Wagwan?

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I can’t believe it. I only have 25 days left in Jamaica. Things have been getting hectic as I try to fit in last minute travel plans. I’m writing tests and preparing for graduation on June 27 (the day before I leave).

Last week I had a great Jamaican experience. I went to a “final year show” at Edna Manley School of Visual and Performing Arts. A final year show is the equivalent of a senior recital only completely different. Students in their final year at Edna prepared and created a concert/show to perform and be judged. I heard all sorts of music performed including popular and traditional music. I particularly enjoyed hearing songs by John Legend and Earth, Wind, and Fire.

There was potential for a concert disaster during one of the shows I attended. The fuse blew in the sound board causing all of the sound system to fail. The lights came on in the auditorium and the people did anything but sit down and get restless. Instead of getting angry about the sound problems the crowd decided to have some fun and have a “chorus” competition. This means that the auditorium was split into two sides that continually tried to outdo each other by singing gospel chorus’. Jamaica is primarily a Christian country, and everyone knows and sings “chorus’ ”- simple repetitive songs (i.e. something like “Lord Prepare Me”). There are hundreds of chorus’ so this assumable “dull” wait became a fun friendly competition. I would not have seen this in the United States. I’m not sure how to convey the energy. The crowd was able to keep up the vibes and eventually re-begin the long awaited concert—something I think any performer would appreciate.

I recently went to the most beautiful beach I have ever visited. This beach, near Duckenfield, St. Thomas(sugarcane country), was empty of tourists but full of crystal clear blue water. The best part of this beach was that we were the ONLY people on it. I would go back in a heartbeat, if I had a 4WD vehicle. It was a bumpy ride out to the beach. I was also able to visit the Morant Bay lighthouse. I climbed to the top of the lighthouse and had a beautiful panoramic view of the Caribbean and Jamaica.

I spent my 23rd Birthday in Kingston with the Passionist Volunteers. For all of you who forgot, my birthday was last Wednesday, May 31, and I’m still accepting gifts😉. Eric, a Passionist, is my birthday buddy. We were born on the exact same day, same year, and maybe even same time. So, Meg and I joined the Passionists for a ice cream cone at Manor Park. It wasn’t the epitome of a great time but I did enjoy my coconut ice cream. Meg also joined in with a Jamaican tradition and “floured” me. She lured me outside to look at a dead moth (yes, I’m easily convinced to look at dead moths) and threw flour all over me….she is in trouble! To celebrate my birthday a little more I went out to eat. My friend Damon and I went to Passage to India, and I got my favorite: Chicken Tikka Masala and a Mango Lassi---pure bliss! Meg got me a fantastic birthday gift-she got me a picture book from Shutterfly-thanks Meg!

It’s now June and I haven’t realized that it is summertime at home. Each time I call home I need to be reminded that it also warm there, and the seasons have changed. It is rather odd for me to think about swimming and BBQing at home, when it’s just the same here- hot as always.

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Photos

Beautiful girl
She is the daughter of one of my American friends that i went to the beach with....

Comments

[kelsey]

i had indian food on saturday. mmmmm curry chicken. not at passage 2 india but at red stone grill. mmmm once u get home we r getting indian. aww i cant wait 4 indian food. ymm

[jill]

4.0
And tonight I also had Chicken Tikka Masalla - we had indian food again to celebrate Kelsey's report card.

[Mom]

Birthday
You are not going to let us forget our forgetfulness. You must remember the age of your parents...this forgetfulness is only going to get worse. We love you!

[Jazzyb]

We will be visiting jamaica in March/April. Would appreciate more information on how to find the beach near Duckenfield...

[Nancy Jo]

jazzy b....
the beach near duckenfield is rather complicated to find. Duckenfield is in the parish of St.THomas. You will need a four-wheel drive vehicle. Once in St. Thomas you will need to find Duckenfield. It is off the main road. When we drove there we turned onto a small road in between sugar cane fields. I would ask the locals for the exact road. Once in Duckenfield we drove past the Sugar Cane factory and through rolling sugar cane fields. We eventually came to a overgrown area where the road became very bad. If you keep on driving you will eventually come to the beach. I know these are not sufficient/good directions. I suggest asking the people in the area the best way to the beach. You could also try asking for the lighthouse. The lighthouse is clearly visible from the beach, and on the same road. So if you can get to the lighthouse you can get to the beach. Good luck Jazzyb. :)

[claudia]

blue hole
Where did yoou photgraph that blue hole? tell me it was in Jamaica.

[Nancy Jo]

Blue hole!
Of course it was in JAMAICA!!!!:)

[Nancy Jo]

more on blue hole...
If i remember correctly....we spotted the BLUE HOLE on the way to the home of Jamaica's mannate population. It's on the south side of the island which largely accounts for the lack of tourists. It was beautiful. Claudia....i hope you've been there, if not it's time to go. It's worth it.

[kim]

[e-mail]
hey , enjoy your self little one .