The Caribbean Yoga Conference is being held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, next Jan. 31- Feb. 3. We are hoping to attend this wonderful conference and immerse ourselves in a whole bunch of positive energy and education. I’m writing this post as a way to enter a contest to win a free pass. Check out the links for the conference and for how to enter yourself here. Namaste.
On Dec. 6, Cuso International’s Jamaica office held a Volunteering Day for Development. Organized by Cuso volunteer Erin MacLeod, the day was a chance for potential partners to learn more about what Cuso does in Jamaica. It was very well-attended and the audience engaged up until the end. We had two guest speakers: new Canadian High Commissioner Robert Ready and a University of West Indies professor named Dr. K’nIfe. The High Commissioner, who arrived in Jamaica right before Hurricane Sandy hit, spoke about Cuso and its 50-year history in Jamaica, while Dr. K’nIfe discussed social entrepreneurship. His was a fascinating talk in that he approached Jamaica’s criminal families, like Dudus Coke’s, from a social entrepreneurship point of view. It was a successful day and hopefully Cuso will forge new partnerships with local Jamaican partners. Check out Erin’s summary here.
Yesterday I had a few moments to write a post, but given the events in Connecticut, anything I wrote felt frivolous. It seemed wrong to express anything other than to offer thoughts and prayers. Of course, nothing has changed today, except that the horrors that occurred there and in China become more horrific in the light of another day. These type of events also prompt people to reflect on relationships and remind people not to take loved ones for granted, to try to protect and maintain the bubble of innocence around children. These are the emotions colouring my return home.
We arrived late Wednesday night and I have been rushing around non-stop with a smile on my face. Is there anything better in the world than seeing loved ones again after an extended period away?
I also went for a run and I have never been more excited to do something that is like breathing for me. Although it did cause a little existential crisis. Let me explain: I ran downtown, up the city’s main street, to the heart of Canada’s seat of democracy. I took a moment to look at the frigid Ottawa River and the Parliament Buildings with the Centennial Flame still burning.
It was splendid. But not one person yelled at me. Nobody offered to come and run with me. In fact, few people gave me a second glance, other than to register that a runner was approaching them. It was glorious. I think I was smiling the entire run. I felt safe and free and happy, although here’s where the existential crisis comes in. I am so used to standing out and being stared and yelled at, that when nobody did that, I wondered if I was really there. Not really, of course, but it was a strange experience. It was also strange not to dodge potholes or garbage or fires burning on the sidewalk. The hazards here are more of the natural forces variety. It is SO cold. Ok, not that bad, about zero degrees Celcius yesterday, but my body has been baking in 30 degree heat for nine months. It feels that much more offensive to come back to winter weather. In any case, during the run I zoned out, listened to music with both earphones in and assessed what has changed in Ottawa in nine months.
There is some new construction of buildings and some road repairs, but not much has changed, actually. Still the same sleepy civil servants heading to work. Still everyone bogged down in layers trying to keep warm. Still the same quiet, polite atmosphere where everybody faithfully follows rules and laws.
The culture shock is less than I thought it would be, however. In fact, I think I am craving the frenetic energy of Kingston. It is so quiet and orderly here. One thing that is overwhelming me, though, is the sheer choice involved in everything. I spent way too long in the drugstore, captivated by all the choices of products and the implicit messages directing me to buy all these things that I need that will change my life. I finally snapped myself out of it and broke the spell though. I got out of there with mostly just what I needed. With less choice, you begin to whittle down to accumulating just what you need versus what you want. And you become more immune to the marketing geniuses and the cycle of consumerism that urges you to acquire more and more. Let me stay immune today as I do some more shopping and spend the day with some favourite people.
Also, here’s a good article on the media’ responsibility in such tragedies and how to treat children involved.
Tomorrow I am heading home after nine months here in JA. There are many emotions circulating, prevalent among them is excitement about seeing loved ones. I am also afraid. It is minus ten degrees Celcius today in Ottawa. Noooooo! I don’t know how my body will react. The transition back to the horrific cold weather is always rough, but I’ve never done it after nine months of heat. It is all worth it, of course.
In addition to packing for home, I have also been in the process of moving apartments. A fellow volunteer is going home, sadly. But happily, I can take her amazing apartment over. Needless to say, it has been a hectic few days and I am wondering if I have sufficiently organized myself to travel to three countries, with the right clothes etc, and all the Christmas gifts I have accumulated. Fingers crossed. Posting on this blog might be erratic for the next few weeks as a result of travelling.
My 98-year-old grandmother. Grace. I will see her soon!
Yesterday, the National Volunteer Centre hosted a Day of Care. It was the seventh annual such day, and it is intended to provide care for Kingston’s homeless population. It was held in downtown’s Sir William Grant Park, where a lot of the homeless sleep, whether it is on concrete or cardboard. There are also several shelters in this area. (The park is decorated for Christmas, I couldn’t resist getting some pictures.) During the Day of Care, people can get free health care, which includes eye tests, diabetes testing, blood pressure and general check-ups. They also receive a ‘hygiene bag’ (soap, cloth, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste) and vouchers for clothing and lunch. People could also avail themselves of a free haircut or style or a manicure. On Friday, we packed 600 hygiene bags, and by noon on Saturday, they were all claimed. The day was so well-organized is all I will say. The pictures convey everything better than I can express. Also, you can visit Wendy’s blog here to see more amazing pictures.
CVSS crew
Mr. Bernard is a hiker/CVSS board chair
Enjoying crepes
Goodbye Wendy. You will be missed. Last night, the volunteers, staff from the National Volunteer Centre and friends gathered at the Tea Tree Creperie. This is a small cafe owned by a Canadian woman named Maree Sigurdson. It serves delicious, made-to-order crepes. We met there last night to send off Wendy and another volunteer, Varun, who will be taking up a residency at a local photography studio.
Usually, we have an informal giving of speeches, but this time, people preferred just to mingle and say goodbye on their own terms. Wendy did get a tiara though, which she seemed delighted by.
Awhile back, I wrote a post about things I will miss when I am back home. I promised to write a post about things I will not miss. After thinking about it since, I’ve concluded that there is only one thing I will not miss about living here in Kingston, but I will get to that in a moment. A few potential things crossed my mind, like constantly being a sweaty, hot mess, or the inconveniences of getting around the city (hot walking, unpredictable taxis and coasters, being heckled). But overall, I realized I will actually miss these things. This is because, overall, I love living here. I love the volunteers’ lifestyle, despite the fact that there are fewer of the comforts of home that we are accustomed to.
But the more I thought about it, though, the more I realized I will not miss the crime and violence. This has two components: one is the constant news of people perpetrating crime and violence on one another. The other is more personal: we must always be concerned about our personal safety. We cannot take anything for granted and we must always have our guard up. This is not unique to us volunteers. I have talked to many Jamaicans who say they feel the same way. Another aspect of this reality that I will not miss is the fact that we stand out so much. We can never be anonymous. I cannot walk anywhere without being stared or shouted or hissed at or receiving comments. I am still not used to this and I don’t think I will ever be. I just know how to deal with it better now. I have also accepted it: it is just a part of the lifestyle here.
The crime and violence plaguing Jamaica is an unfortunate reality, both at the individual level and for this wonderful nation. Crime is a serious and pressing issue that threatens the security of the nation’s people and its livelihood. I have talked to several people who are looking to “get out”, whether to Canada, the U.K. or the U.S. They are reluctant to raise children here. I should say, to balance this account out, that my perspective, however, is tainted and skewed negative, as I have had a personal experience that changed everything for me. In reality, it is not so much doom and gloom. Some crime rates are improving. The vast majority of people here are lovely, kind and helpful law-abiding citizens. I should also say that crime and violence, of course, happen everywhere. One can never really let their guard down 100 per cent, can they?
But for now, I am looking forward to days of anonymity, running with both headphones in, walking down a street alone at midnight, letting my guard down. Breathing a sigh of relief.
I am responsible for putting together the newsletter for Cuso in Jamaica. When the nominations were taking place, everyone automatically looked at me, given my journalism background. It is fun. I get to interview other volunteers and learn about their placements. I also organize fellow volunteers’ contributions and do some editing. Check out the November issue at the link above.
