One Stop Driver

Hiya Peeps

I arrived at the Montego Bay airport where I asked friends to pick me up rather than family. This on reflection was a big mistake. The independence we take for granted both as women and private citizens is a privilege not enjoyed by all. And it’s a phenomenon that you cannot imagine unless you live outside of a western city where a certain level of liberty is taken for granted. And the main principle in this land is that independence will and can cost you. This friendly independent airport ride cost me 7000 JA (around£70) whereas the shuttle bus cost would have cost me just 2500 JA. Do not get it twisted my friends did not rob me as the rate quoted is the average cost for this type of journey however friendships that I have in the UK/USA would have charged me for petrol and parking.  They would not have gotten a third party taxi who is also their friend to carry out the work without discussing it first.

Generally speaking I enjoy how the transportation system works in Jamaica. In more rural parts of the island one is dependent on taxis but you can get buses as well as taxis busier areas.  Now in the local neighbourhoods everybody piles in; call it 4/5 in the back and two in the front if it’s school time well it’s just complete chaos just like London. Taking taxis in Jamaica has taught me several things. Taxis and busses are where local people discuss current affairs meet up with neighbours, friends and strangers to tell every- body the latest news.  As a newcomer you can really feel the pulse of the island by travelling this way. Whether you choose bus or taxi it’s usually overcrowded. Accept it and move on.  

There will usually be some kind of music playing I have been exposed to gospel, slow jams and upfront dancehall vibes.  If you doing a longer journey I personally prefer the slow jams as the volume is usually way up high and it’s hard to concentrate with the heavy base line thumping in the background. While travelling is not a time to relax as you need to watch your possessions especially purses, phones etc. I tend to put my money in my bosom. The added cleavage is a bonus but it also means if teefs come on the bus or the bus gets held up your not completely frigged. The thing that has struck me while travelling is that despite the sweltering temperatures I have never  smelled any unpleasant body odours. Now you know if you have ever done public transport in any big city the stench that people can emit even first thing in the morning can make you gag.  Here often you will be half sitting on a person’s lap with somebody else’s arm around you and every-body is fresh.

The Average Bus

The only time I miss not having a car is in the evening. At this time of year it gets really dark outside around 5:30 by early evening its pitch black and where I’m currently living is not made for late night jaunts.  Everything looks different at night and I would probably get lost. I really enjoy going out at night in Ochi Rios and having the flexibility of my own wheels during the evenings would definitely be a bonus.

My Last Days in London

Hiya Peeps,

On the actual days before I left for Jamaica I was not feeling my best. I had prior to the weekend had the roughest week at work (short staffed again) I was tired and overcome by the amount of things I needed to do In just two short days.  So I left work early had lunch with my cousin at a nice li’l Mexican spot. The food at this restaurant was fresh and tasty they had and extended vegetarian menu which is why my cuz picked it.  Did I mention that my cousin NB is also one of my best friends? She has the spirit of a cool breeze and spending a little bit of time with her before my departure was a must.  Especially as she was able to share her own pearls of wisdom about her own adventures in Jamaica.

After the food NB took me to my hair appointment and I was feeling good as I knew I would see her within a few days. (she was my ride to the airport) Hair done check, nails done check, waxing done check.  Back at home I packed up the rest of the stuff that was going into the storage facility called mums house and chilled.   

My Hair Sanctuary

Well as much as one can when you have a big ball of anxiety in your belly. I was grateful at this point that I hadn’t really told any-body my departure dates. The phone was ringing like crazy any ways and I knew there were going to be some dear peeps that I would not be able to catch up with prior to my trip and I just didn’t feel like dealing with their feeling as well as my own; selfish I know but what can I say I had just sold most of my worldly goods and condensed my life into two small suitcases and some shipping containers I was fragile so I did what any self respecting city girl would do. I went to the vegan cake shop for the Victoria sponge and put on 2Pac. It was Mackeveli  y’all I had to pull out the big guns.

I  love these cakes so much

At stupid o clock the following morning I was at the post office picking up my passport as some lovely administrative person had decided not to send it to my home address but to sent it to some random address where the person refused it.  When a person refuses a special delivery it automatically goes back to sender. In order to avoid a full scale melt down of my entire trip I had to talk diplomatically to the passport people, the post office people and a bunch of other people in between.  By the time I was forced to get out of my bed and trek across London on two buses and train let’s just say I was fresh out of diplomacy. Why did you wait till the last minute to deal with this you ask? The thing I didn’t; I am super organised and would never wait till the eleventh hour to deal with this. But the Olympics followed by the Paralympics turned this whole process into some kind of endurance test. Passport check, copy of e-ticket check, new computer battery duh. 

And so the day went on but eventually I got everything done and I was sitting around with VF eating rubbish and chit chatting more rubbish ahhhhhhhhhhh life is good. Later that evening  four of my closest peeps and I attempted to go out but the vibes were not right and in the end  two  of my peeps jumped ship, I went to the posh fish and chip shop near the crib and the three of us went home to romance Jack Daniels and have a giggle. I don’t sleep when I’m under pressure it’s a little gift left over from my undergraduate studies so I cleaned and finished packing while my peeps slept.



Olley's Fish and Chips...Yummy

I so dreaded the whole airport scene  that under the supervision of my peeps I proceeded to get merry  with Jack again at 5:00 am as I took my bath and made tea for my guests. My family came to take me to the airport and I felt sad and drunk. The control freak in me timed everything down to the minute so when we got to Gatwick there was no hanging around. Checked in done, bags in done, I hugged mi familia and my bestest peeps and the shit was on. As messed up as the shit sounds I was glad to be off. Of course I loved my life but I could feel it was time for a change. Many people would love to run off to a tropical island and reorganise but I was the one that was actually doing it. Bem bey, Jam dung we sey!

Why I Traded the City for Jam Down

Hiya Peeps

When I originally made the decision to come out here I was drained, drained, drained. I had been into the second year of my part time (MA) at Goldsmiths, working full time and needed a change big time. The monotony was killing me. I had a cute little pad, a job that paid the bills but was soul destroying and I had lost my lustre for the city; and my life

Me in the city this summer on my way to Jigga and Kanyeezy

 So when I got back from my hols last year I decided I was off. As a Literature graduate there is a tendency to read about life rather than to actually live it and I decided to seize the moment. And live elsewhere for a little while. I have been here for around six weeks and it’s been both amazing and challenging.

Me with my li'l cuz playing at my Grandmother's on the veranda

Its maaaaaaaaaaaad the things you miss about your old life when your in the process of trying to create a new one.  What is it you ask, fish and chips? Actually the food here is great. I have really enjoyed eating seasonally; usually when I travel I enjoy the food abroad more and this has been no exception. I regress, the fact is I miss the comforts that we all tell ourselves we need but actually do not. Oh the great British High street, did I mention how much I love going to cutesy lil overpriced bars? Then my wonderful friends and family who I barely saw due to my expensive overpriced flat that needed to be paid for on my suspiciously small wage. Well,  since I have been here they have  heard more regularly than they ever did when I was living near to them. But hearing their voices offers me a form of comfort that Oreo’s do not reach.

Responsible for my cellulite

But the truth is my life here is nicer in so many ways. I can have fresh organic food that doesn’t cost the earth. I’m not permanently cold (nine months out of the year) and last but not least I am getting to know my culture in real way. I know i’m privileged as the responsibilities of daily life stops most of us from taking this kind of extended culture trip. I am lucky enough to do it.