Blogs from Kingston, Jamaica, Central America Caribbean - page 2

Arrived Kingston to find no pick up driver; OK, go to Plan B. Contact with accommodation person was greeted with a no answer. Plan C - wing-it with local taxi; all good in the end. Like most Caribbean places, homes/buildings are heavily protected with security grills, steel fencing, razor wire and the like. I have seen no evidence of crime in travels so far but the amount of security guards suggest otherwise. Main attraction was the visit and tour of Bob Marley's place. Tried the roasted peanuts from the street vendors pushing trolley type boilers whistling with steam - very good. Jamaica gets my vote as having the best mangoes; extremely juicy and fleshy. They have a slightly stronger flavor and rival our home grown Bowens. ... read more

Hello from Kingston, Were on an exercise here working with the JDF (Jamaican Defence Force) and building facilities for their military. Canadian Forces have been working with the JDF for decades, mainly training pilots and exchanges to Canada. I was here once before and nothing much has changed. There military spends alot of time doing civilian duties that police can't manage in Kingston. They roll through the streets in armoured vehicles doing patrols. We are confined to a fenced area close to the beach and part of the airport grounds. We had one day off in almost a month. We were supposed to get two but there was an "incident" Needles to say no one is excited to be here. Otherwise things are good and flew out here on a chartered 737, with 50 people on ... read more

Last night I was in Keiths room updating him about some things, when we heard some distant noises -- not quite gunshots -- but explosions of some sorts -- mid-sentance keith and I stand up and shout "FIREWORKS?!" We run outside and see them in the distance, we climb up onto the ledge of the roof-top patio and watch the Jamaican Independence Day Firework show. Apparently fireworks are the universal symbol of independence, or the global dependence on Chinas manfacturing industry. Either way, nothin brightens your spirits like explosions, sparks in the sky, loud noises, and distinctive clouds of residual smoke. For some strange reason my summer suddenly feels more complete. I fall asleep. Wake up and get ready for work. Fish for breakfast, and no fruit. As we are walking out the door to meet ... read more

Tuesday got up, and went down to breakfast. Porridge. The best of all possible scenarios. On the way to work we see 2 car accidents. Go to work and wait to get feedback from our supervisor, which means I do other productive things such as apply for jobs, email, look into how to make my life more "green," and other thought provoking topics. Have lunch. Continue my internet research. Head home. While waiting for Rocky we see 15+ BRAND NEW cars (with the plastic over the hoods and tail lights) all drive past with their hazards on. It looks like something out of the movie "The Italian Job" except they are brand new cars instead of Mini-coopers. On the way home we see an exceptional amount of police (of course with their AK-47s). Do some laundry. ... read more

Got up Monday and had "breakfast." Went into work and talked with our supervisor, he is going to be out of the office as is his assistant for the remainder of the week. We continue working on project proposals -- I use the term "working" loosely as there have been countless setbacks and frustrations...its to the point where we joke about it due to the level of confusion surrounding the assignment. We leave work and walk out to where Rocky is parked, he has taken to falling asleep while waiting for us...and typically jumps rather high when I open the car door. I come home and don't want to do anything, I've had a very bad headache for most of the afternoon. We finalize plans for this coming weekend -- it's our last BIG weekend -- ... read more