Things have changed for us electronically. The library where we use the internet won't allow us to use flash drives anymore because of the potential for virus infections. That means pics will be limited. We should be able to attach some after Christmas once we get to John's.
The weather is incredible where we are; akin to a lovely New England summer day. In the last few weeks we've stopped sweating like crazy 24/7, sleeping is much more comfortable and life is simply more comfortable. Not so 10 miles south in the plateau region of May Pen. Thankfully, we're down to one or two trips there per week.
Had a community meeting last night and 35 showed up.......AND MOST WERE ON TIME!! The downside was that the guest speaker we had from the Social Development Commission, and who everyone came to hear, sent a sub who wasn't well prepared. It was a one step forward two steps back moment. We'd worked so hard to get residents out and now it's not likely, for the time being, to happen again. Just have to re-group and try another tact.
Thanksgiving was a step back into the US. A big-wig in Jamaica invited 30 guests, among them eight PCV's, for an American Thanksgiving. Gary fixed the turkey. It was fun. Also made some valuable contacts for donations to projects.
We're helping a local fellow try to get a youth football [not gridiron type] going. He's having a fundraiser fun-day of football competition next Saturday, 12/3. We're helping with organization and donation acquistions. It's a lot of work on foot rather than via car, email, and phone but we're learning who has something to donate and who doesn't.
Eager for Christmas and seeing the boys. Once home we're going to see a movie, eat pizza, and hug those guys.
Wak gud, Margaret
Friday, December 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
WHERE’S THE SNOW!
It’s November 19….it’s 85 degrees, and there are no snow plows around! Ever see the movie “Groundhog Day”? Well, that’s what it’s like in Jamaica. Not the radio alarms..(they wouldn’t think of it….”I’m late…no problem”) but the weather every day. Sure, we get some rain and wind (every now and then), but I’m still soaked after walking a mile to work or the library. I know some of you think I’m wacko, but I was telling Margaret this morning……”can’t wait to get a few days of cold air in my lungs when we get back home for Christmas.” Someone at the hospital told me back in September that we would need sweaters in November and December! How does it go…”yeah, right!” The only time our room fan has been off is because of a power outage. Not really “skrinarplaining,” but never realized I missed the seasons, especially the fall, so much.
The only place that we will need sweaters is our planned trip to the Blue Mountains in the middle of December. No matter where you are the weather is cooler at 7,000 ft +. Speaking of this trip it should be a real camera lover’s hike. Apparently, the guides take you to the “cabins” after hiking for a hour or so…where you eat and go to sleep (cot) and are awakened at 2 am. The hike continues for the next 3 hours or so until you arrive at the peak and are there just in time to witness the sunrise. The Blue Mountains rise to the aforementioned heights just east of Kingston and provide a beautiful easterly view for those living and visiting Kingston. Those who have taken the trip say that if the clouds are at a minimum you can see Cuba to the west and of course the sunrise to the east.
Things have been going pretty slowly the past week or so and particularly this week as we have had two functions cancelled at the last moment, even though there was no rain and no power outages! The EKG project came to a rousing halt as the machine from Mayo died about a week before administering the first EKGs….talked to Mayo and they are sending a replacement.
But we are treating this as a “fall” vacation week as we are heading to Ocho Rios (first time) for a Peace Corps conference – called the Early Service Conference – from Wednesday to Friday. Then, rather than head home we decided to travel just east of Montego Bay, about 1 ½ hours west of Ochi (both MoBay and Ochi are on the north shore) and spend the weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun morning) at Ironshore, just outside of MoBay. The tourist season (if there is one this year with the economy) usually starts around mid-December and lasts through April. This area is considered the tourist mecca. We hope to get a jump on the snowbirds and play golf while there are only a few people on the course.
Since this blog seems to be based on the weather we thought we would try and give you a sense of the roads (although experiencing them is much more fun). The roads, of course, are affected by the weather, particularly the rain. Last Friday, Nov 7, I was in May Pen (10 miles down the mountain)…and experienced the normal bad roads. On Saturday, tropical storm Palermo skimmed Jamaica and so we had some pretty heavy rains. On the way down to May Pen the next Tuesday the road was horrendous….the picture we posted shows the depth of the asphalt on top of “marl (crushed rock beneath the asphalt).” I saw 5’ X 8’ sections of the asphalt that had simply separated from the rest and floated off the marl, leaving big crevasses in the roadway. The only unsettling thing about going to Blue Mountain is the total time of travel… approximately 7 hours….”are we having fun yet?”
It’s November 19….it’s 85 degrees, and there are no snow plows around! Ever see the movie “Groundhog Day”? Well, that’s what it’s like in Jamaica. Not the radio alarms..(they wouldn’t think of it….”I’m late…no problem”) but the weather every day. Sure, we get some rain and wind (every now and then), but I’m still soaked after walking a mile to work or the library. I know some of you think I’m wacko, but I was telling Margaret this morning……”can’t wait to get a few days of cold air in my lungs when we get back home for Christmas.” Someone at the hospital told me back in September that we would need sweaters in November and December! How does it go…”yeah, right!” The only time our room fan has been off is because of a power outage. Not really “skrinarplaining,” but never realized I missed the seasons, especially the fall, so much.
The only place that we will need sweaters is our planned trip to the Blue Mountains in the middle of December. No matter where you are the weather is cooler at 7,000 ft +. Speaking of this trip it should be a real camera lover’s hike. Apparently, the guides take you to the “cabins” after hiking for a hour or so…where you eat and go to sleep (cot) and are awakened at 2 am. The hike continues for the next 3 hours or so until you arrive at the peak and are there just in time to witness the sunrise. The Blue Mountains rise to the aforementioned heights just east of Kingston and provide a beautiful easterly view for those living and visiting Kingston. Those who have taken the trip say that if the clouds are at a minimum you can see Cuba to the west and of course the sunrise to the east.
Things have been going pretty slowly the past week or so and particularly this week as we have had two functions cancelled at the last moment, even though there was no rain and no power outages! The EKG project came to a rousing halt as the machine from Mayo died about a week before administering the first EKGs….talked to Mayo and they are sending a replacement.
But we are treating this as a “fall” vacation week as we are heading to Ocho Rios (first time) for a Peace Corps conference – called the Early Service Conference – from Wednesday to Friday. Then, rather than head home we decided to travel just east of Montego Bay, about 1 ½ hours west of Ochi (both MoBay and Ochi are on the north shore) and spend the weekend (Fri, Sat, Sun morning) at Ironshore, just outside of MoBay. The tourist season (if there is one this year with the economy) usually starts around mid-December and lasts through April. This area is considered the tourist mecca. We hope to get a jump on the snowbirds and play golf while there are only a few people on the course.
Since this blog seems to be based on the weather we thought we would try and give you a sense of the roads (although experiencing them is much more fun). The roads, of course, are affected by the weather, particularly the rain. Last Friday, Nov 7, I was in May Pen (10 miles down the mountain)…and experienced the normal bad roads. On Saturday, tropical storm Palermo skimmed Jamaica and so we had some pretty heavy rains. On the way down to May Pen the next Tuesday the road was horrendous….the picture we posted shows the depth of the asphalt on top of “marl (crushed rock beneath the asphalt).” I saw 5’ X 8’ sections of the asphalt that had simply separated from the rest and floated off the marl, leaving big crevasses in the roadway. The only unsettling thing about going to Blue Mountain is the total time of travel… approximately 7 hours….”are we having fun yet?”
Monday, November 10, 2008
The latest news
More ups and downs. First, the weather is cooling down, a little. We can walk to work and not always be soaked with perspiration and on a few nights we actually turned off the fan. The latter was hard to do because the fan serves three purposes: cooling; mosquito deterrent; and noise abatement. We’re not so sure if night time cooling will be beneficial in the long run.
Gary was all primed to start teaching the nurses how to conduct an electrocardiogram on patients until a few days ago. He had been given a desk and a small locked room to house the machine and one day he discovered the door unlocked, a key sitting on the desk and the EKG not working. He worked on it, called Mayo Clinic [recall they sent it], spoke to a few techs and finally realized it wasn’t going to work. So, in true Jamaican style the big training event had to be canceled. The good news is Mayo is sending another machine so not all is lost. As well, BU has one we’re going to bring back at Christmas. With used equipment you can never have too many back-ups. In the same vein, tomorrow we’ll conduct our pilot run-through for the Wellness Project; that is, unless some glitch pops up.
After several rain canceled meetings we finally held the last of our steering committee meetings for the Community Association and the big Community-wide meeting is set for this Thursday [unless of course it rains]. Rescheduling that baby will be a real challenge. We have fliers up all over town and a guy with a giant speaker system atop his car is announcing it daily. Cross your fingers that it stays dry.
A Jamaican friend of ours told us that some of the locals, who didn’t know she knew us, told her we are spies. They said they knew it because we ask so many questions. Oh well!
Wak gud, Margaret
Gary was all primed to start teaching the nurses how to conduct an electrocardiogram on patients until a few days ago. He had been given a desk and a small locked room to house the machine and one day he discovered the door unlocked, a key sitting on the desk and the EKG not working. He worked on it, called Mayo Clinic [recall they sent it], spoke to a few techs and finally realized it wasn’t going to work. So, in true Jamaican style the big training event had to be canceled. The good news is Mayo is sending another machine so not all is lost. As well, BU has one we’re going to bring back at Christmas. With used equipment you can never have too many back-ups. In the same vein, tomorrow we’ll conduct our pilot run-through for the Wellness Project; that is, unless some glitch pops up.
After several rain canceled meetings we finally held the last of our steering committee meetings for the Community Association and the big Community-wide meeting is set for this Thursday [unless of course it rains]. Rescheduling that baby will be a real challenge. We have fliers up all over town and a guy with a giant speaker system atop his car is announcing it daily. Cross your fingers that it stays dry.
A Jamaican friend of ours told us that some of the locals, who didn’t know she knew us, told her we are spies. They said they knew it because we ask so many questions. Oh well!
Wak gud, Margaret
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Ups and Downs
It’s the day after the presidential election and the passionate Jamaicans are as excited about Obama winning as they were about their Olympic track team’s accomplishments. Certainly, more of them want to talk with us about the meaning of this win than they did the feats of Bolt, et al. They are proud of Obama and glorious about what the “white” Americans have done. It seems to be a statement about each of them as individuals and their legitimacy as much as recognition of America’s and the world’s need for the promise Obama’s leadership hopefully will bring. We’ve got our fingers crossed he is able to follow through on what he seems to stand for.
There have been some ups and downs in our projects. We’re home helping our host mother, Mrs. Rumble, prepare for the first ever Chapelton Senior Citizens gathering. She’s been inspired to start one after the early success with the Citizens’ Association. We’ll keep you informed as to whether or not it blossoms in to a viable organization.
The Citizens’ Association has its second planning meeting tomorrow night and it’s first full community meeting next Wednesday evening. We’re not as confident we can muster sufficient participation to make this group effective. Their first planning meeting went well but last week was supposed to be the second meeting. It didn’t go off because it rained. We’ve learned that Jamaicans DO NOT GO OUT IN THE RAIN…….EVER!!!
Since this is the “rainy season” it’s a little difficult to plan and keep momentum going but we’ll see. Can’t figure out why they don’t like rain but it’s clear the custom is spread throughout the culture.
The shoe collection efforts seem to be going great guns, especially on the west coast. Thanks to those of you who are contributing. My sister, Aimee, has set a goal of 1,000 shoes and has made contact with a Jamaican-American Association that may try to help with shipping and possible donations. Like John and me, it must be in her genes to dream big. I’m excited to see what she’s able to pull off.
The shoes will be used first for those in the community who want to begin exercising. The second group will be those who participate in the Wellness Project Evaluation. We’ll be able to give them a necessary tool to carry out the prescriptive lifestyle recommendations we make. We have a pilot run-through on five volunteers next Wednesday. If all goes well we’ll launch at both hospitals beginning January 15.
For those who are familiar with the Fitness Evals we used to do at BU, this will be a hybrid of that. Available equipment is limited so there’ll be some field test screenings like a Step –Test for cardio-fitness rather than a treadmill or bike test with an EKG monitor. We won’t be able to estimate fat volume, lean body mass or strength so we’re doing BMI and waist girth instead. But we are confident we’ll have enough risk info to estimate chances of chronic diseases and levels of wellness. Along with what’s been mentioned we’re doing resting EKGs, blood lipids and glucose, flexibility, posture analysis, nutritional analysis, oral health exam and depression screen.
We’re coming home for Christmas!!….. well, it’ll be the day after Christmas, for nine days. If any of you are in New England and are dying to see us, we’ll be in Greenwich, CT at Johns from 12/26 to the 30th, then in Hardwick, MA with Art Dell Orto until 1/3. Then we’ll return to John’s for a Jan. 4 departure for JM. We’re delaying our JM departure to the US to participate in a “Jamaican Christmas”. Apparently it’s a bigger event here than in the US. We’ll let you know what transpires. Todd may also join us for a while and bring Riley. It will be wonderful to see the boys and hug them.
Tek cyar, Margaret
There have been some ups and downs in our projects. We’re home helping our host mother, Mrs. Rumble, prepare for the first ever Chapelton Senior Citizens gathering. She’s been inspired to start one after the early success with the Citizens’ Association. We’ll keep you informed as to whether or not it blossoms in to a viable organization.
The Citizens’ Association has its second planning meeting tomorrow night and it’s first full community meeting next Wednesday evening. We’re not as confident we can muster sufficient participation to make this group effective. Their first planning meeting went well but last week was supposed to be the second meeting. It didn’t go off because it rained. We’ve learned that Jamaicans DO NOT GO OUT IN THE RAIN…….EVER!!!
Since this is the “rainy season” it’s a little difficult to plan and keep momentum going but we’ll see. Can’t figure out why they don’t like rain but it’s clear the custom is spread throughout the culture.
The shoe collection efforts seem to be going great guns, especially on the west coast. Thanks to those of you who are contributing. My sister, Aimee, has set a goal of 1,000 shoes and has made contact with a Jamaican-American Association that may try to help with shipping and possible donations. Like John and me, it must be in her genes to dream big. I’m excited to see what she’s able to pull off.
The shoes will be used first for those in the community who want to begin exercising. The second group will be those who participate in the Wellness Project Evaluation. We’ll be able to give them a necessary tool to carry out the prescriptive lifestyle recommendations we make. We have a pilot run-through on five volunteers next Wednesday. If all goes well we’ll launch at both hospitals beginning January 15.
For those who are familiar with the Fitness Evals we used to do at BU, this will be a hybrid of that. Available equipment is limited so there’ll be some field test screenings like a Step –Test for cardio-fitness rather than a treadmill or bike test with an EKG monitor. We won’t be able to estimate fat volume, lean body mass or strength so we’re doing BMI and waist girth instead. But we are confident we’ll have enough risk info to estimate chances of chronic diseases and levels of wellness. Along with what’s been mentioned we’re doing resting EKGs, blood lipids and glucose, flexibility, posture analysis, nutritional analysis, oral health exam and depression screen.
We’re coming home for Christmas!!….. well, it’ll be the day after Christmas, for nine days. If any of you are in New England and are dying to see us, we’ll be in Greenwich, CT at Johns from 12/26 to the 30th, then in Hardwick, MA with Art Dell Orto until 1/3. Then we’ll return to John’s for a Jan. 4 departure for JM. We’re delaying our JM departure to the US to participate in a “Jamaican Christmas”. Apparently it’s a bigger event here than in the US. We’ll let you know what transpires. Todd may also join us for a while and bring Riley. It will be wonderful to see the boys and hug them.
Tek cyar, Margaret
Thursday, October 23, 2008
So many likle observations that I can’t remember them all as of this writing but I’ll try recalling some. First, we are getting busier. The Wellness Program, modifications of the BU Fitness Center and Pitt’s old Cardiac Rehab Program, is taking off. In two weeks were doing a pilot run through. We expect to launch full bore on January 15 [only because we’ve been told normal life in JA ceases from the last week in November until 1/15 for Christmas]. If all goes as planned we will run the programs at Chapelton and May Pen Hospitals until they succeed or fail. If successful we will branch out to small and large businesses and provide the same services at the worksite. At that point we’ll begin training medical staff to conduct the Wellness Program.
The EKG training program will be off and running this week. It had an early glitch; the Parish CMO put a hold on it because she had understood Gary might be a CIA agent. Now get up off the floor; too much laughter might cause a stroke. Of all people confused for CIA, he’s the last on my list. As our host mother said, “….and why would the CIA even be interested in JA?”. Gary met with the CMO last Friday and all was straightened out.
We traveled this weekend to the poorest community on the island, Portland Cottage [such a charming name for the most beleaguered site I’ve seen], with 80% unemployment you may be able to imagine their plight. It’s the hot spot for drug and gun smuggling. It’s on the salt marshes of the Caribbean in the south of Clarendon Parish. As Gary said, it makes Chapelton look like Beverly Hills. We visited a fellow volunteer working for Food for the Poor. She took us to a beach in the region, not in the town, where I might take my Healthy Lifestyles Club members for a beach clean up and picnic.
Which leads me to the next effort. I’m teaching [advising] a group of twenty 12-15 year olds in the Healthy Lifestyle Club at Beulah All Age School [gr. 2-8, there are only upper school students in the club]. I have two co-teachers who are training to take over the class next year. Using games, skits, prizes, field trips and competitions they’ll learn about healthy lifestyles. Topics range from healthy snacks, food preparation and cooking to mental, environmental, and oral health, as well as HIV/AIDS, violence prevention, hygiene, and exercise.
After meeting with the elders of the community regarding the resurrection of the Citizens’ Association it was decided that 1.] a Senior Citizens Group should be formed right away [sort of a local AARP]; and 2.] Gary and I should meet with the leaders of the youth community and use the same techniques to fact find about their needs. Substantial numbers of youth [15-25] in Jamaica are under-educated and under-employed. The elders are concerned for the youths’ welfare and its affect on the community. Our Youth meeting will be tonight [Wed.] and the second elders’ group will be the next night. The Senior Citizens Group is ready to have its first meeting November 5.
We’re meeting with the director and staff of St. Augustine Boyz Home to discuss the kinds of workshops we might teach to staff and the boys. We just attended a Heroes Day Concert put on by them this morning [Heroes Day is like our Presidents’ Day but much more important to the populace]. These boys have been abandoned by their families. Some are disabled or disfigured internally and/or externally but most are adorable boys between 8 & 18. It broke my heart to think about their lives without any family at all. Some are starved for affection. One took hold of Gary and wouldn’t let go.
In the meantime Gary’s gotten motivated to see what he can do about the noise pollution problem. Loud reggae music pulsing 24/7 is the norm. The loud bases of giant sound systems is ubiquitous, whether in the country or city, and literally rattles windows and doors. Once all the above are rolling you may hear more about that effort. In the meantime we keep ear plugs with us at all times.
In all the preparation for these projects we’ve had to do considerable traveling to meet key people and fact-find. As you all know travel has been our bane in JA but it has been interesting to learn of and participate in a common Jamaican practice, ride sharing. In all sorts of situations and circumstances people share rides to save gas, get someplace, and/or transport something. It’s not uncommon for the Ministry of Health driver who is charged with getting us to a meeting in May Pen to have 2 or 3 others tagging along to be dropped off somewhere. In route we’ll stop at the roadside and pick up a package that needs to be dropped off on the way. All of this in a truck filled with equipment and supplies going or coming to somewhere else. No one ever just jumps in a car and drives alone to any place.
Finally, I’ll probably have more to say about this topic later as I watch and learn more about its effect; but only 30% of women with children are married. Sociologists and anthropologists don’t know if it’s the result of earlier African cultural practices or a remnant of slavery when marriage was impractical with families always being torn apart. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to know that so few individuals live with their parents; often they live with grandmothers or aunts. Women don’t seem to be bothered by this condition and large numbers of well-educated professional women choose to have a child out of wedlock. It appears they don’t want to have a thing to do with men [no, their not lesbians!!]. They prefer to have a child and a career without the father present. In the poor communities they may not have a career but they still want the children. This doesn’t suggest that men aren’t present in their children’s lives. In American I never saw so many young men carrying [no strollers, carriages, baby backpacks, etc] babies and/or walking along holding the hands of their young children. It seems to me that the males and females of this culture may not want to deal with the compromises necessary in marriage. What effect, if any, it has on children, I don’t know. What is clear is that there doesn’t appear to be any stigma attached to not having a father present in the home; it’s the norm.
Das al fi nou, Margaret
The EKG training program will be off and running this week. It had an early glitch; the Parish CMO put a hold on it because she had understood Gary might be a CIA agent. Now get up off the floor; too much laughter might cause a stroke. Of all people confused for CIA, he’s the last on my list. As our host mother said, “….and why would the CIA even be interested in JA?”. Gary met with the CMO last Friday and all was straightened out.
We traveled this weekend to the poorest community on the island, Portland Cottage [such a charming name for the most beleaguered site I’ve seen], with 80% unemployment you may be able to imagine their plight. It’s the hot spot for drug and gun smuggling. It’s on the salt marshes of the Caribbean in the south of Clarendon Parish. As Gary said, it makes Chapelton look like Beverly Hills. We visited a fellow volunteer working for Food for the Poor. She took us to a beach in the region, not in the town, where I might take my Healthy Lifestyles Club members for a beach clean up and picnic.
Which leads me to the next effort. I’m teaching [advising] a group of twenty 12-15 year olds in the Healthy Lifestyle Club at Beulah All Age School [gr. 2-8, there are only upper school students in the club]. I have two co-teachers who are training to take over the class next year. Using games, skits, prizes, field trips and competitions they’ll learn about healthy lifestyles. Topics range from healthy snacks, food preparation and cooking to mental, environmental, and oral health, as well as HIV/AIDS, violence prevention, hygiene, and exercise.
After meeting with the elders of the community regarding the resurrection of the Citizens’ Association it was decided that 1.] a Senior Citizens Group should be formed right away [sort of a local AARP]; and 2.] Gary and I should meet with the leaders of the youth community and use the same techniques to fact find about their needs. Substantial numbers of youth [15-25] in Jamaica are under-educated and under-employed. The elders are concerned for the youths’ welfare and its affect on the community. Our Youth meeting will be tonight [Wed.] and the second elders’ group will be the next night. The Senior Citizens Group is ready to have its first meeting November 5.
We’re meeting with the director and staff of St. Augustine Boyz Home to discuss the kinds of workshops we might teach to staff and the boys. We just attended a Heroes Day Concert put on by them this morning [Heroes Day is like our Presidents’ Day but much more important to the populace]. These boys have been abandoned by their families. Some are disabled or disfigured internally and/or externally but most are adorable boys between 8 & 18. It broke my heart to think about their lives without any family at all. Some are starved for affection. One took hold of Gary and wouldn’t let go.
In the meantime Gary’s gotten motivated to see what he can do about the noise pollution problem. Loud reggae music pulsing 24/7 is the norm. The loud bases of giant sound systems is ubiquitous, whether in the country or city, and literally rattles windows and doors. Once all the above are rolling you may hear more about that effort. In the meantime we keep ear plugs with us at all times.
In all the preparation for these projects we’ve had to do considerable traveling to meet key people and fact-find. As you all know travel has been our bane in JA but it has been interesting to learn of and participate in a common Jamaican practice, ride sharing. In all sorts of situations and circumstances people share rides to save gas, get someplace, and/or transport something. It’s not uncommon for the Ministry of Health driver who is charged with getting us to a meeting in May Pen to have 2 or 3 others tagging along to be dropped off somewhere. In route we’ll stop at the roadside and pick up a package that needs to be dropped off on the way. All of this in a truck filled with equipment and supplies going or coming to somewhere else. No one ever just jumps in a car and drives alone to any place.
Finally, I’ll probably have more to say about this topic later as I watch and learn more about its effect; but only 30% of women with children are married. Sociologists and anthropologists don’t know if it’s the result of earlier African cultural practices or a remnant of slavery when marriage was impractical with families always being torn apart. Nonetheless, it’s interesting to know that so few individuals live with their parents; often they live with grandmothers or aunts. Women don’t seem to be bothered by this condition and large numbers of well-educated professional women choose to have a child out of wedlock. It appears they don’t want to have a thing to do with men [no, their not lesbians!!]. They prefer to have a child and a career without the father present. In the poor communities they may not have a career but they still want the children. This doesn’t suggest that men aren’t present in their children’s lives. In American I never saw so many young men carrying [no strollers, carriages, baby backpacks, etc] babies and/or walking along holding the hands of their young children. It seems to me that the males and females of this culture may not want to deal with the compromises necessary in marriage. What effect, if any, it has on children, I don’t know. What is clear is that there doesn’t appear to be any stigma attached to not having a father present in the home; it’s the norm.
Das al fi nou, Margaret
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Another Lesson
We spent Sunday at Font Hill Beach, 45 miles south of Negril, with a group of senior citizens from our community. It was our first trip to the southwest coast. The beaches were lovely, clean and quiet, except for the ever-ubiquitous reggae music. The water was warm and clear; the clouds as usual were gorgeous.
But,…….. the trip didn’t start out that well. It began as a lesson in cultures and communications between Americans and Jamaicans. We were to leave the house with our host mother via taxi at 7 AM to meet the group in a town forty five minutes north of Chapelton for the 8 AM departure; but our Jamaican taxi driver was an hour late. We started calling him at 7:10 but only got a message that his mailbox was full. He had over slept on his only day off, Sunday. Once finally on the road we called the organizer, Ionie, to let her know our status. Now Ionie is not your typical Jamaican. She spent 25 years in England and is quite western. She’s highly organized and expects everyone else to be so; her impatience with Jamaican ways is obvious. She said to me, “we are loading right now”. I asked if we should have our driver take us to a junction where we could meet the bus taking everyone; she said no. I then said we’ll try to catch the bus and asked what color it was. She said yellow and green.
Now, at that time we had understood we were headed two hours north to Ocho Rios and the junction we were headed to was right on the way; it didn’t seem very Jamaican not to be willing to wait for us but Ionie is western so we accepted it. We drove like lightning over the very worst roads in Jamaica and got to the meeting point in 35 minutes at 8:35. No one was in sight; so to no avail, we asked a few people if they had seen the green and yellow bus. All were adamant that no bus had gone by. We figured they hadn’t been paying that close attention and hadn’t noticed. We called Ionie’s phone at least eight times, to no avail. We figured the noise was too loud in the bus for her to hear the ring. After realizing we didn’t know where in Ochi they were headed, that now we couldn’t catch the bus, and the poor taxi driver realized he’d really messed up, our host mother decided she was up for an adventure and she was going to get one. At 8:45 we headed west into the hills for Moco and Smithville where she was reared. The roads weren’t bad but very narrow and winding.
At 9:30 we receive a call from Ionie asking where the heck we were and that they were waiting for us. We said we were in Thompson town, 45 minutes west of the bus, she asked how we got there!!!???; we said we were headed to Smithville. Now she was befuddled and asked to speak to the driver. She figured we just didn’t realize where we were. He confirmed the location and she confirmed they were waiting for us [its truly Jamaican not to leave anyone out]. We did a 180 degree turn and headed back, like lightning, over those ‘wonderful’ roads. It was clear the young driver was eager to do this because the thought of spending his day-off with three senior citizens in the bush really didn’t appeal to him.
When we finally arrived at the bus, it was white with a bit of blue and yellow trim and the riders had only been waiting about 45 minutes rather than the 1 ½ hours we thought. It turned out that the Jamaicans, even Ionie, are Jamaican all the way. When we originally reached the meeting spot we were actually the first ones there [so American!], even if it was an hour late. When we initially spoke to Ionie who said they were just loading up we didn’t understand that she was just getting into her own taxi at her home [unconcerned that she was an hour late] and she was guessing at the bus colors. As Jamaicans they would never leave us and said not to worry when it was obvious how terribly we felt about inconveniencing them so much.
Our story doesn’t end there. Once on the bus we realized we were headed west rather than northeast to Ochi. At first we figured there must be a short cut but then it became obvious, after an hour that the normal two hour trip to Ochi was going to be lengthy if we continued west. Finally, we asked where we were headed, and no one seemed to quite know but nonetheless happy for the company and adventure. After three hours [for us five hours] we landed at Font Hill. Only then did we understand the unspoken original message of Ionie’s refusal to meet us at a junction point to Ochi. It was truly a ‘Jamerican’ lesson in communication and unspoken meaning. From now on we’ll let Mrs. Rumble make the planning phone calls.
On a new front, my sister, Aimee, is working with a group of Southern California home school parents to collect workout shoes [sturdy, gently worn sneakers for men, women and children] for Jamaicans to use while exercising. Brian Goldenberg, a former BU student of mine is doing the same on the east coast under teh auspices of the Health Sciences Club. The rural Jamaican footwear situation is deplorable, primarily rubber flip flops or bare feet. Many are eager to walk or run with me but I can’t allow them to exercise on crumbling concrete and asphalt without adequate footwear because they will get injured. At the same time they can’t afford shoes that provide adequate support and shock absorption, even if they were available. So far I’ve seen one sports store in Kingston that looked as if it might have functional/effective training gear. If you’d like to help there are two ways: send washed/bleached slightly worn shoes with new laces; or a donation to help cover shipping costs [if the latter, make checks payable to either Aimee or Brian].
Contact information: Aimee Ibarra, 8739 Elizabeth Lake Rd., Leona Valley, CA 93551 or aimeeibarra@hotmail.com; or Brian Goldenberg: hsclub@bu.edu. If you can do anything at all it will help a Jamaican improve his/her health, fitness and resistance to the growing epidemic of chronic diseases.
Tanks an taik cyar, Margaret
But,…….. the trip didn’t start out that well. It began as a lesson in cultures and communications between Americans and Jamaicans. We were to leave the house with our host mother via taxi at 7 AM to meet the group in a town forty five minutes north of Chapelton for the 8 AM departure; but our Jamaican taxi driver was an hour late. We started calling him at 7:10 but only got a message that his mailbox was full. He had over slept on his only day off, Sunday. Once finally on the road we called the organizer, Ionie, to let her know our status. Now Ionie is not your typical Jamaican. She spent 25 years in England and is quite western. She’s highly organized and expects everyone else to be so; her impatience with Jamaican ways is obvious. She said to me, “we are loading right now”. I asked if we should have our driver take us to a junction where we could meet the bus taking everyone; she said no. I then said we’ll try to catch the bus and asked what color it was. She said yellow and green.
Now, at that time we had understood we were headed two hours north to Ocho Rios and the junction we were headed to was right on the way; it didn’t seem very Jamaican not to be willing to wait for us but Ionie is western so we accepted it. We drove like lightning over the very worst roads in Jamaica and got to the meeting point in 35 minutes at 8:35. No one was in sight; so to no avail, we asked a few people if they had seen the green and yellow bus. All were adamant that no bus had gone by. We figured they hadn’t been paying that close attention and hadn’t noticed. We called Ionie’s phone at least eight times, to no avail. We figured the noise was too loud in the bus for her to hear the ring. After realizing we didn’t know where in Ochi they were headed, that now we couldn’t catch the bus, and the poor taxi driver realized he’d really messed up, our host mother decided she was up for an adventure and she was going to get one. At 8:45 we headed west into the hills for Moco and Smithville where she was reared. The roads weren’t bad but very narrow and winding.
At 9:30 we receive a call from Ionie asking where the heck we were and that they were waiting for us. We said we were in Thompson town, 45 minutes west of the bus, she asked how we got there!!!???; we said we were headed to Smithville. Now she was befuddled and asked to speak to the driver. She figured we just didn’t realize where we were. He confirmed the location and she confirmed they were waiting for us [its truly Jamaican not to leave anyone out]. We did a 180 degree turn and headed back, like lightning, over those ‘wonderful’ roads. It was clear the young driver was eager to do this because the thought of spending his day-off with three senior citizens in the bush really didn’t appeal to him.
When we finally arrived at the bus, it was white with a bit of blue and yellow trim and the riders had only been waiting about 45 minutes rather than the 1 ½ hours we thought. It turned out that the Jamaicans, even Ionie, are Jamaican all the way. When we originally reached the meeting spot we were actually the first ones there [so American!], even if it was an hour late. When we initially spoke to Ionie who said they were just loading up we didn’t understand that she was just getting into her own taxi at her home [unconcerned that she was an hour late] and she was guessing at the bus colors. As Jamaicans they would never leave us and said not to worry when it was obvious how terribly we felt about inconveniencing them so much.
Our story doesn’t end there. Once on the bus we realized we were headed west rather than northeast to Ochi. At first we figured there must be a short cut but then it became obvious, after an hour that the normal two hour trip to Ochi was going to be lengthy if we continued west. Finally, we asked where we were headed, and no one seemed to quite know but nonetheless happy for the company and adventure. After three hours [for us five hours] we landed at Font Hill. Only then did we understand the unspoken original message of Ionie’s refusal to meet us at a junction point to Ochi. It was truly a ‘Jamerican’ lesson in communication and unspoken meaning. From now on we’ll let Mrs. Rumble make the planning phone calls.
On a new front, my sister, Aimee, is working with a group of Southern California home school parents to collect workout shoes [sturdy, gently worn sneakers for men, women and children] for Jamaicans to use while exercising. Brian Goldenberg, a former BU student of mine is doing the same on the east coast under teh auspices of the Health Sciences Club. The rural Jamaican footwear situation is deplorable, primarily rubber flip flops or bare feet. Many are eager to walk or run with me but I can’t allow them to exercise on crumbling concrete and asphalt without adequate footwear because they will get injured. At the same time they can’t afford shoes that provide adequate support and shock absorption, even if they were available. So far I’ve seen one sports store in Kingston that looked as if it might have functional/effective training gear. If you’d like to help there are two ways: send washed/bleached slightly worn shoes with new laces; or a donation to help cover shipping costs [if the latter, make checks payable to either Aimee or Brian].
Contact information: Aimee Ibarra, 8739 Elizabeth Lake Rd., Leona Valley, CA 93551 or aimeeibarra@hotmail.com; or Brian Goldenberg: hsclub@bu.edu. If you can do anything at all it will help a Jamaican improve his/her health, fitness and resistance to the growing epidemic of chronic diseases.
Tanks an taik cyar, Margaret
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
More thoughts on Jamaica and the US
Here are two observations, one about Jamaica, the other about us, as in US. As I’ve said earlier, Jamaica is a nation between two worlds, developing and developed. As such the citizens probably aren’t much different than we were in 1776, many believing in the mother country, Britain or the Western, model. For example, the majority of Jamaicans prefer the protocol of Mr., Mrs. or Miss. The closest of friends refer to each other in that way. Some how it seems incongruous and pretentious here in the bush but it may make them feel as if they are staying abreast of British ways by keeping them alive. Yet, their very oldest ways, African resourcefulness, may be of greater benefit to them. Few are proud of being able to walk miles in a day or creatively conserve; actions our planet dearly needs. They see those actions as embarrassing and demeaning, albeit necessary. If I correctly recall my American History, Britain regarded US as ruffian, archaic illiterates for nearly 200 years. Our language, values, culture [or lack of], etc. were derided.
Jamaican’s are in a similar transition phase as we were 200 years ago, many of them not quite sure of who they are or should be and not appreciating the benefits of their native culture. We had our first Citizens’ Association meeting last week [one of the missions of our tenure is to help resurrect the non-operational organization] and after leading a long discussion on the things they both like and want changed in the community several asked what we thought of Chapelton. They were amazed that anyone from America liked it and could find value in their lives. I continue to tell Jamaicans that being American or British is not the panacea for life’s ills. I suppose when literally half the population is an expatriate with some money in his/her pocket it may be difficult to accept that premise.
The saddest aspect of their transition to the developed world is their state of health. Like US they are getting fatter and have more chronic disease. As the ‘developing nation’ conditions like dengue, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, malnutrition, leptospirosis, etc. are on the wane due to improved Western [got to give credit where it’s due] health care; those chronic diseases of the Western lifestyle are alarmingly on the rise. Many of my health presentations point out that one way to stave off these conditions is to preserve valuable aspects of their historical culture and ways; total westernization will lead to suffering of a different kind. Some times I feel as if the west is like the invading Spaniards of the 15th Century who brought infectious disease and death to the natives in this hemisphere. Finding and trusting that path is a mountain few have yet to even consider scaling. For many I may as well be suggesting we blow up the world; it’s impossible and exceedingly undesirable!
As for the US observation I alluded to, if you haven’t already seen it, please consider taking time to watch Bill Moyers’ discussion with our former colleague at Boston University, Andrew Bacevich [http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09262008/watch.html]. Our son, John forwarded it to us and we think it’s quite informative on many levels and issues regarding our current state of affairs in the US and the world.
Sunday we’re headed to Ochi [Ocho Rios] on the north shore for a day at the beach with 40 Jamaicans. This 60 mile trip should only take two hours and two transport transfers because we’re chartering a bus for part of the way. We’re eager to see how they enjoy and use the beach. Among other things, we’ll be roasting a goat.
If you can believe it, we’re yearning for those cool crisp New England days. At times all this sun and great weather is more than we can handle.
Finally, if you’ve noticed we haven’t posted many new photos recently [Sorry about that, Chris]. There are limits to how many vistas of green mountains and clouds you all want to see; and it’s getting difficult to take any with Jamaicans in them. They either don’t want their pictures taken or they want to be paid for allowing the photo to be taken. Do notice we were able to get a great one of a Brahma cow right outside our bathroom window.
Laita, Margaret
Monday, September 29, 2008
Our first weekend away from Chapelton!
We finally decided, at the urging of our Safety and Security Coordinator, that we would take a weekend off and start to explore Jamaica outside our work and home site. We checked the Lonely Planet Jamaica and decided to travel to Falmouth which is located about 18 miles east of Montego Bay and about 60 miles from our apartment in Chapelton. Found a small hotel that was close to rafting and not too far from Rose Hall Mansion and a couple golf courses. We ventured out and planned to meet our roommates from training (Matt and Karen Towne) early Friday evening. We headed to downtown Chapelton around 2: 45 and arrived at 3:10. The place was teeming with school children who were waiting to go home via the taxis and mini-buses…the same form of transportation we use. There do not appear to be school buses in Jamaica…as we know it in the states. Finally, after standing around for about 25 minutes jockeying for a spot we got on a mini-bus at 3:35 [capacity 15- # of riders 23]. The adventure began while we headed straight north; our first stop to change to a taxi was Trout Hall 8 miles north on probably the worst road we’ve ever traveled. We were in the standard Toyota Corolla taxi with four passengers in the front and four in the back. Yep, you read it right, four in the front, two in the passenger seat and two in the driver’s seat! The driver had to reach over the female passenger’s leg to shift. Eight miles should take the “Grand Prix” taxi drivers about 10-15 minutes on these roads….but not the 8 miles to Trout Hall…it took over 30 minutes…the driver could not get up enough speed because of the huge potholes and the weight in the car. Next stop, Cave Valley, another 8 miles or so which was equally as slow not only because of the road (which was not quite as pot-holed as the previous leg) but because we were heading over the peak of the Bull Head Mountains…with a lot of hair pin turns and close to the road cliffs (not a guard rail to be seen); however that did not seem to phase the driver who was driving between 35-45 miles an hour on these treacherous roads…only about 5 feet from the taxi in front of him. We were starting to squirm. At Cave Valley we jumped into another taxi that would take us about 16 miles to Brownstown. The road started to get better, NOT GOOD, just improved. Traffic was heavy (Friday night get-a-way?) so the driver had to drive slower than the previous Mr. Andretti - wannabe! At Brownstown we boarded an SUV taxi…with relatively more space but still cramped, and headed for Discovery Bay and our first view of the North coast and the Caribbean. The roads changed significantly…no potholes, wide (not eight lanes) but wide and not nearly as busy as the narrow mountain roads. At Discovery Bay we boarded a taxi that ate up the next 20 miles of road in about 13-15 minutes…at least we were on good roads and there were only three of us in the car versus the usual 7-8. We arrived at our destination (Fisherman’s Inn at Glistening Waters), 3 km east of Falmouth at 6 pm…met our friends at poolside (they had left their home site three hours earlier than we had), and I immediately consumed a scotch on the rocks…whew! We had dinner, more drinks and then a relatively early retirement…10 pm seemed like midnight compared to our usual lights out routine around 9 pm.
At breakfast on Saturday morning we made plans to take a 90 minute raft trip, called the number(s) listed in the Lonely Planet…but were unable to reach anyone. Plan B had us travel west toward MoBay past, Falmouth to Rose Hall where we took in the guided tour of the Great House Mansion, located on a former 6000 acre sugar cane plantation which was built starting in the 1750’s and completed in the 1770’s. Slaves destroyed the house in the 1831 Christmas Rebellion (for good reason I might add)…it was then left in ruins for the next century. In 1966 a couple from the US started and completed the restoration in 5 years. There is folklore, some true, some untrue about the young woman who was married to an early owner of the place, John Palmer, who supposedly practiced voo-doo…killed three husbands and then was herself killed by her slave lover. Anyway she was known as the “White Witch”….hence the name of one of the golf courses which is on part of the original 6,000 acres…White Witch Golf Course. I drooled for most of my time on the grounds…our time constraints and mixed company (not all golfers) overrode my desire to rent clubs and take off on a course where there were only three foursomes playing.
After flagging down a shuttle bus that was heading to the Ritz Carlton, a resort about a mile down the road from Rose Hall and partners in the whole track (hotel, golf, and mansion), we headed to the pool bar/restaurant for lunch. Up until the moment that we stepped into the Ritz, Margaret and I have mentioned that 99% of US visitors never see the Jamaica we’ve seen. Well….we left that Jamaica for about 2 hours during our visit to the golf course and Ritz for lunch. Felt like we had flown back to a US resort (including prices) and stepped out of our PC existence for a while.
On Sunday, after some morning pool time we packed up and headed back to Chapelton…the pace was somewhat less hectic [Margaret asked each driver if they tek taim? And each nodded affirmatively], the roads were still bad, and the frequency of taxis was less. But after 59 miles and four hours we arrived back safe and sound….oh and tired…because about 100 yards from our hotel on Saturday from about 5:30 pm until 4:30 am there was reggae, reggae, and more reggae that shook the doors (the base was so loud) to our room. The air conditioning, tv, and extra pillows were unable to squelch this “music.” We were told by the waiter on Saturday evening that they always have a party on the last Saturday of the month…Great!!! Just what we needed for our R & R.
We finally decided, at the urging of our Safety and Security Coordinator, that we would take a weekend off and start to explore Jamaica outside our work and home site. We checked the Lonely Planet Jamaica and decided to travel to Falmouth which is located about 18 miles east of Montego Bay and about 60 miles from our apartment in Chapelton. Found a small hotel that was close to rafting and not too far from Rose Hall Mansion and a couple golf courses. We ventured out and planned to meet our roommates from training (Matt and Karen Towne) early Friday evening. We headed to downtown Chapelton around 2: 45 and arrived at 3:10. The place was teeming with school children who were waiting to go home via the taxis and mini-buses…the same form of transportation we use. There do not appear to be school buses in Jamaica…as we know it in the states. Finally, after standing around for about 25 minutes jockeying for a spot we got on a mini-bus at 3:35 [capacity 15- # of riders 23]. The adventure began while we headed straight north; our first stop to change to a taxi was Trout Hall 8 miles north on probably the worst road we’ve ever traveled. We were in the standard Toyota Corolla taxi with four passengers in the front and four in the back. Yep, you read it right, four in the front, two in the passenger seat and two in the driver’s seat! The driver had to reach over the female passenger’s leg to shift. Eight miles should take the “Grand Prix” taxi drivers about 10-15 minutes on these roads….but not the 8 miles to Trout Hall…it took over 30 minutes…the driver could not get up enough speed because of the huge potholes and the weight in the car. Next stop, Cave Valley, another 8 miles or so which was equally as slow not only because of the road (which was not quite as pot-holed as the previous leg) but because we were heading over the peak of the Bull Head Mountains…with a lot of hair pin turns and close to the road cliffs (not a guard rail to be seen); however that did not seem to phase the driver who was driving between 35-45 miles an hour on these treacherous roads…only about 5 feet from the taxi in front of him. We were starting to squirm. At Cave Valley we jumped into another taxi that would take us about 16 miles to Brownstown. The road started to get better, NOT GOOD, just improved. Traffic was heavy (Friday night get-a-way?) so the driver had to drive slower than the previous Mr. Andretti - wannabe! At Brownstown we boarded an SUV taxi…with relatively more space but still cramped, and headed for Discovery Bay and our first view of the North coast and the Caribbean. The roads changed significantly…no potholes, wide (not eight lanes) but wide and not nearly as busy as the narrow mountain roads. At Discovery Bay we boarded a taxi that ate up the next 20 miles of road in about 13-15 minutes…at least we were on good roads and there were only three of us in the car versus the usual 7-8. We arrived at our destination (Fisherman’s Inn at Glistening Waters), 3 km east of Falmouth at 6 pm…met our friends at poolside (they had left their home site three hours earlier than we had), and I immediately consumed a scotch on the rocks…whew! We had dinner, more drinks and then a relatively early retirement…10 pm seemed like midnight compared to our usual lights out routine around 9 pm.
At breakfast on Saturday morning we made plans to take a 90 minute raft trip, called the number(s) listed in the Lonely Planet…but were unable to reach anyone. Plan B had us travel west toward MoBay past, Falmouth to Rose Hall where we took in the guided tour of the Great House Mansion, located on a former 6000 acre sugar cane plantation which was built starting in the 1750’s and completed in the 1770’s. Slaves destroyed the house in the 1831 Christmas Rebellion (for good reason I might add)…it was then left in ruins for the next century. In 1966 a couple from the US started and completed the restoration in 5 years. There is folklore, some true, some untrue about the young woman who was married to an early owner of the place, John Palmer, who supposedly practiced voo-doo…killed three husbands and then was herself killed by her slave lover. Anyway she was known as the “White Witch”….hence the name of one of the golf courses which is on part of the original 6,000 acres…White Witch Golf Course. I drooled for most of my time on the grounds…our time constraints and mixed company (not all golfers) overrode my desire to rent clubs and take off on a course where there were only three foursomes playing.
After flagging down a shuttle bus that was heading to the Ritz Carlton, a resort about a mile down the road from Rose Hall and partners in the whole track (hotel, golf, and mansion), we headed to the pool bar/restaurant for lunch. Up until the moment that we stepped into the Ritz, Margaret and I have mentioned that 99% of US visitors never see the Jamaica we’ve seen. Well….we left that Jamaica for about 2 hours during our visit to the golf course and Ritz for lunch. Felt like we had flown back to a US resort (including prices) and stepped out of our PC existence for a while.
On Sunday, after some morning pool time we packed up and headed back to Chapelton…the pace was somewhat less hectic [Margaret asked each driver if they tek taim? And each nodded affirmatively], the roads were still bad, and the frequency of taxis was less. But after 59 miles and four hours we arrived back safe and sound….oh and tired…because about 100 yards from our hotel on Saturday from about 5:30 pm until 4:30 am there was reggae, reggae, and more reggae that shook the doors (the base was so loud) to our room. The air conditioning, tv, and extra pillows were unable to squelch this “music.” We were told by the waiter on Saturday evening that they always have a party on the last Saturday of the month…Great!!! Just what we needed for our R & R.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Life in the bush
Recently a friend asked if we have air conditioning. It was then I realized you may be curious about our living conditions. Rural Jamaica is on the cusp of moving from a developing to developed country. Areas in Kingston, as well as tourist spots in Montego Bay and along the north and west coasts have modern amenities. The only air conditioning we experience is in the ATM kiosks. No matter who’s taking out money we both cram into the space for a brief moment of bliss. From 8 AM to 5 PM it is HOT and HUMID, much like the southeastern US in the summer [without the fall respite]; albeit, ocean breezes crossing the island do make it somewhat manageable.
We look forward to dusk when the sweat abates. Sweat pours off our legs, arms, backs, heads, etc. Poor Gary is always soaked ¾ of the way on the mile and a half walk to the hospital. No AC there either. Indoors the first thing we check for are cross breeze locations and fans. Many carry kerchiefs to wipe sweat from the body. For shade I walk everywhere with my umbrella up. Men aren’t culturally allowed that luxury unless it’s raining.
Water, for any purpose, is limited. We sometimes have it, sometimes not. There’s no predicting when it will be on and for how long. It may be off for a few days and then on for two hours from 11AM-1PM or 11PM-1AM [neither time block particularly convenient]. Other times it may be on for 24 hours. We have storage tanks that are filled for the off-hours and we keep two large buckets filled in our bathroom. When the water is off our house mother has the luxury of a pump that brings it into the house. We try to use it sparingly because electricity is costly.
This may set your hair afire, but there’s no hot water for showers, laundry or dishes. I’ve learned a whole new tolerance for diminished comfort and sanitation. We’ve now been here for nearly three months and not seen anyone sick or develop rashes for the lack of hot water. There could be something to the useless wastefulness of our antibacterial obsession; and possibly our immune systems are even stronger for the lack of hyper-sanitation. We’ve learned to save water and fuel by taking cold bucket showers. We also water plants with dish and laundry water.
We’re lucky to have a washing machine. During training it was handwashing or nothing.
The laundry dries on a line, unless you forget to watch the weather and fail to note the arriving afternoon tropical downpour [those babies come on like gang busters, no light sprinkles to warn you]. Laundry water is recycled between loads. We start with the whites, pull them out for the darks and reset the wash cycle. Then spin/rinse each in the same order. It’s easier than hand washing but we have to keep in mind to watch the cycles, one distraction and 15 gallons of H2O is literally down the drain.
There’s no internet service in our neighborhood or at the hospital. We walk 1½ miles to the library to do research and communicate with all of you. Once the ECG lab is up and running, there may be enough money to fund internet service on a limited basis for the hospital. No guarantees but that was the suggestion.
Our neighborhood initially looks reasonably modern but after a third glance you see the structures are primarily shells of modernity. Most residents grow some foods in their yards: mango, pear [avocado to us], breadfruit, plantain, banana, oranges, yam, sugar cane, aki, kallaloo, etc., and share what they have with neighbors [sharing and helping is an important Jamaican value]. Visits to the grocery store are rare [and expensive], although we haven’t broken the habit yet; we’re now down to a once a week trip into May Pen to a supermarket that has some of the amenities we’re accustomed to [but don’t really need]. One reason for our diminished travel is Gary’s abhorrence of the costly, torturous ten mile trek.
The roads are shared by pedestrians, vehicles [mainly taxis and mini buses], goats, donkeys, cows, chickens, and the ever-present hoard of dogs. Sidewalks, if present, are useless, crumbling clumps of stone. All forms of transport, regardless of the species, take place in the badly pot-holed roads. It’s the pot-holes that make it safe for all to share the roads; cars can’t drive fast [except on the main roads where the taxis and buses drive fast regardless of road conditions]. That reminds me; Gary recently said that even if Peace Corps allowed us to drive he’s not sure he would feel safe driving in Jamaica. The back roads are fine; it’s the main roads that are worrisome.
Take a minute to look around you and appreciate what you have, but please don’t take it for granted or let it reduce our resources.
Taik cyar, Margaret
We look forward to dusk when the sweat abates. Sweat pours off our legs, arms, backs, heads, etc. Poor Gary is always soaked ¾ of the way on the mile and a half walk to the hospital. No AC there either. Indoors the first thing we check for are cross breeze locations and fans. Many carry kerchiefs to wipe sweat from the body. For shade I walk everywhere with my umbrella up. Men aren’t culturally allowed that luxury unless it’s raining.
Water, for any purpose, is limited. We sometimes have it, sometimes not. There’s no predicting when it will be on and for how long. It may be off for a few days and then on for two hours from 11AM-1PM or 11PM-1AM [neither time block particularly convenient]. Other times it may be on for 24 hours. We have storage tanks that are filled for the off-hours and we keep two large buckets filled in our bathroom. When the water is off our house mother has the luxury of a pump that brings it into the house. We try to use it sparingly because electricity is costly.
This may set your hair afire, but there’s no hot water for showers, laundry or dishes. I’ve learned a whole new tolerance for diminished comfort and sanitation. We’ve now been here for nearly three months and not seen anyone sick or develop rashes for the lack of hot water. There could be something to the useless wastefulness of our antibacterial obsession; and possibly our immune systems are even stronger for the lack of hyper-sanitation. We’ve learned to save water and fuel by taking cold bucket showers. We also water plants with dish and laundry water.
We’re lucky to have a washing machine. During training it was handwashing or nothing.
The laundry dries on a line, unless you forget to watch the weather and fail to note the arriving afternoon tropical downpour [those babies come on like gang busters, no light sprinkles to warn you]. Laundry water is recycled between loads. We start with the whites, pull them out for the darks and reset the wash cycle. Then spin/rinse each in the same order. It’s easier than hand washing but we have to keep in mind to watch the cycles, one distraction and 15 gallons of H2O is literally down the drain.
There’s no internet service in our neighborhood or at the hospital. We walk 1½ miles to the library to do research and communicate with all of you. Once the ECG lab is up and running, there may be enough money to fund internet service on a limited basis for the hospital. No guarantees but that was the suggestion.
Our neighborhood initially looks reasonably modern but after a third glance you see the structures are primarily shells of modernity. Most residents grow some foods in their yards: mango, pear [avocado to us], breadfruit, plantain, banana, oranges, yam, sugar cane, aki, kallaloo, etc., and share what they have with neighbors [sharing and helping is an important Jamaican value]. Visits to the grocery store are rare [and expensive], although we haven’t broken the habit yet; we’re now down to a once a week trip into May Pen to a supermarket that has some of the amenities we’re accustomed to [but don’t really need]. One reason for our diminished travel is Gary’s abhorrence of the costly, torturous ten mile trek.
The roads are shared by pedestrians, vehicles [mainly taxis and mini buses], goats, donkeys, cows, chickens, and the ever-present hoard of dogs. Sidewalks, if present, are useless, crumbling clumps of stone. All forms of transport, regardless of the species, take place in the badly pot-holed roads. It’s the pot-holes that make it safe for all to share the roads; cars can’t drive fast [except on the main roads where the taxis and buses drive fast regardless of road conditions]. That reminds me; Gary recently said that even if Peace Corps allowed us to drive he’s not sure he would feel safe driving in Jamaica. The back roads are fine; it’s the main roads that are worrisome.
Take a minute to look around you and appreciate what you have, but please don’t take it for granted or let it reduce our resources.
Taik cyar, Margaret
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Things are starting to move.....
Slow but Steady….
Our daily schedule books are starting to look a little more used in the past two weeks with the number of meetings and tasks increasing. One key happening occurred last week when I decided to contact a couple former colleagues to see if they had any ideas on how I could get some resources. One of them, Thomas Allison, a former doctoral colleague at Pitt, has worked at Mayo Clinic almost as long as I was at BU. I proceeded to explain what we were doing since I hadn’t seen him in a couple years….then I asked him if he knew of any foundations or organizations that donated used equipment or computers. Within four hours of my original email he informed me that he had an electrocardiograph machine waiting to be shipped to Jamaica along with supplies, batteries, and electrodes. I just found out today (Tuesday, September 16, 2008) that the machine arrived in Kingston and will be delivered to Chapelton Community Hospital next week. The realization of an EKG lab here at the hospital has materialized. I could hardly sleep one night last week thinking of how I would arrange, set-up, and train the nurses here at the hospital. It also turned out that a doctor at Mayo Clinic, a Jamaican, called me and wants to include me in a fact finding mission that the Jamaican Minnesota Organization is making in November. They are going to visit Chapelton as well as the whole Clarendon parish.
Margaret has a number of presentations in the health and healthy lifestyles area and is currently about 20 miles west of the hospital with another health educator. We both attended the Caribbean Health Day fair at May Pen. Although a minor event it was an attempt to share literature about health and healthy lifestyles with community members.
Another task that we are undertaking, a resurrection of a former community center in our neighborhood, is fraught with a number of challenges. Politics and religion may play a heavy hand in this plan…but we are talking to former community leaders (from both political parties), church representatives, and leaders in other communities to see if we can facilitate this venture.
Caribbean weather has been pretty stable for the last week or 10 days with the passing of Ike (just a little rain from that beauty), but the temperatures still top out at 32 or 33 degrees Celsius mid-day. Can’t wait till November/December when the locals promised me that I’ll need a sweater…Yea, mon, yu see!.
Our daily schedule books are starting to look a little more used in the past two weeks with the number of meetings and tasks increasing. One key happening occurred last week when I decided to contact a couple former colleagues to see if they had any ideas on how I could get some resources. One of them, Thomas Allison, a former doctoral colleague at Pitt, has worked at Mayo Clinic almost as long as I was at BU. I proceeded to explain what we were doing since I hadn’t seen him in a couple years….then I asked him if he knew of any foundations or organizations that donated used equipment or computers. Within four hours of my original email he informed me that he had an electrocardiograph machine waiting to be shipped to Jamaica along with supplies, batteries, and electrodes. I just found out today (Tuesday, September 16, 2008) that the machine arrived in Kingston and will be delivered to Chapelton Community Hospital next week. The realization of an EKG lab here at the hospital has materialized. I could hardly sleep one night last week thinking of how I would arrange, set-up, and train the nurses here at the hospital. It also turned out that a doctor at Mayo Clinic, a Jamaican, called me and wants to include me in a fact finding mission that the Jamaican Minnesota Organization is making in November. They are going to visit Chapelton as well as the whole Clarendon parish.
Margaret has a number of presentations in the health and healthy lifestyles area and is currently about 20 miles west of the hospital with another health educator. We both attended the Caribbean Health Day fair at May Pen. Although a minor event it was an attempt to share literature about health and healthy lifestyles with community members.
Another task that we are undertaking, a resurrection of a former community center in our neighborhood, is fraught with a number of challenges. Politics and religion may play a heavy hand in this plan…but we are talking to former community leaders (from both political parties), church representatives, and leaders in other communities to see if we can facilitate this venture.
Caribbean weather has been pretty stable for the last week or 10 days with the passing of Ike (just a little rain from that beauty), but the temperatures still top out at 32 or 33 degrees Celsius mid-day. Can’t wait till November/December when the locals promised me that I’ll need a sweater…Yea, mon, yu see!.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A Jamaican moment
Recently I had an instructive experience suggestive of one cultural contrast between Americans and Jamaicans. I was expected to meet two Health Educators from the hospital at a specific site in town at 11:30 AM; we were headed into the bush [country] to talk with rural community members about health issues of their choice [HIV/AIDS, blood pressure, PAP tests, and fertility were the topics asked about that day]. The plan was to take a taxi into the hills to a remote area about five miles away.
Like a good American I arrived at the meeting spot at 11:30, right on time. After waiting 30 minutes I began to think I may have gone to the wrong location or misunderstood the Patois laced instructions, so I headed toward the hospital and here they came. They asked how long I’d been waiting; I told them and one said “Jamaicans are terrible about time”. I responded that perhaps, rather than terrible, they are just different from Americans.
Fast forward to the hills: we were dropped off at the home of a woman who died recently and there were 13 men in the front yard preparing her grave. None were relatives, I suppose because she had no male offspring [I only guess, because as an observer, I could barely understand what was said, the Patois was DENSE], all were community members who had dug the six foot grave and were preparing the elaborate 4’ X 10’ concrete cover Jamaicans prefer to the grass we use. With few tools and several buckets of concrete these men were constructing the cover with great attention to detail and care. It was a kind and loving commitment to their neighbor.
After an hour we walked up the hill a mile to another grave preparation site. Here there were 47 people, family and friends doing the same thing for their aunt, friend or neighbor [she had no children or husband]. In this case women and children also played roles. The likl pikni dem [children] shoveled the soil from the grave into a wheel barrow and carted it off to the bush. The men built the cover which was far more elaborate than the first site. The women cooked in a tent and fed everyone.
At this point I said to the Health Educators that these two situations demonstrate a difference between American and Jamaican use of time. Each of these people had dropped what they were doing for several days to see that the deceased were lovingly and respectfully put to rest. Regardless of the time demands on them, these women needed to be honored. I told them that in America we pay to have someone take care of these duties. As someone who has buried a mother, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law I can attest that an early call was made to a funeral director so all would be taken care of. It never occurred to me that there might be another way.
Jamaicans use their time differently. If there’s an opportunity to chat with you or bury you those become the important options. Time is money for most Americans; we can’t take the time to chat…………….. or bury someone ourselves, certainly not a neighbor.
Some of you know I have been carting around the ashes of my father since 1976 and my brother since 2001 [weird, yes, but as the last in the family I knew I couldn’t just leave their remains in some remote place that I might never return to]. When we bought our property in Canaan, NY one of the most appealing things to me about it was that it had a small graveyard on it with headstones from the 1820’s. I knew I had found a place to finally put those ashes to rest. Now I hope that, with my family by my side, we can do it the Jamaican way and dig their graves and fashion those head stones ourselves.
Taik Taim [take time], Margaret
PS: recall from an earlier posting, the Jamaican taxi and bus drivers rarely taik taim.
Like a good American I arrived at the meeting spot at 11:30, right on time. After waiting 30 minutes I began to think I may have gone to the wrong location or misunderstood the Patois laced instructions, so I headed toward the hospital and here they came. They asked how long I’d been waiting; I told them and one said “Jamaicans are terrible about time”. I responded that perhaps, rather than terrible, they are just different from Americans.
Fast forward to the hills: we were dropped off at the home of a woman who died recently and there were 13 men in the front yard preparing her grave. None were relatives, I suppose because she had no male offspring [I only guess, because as an observer, I could barely understand what was said, the Patois was DENSE], all were community members who had dug the six foot grave and were preparing the elaborate 4’ X 10’ concrete cover Jamaicans prefer to the grass we use. With few tools and several buckets of concrete these men were constructing the cover with great attention to detail and care. It was a kind and loving commitment to their neighbor.
After an hour we walked up the hill a mile to another grave preparation site. Here there were 47 people, family and friends doing the same thing for their aunt, friend or neighbor [she had no children or husband]. In this case women and children also played roles. The likl pikni dem [children] shoveled the soil from the grave into a wheel barrow and carted it off to the bush. The men built the cover which was far more elaborate than the first site. The women cooked in a tent and fed everyone.
At this point I said to the Health Educators that these two situations demonstrate a difference between American and Jamaican use of time. Each of these people had dropped what they were doing for several days to see that the deceased were lovingly and respectfully put to rest. Regardless of the time demands on them, these women needed to be honored. I told them that in America we pay to have someone take care of these duties. As someone who has buried a mother, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law I can attest that an early call was made to a funeral director so all would be taken care of. It never occurred to me that there might be another way.
Jamaicans use their time differently. If there’s an opportunity to chat with you or bury you those become the important options. Time is money for most Americans; we can’t take the time to chat…………….. or bury someone ourselves, certainly not a neighbor.
Some of you know I have been carting around the ashes of my father since 1976 and my brother since 2001 [weird, yes, but as the last in the family I knew I couldn’t just leave their remains in some remote place that I might never return to]. When we bought our property in Canaan, NY one of the most appealing things to me about it was that it had a small graveyard on it with headstones from the 1820’s. I knew I had found a place to finally put those ashes to rest. Now I hope that, with my family by my side, we can do it the Jamaican way and dig their graves and fashion those head stones ourselves.
Taik Taim [take time], Margaret
PS: recall from an earlier posting, the Jamaican taxi and bus drivers rarely taik taim.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Ready to work
We are officially Peace Corps Volunteers! Passed all of our tests and were sworn in by the US Ambassador on Thursday August 28 [Gary’s birthday] just before Gustav hit land [it was no big deal in Chapelton-we're protected by the Bull Head Mtns to the north]. Now it’s down to work.
We have several projects we will be working on; all are supposed to be in advisory or training capacities. The first will be to train the nursing staff on the use of an ECG [electrocardiogram]. They say they have one in the hospital but when a test has to be administered they have to bring in an outside contractor. It will save them considerable time and money if they can do it themselves and it will certainly be beneficial for the patients. The only problem is, so far, they can’t seem to locate the equipment. It appears that what they thought was an ECG was only a monitor. We’re headed to the hospital this morning to search in all the nooks and crannies.
Another thing the hospital wants us to do is set up a Wellness Center for employees and patients. We’ll have to do some community assessments to insure it’s structured to meet the stakeholders needs and wants. Once it’s set up we’ll train staff to run it.
A very large project will be to reorganize the admissions and records department’s operations. Right now it doesn’t function effectively. For instance, if a patient arrives today their record cannot be retrieved again for a week, even if they must return tomorrow. We’re hoping to get the hospital set up with linked computers and get several staff trained to operate, maintain, and repair the software. Right now we’re investigating several options for accessing hardware and software. We’ll need to locate at least four computers for them.
When patients arrive at the hospital they have a minimum three hour wait before they’ll be seen. The waiting room probably seats at least 100 people, all just sitting and waiting. At one end there is a TV mounted on the wall for some to watch. The staff has suggested having health education tapes playing. We will see what can be done. We can do presentations on a whole slew of topics from the basics like BP, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, etc. to sleep, skin health, hand washing [this is very important in Jamaica, breaking the oral/fecal contamination cycle is a major health problem], exercise, etc. Over time we figure we can produce at least a dozen of these tapes.
In the community there is interest in reviving a community association. Apparently the quality of life has fallen off and some want to take action to stem the tide. Littering [a chronic Jamaican problem], loud Reggae music 24/7, packs of dogs roaming the streets 24/7, and groups of aimless young men with nothing to do are just some of the concerns. We are coordinating with church and civic leaders to identify necessary/available resources, interest, and potential solutions.
As a spin off of the community association several people want to revive a defunct community center. One thing they want are fitness classes. I’ll train residents on how to develop and run exercise sessions. As of now five women are walking in the community with me [they all need good shoes to support their bodies-I’m asking a former colleague at BU to help me locate donated shoes, if you have any or know of a source please email be at gskrinar@gmail.com].
We’re sure that more projects will surface as we become deeply integrated into the hospital community. We’ll keep you apprised of our successes and failures.
Will add more pics with the next posting.
Laita [Jamaican’s don’t say good-bye, it’s too permanent, later is temporary], Margaret
We have several projects we will be working on; all are supposed to be in advisory or training capacities. The first will be to train the nursing staff on the use of an ECG [electrocardiogram]. They say they have one in the hospital but when a test has to be administered they have to bring in an outside contractor. It will save them considerable time and money if they can do it themselves and it will certainly be beneficial for the patients. The only problem is, so far, they can’t seem to locate the equipment. It appears that what they thought was an ECG was only a monitor. We’re headed to the hospital this morning to search in all the nooks and crannies.
Another thing the hospital wants us to do is set up a Wellness Center for employees and patients. We’ll have to do some community assessments to insure it’s structured to meet the stakeholders needs and wants. Once it’s set up we’ll train staff to run it.
A very large project will be to reorganize the admissions and records department’s operations. Right now it doesn’t function effectively. For instance, if a patient arrives today their record cannot be retrieved again for a week, even if they must return tomorrow. We’re hoping to get the hospital set up with linked computers and get several staff trained to operate, maintain, and repair the software. Right now we’re investigating several options for accessing hardware and software. We’ll need to locate at least four computers for them.
When patients arrive at the hospital they have a minimum three hour wait before they’ll be seen. The waiting room probably seats at least 100 people, all just sitting and waiting. At one end there is a TV mounted on the wall for some to watch. The staff has suggested having health education tapes playing. We will see what can be done. We can do presentations on a whole slew of topics from the basics like BP, cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, etc. to sleep, skin health, hand washing [this is very important in Jamaica, breaking the oral/fecal contamination cycle is a major health problem], exercise, etc. Over time we figure we can produce at least a dozen of these tapes.
In the community there is interest in reviving a community association. Apparently the quality of life has fallen off and some want to take action to stem the tide. Littering [a chronic Jamaican problem], loud Reggae music 24/7, packs of dogs roaming the streets 24/7, and groups of aimless young men with nothing to do are just some of the concerns. We are coordinating with church and civic leaders to identify necessary/available resources, interest, and potential solutions.
As a spin off of the community association several people want to revive a defunct community center. One thing they want are fitness classes. I’ll train residents on how to develop and run exercise sessions. As of now five women are walking in the community with me [they all need good shoes to support their bodies-I’m asking a former colleague at BU to help me locate donated shoes, if you have any or know of a source please email be at gskrinar@gmail.com].
We’re sure that more projects will surface as we become deeply integrated into the hospital community. We’ll keep you apprised of our successes and failures.
Will add more pics with the next posting.
Laita [Jamaican’s don’t say good-bye, it’s too permanent, later is temporary], Margaret
Friday, August 22, 2008
A Bolt of Lightning
Although television is a rarity it appears that the current Beijing games have brought many of them out of the walls! The Jamaicans are estatic about their sprint champions...even Margaret and I are rooting for them. It really is amazing that such a small country has had so much success. Here I am in the library (Friday a.m.) writing this email and the staff was watching the 400 m relay...Jamaicans won another gold. Exciting....maybe this will help this country in some small way.
This week at our last language lesson I gave intructions to another PC volunteer on how to take blood pressure in Patois. Not one of my strong points..."Yu rap de cuff roun de uppa arm an skueez de bub.....blah, blah, blah." Glad that's over..hopefully we'll pick up more as we settle in. We leave for Kingston tomorrow for our final training, testing, and swearing in at the US Embassy next Thursday, August 28. After that we return to Chapelton and begin our 2 year stint. Things appear to be picking up within the hospital and community....maybe after September 1 we'll settle into a routine. One of my tasks is to set up the electrocardiograph room and train the nurses how to give an ECG. They opened a storage cabinet and put five machines on the table for me to look at...supposedly ECG machines. I have never seen the likes of these machines before...they weigh as much as the old black and white televisions (some of you probably don't remember what they look and felt like)...and look like them as well.
Margaret had a unique experience with a couple female health workers from the hospital...they went up into the mountains about 10 miles away and when encountering any group of people (cook shop, bar, assembled on a street corner)..the two women started handing out condoms and giving short lecture-etts on HIV/AIDs. Will let her explain next time.
Leita,
This week at our last language lesson I gave intructions to another PC volunteer on how to take blood pressure in Patois. Not one of my strong points..."Yu rap de cuff roun de uppa arm an skueez de bub.....blah, blah, blah." Glad that's over..hopefully we'll pick up more as we settle in. We leave for Kingston tomorrow for our final training, testing, and swearing in at the US Embassy next Thursday, August 28. After that we return to Chapelton and begin our 2 year stint. Things appear to be picking up within the hospital and community....maybe after September 1 we'll settle into a routine. One of my tasks is to set up the electrocardiograph room and train the nurses how to give an ECG. They opened a storage cabinet and put five machines on the table for me to look at...supposedly ECG machines. I have never seen the likes of these machines before...they weigh as much as the old black and white televisions (some of you probably don't remember what they look and felt like)...and look like them as well.
Margaret had a unique experience with a couple female health workers from the hospital...they went up into the mountains about 10 miles away and when encountering any group of people (cook shop, bar, assembled on a street corner)..the two women started handing out condoms and giving short lecture-etts on HIV/AIDs. Will let her explain next time.
Leita,
Monday, August 18, 2008
We're going native
See the attached pics; I have my hair braided and we learned to cook potato pudding "bush style". The braids are the first step towards dreds for us. Only one problem, Gary had his hair cut by a local barber and the poor guy was driven nuts with all his "fine" hair. With fans blowing for cooling those little white hairs were like small knives on the barber's arms. He cut Gary's hair very short, so dreds will be a ways off for him. My do is so easy, I can't even comb it; even if my head looks more like a flag with white stripes. It will last about 6 weeks, enough time to demonstrate to the Jamaican's that we've adopted their culture.
The pot pics are of our baking (with a friends help) potato pudding without an oven. All you need is a pot, a sheet of metal for a cover, and coals on top and the bottom. The pudding tastes like zucchini bread but has yams, potatoes, and plantain. Delicious.
The Jamaican's are thrilled about the Olympic results. To draw on the enthusiasm I'm thinking of starting a running group for children. There is a soccer field/goat pasture nearby that we can use.
Training comes to an end on August 28 and we're looking forward to getting to work on an array of possible projects. We'll update you as they unfold.
In the meantime, continue to look trash and redi (your best-if you can believe it). ms
The pot pics are of our baking (with a friends help) potato pudding without an oven. All you need is a pot, a sheet of metal for a cover, and coals on top and the bottom. The pudding tastes like zucchini bread but has yams, potatoes, and plantain. Delicious.
The Jamaican's are thrilled about the Olympic results. To draw on the enthusiasm I'm thinking of starting a running group for children. There is a soccer field/goat pasture nearby that we can use.
Training comes to an end on August 28 and we're looking forward to getting to work on an array of possible projects. We'll update you as they unfold.
In the meantime, continue to look trash and redi (your best-if you can believe it). ms
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Back in Kingston
On Saturday, August 2, our training resumed in Kingston as we all took our respective public transportation (ugh!) from our sites back to the teachers college. It appears that the training is running thin with a number of the trainees (I agree) as most of the recapping of our two weeks on site was discussed the first day back and we're still discussing it after day 5. Everybody seems anxious to get back to their sites so that planning can continue...some have had very little to do because of supervisors being out of country or out of touch...others have already settled into a work schedule five days a week. Margaret and I have scheduled meetings to address needs in the community and the hospital. We sort of fit in between the 5/days per week and the nothing to do crowd.
Today (August 6) is Independence Day in Jamaica...1962 they became an independent country. We head out to a cultural event/celebration tonight, have a few more language lessons tomorrow, and then head back to Chapelton until Saturday, August 23rd when we head back to Kingston for final tests and swearing in ceremony on August 28th at the US Embassy.
Today (August 6) is Independence Day in Jamaica...1962 they became an independent country. We head out to a cultural event/celebration tonight, have a few more language lessons tomorrow, and then head back to Chapelton until Saturday, August 23rd when we head back to Kingston for final tests and swearing in ceremony on August 28th at the US Embassy.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The stunning ranges in affluence
Celebrated my birthday last night with a Jamaican neighborhood celebration the likes of which none of us have ever seen. The Jamaican's know how to party and find any reason in the world to do it, even if it's a strange old white woman's birth. I'll have more next week when we reach a computer that is able to handle photos of the event.
I've been struck by the degrees of economic affluence in Jamaica. For those who have traveled here for vacation, the interior is not the same as that narrow necklace around the perimeter. It's especially magnified in our Parish, Clarendon, and our town, Chapelton. Last week we met with other PC Volunteers from the area in the home of one of the countries wealthiest families. Maids, pool, cabana, big cars, the typical upscale setting. This morning on my run I crossed paths with Flabby, the fisherman, on his way to the river to catch fish in the river which he will sell on the street later today. He was on the back of a donkey with milk crates as saddle bags. Not much further along I came across a woman and her chrii likl pikni [three young children-pikni is not a derogatory term in JA]. She carried a large box of laundry on her head and a bottle of bleach. One of her pikni carried more clothes in a bag. She was headed to do her wash in the same river Flabby was fishing in, bleach and all. She'll spend the day at the riverside doing the laundry for her family [count your blessings-I hate laundry under the best of circumstances].
We met with the local high school Principal this morning and he told us one of his biggest problems is fighting off squatters and those who rob the schools vegetable gardens. They have a 128 acre campus with only six used for the school proper. On some of the outer property they grow fruits and vegetables for the cafeteria [I liked that resourceful use of assets]. But squatters come in, set up camp and help themselves. I'm left with the same feeling I had after seeing the latest Ben Affleck directed pic, Gone Baby Gone; whose the enemy here? The poor starving squatter or the educational institution?
Otherwise, mi be gud. Margaret
I've been struck by the degrees of economic affluence in Jamaica. For those who have traveled here for vacation, the interior is not the same as that narrow necklace around the perimeter. It's especially magnified in our Parish, Clarendon, and our town, Chapelton. Last week we met with other PC Volunteers from the area in the home of one of the countries wealthiest families. Maids, pool, cabana, big cars, the typical upscale setting. This morning on my run I crossed paths with Flabby, the fisherman, on his way to the river to catch fish in the river which he will sell on the street later today. He was on the back of a donkey with milk crates as saddle bags. Not much further along I came across a woman and her chrii likl pikni [three young children-pikni is not a derogatory term in JA]. She carried a large box of laundry on her head and a bottle of bleach. One of her pikni carried more clothes in a bag. She was headed to do her wash in the same river Flabby was fishing in, bleach and all. She'll spend the day at the riverside doing the laundry for her family [count your blessings-I hate laundry under the best of circumstances].
We met with the local high school Principal this morning and he told us one of his biggest problems is fighting off squatters and those who rob the schools vegetable gardens. They have a 128 acre campus with only six used for the school proper. On some of the outer property they grow fruits and vegetables for the cafeteria [I liked that resourceful use of assets]. But squatters come in, set up camp and help themselves. I'm left with the same feeling I had after seeing the latest Ben Affleck directed pic, Gone Baby Gone; whose the enemy here? The poor starving squatter or the educational institution?
Otherwise, mi be gud. Margaret
Friday, July 25, 2008
One week of on-site training
It's been one week today and we are falling into the Jamaican lifestyle in terms of work, travel, diet, etc. At the last posting Margaret mentioned the travel from here to May Pen for meetings and more meetings. I won't say anymore. As far as work we have had two meetings (attempts at meeting our supervisors and counterparts) in May Pen....both have been cancelled because all relevant parties were on vacation. We did however succeed on sitting in on a hospital staff meeting in Chapelton that had as it's headline a goodbye party for the PC volunteers that we are replacing. Just your typical "good-bye" party. The first 15 minutes consisted of a devotional with psalms, singing and prayers. Then two women from a Jamaican trust company spoke for 45-60 min (it was sooo long I can't remember) on the benefits of home mortgages, equity loans for fix-up, and in general how you could get money to build and or repair....or anything else. I zoned out in the first three minutes. Others were sleeping as well! This was the equivalent of Sargent College having an all-college meeting and having Bank of America come and talk for the first 45 minutes about all-inclusive loans. I kept asking myself if this was really happening! This was supposed to be a send off for two people that gave two years of their life helping the hospital community.
Well finally the bank people finished and I breathed a sigh of relief....now, I said we can get to the celebration....NOT....For the next two hours the "chairman" (sort of like the chairman of health sciences) directed the monthly hospital staff meeting. Each constituency reported on any problems...well...that just opened the doors for all kinds of complaints: nurses re maintenance, records re nurses, doctor re records, nurses, patients,....and on and on...Finally, with this meeting beginning at 10:30...it was 3:00 and the celebration began. Kind words were spoken about the departing PCVs...along with the introduction of Margaret and I. Everyone said we had big shoes to fill...except that we were unable to get started this week because of vacation schedules. Yesterday we had a regional meeting of Peace Corps volunteers in our parish...four of whom are leaving. It was the most informative meeting we've had since our arrival in Chapelton..(at least that's my impression - GSS). Well, it's Friday afternoon and we are going to help the departing PCVs before we head back to our digs...Lata, mon!
Well finally the bank people finished and I breathed a sigh of relief....now, I said we can get to the celebration....NOT....For the next two hours the "chairman" (sort of like the chairman of health sciences) directed the monthly hospital staff meeting. Each constituency reported on any problems...well...that just opened the doors for all kinds of complaints: nurses re maintenance, records re nurses, doctor re records, nurses, patients,....and on and on...Finally, with this meeting beginning at 10:30...it was 3:00 and the celebration began. Kind words were spoken about the departing PCVs...along with the introduction of Margaret and I. Everyone said we had big shoes to fill...except that we were unable to get started this week because of vacation schedules. Yesterday we had a regional meeting of Peace Corps volunteers in our parish...four of whom are leaving. It was the most informative meeting we've had since our arrival in Chapelton..(at least that's my impression - GSS). Well, it's Friday afternoon and we are going to help the departing PCVs before we head back to our digs...Lata, mon!
Monday, July 21, 2008
The "Real Jamaica"
We've been in Chapleton for four days and seen alot. There are so many things to tell, but we'll start with travel. Not much more can be said beyond the fact that Jamaica has the third highest death rate on the roads than any other country worldwide. Yikes!!
The country is so poor that travel time is money to them. Most Jamaican's rely on getting somewhere to make money whether it's a bus driver or a farmer. The faster they drive the sooner they get to their destination, the sooner they can make some money and turn around to go back. We've ridden to the nearest city, May Pen, twice; three bus rides and a taxi. They were like the wildest carnival ride you've ever experienced.
Roads are maintained by each very poor locality so you can imagine the size of the pot holes. Nonetheless, drivers are not deterred. Country roads are curvy and narrow so the rides are harrowing. There's a local song about the "Bum Bum Bus" that describes the bouncing of your bum as you speed along the road with the music blaring and passengers "smalled up" [crammed to the max-busses don't leave until full- more money to be made that way].
More the next time we're able to get to the local library. Waak gud!
The country is so poor that travel time is money to them. Most Jamaican's rely on getting somewhere to make money whether it's a bus driver or a farmer. The faster they drive the sooner they get to their destination, the sooner they can make some money and turn around to go back. We've ridden to the nearest city, May Pen, twice; three bus rides and a taxi. They were like the wildest carnival ride you've ever experienced.
Roads are maintained by each very poor locality so you can imagine the size of the pot holes. Nonetheless, drivers are not deterred. Country roads are curvy and narrow so the rides are harrowing. There's a local song about the "Bum Bum Bus" that describes the bouncing of your bum as you speed along the road with the music blaring and passengers "smalled up" [crammed to the max-busses don't leave until full- more money to be made that way].
More the next time we're able to get to the local library. Waak gud!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
We leave for our assignment site 7/18
Just got our assignment this afternoon, Chapleton in Clarendon Parish. It's dead center in the middle of the island in the sourtheastern Blue Mountain foothills. There appears to be NOTHING there; phone service, internet the whole lot. Even the hospital we're working out of doesn't seem to have any service. Jamaica reportedly is 95% wired and of course we got the 5% assignment. The great thing is that we're going to both be working on developing a Health and Fitness program. We're replacing a couple with Nutrition backgrounds who did the same on that topic. We're meeting our host family tomorrow and will have a clear picture of the living accomodations for the next posting.
It will be nice to get out of Kingston to meet and interact with Jamaicans. So far we've been quite sheltered during training. Once at our site I'm sure we'll have lots more to tell about the culture, our work and the life in general.
We'll be at the site for two weeks and then return to Kingston for another week of training. The training is very intense with long hours and little time to prepare for the next day. I can't fathom what it must be like at other PC posts where training is 13 weeks of being holed up in a compound. Thank goodness we hit Jamaica while they pilot this new MO of 8 weeks interspersed with with site based training. SSS
Attached are photos of a field trip the group took to a beach on the southeastern tip of the island. I was very sick and stayed home but Gary represented us. There's also a few shots of our training site, Shortwood Teachers' College [prounounced Shothud Tiichas Colej].
Kiip yu fingas crosd fi di nes leg ov wi adventur.
It will be nice to get out of Kingston to meet and interact with Jamaicans. So far we've been quite sheltered during training. Once at our site I'm sure we'll have lots more to tell about the culture, our work and the life in general.
We'll be at the site for two weeks and then return to Kingston for another week of training. The training is very intense with long hours and little time to prepare for the next day. I can't fathom what it must be like at other PC posts where training is 13 weeks of being holed up in a compound. Thank goodness we hit Jamaica while they pilot this new MO of 8 weeks interspersed with with site based training. SSS
Attached are photos of a field trip the group took to a beach on the southeastern tip of the island. I was very sick and stayed home but Gary represented us. There's also a few shots of our training site, Shortwood Teachers' College [prounounced Shothud Tiichas Colej].
Kiip yu fingas crosd fi di nes leg ov wi adventur.
Monday, July 7, 2008
We're so tired
They are working us hard. Each day is filled with training in language [Patois], culture [when we have more time we'll share some of those aspects with you-they are very interesting], safety [gets the most attention], volunteer health issues, Jamaican history, the upcoming work sector assignment, etc. The training by the Jamaican's is well organized and interesting; there's just so much of it. Our brains are borderline blitzed.
Where we're located I manage to get in a daily run or walk [eksursais- patois for exercise]. Hope our site assignment will allow me to keep that up.
The weekend was very interesting. Saturday we spent the day on a "walk about" in Kingston. There were three volunteers to one Jamaican guide. We were taught how to safely use public transport [no cars or motor bikes for volunteers]. Kingston is a gritty city with a 24/7 electric energy. Riding in some taxis and buses was akin to "Mr Toad's Wild Ride" in Disney World/Land. Understandably, Jamaica has the third most frequent auto accidents in the world. At one point the police pulled our driver over for some undisclosed reason. We shopped in the frenetic city market and had our first real Jamaican food. Gary had curried goat and I had pigs' feet and red bean soup; both were tasty.
On Sunday we finally had time to get ourselves organized. Then we walked to a market [past a country club that made Gary yearn for a swing or two] and washed our clothes by hand and hung them out to dry [just before the showers began].
Otherwise, all is well. Stay tuned.
Where we're located I manage to get in a daily run or walk [eksursais- patois for exercise]. Hope our site assignment will allow me to keep that up.
The weekend was very interesting. Saturday we spent the day on a "walk about" in Kingston. There were three volunteers to one Jamaican guide. We were taught how to safely use public transport [no cars or motor bikes for volunteers]. Kingston is a gritty city with a 24/7 electric energy. Riding in some taxis and buses was akin to "Mr Toad's Wild Ride" in Disney World/Land. Understandably, Jamaica has the third most frequent auto accidents in the world. At one point the police pulled our driver over for some undisclosed reason. We shopped in the frenetic city market and had our first real Jamaican food. Gary had curried goat and I had pigs' feet and red bean soup; both were tasty.
On Sunday we finally had time to get ourselves organized. Then we walked to a market [past a country club that made Gary yearn for a swing or two] and washed our clothes by hand and hung them out to dry [just before the showers began].
Otherwise, all is well. Stay tuned.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Day 1-2...Kingston
Well, we're here in Kingston....long day on the 3rd...left hotel in Miami at 6 am for an 11:10 flight and it was 45 minutes late...arrived in Kingston at one o'clock and then stood in customs for at least 1 1/2 hours. The island weather is hot and humid; and there's no air conditioning in the classes during long sit down meetings. But, the training staff works hard to keep it varied and stimulating. We're staying at a teacher's college that has no air conditioning in our dorm room or screens on windows, which we share with another couple from NH....no water after 8 pm...starts again at 5 am. We promise to have pics with out next posting.
The interesting group of 52 volunteers we're training with come from quite varied backgrounds, knowledge and ages. Some just graduated from college in June and the eldest is 67. They are from all over including Hawaii and Alaska; one's a former California District Attorney others are teachers, photographers, business men and women, etc.
Our schedule looks like this for the next eight weeks:
Week 1 and 2: here at Shortwood Teachers College
Week 3 and 4; we travel to our work site (stay with host family) which we won't know until probably a few days before we leave
Week 5: back here at STC
Week 6 and 7: back at our site
Week 8: Final preparations, testings, and swearing in ceremony
While we are here at STC we just found out that we can use the computer lab which we are now using.....from 6-9 pm. At our host site...who knows.
Otherwise, it be irie. Margaret and Gary
The interesting group of 52 volunteers we're training with come from quite varied backgrounds, knowledge and ages. Some just graduated from college in June and the eldest is 67. They are from all over including Hawaii and Alaska; one's a former California District Attorney others are teachers, photographers, business men and women, etc.
Our schedule looks like this for the next eight weeks:
Week 1 and 2: here at Shortwood Teachers College
Week 3 and 4; we travel to our work site (stay with host family) which we won't know until probably a few days before we leave
Week 5: back here at STC
Week 6 and 7: back at our site
Week 8: Final preparations, testings, and swearing in ceremony
While we are here at STC we just found out that we can use the computer lab which we are now using.....from 6-9 pm. At our host site...who knows.
Otherwise, it be irie. Margaret and Gary
Monday, June 30, 2008
24 Hours!!
D-Day is almost here. After a two year slog through the application process it seems as though we're actually going to serve. We're both eager to get going and a little anxious about whether or not we'll be up to the task.
The "Last Supper" will be tonight in Greenwich, CT with our son, John. Earlier we had a whirlwind tour of the country (Santa Clarita, CA, Tucson, AZ, Dania Beach, FL, Allenhurst, NJ, Tuxedo, NY, Greenwich, CT) to see our children, grand-daughter, brother, sister, long time friends and colleagues. Tomorrow we leave from Hartford, CT for a two day "staging" or orientation to the Peace Corps in Coral Gables, Florida. After 1 1/2 days we leave for Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, July 3rd. For the first 6-8 weeks we will be in training in Kingston and at our permanent site (still to be determined). Approximately, September 1 we begin the real deal. Hope to keep you all informed via this medium...assuming that we have regular access to the internet. Our intuition would have us believe that it should not be a problem.
If you get the urge to visit Jamaica let us know; we can have visitors after January 1, 2009.
Go Sox!! (and Marlins, our youngest works for them). Gary and Margaret
The "Last Supper" will be tonight in Greenwich, CT with our son, John. Earlier we had a whirlwind tour of the country (Santa Clarita, CA, Tucson, AZ, Dania Beach, FL, Allenhurst, NJ, Tuxedo, NY, Greenwich, CT) to see our children, grand-daughter, brother, sister, long time friends and colleagues. Tomorrow we leave from Hartford, CT for a two day "staging" or orientation to the Peace Corps in Coral Gables, Florida. After 1 1/2 days we leave for Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, July 3rd. For the first 6-8 weeks we will be in training in Kingston and at our permanent site (still to be determined). Approximately, September 1 we begin the real deal. Hope to keep you all informed via this medium...assuming that we have regular access to the internet. Our intuition would have us believe that it should not be a problem.
If you get the urge to visit Jamaica let us know; we can have visitors after January 1, 2009.
Go Sox!! (and Marlins, our youngest works for them). Gary and Margaret
Thursday, April 10, 2008
JAMAICA,Mon!!
About two weeks ago we finally got the word...we are going to Jamaica in July. We head for our 2-day orientation in Miami on July 1, and then on to Jamaica. We are finally glad to have heard and can now plan the last 80 days before departure. Come visit, Mon!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Finally!!!
In June, 2006 when we applied to the Peace Corps we had no idea it would take this long....but after going through FBI scrutiny of our medical records, about ten phone calls to the medical office, and physician letters verifying that our health is actually pretty good for a couple of seniors...we have received notice that we WILL depart for the Caribbean in July of 2008. We will find out which island country in about 2-3 weeks. Margaret will be working in the general area of health and I will be working in water/sanitation.
Will keep you posted!
Will keep you posted!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
