Blogs from Kingston, Jamaica, Central America Caribbean - page 5

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Central America Caribbean » Jamaica » Kingston November 29th 2007

We could not have paid for this view of Kingston harbor that we have right now (see picture). Atop a dilapidated building in the throes of a city we've been repeatedly "warned" about, I can't help but reflect on the first few days of our stay here in Jamaica. I am amazed to the point of speechlessness at how much culture is in this city, when all I expected were resorts. Getting around in Jamaica is an adventure in and of itself. Our accommodations have placed us smack dab in the middle of nothing. Too far from Kingston to "wander", too far from the Blue Mountains to "hike" we surrounded by a very pretty ocean of banality—and sharks swim the waters between us and Kingston. We are hungry, but all the hostel has are bananas and ... read more

Central America Caribbean » Jamaica » Kingston August 24th 2007

On August 20, 2007 we were officially sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers. As many of you know this has been a life long dream of mine. Jim, good sport that he is, was willing to go along with me and commit two years to the unknown. We left Delray Beach on July 1, 2007 saying good bye to friends and family with a few tears and a lot of laughs. The farewell parties were great and we will never forget them. Natalie took us to Miami where we met our fellow travelers. We tried to compress our luggage into something manageable. This was unsuccessful so we paid the extra and took everything. The flight to Jamaica took less time than our drive to Miami from Delray. Little did we know what awaited us. The ... read more
Bob
Peace Corps Jamaica
Peace Corps Jamaica

Central America Caribbean » Jamaica » Kingston February 15th 2007

I had originally decided not to do a travelblog, as really who wants to hear that I got up early and went to work everyday.. but it's surprisingly difficult to keep in touch with everyone and I get confused about who I've told what so a blog it is. So I am here in Kingston a week and a half now, and I'm really enjoying every minute. I'm still living in the Courtleigh hotel until my apartment is ready. The Courtleigh is great, the minute myself and Jen walk out to the pool bar, there's 2 Red Stripe beers on the table - my criteria for a good hotel are pretty simple. The HR team are great, there are six Irish in the department so you could actually be anywhere until you step outside the ... read more
Emer & the lads
Out with the old...
...and in with the new


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. ... read more
Beautiful girl
Beautiful light house
Beautiful boy


In Keeping With Tradition As tradition in Jamaica cannot be disregarded, I had no choice but to treat Nancy to the best of birthday surprises on Wednesday: a thorough flouring. Yes, you read that correctly. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. A flouring. Birthday tradition in Jamaica holds that the birthday boy or girl must be floured. And so it was that at about 8:00 pm, I lured Nancy downstairs and outside with the promise of seeing a giant moth (which was true) and while she admired the peculiar species, I threw handfuls - and eventually a bucketful - of flour at her, covering her newly 23-year-old self in White Enriched Flour. She then attempted revenge by chasing me over the stature, around the driveway, and through the house, trying to wipe her gross, floury ... read more
Will You Marry Me If I Bat My Eye Lashes Like This?
One of Many Suitors
Todos Los Ninos


WELCOME TO CARNIVAL: WHERE MODESTY IS LIMITED AND CLOTHING IS OPTIONAL. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK. Legend has it that you haven’t experienced Jamaica until you’ve experienced Carnival. The Adult Road Parade, to be more exact. Obviously, legend is vindictive, because the parade does not carry the label of Adult for fun and this is parade is not an experience for the faint of heart. In fact, it is barely an experience for the strong of heart. Carnival is the brainchild of one Mr. Byron Lee who, in 1989, was convinced that he could unite the people of Jamaica with music; Soca music, to be precise. The first Carnival event took place in Kingston in 1990, with 1400 costumed masqueraders in parade and another 20,000 unofficial masqueraders who joined the parade festivities in Half Way Tree. ... read more
Carrying The Peacock To A New Level
The Bold & The Beautiful
The Swiss Representatives?


It’s a normal work-free Friday afternoon. Today I want to describe a normal walk to the store from the convent (less than five minute walk). I left the convent and closed the gate behind me and headed down the street dodging the bigger potholes and dog feces that gathers only at the corner of the street. By the time I had reached half way to Mannings Hill Road (the main road) a car had passed me slowly (everyone drives slow on our street due to the potholes) and I greeted them with the normal “good afternoon” and continued walking. Within a couple minutes I hear someone yelling “hello, hello” and turn around to see one of the men in the car walking towards me. I politely stop and chat and he asks me for my ... read more


It’s Party Time! Carnival Season is here! Carnival in Jamaica is an opportunity to party, party, party, and party some more. I took advantage of this party season for one day only, Carnival Sunday. Carnival Sunday is the epitome of this party season. On Carnival Sunday people flaunt crazy costumes and dance through the streets of Kingston ending at the National Stadium for a free concert. Some friends and I headed out after church to meet the parade and masses of people near Devon House. From Devon House we paraded for about five hours all the way through the streets, through rain and shine, until reaching the National Stadium. We entered the national stadium and joined the crowd for the concert. It was absolutely packed! We were jammed in tighter than sardines. I had a great ... read more
Parading
Blue Hole
Appetizing, eh?


Come On In, Dear, The Water's Fine We finally did more traveling this past weekend, as it had been far too long since we’d left the convent for a good adventure. It was about 9:45 on Saturday morning when 3 of the 4 remaining Passionist Volunteers - Jess, Maggie, and Eric - arrived in their white station wagon to pick us up. Our destination: Port Antonio, home of the gorgeous inlet of water made famous by the movie Blue Lagoon. It took us just under 2 hours to get to Port Antonio, the drive alternating between towering mountain vistas and huge green waves crashing along the northeast coast of the island. Our first stop was, in fact, the blue lagoon or Blue Hole, as the indiscriminately placed cardboard sign stated. In fact, the sign was so ... read more
All the Volunteers at the Lagoon
Boat On The Lagoon
Just so tropical!




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