I have read and watched with interest the developments in Jamaica since the Christopher 'Dudus' Coke extradition issue has come to the forefront. And, I must say how interesting it is when one man must take the fall for the ills of many.
Yes, I say, many because, even though the spotlight is on Dudus, the real problem facing Jamaica is not Dudus; it is corruption in all levels of government. Dudus is just a product of the ongoing corruption that has infected Jamaican politics and society over the years.
Lest we forget, many members of parliament, in an effort to maintain power, have supported dons in garrison constituencies. And these events today are just a product of those actions. What is happening now, with the signing of the extradition order and the effort to arrest Dudus, is seemingly just a facade to save face and to appease the US State Department, which has stepped up pressure on the Jamaican government.
Let's ask the question, "what would have happened if there were no extradition request from the United States?", and "what will happen next?" Would the garrisons remain? Or rather, "will they remain when this is all over and Dudus is gone?"
It is time to hold members of parliament accountable for ills in their constituencies. Dudus has allegedly broken the law, but the politicians have been living above the law since independence. ...
Massacre in Tivoli Gardens
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Massacre in Tivoli Gardens
The Editor, Sir:
Since the prime minister's announcement that the process for the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke would take place, not only have we witnessed the physical and mental destruction of a community, but we have witnessed an intentional onslaught by the security forces on a poor, innocent and misled people. What makes it so difficult and painful is the fact that the invasion's main purpose was inconsequential.
How can a warrant be issued without any credible evidence as to the whereabouts of the person being sought? Refusing to acquire, or not acquiring, credible evidence suggests that other than issuing the warrant, the security forces could not wait to unleash their weaponry on a community which has been a target for them for quite a number of years....
A time to rejoice
The Editor, Sir;
While many Jamaicans lament the killing of innocent Jamaicans in this battle in Tivoli, many of us applaud the efforts of the military and the police to rid the country of criminal elements.
We are quite aware that politicians are guilty of the escalation of mafia-type crime in Jamaica through the granting of contracts to these criminal elements, which has served to safeguard the politicians' selfish desire for political power. So, while many politicians forge unholy alliances with criminals, many hardworking Jamaicans cowered in their communities as criminals ran amok, holding citizens hostage to violence and extortion.
Now that the politicians have empowered these criminals to the point where they can challenge the State, the Government has reacted to stave off international embarrassment. ...
...hard-working Jamaicans have had enough of crime and rejoice at the dismantling of this and hopefully many other garrisons across Jamaica....
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Massacre in Tivoli Gardens
The Editor, Sir:
Since the prime minister's announcement that the process for the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke would take place, not only have we witnessed the physical and mental destruction of a community, but we have witnessed an intentional onslaught by the security forces on a poor, innocent and misled people. What makes it so difficult and painful is the fact that the invasion's main purpose was inconsequential.
How can a warrant be issued without any credible evidence as to the whereabouts of the person being sought? Refusing to acquire, or not acquiring, credible evidence suggests that other than issuing the warrant, the security forces could not wait to unleash their weaponry on a community which has been a target for them for quite a number of years....
A time to rejoice
The Editor, Sir;
While many Jamaicans lament the killing of innocent Jamaicans in this battle in Tivoli, many of us applaud the efforts of the military and the police to rid the country of criminal elements.
We are quite aware that politicians are guilty of the escalation of mafia-type crime in Jamaica through the granting of contracts to these criminal elements, which has served to safeguard the politicians' selfish desire for political power. So, while many politicians forge unholy alliances with criminals, many hardworking Jamaicans cowered in their communities as criminals ran amok, holding citizens hostage to violence and extortion.
Now that the politicians have empowered these criminals to the point where they can challenge the State, the Government has reacted to stave off international embarrassment. ...
...hard-working Jamaicans have had enough of crime and rejoice at the dismantling of this and hopefully many other garrisons across Jamaica....
War tools - Security forces say thugs designed multiple hazards
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter
THE NUMBER of guns found, as well as the sophistication of the resistance which the security forces encountered in west Kingston, were revealed yesterday during a press conference at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters at Up Park Camp in St Andrew.
A tale of a well-fortified Tivoli Gardens community was presented yesterday, with the security forces painting a picture, with the aid of photographs and videos, that criminal elements in the downtown Kingston enclave utilised several methods to present hazards for law enforcement.
Pictures and videos obtained through surveillance by the military of several checkpoints, improvised explosive devices (IED), men walking around with guns, men setting up firing positions, booby-trapped barricades and gullies inside the community leading to the Kingston Harbour added to the aura in the general public of Tivoli Gardens as a well-organised criminal operation.
"The insertion into the area was not going to be a simple task, as the high level of fortification and number of firing positions seen inside the area would have made it difficult. This, coupled with the large-scale barricading which was done to the main entries, made the military task a more arduous one," Major Richard Blackwood, civil-military officer, said.
He explained that it took up to three hours for the security forces to move over 200 metres - a journey which would have taken three minutes - because of the gunfire from criminal elements. ...
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter
THE NUMBER of guns found, as well as the sophistication of the resistance which the security forces encountered in west Kingston, were revealed yesterday during a press conference at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) headquarters at Up Park Camp in St Andrew.
A tale of a well-fortified Tivoli Gardens community was presented yesterday, with the security forces painting a picture, with the aid of photographs and videos, that criminal elements in the downtown Kingston enclave utilised several methods to present hazards for law enforcement.
Pictures and videos obtained through surveillance by the military of several checkpoints, improvised explosive devices (IED), men walking around with guns, men setting up firing positions, booby-trapped barricades and gullies inside the community leading to the Kingston Harbour added to the aura in the general public of Tivoli Gardens as a well-organised criminal operation.
"The insertion into the area was not going to be a simple task, as the high level of fortification and number of firing positions seen inside the area would have made it difficult. This, coupled with the large-scale barricading which was done to the main entries, made the military task a more arduous one," Major Richard Blackwood, civil-military officer, said.
He explained that it took up to three hours for the security forces to move over 200 metres - a journey which would have taken three minutes - because of the gunfire from criminal elements. ...
Market blues
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Lovelette Brooks, News Editor
THE PLANNED rebuilding and refurbishing exercise for the Coronation Market, downtown Kingston, later this year, becomes even more urgent as the market, regarded as the pivot of trade and commerce in the heart of the city, is almost completely destroyed.
Located in west Kingston in proximity to the Tivoli Gardens war zone, the market took a severe battering from four days of intense battle waged between the island's security forces and gunmen that threatened to rip the city apart.
More than 70 persons, including Jamaica Defence Force personnel, were killed and two police stations burnt.
The largest and most vibrant market in Jamaica, Coronation Market, or 'Curry', accommodates between 6,000 to 8,000 persons per day. Peak days for business are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Despite its deplorable physical and sanitary conditions, the wholesale and retail market is well patronised.
However, vending stalls that, only a week ago, were piled high with fresh fruits and ground produce, were reduced to smouldering cisterns. Soot, ash, burnt fruits and vegetables litter the ground.
"This is the leading market in Jamaica and it gone, and if it gone, there is no more economy downtown!" shouts Jessica, an angry vendor who says she lost everything, including stock she had in storage.
According to residents who live in the vicinity, the market was firebombed. Several stalls were still burning when The Gleaner visited the market. ...
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
Lovelette Brooks, News Editor
THE PLANNED rebuilding and refurbishing exercise for the Coronation Market, downtown Kingston, later this year, becomes even more urgent as the market, regarded as the pivot of trade and commerce in the heart of the city, is almost completely destroyed.
Located in west Kingston in proximity to the Tivoli Gardens war zone, the market took a severe battering from four days of intense battle waged between the island's security forces and gunmen that threatened to rip the city apart.
More than 70 persons, including Jamaica Defence Force personnel, were killed and two police stations burnt.
The largest and most vibrant market in Jamaica, Coronation Market, or 'Curry', accommodates between 6,000 to 8,000 persons per day. Peak days for business are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Despite its deplorable physical and sanitary conditions, the wholesale and retail market is well patronised.
However, vending stalls that, only a week ago, were piled high with fresh fruits and ground produce, were reduced to smouldering cisterns. Soot, ash, burnt fruits and vegetables litter the ground.
"This is the leading market in Jamaica and it gone, and if it gone, there is no more economy downtown!" shouts Jessica, an angry vendor who says she lost everything, including stock she had in storage.
According to residents who live in the vicinity, the market was firebombed. Several stalls were still burning when The Gleaner visited the market. ...
Water after 20 years for Lewisburg
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
LEWISBURG, ST MARY :
Imagine living in a community that has little or no access to clean water because the only water source is in dire need of repair. In such a community, residents, including women and children, have to travel great distances to obtain water from springs that are sometimes unhealthy.
These were just a few of the challenges that faced the over 1,800 residents of Lewisburg in St Mary who have been without proper access to clean water for the past 20 years.
Just recently, however, charity organisation Food For The Poor, in partnership with the Parish Council of St Mary, responded to the plight of the residents by providing the community and its environs with safe, clean and potable water. ...
Published: Saturday | May 29, 2010
LEWISBURG, ST MARY :
Imagine living in a community that has little or no access to clean water because the only water source is in dire need of repair. In such a community, residents, including women and children, have to travel great distances to obtain water from springs that are sometimes unhealthy.
These were just a few of the challenges that faced the over 1,800 residents of Lewisburg in St Mary who have been without proper access to clean water for the past 20 years.
Just recently, however, charity organisation Food For The Poor, in partnership with the Parish Council of St Mary, responded to the plight of the residents by providing the community and its environs with safe, clean and potable water. ...
Gov't hiding 'real issues' in Chinese deal - OCG
Published: Friday | May 28, 2010
Contractor General Greg Christie has slammed the Government for its attempt to justify a proposed multibillion-dollar deal to sell its 45 per cent stake of the Jamalco alumina refinery to Chinese firm Zhuhai Hongfan Non-ferrous Metals and Chemical Engineering Limited (Hongfan). He accused government bureaucrats of "obfuscating" the real issues when it responded to the initial alarm he raised about the deal.
In a media release, responding to concerns raised by the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) two weeks ago, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM), Hillary Alexander, pointed to, among other things, operating losses at Clarendon Alumina Production Company (CAP), which created a debt of more than US$400 million, an obligation, she said which cannot be accommodated in the current economic programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
But in a sharp rebuke, Christie described the ministry's response as an "interesting attempt ... to obfuscate the real issues which are the subject of the OCG's contention in the matter".
"As you are very much aware, the OCG's primary contention is that the proposed multibillion-dollar Government of Jamaica/Port Reliant/Hongfan contract award is not one which was borne out of an open, competitive and transparent tender process," the OCG letter which was released to the media said.
"Indeed, to date," the contractor general continued, "you have failed to provide to the OCG an acceptable explanation for your ministry's aberrant and potentially damaging conduct in not putting this major asset divestment to public competitive tender."
In the letter, which was copied to the prime minister and other state officials, Christie pointed to the ministry's references to the "drain on the public purse" and the allusion that the IMF standby agreement made no provision for the servicing of CAP's J$36-billion debt. ...
Published: Friday | May 28, 2010
Contractor General Greg Christie has slammed the Government for its attempt to justify a proposed multibillion-dollar deal to sell its 45 per cent stake of the Jamalco alumina refinery to Chinese firm Zhuhai Hongfan Non-ferrous Metals and Chemical Engineering Limited (Hongfan). He accused government bureaucrats of "obfuscating" the real issues when it responded to the initial alarm he raised about the deal.
In a media release, responding to concerns raised by the Office of the Contractor General (OCG) two weeks ago, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mining (MEM), Hillary Alexander, pointed to, among other things, operating losses at Clarendon Alumina Production Company (CAP), which created a debt of more than US$400 million, an obligation, she said which cannot be accommodated in the current economic programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
But in a sharp rebuke, Christie described the ministry's response as an "interesting attempt ... to obfuscate the real issues which are the subject of the OCG's contention in the matter".
"As you are very much aware, the OCG's primary contention is that the proposed multibillion-dollar Government of Jamaica/Port Reliant/Hongfan contract award is not one which was borne out of an open, competitive and transparent tender process," the OCG letter which was released to the media said.
"Indeed, to date," the contractor general continued, "you have failed to provide to the OCG an acceptable explanation for your ministry's aberrant and potentially damaging conduct in not putting this major asset divestment to public competitive tender."
In the letter, which was copied to the prime minister and other state officials, Christie pointed to the ministry's references to the "drain on the public purse" and the allusion that the IMF standby agreement made no provision for the servicing of CAP's J$36-billion debt. ...
Witter to probe army strike
Published: Friday | May 28, 2010
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
THE Golding administration has announced an independent enquiry into the security operation in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town in west Kingston which left at least 73 civilians dead and three members of the security forces killed.
Public Defender Earl Witter and a team to be selected by him will carry out a probe into what is being described by some as the largest casualty figure arising from a security-force operation in Jamaica.
"The Government will be having independent investigations on all police-military operations taking place to date. That will be the starting point," Information Minister Daryl Vaz told journalists yesterday at a press conference at the Hilton hotel in New Kingston.
The investigation comes as the Government yesterday expressed concern about alleged reports of misconduct in the security operation in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town.
"These vary from mistreatment of citizens to innocent persons being killed. The Government is committed and insistent that the rights of citizens be respected and observed," Vaz stated.
He said the public defender would set up office in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town to provide easy access to residents who wanted to make complaints. ...
Published: Friday | May 28, 2010
Edmond Campbell, Senior Staff Reporter
THE Golding administration has announced an independent enquiry into the security operation in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town in west Kingston which left at least 73 civilians dead and three members of the security forces killed.
Public Defender Earl Witter and a team to be selected by him will carry out a probe into what is being described by some as the largest casualty figure arising from a security-force operation in Jamaica.
"The Government will be having independent investigations on all police-military operations taking place to date. That will be the starting point," Information Minister Daryl Vaz told journalists yesterday at a press conference at the Hilton hotel in New Kingston.
The investigation comes as the Government yesterday expressed concern about alleged reports of misconduct in the security operation in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town.
"These vary from mistreatment of citizens to innocent persons being killed. The Government is committed and insistent that the rights of citizens be respected and observed," Vaz stated.
He said the public defender would set up office in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town to provide easy access to residents who wanted to make complaints. ...
Cops Conduct Search For Dudus
2010-05-27 07:08:48
As the civil unrest across the city enters its fifth day, THE STAR understands that the security forces this morning conducted a massive operation at a house in the East Kirkland Heights area of St Andrew, Jamaica, apparently in search of alleged Shower Posse leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Coke is being sought by police who are seeking to serve on him a warrant of arrest after Government last week signed an order clearing the way for extradition proceedings to begin against the man who United States authorities have accused of serious gun and drug-related crimes. The US authorities have requested that Coke be extradited to face trial.
STAR sources suggest that Coke was believed to be at the premises. This morning, from as early as 2:30 a.m., residents reported that the security forces cordoned off the community. Helicopters, they said, circled in the night sky, dropping flares near or on the premises. There were also reports of gunfire. One source, close to the scene said the situation ‘was not pretty’.
The earliest signs that something was afoot began shortly after 9 p.m. last night when helicopters with searchlights attached buzzed in the night sky in Upper St Andrew. It seemed to have been a prelude to the operation that begun just a few hours later. ...
2010-05-27 07:08:48
As the civil unrest across the city enters its fifth day, THE STAR understands that the security forces this morning conducted a massive operation at a house in the East Kirkland Heights area of St Andrew, Jamaica, apparently in search of alleged Shower Posse leader Christopher "Dudus" Coke.
Coke is being sought by police who are seeking to serve on him a warrant of arrest after Government last week signed an order clearing the way for extradition proceedings to begin against the man who United States authorities have accused of serious gun and drug-related crimes. The US authorities have requested that Coke be extradited to face trial.
STAR sources suggest that Coke was believed to be at the premises. This morning, from as early as 2:30 a.m., residents reported that the security forces cordoned off the community. Helicopters, they said, circled in the night sky, dropping flares near or on the premises. There were also reports of gunfire. One source, close to the scene said the situation ‘was not pretty’.
The earliest signs that something was afoot began shortly after 9 p.m. last night when helicopters with searchlights attached buzzed in the night sky in Upper St Andrew. It seemed to have been a prelude to the operation that begun just a few hours later. ...
Baring one's sole in Bonny Gate
Published: Tuesday | May 25, 2010
The quiet and picturesque Bonny Gate, St Mary. - photos by Robert Lalah
I was walking near a small burial ground in Bonny Gate, St Mary recently when a middle-aged man with a pointy nose stepped out of the bushes.
"Yuh ever hear something like dis though, sah?" he said. I looked behind him to see if he had a companion. There was nobody there. I looked behind me and there was no one there either.
"Mi give di woman mi shoes dem fi wash from last week and all now!" he exclaimed, waving his arms.
I shrugged, offering my empathy, but truly had no idea what he was talking about. The man had a yo-yo in his hand and started swinging it up and down, all the while frowning and mumbling.
We both stood there for a few seconds without saying anything. Then, he gave the yo-yo a final swing, wrapped it up and put it into his pocket. I then introduced myself to the man.
"Please to be knowing you. I am Eric. Have mi excuse for di miserableness, but right now mi just get dark, for di woman won't do what mi tell har. Every Friday day she always find harself pan mi doorstep like dem puss, but pon di blue moon when mi give har something fi do, is pure laziness. I can't bother wid it," said Eric, shaking his head.
I asked him if he lived in Bonny Gate. "Not really. Mi live elsewhere but di woman is from here, so you find dat mi spend nuff time here," he said. ...
Published: Tuesday | May 25, 2010
The quiet and picturesque Bonny Gate, St Mary. - photos by Robert Lalah
I was walking near a small burial ground in Bonny Gate, St Mary recently when a middle-aged man with a pointy nose stepped out of the bushes.
"Yuh ever hear something like dis though, sah?" he said. I looked behind him to see if he had a companion. There was nobody there. I looked behind me and there was no one there either.
"Mi give di woman mi shoes dem fi wash from last week and all now!" he exclaimed, waving his arms.
I shrugged, offering my empathy, but truly had no idea what he was talking about. The man had a yo-yo in his hand and started swinging it up and down, all the while frowning and mumbling.
We both stood there for a few seconds without saying anything. Then, he gave the yo-yo a final swing, wrapped it up and put it into his pocket. I then introduced myself to the man.
"Please to be knowing you. I am Eric. Have mi excuse for di miserableness, but right now mi just get dark, for di woman won't do what mi tell har. Every Friday day she always find harself pan mi doorstep like dem puss, but pon di blue moon when mi give har something fi do, is pure laziness. I can't bother wid it," said Eric, shaking his head.
I asked him if he lived in Bonny Gate. "Not really. Mi live elsewhere but di woman is from here, so you find dat mi spend nuff time here," he said. ...
Hunt still on for 'Dudus'
2010-05-25 18:52:59
The hunt is still on in Jamaica this evening for west Kingston strongman Christopher Dudus Coke.
More than 30 hours since a mass police/military operation began in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston, the National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson says the security forces have reported that Coke was not found.
Meanwhile acting deputy commissioner of police Glenmore Hinds declined to say whether the authorities know where to find the man the United States has accused of being a crime lord.
At the same time, the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew remain under a state of public emergency. ...
2010-05-25 18:52:59
The hunt is still on in Jamaica this evening for west Kingston strongman Christopher Dudus Coke.
More than 30 hours since a mass police/military operation began in Tivoli Gardens, Kingston, the National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson says the security forces have reported that Coke was not found.
Meanwhile acting deputy commissioner of police Glenmore Hinds declined to say whether the authorities know where to find the man the United States has accused of being a crime lord.
At the same time, the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew remain under a state of public emergency. ...
Over 26 killed in standoff to capture Christopher 'Dudus' Coke for extradition
2010-05-25 12:16:22
The Jamaica Security Forces have provided a report on the number of casualties arising from the ongoing battle between criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town since yesterday.
The police say seven members of the security forces have been injured and one killed. They also say 26 civilians have been killed and 25 injured.
The police say those killed were mainly males whose bodies were recovered from areas close to barricades, building entrances and gullies running through Tivoli Gardens.
In addition to injuries and fatalities, 211 people including six women have been detained.
The Security Forces are also reporting seizures of firearms, ammunition, binoculars, army fatigues and ballistic vests....
2010-05-25 12:16:22
The Jamaica Security Forces have provided a report on the number of casualties arising from the ongoing battle between criminal elements in Tivoli Gardens and Denham Town since yesterday.
The police say seven members of the security forces have been injured and one killed. They also say 26 civilians have been killed and 25 injured.
The police say those killed were mainly males whose bodies were recovered from areas close to barricades, building entrances and gullies running through Tivoli Gardens.
In addition to injuries and fatalities, 211 people including six women have been detained.
The Security Forces are also reporting seizures of firearms, ammunition, binoculars, army fatigues and ballistic vests....
Food running low in Kingston
2010-05-25 18:34:34
Damion Mitchell
Assistant News Editor
Food supplies are running low in the Jamaican capital, Kingston even as many supermarkets remain closed.
In St Andrew, many of the popular supermarkets like PriceSmart on Red Hills Road were closed today.
But outside the establishment, however, a few security personnel were seen.
In downtown Kingston, mini-supermarkets and wholesale grocery stores remained locked and at several others there were clear signs that they had been looted.
But a few of the wholesales in the corporate area like some on Molynes Road were open. However they had limited amount of food.
On the Washington Boulevard, the Lee's Food Fair was opened, but perishable goods like bread were finished and other items like biscuits were running low. ...
2010-05-25 18:34:34
Damion Mitchell
Assistant News Editor
Food supplies are running low in the Jamaican capital, Kingston even as many supermarkets remain closed.
In St Andrew, many of the popular supermarkets like PriceSmart on Red Hills Road were closed today.
But outside the establishment, however, a few security personnel were seen.
In downtown Kingston, mini-supermarkets and wholesale grocery stores remained locked and at several others there were clear signs that they had been looted.
But a few of the wholesales in the corporate area like some on Molynes Road were open. However they had limited amount of food.
On the Washington Boulevard, the Lee's Food Fair was opened, but perishable goods like bread were finished and other items like biscuits were running low. ...
Jamaica's international reputation takes a battering
2010-05-25 18:37:50
The bad publicity for Jamaica has continued in the international press.
The latest report is posted on the website of the United States-based ABC news.
ABC news has quoted a US Government report naming a very prominent Government minister and cabinet member as a criminal affiliate of Christopher Coke.
The ABC report says the very prominent Government minister and other senior Jamaican officials have been electronically intercepted talking to Coke inside his fortified community.
The issue of Jamaica’s international reputation was also raised in parliament today.
In the meantime, the Government is moving to counter negative media coverage of the operations in Tivoli Gardens.
Information Minister, Daryl Vaz announced today that a media center has been set up at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston. ...
2010-05-25 18:37:50
The bad publicity for Jamaica has continued in the international press.
The latest report is posted on the website of the United States-based ABC news.
ABC news has quoted a US Government report naming a very prominent Government minister and cabinet member as a criminal affiliate of Christopher Coke.
The ABC report says the very prominent Government minister and other senior Jamaican officials have been electronically intercepted talking to Coke inside his fortified community.
The issue of Jamaica’s international reputation was also raised in parliament today.
In the meantime, the Government is moving to counter negative media coverage of the operations in Tivoli Gardens.
Information Minister, Daryl Vaz announced today that a media center has been set up at the Hilton Hotel in New Kingston. ...
Bruce Golding's abortive attempt to resign as leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) raises far more questions than it answers. Golding's failure to concede defeat unequivocally and accede to the wishes of civil society confirms our collective fear that, even in the face of a national crisis of unprece-dented proportions, indi-vidual integrity must yield to the demands of partisan politics.
The decision of the Central Excecutive of the JLP not to accept Golding's resignation reinforces the popular perception that the function of leader of the party takes precedence over the role of prime minister. Propping up the fallen leader appears to be a much higher priority than preserving the integrity of the high office of prime minister.
Ironically, this 'separation of powers' is precisely what got Mr Golding into trouble in the first place. In the matter of that fateful sanctioning of the decision to hire the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby on behalf of the JLP, Mr Golding claimed that his sacrosanct role as prime minister could not at all be compromised by his actions as leader of the JLP. ...
The decision of the Central Excecutive of the JLP not to accept Golding's resignation reinforces the popular perception that the function of leader of the party takes precedence over the role of prime minister. Propping up the fallen leader appears to be a much higher priority than preserving the integrity of the high office of prime minister.
Ironically, this 'separation of powers' is precisely what got Mr Golding into trouble in the first place. In the matter of that fateful sanctioning of the decision to hire the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips to lobby on behalf of the JLP, Mr Golding claimed that his sacrosanct role as prime minister could not at all be compromised by his actions as leader of the JLP. ...
BRUCE GOLDING, prime minister of Jamaica, shares an intriguing relationship with Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the 'President' of Tivoli Gardens.
The power-sharing framework between the man who formally represents the West Kingston constituency in which Tivoli Gardens is located, and the man who really runs the place, is just as fascinating.
The word from well-placed political sources is that Golding and Dudus are not particularly close.
More than a generation separates them.
While Golding revels in the political limelight, Dudus shirks it.
Why then would Golding sacrifice his political career for a man with whom he is not a particularly close friend?
A Sunday Gleaner probe reveals that Coke was instrumental in Golding's election as member of parliament (MP) for Western Kingston after he was elected leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 2005. ...
The power-sharing framework between the man who formally represents the West Kingston constituency in which Tivoli Gardens is located, and the man who really runs the place, is just as fascinating.
The word from well-placed political sources is that Golding and Dudus are not particularly close.
More than a generation separates them.
While Golding revels in the political limelight, Dudus shirks it.
Why then would Golding sacrifice his political career for a man with whom he is not a particularly close friend?
A Sunday Gleaner probe reveals that Coke was instrumental in Golding's election as member of parliament (MP) for Western Kingston after he was elected leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in 2005. ...
How can they call when they have no phones?
They've thrown up barricades because they don't want their doors kicked in and their children shot by the cops; simple as.
Ta much, dear Glenn321
Ta much, dear Glenn321
Hitting the road and Jack
Published: Tuesday | May 18, 2010
By the side of a road that leads from Kingston to St Thomas there's a monument dedicated to Jack Mansong, also known as Three Finger Jack. If you don't know who that is, don't feel too bad, you're not alone. On a recent stop at the monument and surrounding areas, I came across lots of people, but little information.
It's hard to miss the monument dedicated to Three Finger Jack as you zip along the somewhat lonely stretch of road near enough to Bull Bay, St Thomas. There would be, however, little reason to stop, as other than the sign, there's nothing much around, save for bush and the occasional fast-moving mongoose. I, however, gave in to curiosity and pulled over at the spot last week to get a closer look.
In short, according to the inscription, Jack Mansong made the hills behind the marker his home as he waged a mostly single-handed war on English colonisers between 1780-1781. Nobody knows if he was brought to Jamaica from Africa or if he was born here, but he's believed to have been skilled with a machete and musket and gave the English soldiers hell during altercations. He was eventually ambushed and killed near the spot the monument now occupies.
The stranger
It was while standing at the side of the road reading the information that I heard a sneeze behind me. I turned to see an older fellow wearing a hat, sitting on a bicycle. He said hello as soon as I spotted him.
"Ah see yuh reading about old Jack, man!" he said, seeming quite happy about it. "Many people pass here, but nobody much really stop to find out what is what," he said. I asked him his name. "I am Smith, Everton Smith. I live down the road out there," he said, pointing in the direction of Kingston. I asked him what he knew about Three Finger Jack. He smiled broadly.
"I don't grow around here, yuh know. I am from Manchester and I know about Jack from I was a young bwoy inna short pants," said Everton. He adjusted his hat and continued.
"Three Finger Jack was a slave weh never tek nuh chat from no planter. Him decide seh him is a man and him not into dis slavery business, so him start fight like Chuck Norris and run weh inna di hills fi live. Any bwoy test, Jack just deal wid dem case, crucial. Dem eventually set trap fi him and kill him, but mi hear seh Jack tek out bout five ah dem same time." Everton smiled broadly as he related the story. I asked him if he knew how the name Three Finger Jack came about.
"Well, to be honest, mi not sure. My grandparents dem tell mi dat is while fighting one day him lose two of him finger dem and so him get him name, but I don't see nothing on di sign about it, so mi nuh know how true it is," he said.
Younger idiot dem
I mentioned to Everton how happy he seemed to be to recall the legend of Three Finger Jack and he nodded. "Yes, man. These are di stories people must know. Di younger idiot dem nuh know noting bout Jack. Di only Jack dem know ah cyar jack," he said, frowning. ...
Published: Tuesday | May 18, 2010
By the side of a road that leads from Kingston to St Thomas there's a monument dedicated to Jack Mansong, also known as Three Finger Jack. If you don't know who that is, don't feel too bad, you're not alone. On a recent stop at the monument and surrounding areas, I came across lots of people, but little information.
It's hard to miss the monument dedicated to Three Finger Jack as you zip along the somewhat lonely stretch of road near enough to Bull Bay, St Thomas. There would be, however, little reason to stop, as other than the sign, there's nothing much around, save for bush and the occasional fast-moving mongoose. I, however, gave in to curiosity and pulled over at the spot last week to get a closer look.
In short, according to the inscription, Jack Mansong made the hills behind the marker his home as he waged a mostly single-handed war on English colonisers between 1780-1781. Nobody knows if he was brought to Jamaica from Africa or if he was born here, but he's believed to have been skilled with a machete and musket and gave the English soldiers hell during altercations. He was eventually ambushed and killed near the spot the monument now occupies.
The stranger
It was while standing at the side of the road reading the information that I heard a sneeze behind me. I turned to see an older fellow wearing a hat, sitting on a bicycle. He said hello as soon as I spotted him.
"Ah see yuh reading about old Jack, man!" he said, seeming quite happy about it. "Many people pass here, but nobody much really stop to find out what is what," he said. I asked him his name. "I am Smith, Everton Smith. I live down the road out there," he said, pointing in the direction of Kingston. I asked him what he knew about Three Finger Jack. He smiled broadly.
"I don't grow around here, yuh know. I am from Manchester and I know about Jack from I was a young bwoy inna short pants," said Everton. He adjusted his hat and continued.
"Three Finger Jack was a slave weh never tek nuh chat from no planter. Him decide seh him is a man and him not into dis slavery business, so him start fight like Chuck Norris and run weh inna di hills fi live. Any bwoy test, Jack just deal wid dem case, crucial. Dem eventually set trap fi him and kill him, but mi hear seh Jack tek out bout five ah dem same time." Everton smiled broadly as he related the story. I asked him if he knew how the name Three Finger Jack came about.
"Well, to be honest, mi not sure. My grandparents dem tell mi dat is while fighting one day him lose two of him finger dem and so him get him name, but I don't see nothing on di sign about it, so mi nuh know how true it is," he said.
Younger idiot dem
I mentioned to Everton how happy he seemed to be to recall the legend of Three Finger Jack and he nodded. "Yes, man. These are di stories people must know. Di younger idiot dem nuh know noting bout Jack. Di only Jack dem know ah cyar jack," he said, frowning. ...
Prime Minister talks it out - Golding holds Vale Royal meetings with JLP to decide on his future
Saturday | May 15, 2010
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
As the calls for the resignation of the prime minister heighten, official word from the Government is that Bruce Golding is engaged in a series of consultations before deciding his future.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz feverishly sought to quash swirling rumours that Golding had tendered his resignation to a meeting of officers of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday.
"The prime minister, the Government and the party take very seriously what has transpired and, therefore, these consultations and discussions have to be done in a very organised way," asserted Vaz.
The information minister continued to be the face and voice of the party in turmoil even as scores of other party faithfuls wound up heavily tinted windows to avoid the media.
Vaz sought to stave off a rush on the prime minister's official residence, Vale Royal, in the face of the rumours that the prime minister had buckled under pressure. ...
Saturday | May 15, 2010
Gary Spaulding, Senior Gleaner Writer
As the calls for the resignation of the prime minister heighten, official word from the Government is that Bruce Golding is engaged in a series of consultations before deciding his future.
Information Minister Daryl Vaz feverishly sought to quash swirling rumours that Golding had tendered his resignation to a meeting of officers of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) yesterday.
"The prime minister, the Government and the party take very seriously what has transpired and, therefore, these consultations and discussions have to be done in a very organised way," asserted Vaz.
The information minister continued to be the face and voice of the party in turmoil even as scores of other party faithfuls wound up heavily tinted windows to avoid the media.
Vaz sought to stave off a rush on the prime minister's official residence, Vale Royal, in the face of the rumours that the prime minister had buckled under pressure. ...
Wet and wild!
Published: Tuesday | May 11, 2010
... I said something to the woman near the stall, about how much fun everyone seemed to be having with just a broken pipe.
"Yes sah, we haffi find di joy wherever it deh. It nah find we, so we haffi find it," she said.
Published: Tuesday | May 11, 2010
... I said something to the woman near the stall, about how much fun everyone seemed to be having with just a broken pipe.
"Yes sah, we haffi find di joy wherever it deh. It nah find we, so we haffi find it," she said.
Dodging church in Sterling, St Ann
Published: Tuesday | May 4, 2010
It's early afternoon on a Sunday and there are still a few stragglers who have yet to make it to service at the Redemption Faith Tabernacle in Sterling, St Ann. Now Sterling is by no means a large community so it's easy to pinpoint those dodging worship. Pastor Allen, a wiry woman in the twilight of her days is not amused, and is walking the streets with a frown, seeking to accost all offenders.
In the shade of some trees near a house not far from the road, a handful of men, maybe seven of them, quite content with lazing the day away, spot Pastor Allen on her way up the road.
"Yow, see Pastor a come deh!" shouts one man and the group disperses with impressive speed.
"I see unuh!" yells the approaching woman, quickening her steps. "I shall be praying for unuh! I know all of yuh! Run if yuh want to run, but is alright, I know all of yuh and will be seeing yuh very soon!" says Pastor Allen, waving her fist. It's unclear if the men heard her threats though, as by then, they had all disappeared.
"Run from me? Tan deh! When di roll is called up yonder there shall be no place to run," Pastor Allen says in a more subdued tone. ...
Published: Tuesday | May 4, 2010
It's early afternoon on a Sunday and there are still a few stragglers who have yet to make it to service at the Redemption Faith Tabernacle in Sterling, St Ann. Now Sterling is by no means a large community so it's easy to pinpoint those dodging worship. Pastor Allen, a wiry woman in the twilight of her days is not amused, and is walking the streets with a frown, seeking to accost all offenders.
In the shade of some trees near a house not far from the road, a handful of men, maybe seven of them, quite content with lazing the day away, spot Pastor Allen on her way up the road.
"Yow, see Pastor a come deh!" shouts one man and the group disperses with impressive speed.
"I see unuh!" yells the approaching woman, quickening her steps. "I shall be praying for unuh! I know all of yuh! Run if yuh want to run, but is alright, I know all of yuh and will be seeing yuh very soon!" says Pastor Allen, waving her fist. It's unclear if the men heard her threats though, as by then, they had all disappeared.
"Run from me? Tan deh! When di roll is called up yonder there shall be no place to run," Pastor Allen says in a more subdued tone. ...
Roving with Lalah - The not so comfy street dance
Published: Tuesday | April 27, 2010
... On the other side of the building I saw a woman taking a swig from a green beer bottle. She looked at me and smiled, exposing more gold in her mouth than she was wearing around her neck.
She was looking a little woozy but walked over to me nonetheless. "Hi, hello," she said. I caught an unwelcomed whiff of the liquor on her breath.
"Buy mi a dri..." she started to say before breaking into a cough. "Eh ehm ehm!" I stepped back with a wince. "Sarry. Buy mi a drink nuh darling," she said. Her voice was deeper than mine. Thinking it was the best way to get rid of her, I signalled to the barmaid to take care of her and sent her shakily on her way.
The selector was screaming obscenities again. "All ah di gunman dem weh mek duppy regular seh boi boi!" he shouted.
To my distress, the response from the men in the crowd was loud and immediate. I instantly, of course, decided it was time to leave. I made my way quickly to my car and sped off. It was when I got about a mile away that I realised I had not paid for the woman's beer. Now, that was not a crowd I wanted to anger, but there was no way I was going back there.
Note: To the barmaid: Please don't send for me, I promise I'll find a way to make amends.
Published: Tuesday | April 27, 2010
... On the other side of the building I saw a woman taking a swig from a green beer bottle. She looked at me and smiled, exposing more gold in her mouth than she was wearing around her neck.
She was looking a little woozy but walked over to me nonetheless. "Hi, hello," she said. I caught an unwelcomed whiff of the liquor on her breath.
"Buy mi a dri..." she started to say before breaking into a cough. "Eh ehm ehm!" I stepped back with a wince. "Sarry. Buy mi a drink nuh darling," she said. Her voice was deeper than mine. Thinking it was the best way to get rid of her, I signalled to the barmaid to take care of her and sent her shakily on her way.
The selector was screaming obscenities again. "All ah di gunman dem weh mek duppy regular seh boi boi!" he shouted.
To my distress, the response from the men in the crowd was loud and immediate. I instantly, of course, decided it was time to leave. I made my way quickly to my car and sped off. It was when I got about a mile away that I realised I had not paid for the woman's beer. Now, that was not a crowd I wanted to anger, but there was no way I was going back there.
Note: To the barmaid: Please don't send for me, I promise I'll find a way to make amends.
Roving with Lalah - Welcome to Maggotty
Published: Tuesday | April 20, 2010
On the banks of the Black River in Maggotty, St Elizabeth, Roxborough Shakespeare, known to the good people of the community as Roxy, is cheerfully towelling off from his midday swim. His greying hair is dripping wet as he quickly manoeuvres the towel up and down his arms, trying to get dry as quickly as he can.
"Water warm tiday, young bwoy!" he said to me as I stood on a rock about 50 metres away. "Yuh can get in a swim before yuh go back to town. Town water nuh sweet so," he added with a smile.
I had met Roxy, a 70-something-year-old shoemaker earlier that morning at his cramped shop in Maggotty. He was sitting behind a huge machine with a spinning wheel with a woman's shoe in his hand.
"Welcomes to Maggotty!" he said. "Meck mi done wid Miss Darling boot and den we can conversate."
I had arrived in the community no more than 20 minutes earlier and stumbled upon Roxy's shop while trying to find someone to ask about life in Maggotty. "Me will tell yuh, man. Just have a seat," he said. ...
Published: Tuesday | April 20, 2010
On the banks of the Black River in Maggotty, St Elizabeth, Roxborough Shakespeare, known to the good people of the community as Roxy, is cheerfully towelling off from his midday swim. His greying hair is dripping wet as he quickly manoeuvres the towel up and down his arms, trying to get dry as quickly as he can.
"Water warm tiday, young bwoy!" he said to me as I stood on a rock about 50 metres away. "Yuh can get in a swim before yuh go back to town. Town water nuh sweet so," he added with a smile.
I had met Roxy, a 70-something-year-old shoemaker earlier that morning at his cramped shop in Maggotty. He was sitting behind a huge machine with a spinning wheel with a woman's shoe in his hand.
"Welcomes to Maggotty!" he said. "Meck mi done wid Miss Darling boot and den we can conversate."
I had arrived in the community no more than 20 minutes earlier and stumbled upon Roxy's shop while trying to find someone to ask about life in Maggotty. "Me will tell yuh, man. Just have a seat," he said. ...
USA Translation To Jamaican
By Donmerican
Published Mar 1, 2003
... USA: Hors d'oeuvres.
JA: Ah wah dis likkle sinting yuh a gi me?
USA: I think something is wrong with Susan, she might have the flu.
JA: Lawd Gad, obeah tek up Suzie!
USA: Girl, those shoes are the bomb.
JA: Gyal, yuh roach killa dem a seh one out deh.
USA: Oh my gosh, I just broke Mom's expensive plate.
JA: Lawd mi Gad, mi bruk up Mama stoosh crackry.
USA: Aren't those pants a bit short?
JA: Yuh did a expect flood ar yuh tek yuh measurement inna wata?
USA: Why are you squeezing the mangoes like that?
JA: Lissen mi nuh, mi a beg yuh stap fingle-fingle up di mango dem.
USA: Sir, please don't throw my luggage like that.
JA: Aye buff teet bwoy, tap fling up-fling up mi bag dem suh [so] man.
USA: I wish you would quit lying.
JA: Tap di blinkin lyin, yuh ole liyad.
USA: Lift the hood off the car for me, John.
JA: Hey my yute, fly di bonnet! ...
By Donmerican
Published Mar 1, 2003
... USA: Hors d'oeuvres.
JA: Ah wah dis likkle sinting yuh a gi me?
USA: I think something is wrong with Susan, she might have the flu.
JA: Lawd Gad, obeah tek up Suzie!
USA: Girl, those shoes are the bomb.
JA: Gyal, yuh roach killa dem a seh one out deh.
USA: Oh my gosh, I just broke Mom's expensive plate.
JA: Lawd mi Gad, mi bruk up Mama stoosh crackry.
USA: Aren't those pants a bit short?
JA: Yuh did a expect flood ar yuh tek yuh measurement inna wata?
USA: Why are you squeezing the mangoes like that?
JA: Lissen mi nuh, mi a beg yuh stap fingle-fingle up di mango dem.
USA: Sir, please don't throw my luggage like that.
JA: Aye buff teet bwoy, tap fling up-fling up mi bag dem suh [so] man.
USA: I wish you would quit lying.
JA: Tap di blinkin lyin, yuh ole liyad.
USA: Lift the hood off the car for me, John.
JA: Hey my yute, fly di bonnet! ...
Irish Town; a beautiful place with one ugly problem
Published: Tuesday | April 13, 2010
I like Irish Town. I mean, there are many places on the island that I enjoy visiting, but there's something about parts of Irish Town in particular that I like. Perhaps it has something to do with the people, although I deny referring specifically to Lisa-Ann, the voluptuous vixen of a barmaid who works at the Real Vibes Bar and Grocery Shop. It's more likely related to the fresh air you get to breath in up there. Irish Town is located in the high hills of St Andrew where few vehicles pass through daily. The smog therefore, is kept at a minimum.
Anyway, it was while sitting on a giant boulder by the side of a narrow road with a Rastaman called Turban last week, that I met Philistine Thompson, a woman who has made Irish Town her home for the past 38 years. Miss Phil, as Turban calls her, is one of those women who command respect from her fellow community members and can therefore get away with using less than flattering language to grown men whenever the fancy strikes her. She's perhaps close to 60-years-old but is as strong as the average 20-year-old man.
She walked up and said hello. "Turban, yuh locks ah squeeze yuh brain? Yuh have visitor inna di place and yuh not even have di decency fi come introduce him to me? Yuh madda raise yuh better dan dat, so stop behave like a idiot!" she yelled.
"Sorry Miss Phil, is my mistake," said Turban, sheepishly. ...
Published: Tuesday | April 13, 2010
I like Irish Town. I mean, there are many places on the island that I enjoy visiting, but there's something about parts of Irish Town in particular that I like. Perhaps it has something to do with the people, although I deny referring specifically to Lisa-Ann, the voluptuous vixen of a barmaid who works at the Real Vibes Bar and Grocery Shop. It's more likely related to the fresh air you get to breath in up there. Irish Town is located in the high hills of St Andrew where few vehicles pass through daily. The smog therefore, is kept at a minimum.
Anyway, it was while sitting on a giant boulder by the side of a narrow road with a Rastaman called Turban last week, that I met Philistine Thompson, a woman who has made Irish Town her home for the past 38 years. Miss Phil, as Turban calls her, is one of those women who command respect from her fellow community members and can therefore get away with using less than flattering language to grown men whenever the fancy strikes her. She's perhaps close to 60-years-old but is as strong as the average 20-year-old man.
She walked up and said hello. "Turban, yuh locks ah squeeze yuh brain? Yuh have visitor inna di place and yuh not even have di decency fi come introduce him to me? Yuh madda raise yuh better dan dat, so stop behave like a idiot!" she yelled.
"Sorry Miss Phil, is my mistake," said Turban, sheepishly. ...
Salisbury: forgotten but not lost
Published: Tuesday | April 6, 2010
... Back on the one dusty road in Salisbury, I came across three women having a chat in the shade of a naseberry tree.
"Hey come here," said the younger of the two. She had curlers in her hair and a big red pimple on her nose. The other woman had darker skin and a single hair growing on her chin. "Is you come fi fix Miss Palmer water tank?" asked the woman in the curlers. I told her I wasn't. "Den ah weh dat man deh?" she said mainly to herself.
I asked her what had happened to Miss Palmer's water tank. "It pop down 'bout two week now and she cyaah find nobody fi work pan it. True mi see yuh and yuh nuh beknowing to mi, dat mek mi ask if it was you who come fi look pan it," she said. I asked the woman with the darker skin if she had lived in Salisbury a long time. "Born and grow right here," she said. "Mi know mi look young and fresh, but is long long time now mi deh here ah banga banga," she said.
I asked her what life was like there. "Is what yuh see in front of yuh, not a blooming ting nuh gwaan. Salisbury deh behind God, so most people nuh come around here edda dan those who live here," she said.
The two women nodded in unison. I spent a while longer with the pair, then told them I would walk further up the hill to see if I could find someone else to speak with.
"All right darling, walk good," said the woman with the curlers. The other woman waved goodbye. ...
Published: Tuesday | April 6, 2010
... Back on the one dusty road in Salisbury, I came across three women having a chat in the shade of a naseberry tree.
"Hey come here," said the younger of the two. She had curlers in her hair and a big red pimple on her nose. The other woman had darker skin and a single hair growing on her chin. "Is you come fi fix Miss Palmer water tank?" asked the woman in the curlers. I told her I wasn't. "Den ah weh dat man deh?" she said mainly to herself.
I asked her what had happened to Miss Palmer's water tank. "It pop down 'bout two week now and she cyaah find nobody fi work pan it. True mi see yuh and yuh nuh beknowing to mi, dat mek mi ask if it was you who come fi look pan it," she said. I asked the woman with the darker skin if she had lived in Salisbury a long time. "Born and grow right here," she said. "Mi know mi look young and fresh, but is long long time now mi deh here ah banga banga," she said.
I asked her what life was like there. "Is what yuh see in front of yuh, not a blooming ting nuh gwaan. Salisbury deh behind God, so most people nuh come around here edda dan those who live here," she said.
The two women nodded in unison. I spent a while longer with the pair, then told them I would walk further up the hill to see if I could find someone else to speak with.
"All right darling, walk good," said the woman with the curlers. The other woman waved goodbye. ...
No water, no problem
Published: Tuesday | March 30, 2010
With the persistent drought and all the water restrictions in place, people are getting a little testy. Not being able to enjoy some of life's simple pleasures, like having a shower more than once per week or watering the plants to keep them looking healthy have put people on edge. But this isn't the case everywhere. In a quiet, out-of-the-way community called Garlands in the hills of St James, life's simple pleasures continue, unabated. Don't get me wrong. They have no running water either, but to the residents of this cool farming community, pleasure is found in communal conversations at night, flying home-made kites on windy weekday mornings and, as is the case right now, preparing for the upcoming Easter holidays.
"We never have water yet, so we nuh mind! It affect di farmer dem, for dem need di water, but dem man deh know how fi tun dem hand mek fashion, so dem find way round dem problem deh," said Rory, a 30-something-year-old carpenter who lives in a small but neatly constructed wooden home by the side of the road that runs through Garlands. "We never did have running water from mawning, so we can't vex now. Dem people ah town did have life easy. Now when di likkle drought reach dem everybody ah bawl. Heh hey! What a sinting," said Rory, grinning. ...
... Bolt's words sounded ridiculously laid-back until he said he had not ever really tried as hard as he could in the 100 metres: "The best is still to come. I've never run just straight and focused on getting to the finish line. I'm always looking over at the other guys to see where they are. So one day, if I can stay focused and run really fast right through, then I could do it."
How fast might Bolt run the 100m when, finally, he puts his mind fully to the task? "I think the record is going to end up at 9.4 something and then it's going to be stuck there a long time. It will be hard to break. But you never really know. Anything is possible."
Such conviction underlined Bolt's psychological hold over his rivals: "I definitely think so. When I was coming up, and watching Asafa break record after record, I used to say, 'Oh no, I don't want to be racing him.' So now, for me, I think it's a definite psychological advantage going into a race against these guys." ...
How fast might Bolt run the 100m when, finally, he puts his mind fully to the task? "I think the record is going to end up at 9.4 something and then it's going to be stuck there a long time. It will be hard to break. But you never really know. Anything is possible."
Such conviction underlined Bolt's psychological hold over his rivals: "I definitely think so. When I was coming up, and watching Asafa break record after record, I used to say, 'Oh no, I don't want to be racing him.' So now, for me, I think it's a definite psychological advantage going into a race against these guys." ...
Rum bar rumblings
Tuesday | March 23, 2010
So it was early afternoon at a roomy bar in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew recently when the ground started shaking.
First, there was a loud rumble, then the entire building started trembling like a jackhammer. It lasted for less than five seconds, but that was long enough for Pinnie, the tall fellow sitting in the back, near a slot machine, to completely freak out.
"Lawd Jeezas! Earthquake! Move outa mi way!" he yelled, and ran into the bathroom. Now, to be fair to Pinnie, it's likely that all of us inside that bar were thinking the same thing. And, with all the talk of earthquakes in the news recently, Pinnie's unflattering exclamation might very well have been warranted. There were perhaps 10 persons inside, and most looked stunned when the ground shook. I was confused. I mean, it felt like an earthquake, but nobody outside seemed at all alarmed. What happened? I hurried over to the front door.
A crowd had converged nearby and I struggled to see what was happening.
"Ah blind him blind?" someone yelled. "Ah wah him did ah do?" a woman asked. There was a large delivery truck nearby, and that seemed to have been the centre of attention. As it turned out, the driver of the truck had backed the large vehicle right up to a concrete wall at the far end of the bar. It hit the wall causing the shake we felt earlier. Somehow, the wall didn't collapse, but the event still attracted the attention of everyone nearby.
"Den driver, ah sleep yuh did ah sleep?" I heard someone ask. The driver of the truck, an unfortunate figure in a green and red merino hopped out of the truck to survey the damage. He stared at the wall for a while and scratched his head. Then, he turned around to face the crowd. "Unnu gweh! Afta di wall nuh mash up! Mind unnu business and lef mi," he said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Eh eh! Ah wah tek dis yah Claffy?" someone shouted. I stepped back inside the bar. ...
Claffy (CLAHF-ee) - adj.; Stupid
Gyal - n.; Gal
Fava (FAY-vah) - n., v. trans.; 1. Favo/ur 2. Resemble
Rat Bat - n.; Bat: flying mammals of the order Chiroptera. [Ed. Note: Jamaicans are somehow unable to use merely 'bat,' but must instead always say 'rat bat.' Dogs are occasionally described as having "rat bat ears."]
New day in Old Harbour
Published: Tuesday | March 16, 2010
...Shaka Pow, a cantankerous seller of syrup served over shaved ice is not amused. You see, Shaka Pow, who quite generously gave me the green light to call him simply Shaka, has seen a sharp decline in his weekly profit margin since the lights were officially switched on a few months ago.
"Nobody nah stop! By di time di light lick red pan one side and yuh run ova deh fi go juggle yuh ting, di light change again and everybody gone," he said when I paid him a visit last week. Shaka is perhaps close to 40 years old, has an unusually pronounced Adam's apple and a tendency to spit when he talks. From the safe distance of about six feet away, I asked him what things were like for him before the lights were installed.
"Oh God man, di juice dem use to sell off! Mi never have hand fi sell dem. Cause hear wah now bredrin," he said, (moving closer to me. I very slowly inching back), "when di man dem inna traffic and di sun start bake, dem quick fi buy di juice, cause dem waan cool out," said Shaka. "But now, yuh nuh really get nuh time fi do yuh ting," he added, shaking his head.
Behind us, the traffic on our side of the road had come to a stop. Without saying another word Shaka took off.
"Juice here. Who seh juice? Who seh juice?" he shouted, clutching bags of the drink in his hand while walking around the vehicles. In no time, the lights changed to green and the vehicles sputtered off, leaving Shaka without a sale. He walked back dejectedly to where I was standing.
"Yuh see weh mi ah show yuh bredda? To how tings stay, right now mi might haffi go try move go someweh else," said he....
The old woman of Mount Edwards
Published: Tuesday | March 9, 2010
... I asked if either of them knew of Miss Lecky, and the elder woman nodded. I asked if the stories of her ability to give the best advice were true and if they knew where I could find her.
"Den ah quite ah town yuh stay and here dat? Heh heh! What a prekeh!" said the woman with the pointy nose.
"Miss Lecky name gone abroad!" she added, gesturing wildly.
"Miss Lecky nuh too love company though, yuh know. But yuh can check har and see what happen. Just follow dis road likkle 'til yuh see a turning, den turn and yuh will see a old house. Is she alone live around there so yuh can't lost."
I thanked both women and walked off, thankful to be out from under the stare of the skinny one.
About five minutes later, I came across the corner I was told of and soon spotted a rickety old house. Its zinc roof was rusty and the windows had large gaps that were patched with pieces of wood. There was a blue plastic drum full of water outside but no sign of anyone. Surprisingly, there was a car parked not far away, but there was nobody inside it.
I walked up to the door of the house, then stood a second in silence, wondering what to do next. I gave it a knock. Silence. I knocked again. Silence.
"Miss Lecky?" I hollered. No sound. After a couple minutes more of knocking and looking around I started to curse my luck. Ticked off for having come this far without success, I walked off. But then I heard it. Though faint, I clearly heard a woman's voice inside.
"Is who dat now?" Excited, I shouted my name and said I just wanted to speak with Miss Lecky because I had heard great things about her back in Kingston.
"Kingston? But I nuh go dem places! It too chuck-up chuck-up," the woman said. I asked if she was Miss Lecky. "I am Lecky," the woman replied. I asked if she was often approached by members of the community for advice. "Well, yes, every minute. But is just because mi old dem seh mi wise," she replied. ...
Published: Tuesday | March 9, 2010
... I asked if either of them knew of Miss Lecky, and the elder woman nodded. I asked if the stories of her ability to give the best advice were true and if they knew where I could find her.
"Den ah quite ah town yuh stay and here dat? Heh heh! What a prekeh!" said the woman with the pointy nose.
"Miss Lecky name gone abroad!" she added, gesturing wildly.
"Miss Lecky nuh too love company though, yuh know. But yuh can check har and see what happen. Just follow dis road likkle 'til yuh see a turning, den turn and yuh will see a old house. Is she alone live around there so yuh can't lost."
I thanked both women and walked off, thankful to be out from under the stare of the skinny one.
About five minutes later, I came across the corner I was told of and soon spotted a rickety old house. Its zinc roof was rusty and the windows had large gaps that were patched with pieces of wood. There was a blue plastic drum full of water outside but no sign of anyone. Surprisingly, there was a car parked not far away, but there was nobody inside it.
I walked up to the door of the house, then stood a second in silence, wondering what to do next. I gave it a knock. Silence. I knocked again. Silence.
"Miss Lecky?" I hollered. No sound. After a couple minutes more of knocking and looking around I started to curse my luck. Ticked off for having come this far without success, I walked off. But then I heard it. Though faint, I clearly heard a woman's voice inside.
"Is who dat now?" Excited, I shouted my name and said I just wanted to speak with Miss Lecky because I had heard great things about her back in Kingston.
"Kingston? But I nuh go dem places! It too chuck-up chuck-up," the woman said. I asked if she was Miss Lecky. "I am Lecky," the woman replied. I asked if she was often approached by members of the community for advice. "Well, yes, every minute. But is just because mi old dem seh mi wise," she replied. ...
Two Shops and little else
Published: Tuesday | March 2, 2010
Now, a lonely country community can be experienced in one of two ways. It can either provide a welcome respite from the noise and confusion popular in more urban areas, or it can be quite eerie, leaving you feeling like an extra in a low-budget horror flick. You know, the kind who is always the first to die.
[Ed. Note: Two Shop h'even get two sign, Mon!]
I felt like that poor fool when I wandered into a small community called Two Shop in hilly rural St Catherine, recently. I had started the journey in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, where I had spotted a road going up a hill I'd never noticed before. Having some time on my hands, I took the opportunity to explore this unknown territory. Into my van I hopped and up the hill I drove, anxious to find out what was ahead.
It was nearly 30 minutes later I started to rue the decision I made while still in civilised territory. I had so far seen nothing but green, prickly bush and blue sky for the entire journey. It was one of the loneliest roads I had ever come across in this part of the island and I was now desperate for any human contact that would at least assure me I hadn't inadvertedly travelled into a distant parallel universe. ...
The two shops of Two Shop, St Catherine
"One barbershop and a cookshop deh pon di edda side."
Published: Tuesday | March 2, 2010
Now, a lonely country community can be experienced in one of two ways. It can either provide a welcome respite from the noise and confusion popular in more urban areas, or it can be quite eerie, leaving you feeling like an extra in a low-budget horror flick. You know, the kind who is always the first to die.
[Ed. Note: Two Shop h'even get two sign, Mon!]
I felt like that poor fool when I wandered into a small community called Two Shop in hilly rural St Catherine, recently. I had started the journey in Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, where I had spotted a road going up a hill I'd never noticed before. Having some time on my hands, I took the opportunity to explore this unknown territory. Into my van I hopped and up the hill I drove, anxious to find out what was ahead.
It was nearly 30 minutes later I started to rue the decision I made while still in civilised territory. I had so far seen nothing but green, prickly bush and blue sky for the entire journey. It was one of the loneliest roads I had ever come across in this part of the island and I was now desperate for any human contact that would at least assure me I hadn't inadvertedly travelled into a distant parallel universe. ...
The two shops of Two Shop, St Catherine
"One barbershop and a cookshop deh pon di edda side."
Uncle Cecil and the falling cars of Cassava River
Published: Tuesday | February 23, 2010
Claplunk! The loud noise outside jolted Uncle Cecil from his sleep late one rainy Sunday night.
"Mi swear ah one ah di hog dem get weh inna di yard," said Uncle Cecil, relating the story of that night.
"But den mi seh, no, di hog couldn't so loud, so mi jump outa di bed and run outside wid mi cutlass."
As he ran outside, Uncle Cecil contemplated the different possibilities. Was he about to face a brazen band of robbers, a mule gone astray or perhaps a spurned lover hurling rocks at his roof? All these things ran through his mind but, as he opened the front door of his home and looked out, what greeted him made him angrier than he ever imagined.
"Mi seh, no sah, not again! Dis could never be happening again."
A small car had careened off the road on the hill above Uncle Cecil's house and had landed just about 10 feet from his home. The wheels of the car were still spinning even though the car was upside down. Luckily, the driver was alright, but he had to endure quite a tongue-thrashing from Uncle Cecil.
"Dat ah di third time inna two year dat one car drop pan mi house, and mi very tired ah it," said the man as we stood on the side of the road, looking down at his house in Cassava River, rural St Catherine, last week.
"Every time ah di same ting, and mi tired fi tell di people dem seh dem need fi tek time drive, or somebody need fi build a wall right here," he said. ...
Jingle in Tawes Pen
Tuesday | February 16, 2010
... "Yow mi don, yuh lost?" I heard someone say. I turned around to see a shirtless man in jeans and slippers standing right behind me. His hair was high and he had the beginning of a beard. I told him what I was doing in the community and he cleared his throat.
"Oh, cause mi did ah wonder when mi see yuh ah chat up Colleen. Ah one big man woman, so yuh haffi careful weh yuh ah do," said he.
The man told me his name was Jingle and I asked him if he lived there long.
"Born and grow right here," said he. "Mi ah 27 now so dat ah how long mi deh here."
I asked Jingle what life was like there.
"Well, right now, Tawes Pen great, yuh know. People have it fi seh di place wicked and ah pure thief come from round here, but dat ah nuh true. When tings hard, yeah, we stand up fi wi rights, but nuff decent people live ah Tawes Pen," Jingle said.
He told me that close to 200 people lived in Tawes Pen and boasted that the area had been virtually crime-free for several months. "Times hard pon everybody and ting. People expect seh Tawes Pen always ah go have crime, but place can change and people get wiser, so people can really watch Tawes Pen and learn bout how fi live wid one another," said Jingle.
Published: Tuesday | February 9, 2010
Screech! I stepped on the brakes with great force, and lunged forward as the car came to a stop. It was late Saturday night, while travelling along Highway 2000, when I spotted her. She was a beauty standing next to a black station wagon parked by the side of the road. She had thick luxurious hair that fell just below her shoulders, was dressed in a miniskirt and slippers and had the longest legs I'd ever seen.
She was gazing down at something on her car, and I could tell from where I was that the car had a flat tyre. Now a few things floated through my mind at that point. One was that it would be nice of me to stop and lend a helping hand. I mean, it was late and the road was dark and there were only a few cars using the road at that hour. The other was that this could all have been a clever ruse, a ploy, if you will, to lure unsuspecting strangers such as myself to the assistance of this fine young woman, only to be pounced upon by a gang of goons. I spent a few seconds pondering the different possibilities, then took another glance at the belle. She gently brushed her hair from her face and in that moment I was hooked. I knew quite well that it could have been my final act of civility, but what a way to go! I pulled over to the side of the road and hopped out.
Summoning my best 'knight-in-shining-armour' voice, I asked the woman if she needed some help.
"Ahm ... well the tyre is flat and I don't know how to change it and ..." she started. I put a hand up to cut her off and told her she needed to say no more, as I was happy to lend a hand. ...
LOVE AND ROCKERS
Ted Bafaloukos Taught Us Everything We Know About Jamaica
INTERVIEW BY TASSOS BREKOULAKIS, PORTRAIT BY FREDDIE F.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THEODOROS BAFALOUKOS
Theodoros Bafaloukos wrote and directed Rockers, the film that single-handedly made Jamaica and reggae interesting to couch-cozy white folks, their stoner kids, and a bunch of famous English punks with guitars. Today, Ted is not so reclusive as he is remote, spending his time at his childhood home on the secluded Greek island of Andros. Over 30 years after the film's initial release, we made the long journey for this, his first-ever print interview. ...
Vice: How did you first find yourself in Jamaica?
Theodoros Bafaloukos: I went there in 1975 as a freelance photographer for Island Records with a friend, a young guy in the reggae scene. We took photos of faces on the island. It was interesting and exciting. It was also funny because they arrested me as a CIA spy.
Uh-oh. What happened?
I’d gone to a radio station to speak to someone from the community. I wanted to ask him for equipment and for help shooting a documentary—which is what I wanted to do originally. I was in the car with my friend, who was driving, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a man sticks his hand through the window, grabs a small notebook from my chest pocket, and runs into the building shouting “CIA, CIA!” I got out and tried to run after him, but when I got back, my friend and the car had vanished. I was scared. I found myself completely stranded, surrounded by strangers. The friends who had left told me later that they were terrified. We’re talking about a time when fear reigned and everyone was scared.
When did the police arrive?
Two jeeps appeared out of nowhere, full of cops—some in uniform, others looking like bouncers. The tougher ones with Uzis pounced out of the vehicle and arrested me. They put me in the jeep and paraded me through the streets at low speed so all could see that they had arrested a CIA agent! They took me to the police station, where it became obvious that they had no idea what to do with me. So they took me to another guy, who interviewed me.
An interview?
An interrogation. When I entered the room, the interrogator was seated behind a desk with my notebook next to him. I went over, picked up the notebook from the desk, and put it into my pocket.
Gutsy. What was in the notebook?
The addresses of all the people I had met on the island, mostly musicians. I had promised to send them photographs upon my return to America, which I did.
So did they let you go immediately?
After I put the notebook in my pocket the guy said nothing, didn’t even budge. I answered his questions but he didn’t even know what to ask me. He had probably made a few phone calls and realized that this was all a mistake.
Looking at pictures of you from this period, you looked more like the lead in a Zapatista porn than a CIA agent.
Why, what does a CIA agent look like? [laughs] I had a Greek passport, which made me look even more suspicious. They took it away and kept me there for what seemed like an eternity. Another guy came to interrogate me, but that again led nowhere. It was 10 or 11 at night when suddenly this white guy appears and says, “Come with me,” leads me out of the room, puts me in a cab, and says, “Go, just go.” I said, “What about my passport?” And he said, “Get out of here, man.” So I left. I went to the house I was sharing and found them all there: my friend, Augustus Pablo, the whole gang. They were all younger than me. They were all scared and staring at me as if I had come back from the dead. They basically said, “Sorry, they’ll come to kill you tonight and we don’t want to stick around.”
Were they teasing you?
No, they weren’t. Stuff like that happened all the time.
This is a completely different picture of Jamaica than the one you present in Rockers.
There was this idea that everything was going swell, because of Bob Marley’s success. Even for reggae, the reality was different—much harsher. And harsher still for a white guy in the middle of it. I lived there for a couple years before we started shooting. Those Jamaicans living in the ghettoes of Kingston were innocent people in their everyday lives and this is exactly what I wanted to capture in the film—a more realistic picture of who they were, or who they really wanted to be. Something like Robin Hood. Jamaica was a fantasy world where reality as we knew it could not exist. ...
Dirty Harry!
"Hustlin' like raindrops!"
Ted Bafaloukos Taught Us Everything We Know About Jamaica
INTERVIEW BY TASSOS BREKOULAKIS, PORTRAIT BY FREDDIE F.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THEODOROS BAFALOUKOS
Theodoros Bafaloukos wrote and directed Rockers, the film that single-handedly made Jamaica and reggae interesting to couch-cozy white folks, their stoner kids, and a bunch of famous English punks with guitars. Today, Ted is not so reclusive as he is remote, spending his time at his childhood home on the secluded Greek island of Andros. Over 30 years after the film's initial release, we made the long journey for this, his first-ever print interview. ...
Vice: How did you first find yourself in Jamaica?
Theodoros Bafaloukos: I went there in 1975 as a freelance photographer for Island Records with a friend, a young guy in the reggae scene. We took photos of faces on the island. It was interesting and exciting. It was also funny because they arrested me as a CIA spy.
Uh-oh. What happened?
I’d gone to a radio station to speak to someone from the community. I wanted to ask him for equipment and for help shooting a documentary—which is what I wanted to do originally. I was in the car with my friend, who was driving, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a man sticks his hand through the window, grabs a small notebook from my chest pocket, and runs into the building shouting “CIA, CIA!” I got out and tried to run after him, but when I got back, my friend and the car had vanished. I was scared. I found myself completely stranded, surrounded by strangers. The friends who had left told me later that they were terrified. We’re talking about a time when fear reigned and everyone was scared.
When did the police arrive?
Two jeeps appeared out of nowhere, full of cops—some in uniform, others looking like bouncers. The tougher ones with Uzis pounced out of the vehicle and arrested me. They put me in the jeep and paraded me through the streets at low speed so all could see that they had arrested a CIA agent! They took me to the police station, where it became obvious that they had no idea what to do with me. So they took me to another guy, who interviewed me.
An interview?
An interrogation. When I entered the room, the interrogator was seated behind a desk with my notebook next to him. I went over, picked up the notebook from the desk, and put it into my pocket.
Gutsy. What was in the notebook?
The addresses of all the people I had met on the island, mostly musicians. I had promised to send them photographs upon my return to America, which I did.
So did they let you go immediately?
After I put the notebook in my pocket the guy said nothing, didn’t even budge. I answered his questions but he didn’t even know what to ask me. He had probably made a few phone calls and realized that this was all a mistake.
Looking at pictures of you from this period, you looked more like the lead in a Zapatista porn than a CIA agent.
Why, what does a CIA agent look like? [laughs] I had a Greek passport, which made me look even more suspicious. They took it away and kept me there for what seemed like an eternity. Another guy came to interrogate me, but that again led nowhere. It was 10 or 11 at night when suddenly this white guy appears and says, “Come with me,” leads me out of the room, puts me in a cab, and says, “Go, just go.” I said, “What about my passport?” And he said, “Get out of here, man.” So I left. I went to the house I was sharing and found them all there: my friend, Augustus Pablo, the whole gang. They were all younger than me. They were all scared and staring at me as if I had come back from the dead. They basically said, “Sorry, they’ll come to kill you tonight and we don’t want to stick around.”
Were they teasing you?
No, they weren’t. Stuff like that happened all the time.
This is a completely different picture of Jamaica than the one you present in Rockers.
There was this idea that everything was going swell, because of Bob Marley’s success. Even for reggae, the reality was different—much harsher. And harsher still for a white guy in the middle of it. I lived there for a couple years before we started shooting. Those Jamaicans living in the ghettoes of Kingston were innocent people in their everyday lives and this is exactly what I wanted to capture in the film—a more realistic picture of who they were, or who they really wanted to be. Something like Robin Hood. Jamaica was a fantasy world where reality as we knew it could not exist. ...
Dirty Harry!
"Hustlin' like raindrops!"
Flaring tempers sear St Andrew streets
Published: Tuesday | February 2, 2010
So I was travelling along Hagley Park Road in St Andrew the other day and had an encounter with a squeegee-wielding straggler who had me contemplating committing grievous bodily harm and running off to Mexico to lay low for a while. I mean, I'm as law-abiding as the next guy, but no jury in the world would convict me for landing a wallop right between the eyes of this hooligan.
It was a Tuesday, like any other, when I pulled up to a stoplight, as I often do. Immediately, the race was on. They appeared from every corner, shoe-less men brandishing instruments of window-washing like mini torture devices aimed at hapless motorists. The drivers had little choice but to wave frantically even as soapy water was being sprayed on otherwise clean windshields. But their waving did little to stop the unfolding debacle. The men just continued washing windshields, further angering the drivers with every turn of the wrist.
"Oy bwoy! Mi tell yuh yesterday seh mi ah ago lick yuh down if yuh touch mi cyar again!" yelled a large man in a small black car. He had stuck his head outside the vehicle and flashed his hand as he spoke.
"Just cool, Uncle, is just a food we ah look fi buy," replied the man washing the windshield of the car.
"Uncle? Mi know yuh? Nobody inna my family couldn't so ugly!" the driver quipped. ...
Published: Tuesday | February 2, 2010
So I was travelling along Hagley Park Road in St Andrew the other day and had an encounter with a squeegee-wielding straggler who had me contemplating committing grievous bodily harm and running off to Mexico to lay low for a while. I mean, I'm as law-abiding as the next guy, but no jury in the world would convict me for landing a wallop right between the eyes of this hooligan.
It was a Tuesday, like any other, when I pulled up to a stoplight, as I often do. Immediately, the race was on. They appeared from every corner, shoe-less men brandishing instruments of window-washing like mini torture devices aimed at hapless motorists. The drivers had little choice but to wave frantically even as soapy water was being sprayed on otherwise clean windshields. But their waving did little to stop the unfolding debacle. The men just continued washing windshields, further angering the drivers with every turn of the wrist.
"Oy bwoy! Mi tell yuh yesterday seh mi ah ago lick yuh down if yuh touch mi cyar again!" yelled a large man in a small black car. He had stuck his head outside the vehicle and flashed his hand as he spoke.
"Just cool, Uncle, is just a food we ah look fi buy," replied the man washing the windshield of the car.
"Uncle? Mi know yuh? Nobody inna my family couldn't so ugly!" the driver quipped. ...
Haitians - To welcome, or not to welcome?
Published: Tuesday | January 26, 2010
Manchioneal in Portland. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
There's a rift brewing among residents of Manchioneal, the seaside community in Portland, where I once met a woman who could tie a bow with her tongue.
True story, but more on that another time. There's more pressing business going on in Manchioneal now. The Haitians are coming. Well, maybe, but the mere possibility of boatloads of Haitians showing up on the shores of Portland, after the earthquake that struck that country recently, has the community buzzing.
"We nuh want no Haiti people inna wi place! Dem nuh see seh di place already too pack up?" said a woman with droopy eyes who called herself Lerlene. She was standing outside a church overlooking the sea.
"Everytime ah yah so dem come. Mi nah seh di earthquake nuh do dem bad, but dem can't go someweh else like Kingston weh have money?" she pondered out loud.
Displeased
Haitians in search of a better life have, in the past, journeyed from their homeland by boat to Portland and many residents of that eastern parish were more than a bit displeased by their arrival.
"Dem nuh come wid not even likkle food, so everyting dem eat ah we as Jamaican haffi give dem. It nuh fair, cause di Government give dem food and clothes and we who born and grow right yah so ah dead fi hungry," said a portly female standing near the woman with the droopy eyes. The size of her mid-section, coupled with the fact that she was fervently devouring a handful of banana chips as she spoke, seemed to discredit her claim of dying of hunger.
"Next ting dem come yah come work goozum* and we already have too much obeah man** ah Jamaica," she said, licking her palm.
It seemed there was agreement among everyone at that spot that any Haitian arriving in Portland should be promptly sent back home, no matter the conditions in that country. I decided to find out what the mood was elsewhere in the community.
At a nearby seaside food and drink shack called Rum Head's, where residents go to purchase fish, both cooked and uncooked, the persons I caught up with were more welcoming.
"Yeah man, send dem come man! Den yuh nuh see how Haiti mash up? Den wah dem fi do? Meck dem come man, we will welcome dem and teck care ah dem," said Ras Willie, who was leaving the shack with a large snapper he had just bought.
A shorter fellow called Jack, who was standing next to Ras Willie, nodded in agreement. I asked him his take on the matter, but he just smiled broadly and nodded. Ras Willie intervened. "Him red,*** so him can't too talk," he said.
"Anyway, anybody who tell yuh seh dem fi send back di Haitian dem ah some wicked heart people dem. Dem people deh need Selassie inna dem soul," said Ras Willie. With that, he and his silent companion went on their way as I went inside the shack....
*goozum - n. Voodoo; the syncretic religion practiced in Haiti, consisting of a blend of catholic rituals and African religion and magic, used for good or ill.
**obeah man (or woman; often capitalised) - n. A practitioner of the Jamaican species of Voodoo, Obeah.
***red - adj. Jamaican Patois: Cannabis intoxication - description poss. attrib. to the red eyes of those who overindulge. See ganja, high, spliff, Rastafari, stoned, etc
Published: Tuesday | January 26, 2010
Manchioneal in Portland. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
There's a rift brewing among residents of Manchioneal, the seaside community in Portland, where I once met a woman who could tie a bow with her tongue.
True story, but more on that another time. There's more pressing business going on in Manchioneal now. The Haitians are coming. Well, maybe, but the mere possibility of boatloads of Haitians showing up on the shores of Portland, after the earthquake that struck that country recently, has the community buzzing.
"We nuh want no Haiti people inna wi place! Dem nuh see seh di place already too pack up?" said a woman with droopy eyes who called herself Lerlene. She was standing outside a church overlooking the sea.
"Everytime ah yah so dem come. Mi nah seh di earthquake nuh do dem bad, but dem can't go someweh else like Kingston weh have money?" she pondered out loud.
Displeased
Haitians in search of a better life have, in the past, journeyed from their homeland by boat to Portland and many residents of that eastern parish were more than a bit displeased by their arrival.
"Dem nuh come wid not even likkle food, so everyting dem eat ah we as Jamaican haffi give dem. It nuh fair, cause di Government give dem food and clothes and we who born and grow right yah so ah dead fi hungry," said a portly female standing near the woman with the droopy eyes. The size of her mid-section, coupled with the fact that she was fervently devouring a handful of banana chips as she spoke, seemed to discredit her claim of dying of hunger.
"Next ting dem come yah come work goozum* and we already have too much obeah man** ah Jamaica," she said, licking her palm.
It seemed there was agreement among everyone at that spot that any Haitian arriving in Portland should be promptly sent back home, no matter the conditions in that country. I decided to find out what the mood was elsewhere in the community.
At a nearby seaside food and drink shack called Rum Head's, where residents go to purchase fish, both cooked and uncooked, the persons I caught up with were more welcoming.
"Yeah man, send dem come man! Den yuh nuh see how Haiti mash up? Den wah dem fi do? Meck dem come man, we will welcome dem and teck care ah dem," said Ras Willie, who was leaving the shack with a large snapper he had just bought.
A shorter fellow called Jack, who was standing next to Ras Willie, nodded in agreement. I asked him his take on the matter, but he just smiled broadly and nodded. Ras Willie intervened. "Him red,*** so him can't too talk," he said.
"Anyway, anybody who tell yuh seh dem fi send back di Haitian dem ah some wicked heart people dem. Dem people deh need Selassie inna dem soul," said Ras Willie. With that, he and his silent companion went on their way as I went inside the shack....
*goozum - n. Voodoo; the syncretic religion practiced in Haiti, consisting of a blend of catholic rituals and African religion and magic, used for good or ill.
**obeah man (or woman; often capitalised) - n. A practitioner of the Jamaican species of Voodoo, Obeah.
***red - adj. Jamaican Patois: Cannabis intoxication - description poss. attrib. to the red eyes of those who overindulge. See ganja, high, spliff, Rastafari, stoned, etc
UK win ICWI women's polo final
Published: Monday | January 25, 2010
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Led by four goals from captain Lucy Taylor, the United Kingston (UK) came from behind to beat the United States America (USA) 5-2 in the final of the first-ever ICWI Tri-Nation Ladies Polo Tournament, at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates, yesterday.
The 'Brits' ended the tournament unbeaten, having defeated Jamaica 5-2 in the first match, last Tuesday, at Caymanas Estates and the United States 6-5 in their first meeting, last Thursday, at Chukka Blue in Sandy Bay, Hanover.
Although their first clash was a thriller, the United Kingdom confirmed their superiority by winning quite easily on this occasion.
England opened the scoring in the first minute, thanks to a surging solo run by Talyor, who flicked the ball across the line.
The United States fought back strongly with two quick goals from Erica Gandomcar, to lead 2-1 at the end of the first chukka.
Both teams had several near misses in the second chukka, which did not produce a goal. However, the red-clad UK team, comprising Taylor, Rosie Ross, Diana Jack and Sophie Kyriazi, asserted their authority in the third chukka with unanswered goals from Ross, followed by consecutive penalty flicks by Taylor, to lead 4-2 going into the fourth and final chukka.
The USA tried desperately to rebound with Gandomcar, captain Karen Reese, Cecelia Cochran and Fiona Eagle on the hunt. But they missed out on a few scoring opportunities, and Jack duly made it 5-2 for the UK team with a late goal.
Eagle fell from her horse late in the match and hurt her right knee. However, she was able to continue. ...
Published: Monday | January 25, 2010
Orville Clarke, Gleaner Writer
Led by four goals from captain Lucy Taylor, the United Kingston (UK) came from behind to beat the United States America (USA) 5-2 in the final of the first-ever ICWI Tri-Nation Ladies Polo Tournament, at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates, yesterday.
The 'Brits' ended the tournament unbeaten, having defeated Jamaica 5-2 in the first match, last Tuesday, at Caymanas Estates and the United States 6-5 in their first meeting, last Thursday, at Chukka Blue in Sandy Bay, Hanover.
Although their first clash was a thriller, the United Kingdom confirmed their superiority by winning quite easily on this occasion.
England opened the scoring in the first minute, thanks to a surging solo run by Talyor, who flicked the ball across the line.
The United States fought back strongly with two quick goals from Erica Gandomcar, to lead 2-1 at the end of the first chukka.
Both teams had several near misses in the second chukka, which did not produce a goal. However, the red-clad UK team, comprising Taylor, Rosie Ross, Diana Jack and Sophie Kyriazi, asserted their authority in the third chukka with unanswered goals from Ross, followed by consecutive penalty flicks by Taylor, to lead 4-2 going into the fourth and final chukka.
The USA tried desperately to rebound with Gandomcar, captain Karen Reese, Cecelia Cochran and Fiona Eagle on the hunt. But they missed out on a few scoring opportunities, and Jack duly made it 5-2 for the UK team with a late goal.
Eagle fell from her horse late in the match and hurt her right knee. However, she was able to continue. ...
UK vs US polo final
Published: Sunday | January 24, 2010
Having won both matches so far, the United Kingdom will meet the United States in the final of the ICWI Tri-Nation Ladies' Polo Tournament today at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates.
The United States defeated Jamaica 5-1 yesterday to reach the final. ...
... On Tuesday, the English team, led by Lucy Taylor, defeated Jamaica 5-2 at the Caymanas Estates, while on Thursday they clipped the USA 6-5 in an exciting match at Chukka Blue in Sandy Bay, Hanover. The UK team is completed by Rosie Ross, Diana Jack and Sophie Kyriazi.
According to Jamaica's captain Lesley Fong Yee, the 5-2 score against the Brits was not a true indication of how well Jamaica played.
"We started badly by conceding early goals and were outplayed in the first half", explained Fong Yee.
"However, we had the better of play in the second half even though I missed a few penalties which could have taken it close," added Fong Yee, the island's top female polo player for many years.
Published: Sunday | January 24, 2010
Having won both matches so far, the United Kingdom will meet the United States in the final of the ICWI Tri-Nation Ladies' Polo Tournament today at the Kingston Polo Club, Caymanas Estates.
The United States defeated Jamaica 5-1 yesterday to reach the final. ...
... On Tuesday, the English team, led by Lucy Taylor, defeated Jamaica 5-2 at the Caymanas Estates, while on Thursday they clipped the USA 6-5 in an exciting match at Chukka Blue in Sandy Bay, Hanover. The UK team is completed by Rosie Ross, Diana Jack and Sophie Kyriazi.
According to Jamaica's captain Lesley Fong Yee, the 5-2 score against the Brits was not a true indication of how well Jamaica played.
"We started badly by conceding early goals and were outplayed in the first half", explained Fong Yee.
"However, we had the better of play in the second half even though I missed a few penalties which could have taken it close," added Fong Yee, the island's top female polo player for many years.
Quiet Clover Hill
Published: Tuesday | January 19, 2010
While driving along a dirt road in the St Catherine community called Clover Hill, recently, it suddenly occurred to me that I had lost my way. It appeared I had unwittingly taken a wrong turn somewhere and had ended up on a private road in the midst of an expansive field of sugar cane.
Two things tipped me off about that. One was the fact that I came upon a sign on which was written, in fading black paint, the words 'Private Road'. The other was the security guard running behind the car. I didn't see him at first, the wheels of the car had given rise to a thick cloud of white dust that made it difficult to see anything behind me. It was only when I had stopped to get a better look at the sign that I noticed him running my way. I figured he was a security guard because of his uniform, which, by now, was covered with dust.
"Hello! Who yuh is?" he yelled, still quite out of breath. I waited until he got to the car before I told him I had just realised I was on private property. The security guard was panting heavily and sweating profusely. "Yuh nuh see dis is a private property?" he yelled again. I contemplated the man's demeanour for a moment. He was scarcely more than five feet tall but had a giant temper. I repeated my initial declaration that I had only just realised I had taken a wrong turn somewhere. The guard paused a moment, his chest still heaving violently. "Dis is a private road!" was his response. I cursed my luck and without saying anything further to the guard, drove off leaving him behind. ...
Published: Tuesday | January 19, 2010
While driving along a dirt road in the St Catherine community called Clover Hill, recently, it suddenly occurred to me that I had lost my way. It appeared I had unwittingly taken a wrong turn somewhere and had ended up on a private road in the midst of an expansive field of sugar cane.
Two things tipped me off about that. One was the fact that I came upon a sign on which was written, in fading black paint, the words 'Private Road'. The other was the security guard running behind the car. I didn't see him at first, the wheels of the car had given rise to a thick cloud of white dust that made it difficult to see anything behind me. It was only when I had stopped to get a better look at the sign that I noticed him running my way. I figured he was a security guard because of his uniform, which, by now, was covered with dust.
"Hello! Who yuh is?" he yelled, still quite out of breath. I waited until he got to the car before I told him I had just realised I was on private property. The security guard was panting heavily and sweating profusely. "Yuh nuh see dis is a private property?" he yelled again. I contemplated the man's demeanour for a moment. He was scarcely more than five feet tall but had a giant temper. I repeated my initial declaration that I had only just realised I had taken a wrong turn somewhere. The guard paused a moment, his chest still heaving violently. "Dis is a private road!" was his response. I cursed my luck and without saying anything further to the guard, drove off leaving him behind. ...
Hope to God/dess he wins.
Waiting in vain
Published: Tuesday | January 12, 2010
I had been standing at the same spot for more than 10 minutes and was on the verge of blowing a major fuse when the cashier yelled: "Next in line!" We all inched forward.
I was one of about 15 persons in line at one of those bill-payment places in Liguanea, St Andrew. It was a tiny place, so those of us in line were getting to know each other a bit too well, if you ask me. But, it was the end of the month and necessity, as well as the risk of losing access to major utilities kept us all from walking out.
It seemed things were a bit more hectic that day than normal and, as luck would have it, one of the computers needed to process transactions went out. So, the 15 or so of us were all waiting to be called by one of only two heavily burdened and increasingly grumpy cashiers. Those in line, however, showed little sympathy to the women behind the counter.
"Ah wah do dem people, yah man? How dem fi only have two people ah work and dem see big crowd? Dem nuh know seh ah end a month now?" yelled one woman standing two places ahead of me. It had been mostly quiet before that, save for the intermittent hiss or slap of the forehead. The woman's exclamation though, set off a chain reaction that went on for a while. It was the lanky man behind me who first spoke up.
"I call this disrespect! I am disrespected today! I come here to pay my bills and have to stand up here like an idiot!" the man yelled.
He was an older fellow with greying hair who wore spectacles with thick lenses. His sudden outburst caused a few in line to chuckle, particularly because he had been so quiet before.
A woman's cell phone rang to the tune of Old McDonald Had a Farm. I looked behind me to see a short but heavy woman retrieve her tiny phone from a huge red bag. She had a tattoo in the shape of a heart on the side of her neck and wore gold earrings in the shape of grapes.
"Hello? Yeah! Hello? Talk up!" she yelled in the phone. "No sah, mi nuh reach deh yet. Mi still deh ah di place ah try pay di one tired light bill. Yuh can imagine? Dem deh pan go-slow. Dem must love look inna mi face, for dem nah move nuh faster!" she said. The others chuckled. Everyone, that is, but the two cashiers.
"Next in line!" said one of them. We inched forward again. ...
Sleepy, quiet Rock Hall
Published: Tuesday | January 5, 2010
A sign at the entrance to the quiet community of Rock Hall in rural St Andrew. - Photo by Robert Lalah
It's the start of a new day and Egland, the carpenter from Rock Hall in St Andrew has just stepped out of his small, but well-kept home on the hillside to greet the day and all its possibilities.
"Yes fadda God, aneda day again! Weh mi shoes deh?" he said, walking out the front door.
He spotted me just then, standing at a wire fence that separated his yard from a dirt road.
"Ah who dat? Wait! Ferris? Come here man! Come shake mi hand! I glad fi see yuh!" Egland shouted, running my way. "Ahh ... I'm not," I got no further than that before Egland had taken hold of my hand and started shaking it with the vigour that a hungry man shakes a loaded mango tree.
"Is long time I hear seh yuh deh back ah yard, but I never see yuh until now," said the man, smiling. "How Miss Gem? I must go look fi har one day."
Now I almost didn't want to tell the man I wasn't Ferris, whoever that was, but eventually I did.
"Yuh sure?" he asked. I didn't answer. ...
Published: Tuesday | January 5, 2010
A sign at the entrance to the quiet community of Rock Hall in rural St Andrew. - Photo by Robert Lalah
It's the start of a new day and Egland, the carpenter from Rock Hall in St Andrew has just stepped out of his small, but well-kept home on the hillside to greet the day and all its possibilities.
"Yes fadda God, aneda day again! Weh mi shoes deh?" he said, walking out the front door.
He spotted me just then, standing at a wire fence that separated his yard from a dirt road.
"Ah who dat? Wait! Ferris? Come here man! Come shake mi hand! I glad fi see yuh!" Egland shouted, running my way. "Ahh ... I'm not," I got no further than that before Egland had taken hold of my hand and started shaking it with the vigour that a hungry man shakes a loaded mango tree.
"Is long time I hear seh yuh deh back ah yard, but I never see yuh until now," said the man, smiling. "How Miss Gem? I must go look fi har one day."
Now I almost didn't want to tell the man I wasn't Ferris, whoever that was, but eventually I did.
"Yuh sure?" he asked. I didn't answer. ...
Published: Tuesday | December 22, 2009
The road to Mount Zion is long and full of potholes. Of course, I had heard this many times, but never actually took it literally.
Anyway, it was on an overcast afternoon last week that I found myself ascending the mountain with the weighty name in rural St Andrew. Driving is pretty much out of the question, given the steep slope and open craters along the way, so I was lumbering my way up the mountain all alone when I met Miss Sylvia, a middle-aged housewife going in the opposite direction.
"Hold up yuh head, young bwoy, yuh soon meck it! Tee hee!" said she. It was alarming, and quite disheartening to see the woman move with such ease, particularly because I was experiencing great difficulty myself.
I managed to flash a half-smile and stopped to say hello.
"How yuh do, child? Is first I seeing you in these parts," Miss Sylvia said, smiling.
I confirmed it was my first time there and asked Miss Sylvia if she lived in the area.
"Yes, man, if yuh go right up yuh will see mi house. I just going inna town fi a likkle while and come back. So what you doing here, please?" she asked.
I told the woman I was simply passing through the area when I saw a sign with the mountain's name. Curiosity had driven me to see what was at the top. I mean, it's Mount Zion, for crying out loud, the place Bob Marley said Jah sitteth! Anyway, Miss Sylvia chuckled at my apparent fascination and went on to tell me about life on Mount Zion.
"Is mostly farming di people dem from around here do. Is dry time now so tings kinda slow," said she. ...
Oh, Christmas tree!
Published: Tuesday | December 15, 2009
It's the time of year again when Christmas celebrants from across Jamaica journey to Constant Spring Road in St Andrew to scout for the perfect tree for the season. Of course, you could always head to the nearest variety store and pick up a plastic tree, in the size and colour of your choice but, for the more discerning lovers of all things Christmas, a 100 per cent natural, completely authentic tree, bought on a crowded, dusty sidewalk in the heart of the city, is the only way to go.
It was just after midday on a Tuesday when I showed up at the famous tree-selling spot. There I met Leonard, from Molynes Road, one of the tree vendors who show up, seemingly out of nowhere, every year at this time. He was busy, using a small clipper to prune one of the trees.
"Sell yuh a tree, boss?" he said, looking up. I told him I wasn't shopping at that moment but was interested in finding out how things were going.
"Well, di rush nuh too start yet still. We just start sell di tree dem from di edda day, so we ah gwaan watch it and see how things go," he said, eyeing passers-by eagerly.
"Sell yuh ah tree, nice lady?" he said to a woman walking by us. She waved him off and quickly crossed the road.
"Gweh man, true yuh nuh have no money," said Leonard under his breath.
I asked him when he expected things to pick up.
"Well, Christmas week is really when tings start get hot. More time some man not even buy tree til Christmas eve, so we just haffi try get what we can until dat time," he said.
Leonard politely declined to say where he got the trees, and I decided it best not to push him on it. ...
Of skulls and bad mind!
Published: Tuesday | December 8, 2009
... A 15-minute walk along a narrow road with sun-browned bush on either side led me to the front of the house. Sure enough, the skulls were still there. The house itself seemed to have gone through a lot in the two years since I last saw it. The windows were broken, the paint was peeling and the door was coming off its hinges.
I noticed some movement at the back of the house and walked, slowly, in that direction. There was a woman back there hunched over a tub of clothes. She looked up immediately.
"What?" she asked, dryly. I said hello, introduced myself and explained to her that I was just curious about the skulls at the front of the house.
"Eh eh. Den ah frighten yuh frighten?" she quipped with a smirk.
I let that one go and asked if she lived there. "Yeah, but ah nuh my skull dem. Yuh woulda haffi talk to Gypsie bout dat," she said, continuing to scrub the clothes in the tub. I paused a moment, somewhat expecting her to explain who Gypsie was. Of course, she just went on scrubbing the clothes in silence. So I asked her to explain. "Gypsie, man. Den yuh nuh know Gypsie? Oh yes, yuh did seh yuh not from Clarendon. Gypsie ah di dread who live here. Him sell herbal roots and tonic and dem ting deh," said the woman who later told me her name was Petula. I asked her if Gypsie was around. "No him deh ah town ah sort out some passport business. Him nah come back 'til tomorrow," she said.
I asked her if she knew what Gypsie used the skulls for.
"Nuff people pass and see di skull dem and think is a obeahman place, but nothing like dat. Him nuh deal wid evil. In fact, him put out di skull dem fi ward off evil and bad mind," said Petula.
I chuckled dismissively and asked if she thought that would actually work.
"Well, it normally work. Up until today, anyway," said she, looking me over with great disdain. I took the hint and took my leave.
... There were a lot of shoes hanging at the back of Bruce's stall. I asked him if that didn't translate to booming business for him.
"Well, no, yuh know. Some ah dem ah mine. Mi only put dem up so di place nuh look too bad. Some ah di rest is people carry dem shoes from 1902 and nuh come back fi dem," said Bruce.
I asked him if he held much promise for the upcoming Christmas season.
"Well, Falmouth is a funny place yuh know. Things hard sometime, but when Christmus come, nuh place nuh nice like Falmouth. Right now, I waan pay a likkle man fi meck up some sign fi mi. Mi ah go start advertise likkle more and see wah can gwaan fi mi," said Bruce.
"I live ah Falmouth all my life and I nah leave, so it up to we fi meck it better."
Simmering Stepney
Published: Tuesday | November 24, 2009
So it was only my second time in Stepney, St Ann. It's an out-of-the-way, quiet community, not far from the more popular Nine Miles where Bob Marley was born. In fact, the reggae singer went to school in Stepney. Anyway, I was there for more pressing matters. You see, a feud has broken out between rivalling pepper farmers Maas Willis and the younger, more outspoken Shingles.
It appears Shingles, who only got into farming a year ago, has decided to expand his portfolio by planting a half-acre of yams, pumpkins and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables. A wise move by the looks of it. The trouble, though, is that Maas Willis claims to have had the idea first. Now to be clear, he hasn't actually acted on that idea, but claims he was on the verge of doing so.
"Ah lick mi ah go lick him dung wid a big stone!" the elderly Maas Willis yelled when I met up with him at the community bar recently.
"Imagine, mi teach di youngster 'bout farming. Ah me give him di first pepper seed him ever plant. And now him waan come do di same ting mi ah do just because mi ah try mek a likkle extra money," he said.
Maas Willis looked fragile, with greying hair and dirt embedded underneath his abnormally long fingernails. He was wearing a ripped khaki shirt and black trousers with water boots. By the time I had arrived, he was already halfway through a drink of white rum and water.
"Ah so dem man yah nowadays tan! Dem is some real crab inna barrel!"
I glanced over at the barmaid, who was shaking her head disapprovingly.
"Is allright. Dat bugger ah go meet him Waterloo very soon," Maas Willis yelled, before storming out of the bar and down the road.
Real Claffy
I looked over at the barmaid and asked her what that was all about.
"Di two ah dem ah real Claffy. None nuh better dan di edda," she said, using a towel to wipe the counter. ...
Translations:
Lick - Hit, smack, beat up, etc - a "lickin' stick" is a good weapon to bring to a fight
Dung - Down, as locally pronounced
Claffy - Stupid [I should point out a Jamaican friend with that nickname is far from it; like nicknaming a very large man Tiny.]
Edda - Other
Saving souls in St Ann
Published: Tuesday | November 10, 2009
It was on a hot day in the middle of the week that I found myself standing next to a small restaurant in the town, trying hard not to be overcome by the inviting aroma beckoning from within. It seemed to have been a particularly busy day in the town. There were dozens of people moving around, some selling, others buying, some driving, others walking. However, there was one fellow who stood out in the crowd. That might have been because he was standing in the middle of the street shouting, "Repent! Repent and be born again, oh ye heathen!" ...
...I figured I would regret it but I decided to go over to Prophet and find out what his story was. So, when the man walked over to lean on the wall of a shoemaker's shop, I guess, to take a rest, I strolled over to him and bid him a hearty hello.
"Eh? What?" he said, whirling around. It appeared he was taken aback by the greeting.
"Hello. Repent!" he shouted. I asked the man his name but he only shook his head and started questioning me. "Howdy, mi son. You will see here that the good Lord is on his way and is time for all those who are in sin to repent and reunite with the maker. What yuh planning to do to prepare?" he asked. I told him he was certainly on to something and tried to change the subject by asking him if he did that (stand in the street preaching to the sinners) every day. "Well, not every day. Mi have tings fi do yuh know. But I am here today to do the work of God," said he.
A woman was walking by us at that moment. She was a curvy belle with flowing synthetic hair and alarmingly thick eyelashes. She was sporting a low-cut blouse and a skirt that could easily have been mistaken for a belt.
The man caught a glimpse of her and grimaced immediately.
"Woman, go cover yuhself!" he shouted.
The woman stopped in her tracks and I braced myself for the worst.
She spun around and looked at both of us. I realised she was, in that moment, trying to figure out who had dared deal her such an impertinent reproach. She was looking at me first. Now let me be clear. The scowl on the woman's face was enough to scare a lumberjack, so I tilted my head ever so slightly in Prophet's direction and signalled to her with my eyes that he was the culprit, I was innocent and so deserved to live another day.
The woman picked up on the signal and walked over to the man with the sign.
"Hey likkle short tukuh-tukuh man! Why yuh nuh go home to yuh wife and stop watch me and what mi wearing? Look pan yuh too!" she said before turning around and walking off. ...
Ed. Note: Brown's Town is jus' a lickle t'ing, but Market Day is shockingly busy.
Ya mey wanna h'avyde (Anglicé - avoid) tryna drive t'ru dere, h'eeven if yu wanna shop. Yu nevah gwan get ennywheere in a car, an' ya nevah gwan find a parkin' spot. Bes' have a frien'/drivah tek ya dere who nah vex lookin' for a spot.
Come to think of it, Brown's Town's Market Day (it really wants capitalis/zation!) is also a great excuse for the adventurous visitor to try a local cab or bus journey. Staff where you're staying will tell you where and when to catch a bus, and how much it will cost.
The less adventurous and/or stressed should inquire after a driver instead.
Catching a cab involves drawing a circle at the ground not far from one's feet, using an extended arm and pointing hand. Inform the charioteer of your destination even before you hop in, and make sure you settle the price after you've smiled at each other at least a couple times. Be prepared for frequent stops, a crowded vehicle, lotsa laughs, and remember that esp in the tropics the possibility of odo/ur is acutely present.
The driver and your fellow passengers will not treat you like a tourist while riding a local cab or bus, tho they may ask you why you are doing so. They will love it when you enthusiastically tell them, "Brown's Town Market Day!"
A bus is a good idea for the ride back if you'll have lotsa scandal bags (plastic handle bags) of produce. A local will hip you to where and when the appropriate vehicle will arrive - or, should you become obscenely overloaded, a driver who will "carry" you (non-cab stylee) home. Inquiring at small bars or nearby shops with a smile will succeed if you don't find anyone on the street you'd ask.
Use your brain (and calculator if need be) when tipping, but be a good tipper. Be rather lavish if the driver also helps you carry in your scandal bags when you arrive.
Be sure you get his card and give him more custom if your driver rocks! It's never easy finding a superb charioteer with whom you'd happily spend several days. Hip him to your plans for your holiday, and he'll tell you what he'll charge for "carrying" you there and back each day. He may even quote you a weekly rate.
Should your new driver be returning to collect you the next day, farewell him with the phrase, "A marnin'!" and he'll be best pleased. It just means "See you in the morning," but it's viewed as thoroughly brilliant when a non-Jamaican uses it. :)
Fishing with Chappy
Published: Tuesday | November 3, 2009
Winston and the Lady Devil
Published: Tuesday | October 20, 2009
... As she told it, Winston became the talk of the town soon after arriving in Kemps Hill and many of the older women from the community started competing for his attention. Winston, by the way, was already well into his 70s when he moved to Jamaica.
"And even though him so old, di whole ah di woman dem still ah look him because him come from 'merica," said Miss Retty, shaking her head.
"Every weekend dem tell him seh him fi go wid one ah dem fi go watch bird and so on. Every Saturday is another woman," she said.
Winston was enjoying all the attention for a while, but one day, he caught the attention of the community madda woman, an enigmatic recluse, who goes by the shady moniker Lady Devil. Now it came as a surprise to the people of Kemps Hill that Lady Devil had taken a fancy to Winston, especially because she had shown interest in no other man for the past 20 years.
"Eveybody frighten when she send out word seh every other woman fi leave him alone," said Miss Retty.
And Lady Devil was serious. She sent her apprentice Lisa all across the district warning all the unmarried females to stay away from the eligible bachelor or risk facing the wrath of the woman who has been known to render incurable illnesses upon her enemies.
"From dat, every woman start get fraid. Yuh nuh see dem ah call to him pon street and dem ting deh again. Everybody start avoid poor Winston," said Miss Retty. ...
An airport adventure
Published: Tuesday | October 13, 2009
Leonard Sheffield and his wife, Estel, from Cotton Piece district in the hills of rural St Catherine, have been standing at the same spot at Kingston's Norman Manley International Airport for the last two hours.
It's a sunny day and the the beads of sweat on their foreheads show how hot they are, but the retired mason and his stay-at-home wife aren't budging.
"Den ef wi go move right yah now and di pickney come and nuh see wi, ah problem fi go find har again," said Leonard, his eyes wide.
I met the elderly couple earlier that day and was surprised to see them more than an hour later standing at the same spot, even as the afternoon heat was causing those on the inside to complain. I asked the two why they didn't go stand in the shade. Estel, a short, dark-skinned woman with unprocessed hair and a mole on her right cheek seemed open to the suggestion and looked anxiously at her husband for approval. Unfortunately, the man dismissed the idea.
"Is better we stay right here, Estel, so dat we will see when di child reach outside," he said.
Leonard and Estel had travelled to Kingston early that morning to meet their granddaughter who would be visiting for the month. They retained the services of Alton, the community taxi operator, who was waiting in his car parked at the airport parking lot.
Estel seemed thrilled to have their only grandchild visit but Leonard was, let us say, a bit hesitant.
"Dat chigga-foot pickney nuh have no manners from di day 'im born. Is sake a mi wife alone why mi agree fi mek she come stay wid wi," he said, his voice getting loud. ...
Keeping the faith at Faith's Pen
Published: Tuesday | October 6, 2009
I felt like running for the hills when the mob came at me with pieces of meat and sharpened utensils. There were perhaps, seven of them, all holding something or the other. They came at me with menacing speed except, of course, for the heavy woman in the back who took a while longer to get started.
I was at St Ann's well-known eating spot, known simply to most as Faith's Pen. Now, those who have been there expect to be hounded by the eager vendors competing for a sale, but it never ceases to cause even a bit of anxiety when the sellers launch into attack mode.
"Sell yuh piece a yam, boss? Yuh want a quarter chicken? Jerk pork? Anyting fi drink?"
My head was spinning, but luckily a bus filled with tourists arrived just then. I immediately became small potatoes, so the crowd of vendors ditched me and headed straight for more lucrative prospects.
Last hope for sale
I must admit that the sudden departure of the crowd left me feeling a bit lonely in the ensuing seconds, but thankfully, the heavy woman who arrived later than the rest was too winded to start another run for the bus. This left me as her last hope for a sale.
"Buying something, sweetheart?" she asked. It seemed a cruel act to send her back without a sale, especially after the effort she had put in just to get to me, plus, she was the only one who didn't abandon me for the bus. So, I decided I would have a drink. I walked back to her stall with her, where she retrieved a bottle from a freezer and handed it to me.
The woman, about 50-something years old, goes by the name Miss Jane. She has a friendly face and sports a gold tooth that you can't help but stare at when she smiles. ...
Lazy days at the market
Published: Tuesday | September 29, 2009
I honestly felt as if I was being squashed between the curvy woman with the expansive bosom and the younger one in the short skirt and matching heels. No, I wasn't dreaming. Although, if I'm to be perfectly open about this, I do vaguely recall an eerily lifelike dream I had when I was about nine years old that involved largely the same scenario. That's another story altogether though.
This time around, I was wide awake at the once-glorious Kingston Craft Market in downtown Kingston. Now the story has long been told of what a happening place this used to be and the cloud of inactivity that has been hovering above it for quite a few years now.
I was standing at the section that seems to see the most action, the shop that sells lottery tickets. I had been wandering around the market trying to find someone to speak with. There was hardly a shopper in sight and a few of the vendors had dozed off. I had inadvertently stumbled into the small betting shop at the market while trying to strike up a conversation with someone, anyone who wasn't arguing about the long line in the shop at midday.
Insinuation
"Hey gyal, move up inna di line nuh man!" yelled one straggler in the back. The response from the woman for whom the direction was meant cannot be repeated here. Luckily, she soon purchased her tickets and walked out of the shop. I sauntered up behind her and said hello. With her eyes still on the tickets in her hand, she cut me off. "No. Mi don't have nothing can give yuh today," she said. Slighted by the insinuation, I remained quiet for a second. The woman looked up at me. "Oh. Sorry. Mi did think is dat igle bwoy weh wash di cyar dem," she said. "Dat wutliss bwoy nuh have nothing fi do."
I introduced myself and told her I was trying to find out what things were like at the craft market these days. ...
... It turns out that the woman is Eunice, wife of Milton. After spending quite some time sizing me up, the woman finally opened up and explained what was happening. She said that she had, that very morning, sent Milton into hiding after hearing from the community wholesale operator that her neighbours were planning to hunt her husband down.
"Mi caan tell yuh weh him deh. Just know seh dem nah go find him. Dem people too outa order!" she said, shaking dust from the mop.
I asked her if she believed Milton had actually seen a mermaid in the water.
"Look here, man. If Milton seh him see mermaid, him see mermaid. Him nuh tell lie and di people dem know dat too. Dem never hear bout river mumma? All mi know is dat dem ah go sorry dem never listen when Milton did ah warn dem," she said.
Big truck scandal
Published: Tuesday | September 15, 2009
Now the old man is not pleased, and that's putting it mildly. Soup Bone, the local mason/carpenter/television repairman recently lost a perfectly functional, if not aesthetically sound bicycle to the giant wheels of a truck in his St Elizabeth hometown of Black River.
"Mi nuh know yuh know boss, but smaddy haffi go talk to mi bout mi bicycle!" he yelled, still openly miffed.
"Ah tutty-five year now mi got di same bicycle, so smaddy haffi go talk to mi bout it!" he said. I should point out that when I met him outside his single bedroom home, it had already been more than a month since the incident that saw him losing his sole mode of transportation.
It all happened early one muggy Sunday morning. Soup Bone, a 72-year-old lanky, short-tempered man, opted not to attend weekly service at the nearby Baptist church of which he has been a member since 1975.
"Mi did have something fi do, man. Mi couldn't mek it," he said, seeming more than a tad cagey.
Soup Bone completed his morning chores, had a bath, got his bicycle and headed out. As soon as he got to the roadway, though, Soup Bone realised he had left his cellphone inside the house. He hopped off the bicycle, parked it on the roadside and ran back inside.
"When mi inside and pick up di phone, mi just hear boi! When mi run out, mi see mi bicycle tun ova, ben up and one truck gone down di road," he recalled.
Now he hasn't been able to figure out who was driving the truck, but Soup Bone is intent on getting restitution for the ill that has befallen him.
"Somebody haffi go deal wid mi bicycle!" he shouted. ...
Following his victory at Sunday's Bank World Athletics Final meet in Thessaloniki, Greece, an exhausted Usain Bolt told journalists: "I was running on fumes. That was the last race this year. ... It was the last energy I had."
Life in the fast lane is not easy - even when you are the fastest man in the world.
The 23-year-old Bolt, world-record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, arrived home yesterday.
During a press conference on Sunday, he said he was looking forward to returning to Jamaica and getting "lots of rest".
Dr Paul Wright, a Kingston-based physician who specialises in sports medicine, said Bolt's handlers should listen to the champion sprinter.
"If they don't step in, he won't last another 24 months," Wright warned.
"Any athlete doing what are called power events has certain energy needs and must be properly monitored." ...
Life in the fast lane is not easy - even when you are the fastest man in the world.
The 23-year-old Bolt, world-record holder for the 100 and 200 metres, arrived home yesterday.
During a press conference on Sunday, he said he was looking forward to returning to Jamaica and getting "lots of rest".
Dr Paul Wright, a Kingston-based physician who specialises in sports medicine, said Bolt's handlers should listen to the champion sprinter.
"If they don't step in, he won't last another 24 months," Wright warned.
"Any athlete doing what are called power events has certain energy needs and must be properly monitored." ...
Picturesque Portland
Published: Tuesday | September 8, 2009
... Across the street, outside a popular watering hole, I met Donovan Miller, a tall, slender would-be singer known to the people of Port Antonio as Mouse. Yes, Mouse's life's desire is to tour the world singing songs that tug at people's heart strings. The trouble is, he can't hold a note. The admirable thing about Mouse, though, is that he actually admits that he can't sing, unlike many other aspiring singers I've had the misfortune of coming across.
Vocal inability
"Mi ah tell yuh bredrin, if is one ting I woulda pray Father God for, is fi gi mi one voice. Look pan mi, mi have di look and di will power, mi just nuh have di voice," he said, looking quite troubled. Unfortunately, Mouse decided to demonstrate his vocal shortfall by attempting to reproduce Whitney Houston's version of I Will Always Love You. It was an uncomfortable few seconds as the man made an attempt at the song. He had stopped a random woman crossing the street and was doing his best to serenade her. The woman burst out laughing and walked away, quickly. Mouse turned back to me as I was trying to stifle a laugh of my own.
"Yuh see what mi saying bredrin?"
Desperately seeking to avoid another demonstration of Mouse's vocal inability, I quickly changed the subject by asking him about life in Port Antonio.
"Well, Port Antonio nice, man. It cool because of di sea breeze and ting. Right now I don't see anywhere better dan right here. In fact, mi just build a tune fi di place," he said.
I tried to interject before the man could start singing, but unfortunately, I failed. Mouse cleared his throat and I braced for the worst.
"Oh Porti, oh Porti, will you be mine? My Darling Porti, love you all di time," Mouse squeaked. His eyes were closed tight as he struggled to hit the higher notes and it was during one of these opportunities that I made my escape around a corner and into the crowd where he would not be able to find me.
Connecting the dots in JUNCTION
Published: Tuesday | September 1, 2009
... "Yes man. I used to live in Kingston one time, although I was born here in Junction. I live in town for a while but I prefer life down here," said the woman who gave her name as Denise.
Denise stood up briefly to turn the sound down on the television set. She was shorter than I had imagined and had oddly long toe nails. I asked her what life was like being a barmaid in Junction.
"Well, it quiet still. More time di place dead and yuh nuh have nothing to do whole day. When di bauxite factory was open di place was more lively," she said, rubbing her nose.
"Yuh nuh really have anything much to do here, but at least is not like town where yuh have to keep worry bout if man coming in here to bruck yuh shop." [ bruck = break, destroy]
Peace and quiet
I noticed a young boy standing outside, looking in through a window. He was as transfixed watching the movie about the talking pig, as the woman in the bar had been only moments earlier.
"The place used to be much noisier and some people vex about it, but to tell yuh di truth, mi nuh mind. Mi can at least have some peace and quiet," she smiled.
"Mi not saying mi glad fi di factory lock down, because I hope dem people can get back work, but at least yuh have to find di silver lining some time yah man. Life in Junction kinda boring, yes, but mi will teck di boring more dan di violence and noise."
Published: Tuesday | September 1, 2009
... "Yes man. I used to live in Kingston one time, although I was born here in Junction. I live in town for a while but I prefer life down here," said the woman who gave her name as Denise.
Denise stood up briefly to turn the sound down on the television set. She was shorter than I had imagined and had oddly long toe nails. I asked her what life was like being a barmaid in Junction.
"Well, it quiet still. More time di place dead and yuh nuh have nothing to do whole day. When di bauxite factory was open di place was more lively," she said, rubbing her nose.
"Yuh nuh really have anything much to do here, but at least is not like town where yuh have to keep worry bout if man coming in here to bruck yuh shop." [ bruck = break, destroy]
Peace and quiet
I noticed a young boy standing outside, looking in through a window. He was as transfixed watching the movie about the talking pig, as the woman in the bar had been only moments earlier.
"The place used to be much noisier and some people vex about it, but to tell yuh di truth, mi nuh mind. Mi can at least have some peace and quiet," she smiled.
"Mi not saying mi glad fi di factory lock down, because I hope dem people can get back work, but at least yuh have to find di silver lining some time yah man. Life in Junction kinda boring, yes, but mi will teck di boring more dan di violence and noise."
After his record-breaking efforts in the sprints, Usain Bolt is now contemplating a future in the long jump, the 23-year-old said. The Jamaican has frequently expressed his desire to become a legend in the sport like Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis, who both excelled in the sprints and the long jump. "I tell my coach I'd love to try the long jump before I retire. Definitely," said the triple world record holder. "Hopefully I can do this before I retire because I think I'd be very good."
Mike Powell, the American long jumper whose world record of 8.95m has stood since the 1991 World Championships, believes Bolt could be the first to crack nine metres.
"With his height [6ft 5in] he is the type who would scare me … he is tall and fast." Powell believes the Jamaican could revitalise the event. "We are dealing with a freak-of-nature athlete. He is off the charts. He is destroying other athletes, making them look like kids."
The debate over whether Bolt will compete in the 400m rages on. The Jamaican said he would run the one-lap distance as a season's opener next year, but reiterated that he was not keen on the event. Could he be persuaded in time for 2012? "I don't know. I don't want to do it but if my coach decides I'm dominant over the 100 and 200 and let's try something new, I'll definitely try to put my heart into it also."
Bolt was presented with a piece of the Berlin Wall to take back to Jamaica, an acknowledgement of his triple gold medal-winning performances over the last 10 days....
Mike Powell, the American long jumper whose world record of 8.95m has stood since the 1991 World Championships, believes Bolt could be the first to crack nine metres.
"With his height [6ft 5in] he is the type who would scare me … he is tall and fast." Powell believes the Jamaican could revitalise the event. "We are dealing with a freak-of-nature athlete. He is off the charts. He is destroying other athletes, making them look like kids."
The debate over whether Bolt will compete in the 400m rages on. The Jamaican said he would run the one-lap distance as a season's opener next year, but reiterated that he was not keen on the event. Could he be persuaded in time for 2012? "I don't know. I don't want to do it but if my coach decides I'm dominant over the 100 and 200 and let's try something new, I'll definitely try to put my heart into it also."
Bolt was presented with a piece of the Berlin Wall to take back to Jamaica, an acknowledgement of his triple gold medal-winning performances over the last 10 days....
Shericka does it again - 400-metre runner produces her best for a silver medal
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Berlin, Germany:
Jamaica's Shericka Williams posted a personal-best 49.32 seconds yesterday to take silver in the women's 400 metres final at the 12th World Championships in Berlin.
It was the 23-year-old's second silver at a major championships in 12 months, following her surprise second place at the Beijing Games last year.
Williams posted her second personal- best time in consecutive rounds. Her time in the final was just two-hundredths of a second outside the national record, 49.30, held since July 2002 by Lorraine Fenton. She had won her semi-final in 49.51.
Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards won the gold in a world leading 49.00, while bronze went to Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka in 49.71.
Another Jamaican, Novlene Williams-Mills, was fourth in a season-best 49.77.
Jamaica's medal tally at the championships now stands at five - two gold, two silver and a bronze. They are second on the medals table behind the United States with three gold, two silver and two bronze. Russia come next, also with seven - two gold, one silver and four bronze. ...
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Elton Tucker, Assistant Editor - Sport
Berlin, Germany:
Jamaica's Shericka Williams posted a personal-best 49.32 seconds yesterday to take silver in the women's 400 metres final at the 12th World Championships in Berlin.
It was the 23-year-old's second silver at a major championships in 12 months, following her surprise second place at the Beijing Games last year.
Williams posted her second personal- best time in consecutive rounds. Her time in the final was just two-hundredths of a second outside the national record, 49.30, held since July 2002 by Lorraine Fenton. She had won her semi-final in 49.51.
Jamaican-born American Sanya Richards won the gold in a world leading 49.00, while bronze went to Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka in 49.71.
Another Jamaican, Novlene Williams-Mills, was fourth in a season-best 49.77.
Jamaica's medal tally at the championships now stands at five - two gold, two silver and a bronze. They are second on the medals table behind the United States with three gold, two silver and two bronze. Russia come next, also with seven - two gold, one silver and four bronze. ...
... "I congratulate Shericka on her second place. I know she is going to do much better because there is further development for her to do. I hope the next time around she'll get the gold to make us prouder and even happier."
Errol Williams was also proud of his daughter's performance and said she did what he expected.
Her cousin, David Cooper, shared in the family's celebrations but had concerns that Shericka's home was still without electricity supply even after her performance in the Beijing Olympics last year.
He said that the Jamaica Public Service has begun running power lines in the community since February, but there had been delays.
"Her grandmother (Kathleen Clarke) even went on the television last year and begged for the light and she died (in March) and until now we haven't got light nor the roads fixed and these are so badly needed," Cooper said.
The family is hoping that Shericka will not have to return to a home of darkness as they want her performance to influence the relevant authorities to address their concerns.
Errol Williams was also proud of his daughter's performance and said she did what he expected.
Her cousin, David Cooper, shared in the family's celebrations but had concerns that Shericka's home was still without electricity supply even after her performance in the Beijing Olympics last year.
He said that the Jamaica Public Service has begun running power lines in the community since February, but there had been delays.
"Her grandmother (Kathleen Clarke) even went on the television last year and begged for the light and she died (in March) and until now we haven't got light nor the roads fixed and these are so badly needed," Cooper said.
The family is hoping that Shericka will not have to return to a home of darkness as they want her performance to influence the relevant authorities to address their concerns.
I didn't get to see the race - Novlene's Mom
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
After waiting with bated breath for the start of the women's 400-metre final yesterday, their television screens suddenly went blank. It was a power outage.
Relatives of Novlene Williams-Mills, along with residents of the small farming community of Gravel Hill, St Ann, missed out on the opportunity of watching their superstar compete in the one-lap event.
"I spent most of the morning planting peas with my husband on our little farm. I left him in the field and hurried home to watched the race. I was there with my son, his wife and my grandchildren. The rain was falling heavily and just as the race was about to start, the light went. I was very disappointed," said Larose Williams, Novlene's mother.
Novlene ran a season-best 49.77 seconds to finish fourth behind the United States' Sanya Richards, Jamaica's Shericka Williams and Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka. ...
"Infrastructure" is a non-word pon De Island, Mon - dem na know wha dat.
Dem rich peepul h'an' rich towns got road widdout holes, scatterlight dish, runnin' watah (sum na even got no ketchment tank!), 'lectricitty, phone dat work, big teevee dem. Da paar peepul h'an' da small towns dem got nuttin.' It na even mattah whedda dem can pey da bills - dem na run lines until dem get enuff bribe a goa wid de work.
Worst of all, even where they have run the lines, the quality of service is inconsistent beyond imagining as this story proves.
Published: Wednesday | August 19, 2009
Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator
After waiting with bated breath for the start of the women's 400-metre final yesterday, their television screens suddenly went blank. It was a power outage.
Relatives of Novlene Williams-Mills, along with residents of the small farming community of Gravel Hill, St Ann, missed out on the opportunity of watching their superstar compete in the one-lap event.
"I spent most of the morning planting peas with my husband on our little farm. I left him in the field and hurried home to watched the race. I was there with my son, his wife and my grandchildren. The rain was falling heavily and just as the race was about to start, the light went. I was very disappointed," said Larose Williams, Novlene's mother.
Novlene ran a season-best 49.77 seconds to finish fourth behind the United States' Sanya Richards, Jamaica's Shericka Williams and Russia's Antonina Krivoshapka. ...
"Infrastructure" is a non-word pon De Island, Mon - dem na know wha dat.
Dem rich peepul h'an' rich towns got road widdout holes, scatterlight dish, runnin' watah (sum na even got no ketchment tank!), 'lectricitty, phone dat work, big teevee dem. Da paar peepul h'an' da small towns dem got nuttin.' It na even mattah whedda dem can pey da bills - dem na run lines until dem get enuff bribe a goa wid de work.
Worst of all, even where they have run the lines, the quality of service is inconsistent beyond imagining as this story proves.
Bolt advances to semi-final
2009-08-18
Jamaican Usain Bolt cruised to an easy victory to book his place in the semi-final of the men’s 200 metres on today’s fourth day of the 12th World Championship at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Bolt, who is bidding to add the half-lap gold to his awesome world-record 9.58 victory in the 100-metre final on Sunday, clocked 20.41 in the opening heat of the second round.
Earlier he won his opening heat in 20.70.
Bolt's Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings also booked his place, winning Heat Three in 20.23.
Jamaican Ramone McKenzie was eliminated in the first round this morning. ...
2009-08-18
Jamaican Usain Bolt cruised to an easy victory to book his place in the semi-final of the men’s 200 metres on today’s fourth day of the 12th World Championship at the Berlin Olympic Stadium.
Bolt, who is bidding to add the half-lap gold to his awesome world-record 9.58 victory in the 100-metre final on Sunday, clocked 20.41 in the opening heat of the second round.
Earlier he won his opening heat in 20.70.
Bolt's Jamaican teammate Steve Mullings also booked his place, winning Heat Three in 20.23.
Jamaican Ramone McKenzie was eliminated in the first round this morning. ...
Shelly-Ann Fraser sped to a national-record 10.73 seconds to add the world 100 metres title to her Olympic crown at the 12th IAAF World Championships in Berlin, Germany, last night.
Two Jamaican women hit the line almost together as Kerron Stewart bagged silver in 10.75 to equal her personal best, which was set earlier this season.
Fraser did not reach the dizzying heights of Usain Bolt, who set a new men's mark on Sunday, but she clipped one-hundredth of a second off the national record set in September 1996 by the great Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey.
American Carmelita Jeter prevented a repeat of the Beijing sweep when she took the bronze in 10.90.
Jeter, in fact, had looked the favourite for gold after the first two rounds but Fraser tested her bullet start in the semi-finals with a 10.79 season-best clocking and again put it together in the final to hold off the fast-finishing Stewart.
Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was fourth in a season-best 10.95 and Aleen Bailey eighth in 11.16, as Jamaica paraded four athletes in a final at the World Championships for the first time.
Only three countries were represented in the final. The United States and The Bahamas both had two representatives.
"I am happy and excited as I have really worked hard for this," said Fraser, whose victory was all the more remarkable as just over three months ago she had an appendectomy.
Last night, she admitted that there was still some discomfort from the operation. ...
Two Jamaican women hit the line almost together as Kerron Stewart bagged silver in 10.75 to equal her personal best, which was set earlier this season.
Fraser did not reach the dizzying heights of Usain Bolt, who set a new men's mark on Sunday, but she clipped one-hundredth of a second off the national record set in September 1996 by the great Jamaican sprinter Merlene Ottey.
American Carmelita Jeter prevented a repeat of the Beijing sweep when she took the bronze in 10.90.
Jeter, in fact, had looked the favourite for gold after the first two rounds but Fraser tested her bullet start in the semi-finals with a 10.79 season-best clocking and again put it together in the final to hold off the fast-finishing Stewart.
Defending champion Veronica Campbell-Brown was fourth in a season-best 10.95 and Aleen Bailey eighth in 11.16, as Jamaica paraded four athletes in a final at the World Championships for the first time.
Only three countries were represented in the final. The United States and The Bahamas both had two representatives.
"I am happy and excited as I have really worked hard for this," said Fraser, whose victory was all the more remarkable as just over three months ago she had an appendectomy.
Last night, she admitted that there was still some discomfort from the operation. ...
... "Hello, please?" she said. The woman was about 40 years old and had giant arms and, oddly enough, had no eyebrows. I asked her what was happening, trying hard not to stare at the empty space above her eyes.
"Is a baptisam, man. A baptisam," she said, still chewing away. The juices from the melon ran down her arm, but this seemed to be of little bother to her.
Warning
"Every Tuesday yuh see dem out here. Is a church from up inna di hill. Nuh go too close though," she said, her mouth full. I thought it a curious warning, and questioned her about it.
"Well, yuh can go if yuh want, but one time mi did was go ups up mi self and go tan up near dem and one piece a sinting!" she said, spitting a watermelon seed to the ground. It landed uncomfortably close to my shoe, causing me to take a step to my right.
"Di people dem start shout out how mi fi come tek a dip inna di water, all kinda sinting. When mi tell dem seh mi nuh want to do it, dem start call mi devil and gather round mi. Di whole ah dem start pray down pan mi. Mi haffi push weh two woman and gallop weh, fast fast," the woman said, spitting another seed to the ground. This one landed to my right, prompting me to take a step to my left. ...
"Is a baptisam, man. A baptisam," she said, still chewing away. The juices from the melon ran down her arm, but this seemed to be of little bother to her.
Warning
"Every Tuesday yuh see dem out here. Is a church from up inna di hill. Nuh go too close though," she said, her mouth full. I thought it a curious warning, and questioned her about it.
"Well, yuh can go if yuh want, but one time mi did was go ups up mi self and go tan up near dem and one piece a sinting!" she said, spitting a watermelon seed to the ground. It landed uncomfortably close to my shoe, causing me to take a step to my right.
"Di people dem start shout out how mi fi come tek a dip inna di water, all kinda sinting. When mi tell dem seh mi nuh want to do it, dem start call mi devil and gather round mi. Di whole ah dem start pray down pan mi. Mi haffi push weh two woman and gallop weh, fast fast," the woman said, spitting another seed to the ground. This one landed to my right, prompting me to take a step to my left. ...
... "Ef yuh dilly-dally too lang, by time yuh reach ah pure fluxty plantain yuh deh go find,"...
i.e., De plaintain gwan gi' ye da runnin' belly (Moctechuzoma's Revenge).
i.e., De plaintain gwan gi' ye da runnin' belly (Moctechuzoma's Revenge).
Somewhat like scrambled eggs?
Pfui!
Ackee's exactly like scrambled eggs!
Pfui!
Ackee's exactly like scrambled eggs!
Codfish fears conquered
Published: Tuesday | May 19, 2009
Robert Lalah
So a couple of weeks ago, I was in Norway and came across the much-maligned codfish head that Jamaicans so often say is the ugliest part of any living thing that you will ever come across.
Now, the one I saw was, in fact, detached from the body and, to make matters worse, was dried for more than two months. So, if the head of a cod was ever going to be ugly, it was now.
I have to say, though, that it wasn't all that bad. Maybe it was a serious case of oversell, because I had heard so much about how ugly it was supposed to be before I made the trip, but I was a little disappointed with the outcome. It seemed like a regular fish head to me, not a demonic embodiment of all things evil from the depths of fish hell, as some have made it out to be.
But what do I know? I decided to consult the experts, so I headed to the hills of Clarendon to seek audience with Maleva Wright, the 78-year-old pastor of the Jesus of Nazareth Praise Sanctuary in Hayes. She, I am told, has been spreading both the gospel and the codfish myths all across Clarendon for more than 30 years. I took a picture along with me to find out what she thought.
"Dis yah? No man, yuh coulda neva ah carry salt-fish head fi mi look pan! Yuh wah bring crosses dung pan me?" she yelped at first glance. She took a few steps back.
It took a considerable amount of time to calm her down, but eventually she came around. I asked her to have another look at it.
The woman, her hair grey with age, whispered a verse from Psalm 23, then looked at the picture again.
"Allright, it ugly, but it nuh ugly to dat. Maybe when it did alive it did uglier," she said, handing the picture back to me. ...
"Codfish Head."
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
A gold star to anyone who knows what I parody above.
Published: Tuesday | May 19, 2009
Robert Lalah
So a couple of weeks ago, I was in Norway and came across the much-maligned codfish head that Jamaicans so often say is the ugliest part of any living thing that you will ever come across.
Now, the one I saw was, in fact, detached from the body and, to make matters worse, was dried for more than two months. So, if the head of a cod was ever going to be ugly, it was now.
I have to say, though, that it wasn't all that bad. Maybe it was a serious case of oversell, because I had heard so much about how ugly it was supposed to be before I made the trip, but I was a little disappointed with the outcome. It seemed like a regular fish head to me, not a demonic embodiment of all things evil from the depths of fish hell, as some have made it out to be.
But what do I know? I decided to consult the experts, so I headed to the hills of Clarendon to seek audience with Maleva Wright, the 78-year-old pastor of the Jesus of Nazareth Praise Sanctuary in Hayes. She, I am told, has been spreading both the gospel and the codfish myths all across Clarendon for more than 30 years. I took a picture along with me to find out what she thought.
"Dis yah? No man, yuh coulda neva ah carry salt-fish head fi mi look pan! Yuh wah bring crosses dung pan me?" she yelped at first glance. She took a few steps back.
It took a considerable amount of time to calm her down, but eventually she came around. I asked her to have another look at it.
The woman, her hair grey with age, whispered a verse from Psalm 23, then looked at the picture again.
"Allright, it ugly, but it nuh ugly to dat. Maybe when it did alive it did uglier," she said, handing the picture back to me. ...
"Codfish Head."
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said 'Codfish Head.'"
"What'd you say?"
"I said, 'Codfish Head.'"
A gold star to anyone who knows what I parody above.
I have never experienced rush hour in Kingston, and I don't mind.
The traffic on Market Day near Brown's Town in St Ann, Jamaica is insane enough, thanks very much.
I have experienced rush hour in the following places:
The Greater Lost Angeles Area
"Chicagoland"
Hotlanta, Georgia
Cincinnati, OH (No, WKRP wasn't on the radio at the time)
Seattle (Those lucky folks get a rush hour at Noon, too, also! [more sarcasm]Good thing they have such wonderful cops there![/sarcasm])
The Bay Area of Northern California (San Francisco/Oakland and environs)
NYC - but in a subway (shudder twitch shiver) not a vehicle
The Metropolitan Detroit Area, of course - Midtown, Downtown, East Side, West Side, North Side, Southwest Side, Far Northeast Side, Far Northwest Side. I've tried them all.
The worst?
El Lay. No question.
I may not have given Chicago's traffic hell a real chance since I only experienced it once or twice, while I'd lived inland from El Lay (conveniently located near some of those smog-trapping mountains) for two years. I cannot say that any of my friends from Chicago have mentioned traffic jams that last until after 9 PM like they often have in El Lay.
The traffic on Market Day near Brown's Town in St Ann, Jamaica is insane enough, thanks very much.
I have experienced rush hour in the following places:
The Greater Lost Angeles Area
"Chicagoland"
Hotlanta, Georgia
Cincinnati, OH (No, WKRP wasn't on the radio at the time)
Seattle (Those lucky folks get a rush hour at Noon, too, also! [more sarcasm]Good thing they have such wonderful cops there![/sarcasm])
The Bay Area of Northern California (San Francisco/Oakland and environs)
NYC - but in a subway (shudder twitch shiver) not a vehicle
The Metropolitan Detroit Area, of course - Midtown, Downtown, East Side, West Side, North Side, Southwest Side, Far Northeast Side, Far Northwest Side. I've tried them all.
The worst?
El Lay. No question.
I may not have given Chicago's traffic hell a real chance since I only experienced it once or twice, while I'd lived inland from El Lay (conveniently located near some of those smog-trapping mountains) for two years. I cannot say that any of my friends from Chicago have mentioned traffic jams that last until after 9 PM like they often have in El Lay.
Industry slows to a throttle 10 years after gas riot
Sunday | April 26, 2009
Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
JUST BEFORE noon last Friday, taxi operator Hopeland Scarlett sat outside his vehicle, patiently waiting for his first customer at a service station in New Kingston.
The day before, Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced a price increase on fuel, meaning motorists will have to pay $8.75 more for regular petrol and the ethanol-based E10. Scarlett was bracing for possible civil unrest.
"Well, yuh know once yuh raise gas everything going go up, so things going get harder. Dat ah the hardest part, but it nuh mek sense yuh shut down the country," said Scarlett, who has been a cabbie for 27 years.
Ten years ago, Scarlett says he was angered when Shaw's predecessor, Dr Omar Davies, announced a six per cent hike in fuel. That triggered a three-day islandwide riot that Scarlett says he supported.
Even though government has not increased gas prices since, Scarlett says things are tighter now for motorists, especially those in the transport business.
"Ten year ago things neva so hard like now, yuh coulda come out an' mek $5,000 an' si wha' yuh work fah," he said. "Now, it come in like nutten." ...
Mom and I arrived in Jamaica again not long after the aforementioned three days' rioting. When we heard what had brought it about, we supported the rioters too.
Sunday | April 26, 2009
Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
JUST BEFORE noon last Friday, taxi operator Hopeland Scarlett sat outside his vehicle, patiently waiting for his first customer at a service station in New Kingston.
The day before, Finance Minister Audley Shaw announced a price increase on fuel, meaning motorists will have to pay $8.75 more for regular petrol and the ethanol-based E10. Scarlett was bracing for possible civil unrest.
"Well, yuh know once yuh raise gas everything going go up, so things going get harder. Dat ah the hardest part, but it nuh mek sense yuh shut down the country," said Scarlett, who has been a cabbie for 27 years.
Ten years ago, Scarlett says he was angered when Shaw's predecessor, Dr Omar Davies, announced a six per cent hike in fuel. That triggered a three-day islandwide riot that Scarlett says he supported.
Even though government has not increased gas prices since, Scarlett says things are tighter now for motorists, especially those in the transport business.
"Ten year ago things neva so hard like now, yuh coulda come out an' mek $5,000 an' si wha' yuh work fah," he said. "Now, it come in like nutten." ...
Mom and I arrived in Jamaica again not long after the aforementioned three days' rioting. When we heard what had brought it about, we supported the rioters too.
Like some people, Jamaican currency is currently very beautiful and all but worthless.
Update: Hijacker in Jamaican police custody
Posted: 2009-04-20 06:46:33
The hostage situation aboard a CanJet flight at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay St James has now ended.
The hijacker, a man in his 20s who is said to be of unsound mind was held by police and military personnel who stormed the air craft this morning. He has been identified as Stephen Fray.
None of the 174 passengers and the eight crew members was injured by the man who held them at gunpoint.
The passengers were first released, but the man held six of the crew members at gun point for more than nine hours.
Posted: 2009-04-20 06:46:33
The hostage situation aboard a CanJet flight at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay St James has now ended.
The hijacker, a man in his 20s who is said to be of unsound mind was held by police and military personnel who stormed the air craft this morning. He has been identified as Stephen Fray.
None of the 174 passengers and the eight crew members was injured by the man who held them at gunpoint.
The passengers were first released, but the man held six of the crew members at gun point for more than nine hours.
Ah, the beach.
Ah, the beach. ;)
So, you think your country's mail delivery system is screwed? You should try living in Jamaica: postcards we'd sent two days after our arrival showed up at our friends' well after our return home a month later.
Jamaica's government hasn't a clue what 'infrastructure' means, nor do their power company, road commission, and water board.
Obeah is the Jamaican Voodoo species, and like its cousin can be used for good or ill.
Uneasy pon di gully side
February 19, 2009
by Robert Lalah
Clabow! My heart jumped and my knees started to wobble. I was standing on a pothole-riddled sidewalk in the community known as Cassava Piece in St Andrew and started looking around for the source of the sound, all the time ready to hit the pavement, should it become necessary.
Now I'm no chicken, but when I first arrived in the community and was nonchalantly strolling through the place, I was warned by an older woman who was selling sweets from a wooden stall, to 'watch mi head back'.
She went on to warn me that there were a few people who would not take too kindly to me (an unknown) just frittering my day away in their hometown.
So, you can see why I might have been a bit unnerved by the sound, that, upon investigation, turned out to be the result of a child jumping on an air-filled juice bag.
The child, by the way, managed to get a glimpse of my reaction to the sound and was not in the least reluctant to let his amusement be known.
"Tee hee hee!" The boy laughed and pointed in my direction. ...
February 19, 2009
by Robert Lalah
Clabow! My heart jumped and my knees started to wobble. I was standing on a pothole-riddled sidewalk in the community known as Cassava Piece in St Andrew and started looking around for the source of the sound, all the time ready to hit the pavement, should it become necessary.
Now I'm no chicken, but when I first arrived in the community and was nonchalantly strolling through the place, I was warned by an older woman who was selling sweets from a wooden stall, to 'watch mi head back'.
She went on to warn me that there were a few people who would not take too kindly to me (an unknown) just frittering my day away in their hometown.
So, you can see why I might have been a bit unnerved by the sound, that, upon investigation, turned out to be the result of a child jumping on an air-filled juice bag.
The child, by the way, managed to get a glimpse of my reaction to the sound and was not in the least reluctant to let his amusement be known.
"Tee hee hee!" The boy laughed and pointed in my direction. ...
Delroy Anderson - Painting his way to a better life
Published: Sunday | February 8, 2009
Robert Lalah, Assistant Editor-Features
He sits on a turned-over bucket on the narrow sidewalk that runs along Olivier Road in St Andrew. Cars, buses and even large trucks whiz closely by as he focuses on the task in front of him. He grasps his paintbrush with intensity in his eyes and strokes the easel like a surgeon making a life-impacting incision.
Delroy Anderson has made this unlikely spot his base for the past year, working on paintings that he hangs on the fence beside him, hoping to attract buyers. His latest creations include images of US President Barack Obama and family. These have been catching the eyes of many a passer-by, and have forced Anderson to work overtime.
Recent Obama project
"This man really get everybody excited. Everybody want to have a painting of him in their house. I have to be focusing more and more on that now," he said when Sunday Arts paid him a visit, last week.
But there's more to this story than a man selling paintings on the roadside. ...
Published: Sunday | February 8, 2009
Robert Lalah, Assistant Editor-Features
He sits on a turned-over bucket on the narrow sidewalk that runs along Olivier Road in St Andrew. Cars, buses and even large trucks whiz closely by as he focuses on the task in front of him. He grasps his paintbrush with intensity in his eyes and strokes the easel like a surgeon making a life-impacting incision.
Delroy Anderson has made this unlikely spot his base for the past year, working on paintings that he hangs on the fence beside him, hoping to attract buyers. His latest creations include images of US President Barack Obama and family. These have been catching the eyes of many a passer-by, and have forced Anderson to work overtime.
Recent Obama project
"This man really get everybody excited. Everybody want to have a painting of him in their house. I have to be focusing more and more on that now," he said when Sunday Arts paid him a visit, last week.
But there's more to this story than a man selling paintings on the roadside. ...
Fraud at Accountant General's Department
Published: Thursday | February 12, 2009
The police have confirmed that a major fraud case has been uncovered at the Accountant General's Department in downtown Kingston.
Damion Brown, a supervisor who worked in the pensions department, has since been charged in connection with the case.
It is reported that over the past two and a half years, Brown swindled millions of dollars in pension cheques that were drawn in the names of dead pensioners.
The Gleaner/Power 106 News has been informed that the supervisor, claiming the pensioners were unable to sign the cheques to have them cashed, fraudulently added the names of some of his relatives.
Between 2006 and January of this year when he was caught, he allegedly routed the cheques through his relatives' bank accounts each month. ...
Published: Thursday | February 12, 2009
The police have confirmed that a major fraud case has been uncovered at the Accountant General's Department in downtown Kingston.
Damion Brown, a supervisor who worked in the pensions department, has since been charged in connection with the case.
It is reported that over the past two and a half years, Brown swindled millions of dollars in pension cheques that were drawn in the names of dead pensioners.
The Gleaner/Power 106 News has been informed that the supervisor, claiming the pensioners were unable to sign the cheques to have them cashed, fraudulently added the names of some of his relatives.
Between 2006 and January of this year when he was caught, he allegedly routed the cheques through his relatives' bank accounts each month. ...
LETTER OF THE DAY - Tap the wisdom of the unlearned
Published: Monday | January 12, 2009
The Editor, Sir:
The time has come for us to unlearn all that we think we know about finance and economics. When 60 cents out of every tax dollar goes into paying for debt instead of social services, then I would say that our system has failed us terribly. I am not an economist, so, admittedly, I know nothing about high finance, but maybe that's exactly what the system needs right now, someone uncorrupted by what is taught or perpetuated in schools and universities.
Economists all over the world are predicting a global economic tsunami. It seems inevitable and it makes us afraid. But fear clouds our judgement; it makes us become cowards when bravery is what we need in the times ahead. Older folks said 'every dark cloud has its silver lining' - no exceptions. If the West is in a mess, then it would not be a priority for them to force Third World countries to repay debt. This would give Jamaica a window of opportunity to reboot and do things differently. Therefore, the solution is in not being afraid, but being prepared.
If an American family were paying 60 cents out of every dollar for debt, they would file bankruptcy or just refuse to pay some of these debts. It is inhumane to have our nation suffer because of the enormous debt burden. It is foolish for Jamaicans to think we can make progress and improve our situation on the 40 cents - but maybe we are just too smart to see it. ...
Published: Monday | January 12, 2009
The Editor, Sir:
The time has come for us to unlearn all that we think we know about finance and economics. When 60 cents out of every tax dollar goes into paying for debt instead of social services, then I would say that our system has failed us terribly. I am not an economist, so, admittedly, I know nothing about high finance, but maybe that's exactly what the system needs right now, someone uncorrupted by what is taught or perpetuated in schools and universities.
Economists all over the world are predicting a global economic tsunami. It seems inevitable and it makes us afraid. But fear clouds our judgement; it makes us become cowards when bravery is what we need in the times ahead. Older folks said 'every dark cloud has its silver lining' - no exceptions. If the West is in a mess, then it would not be a priority for them to force Third World countries to repay debt. This would give Jamaica a window of opportunity to reboot and do things differently. Therefore, the solution is in not being afraid, but being prepared.
If an American family were paying 60 cents out of every dollar for debt, they would file bankruptcy or just refuse to pay some of these debts. It is inhumane to have our nation suffer because of the enormous debt burden. It is foolish for Jamaicans to think we can make progress and improve our situation on the 40 cents - but maybe we are just too smart to see it. ...
You have succeeded beyond just about anyone's wildest dreams there, pal.