I’ve been here almost two months now. And although my days are never routine, thankfully, I have started to feel comfortable. One thing that is still taking some getting used to is attracting attention. Wherever I go, no matter the time or place, as someone ‘farrin’, this is the case. Most attention comes when I am running in the form of encouragement or amusement. Or someone just trying to be helpful: the other day, an elderly man saw me running and yelled to me about a five km race in a neighbouring town the next day. Just today, I had several encounters, all before 9am.

The first was at Emancipation Park. There are some regulars I’ve now noticed, including an elderly fellow who looks like a real runner. This morning he flagged me down. He was seated beside an old Rasta who had just finished walking. They asked me where I was from after guessing that I was from England. Then they told me they are musicians. Then he offered me his CD, which he got from his car. And then, the ask- he wanted $1,000JMD for it. As I was running, I had no cash on me, of course. But he gave it to me anyway. I will see him again, I’m sure. I must look like I have a lot of contacts in the music industry, I guess?

Then, I was on the coaster to work and a woman asked me where I was from. She told me her husband is from Manitoba and that he has a speech impediment. She is trying to go and visit him soon. And then there is the man who sells candy on the road on my walk to work who wants to grasp my hand and wish me a good day every morning. The other evening in the grocery store, a young fellow was convinced I was German and then when I told him I was Canadian, he started going on about how much he loves Canada. This morning a couple of guys guessed I was English. This is a popular comment: people will call out to you the nationality they think you are. There are countless other encounters that are becoming regular now that are most enjoyable.

On a more boring, bureaucratic note, I now am almost official! In order to be a volunteer here, one must secure a work permit waiver. I got the letter allowing me to do so, so yesterday I made my way to the Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency. It is a busy place, full of people attempting to do business related to their status in the country. There are lineups upon lineups, under a tent, in an office, etc. For my project, I had to go to one office upstairs, which is around the corner in an alley of the building, go back out and around to pay, go back up to give my receipt and then return in three days between 2:30 and 4:30. Some of this activity seems mystifying, but it seems to be working at some level.

If there is one thing I know for sure by now, it is that this country is bursting with talented, creative and passionate individuals. This was in evidence yesterday at a conference I attended. It was called HUSH- A Children Symposium on Risky Behaviours. It was held in downtown Kingston, near the waterfront, at the Institute of Jamaica in a gorgeous old building. From its web site:

The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) was established in 1879 by Sir Anthony Musgrave, then Governor of Jamaica. Located at10-16 East Street Kingston , the IOJ is led by its mandate, “For the Encouragement of Literature, Science and Art in Jamaica ”

But back to the talented individuals. The conference tackled difficult topics that in an ideal world, youth should never have to deal with, such as early sexual activity, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health and gang involvement. During these speeches, (which had a hundred or so young people sitting for hours without a break, and they were excessively well-behaved) programmers interspersed dub poetry performances from four young women.  It is like nothing I have seen before in terms of expressiveness and passion. I saw two performances, one about pregancy and one about four youths engaging in risky behaviours then fast-forwarding five years to the consequences.

The kids, of course, loved these performances, as did I and everyone in attendance. (I am hoping to post a video later today- stay tuned). And just to give you an idea of the perils of being a pedestrian here, there was also an entire segment devoted to road safety. As in, how to cross the road. The government official doing the presentation seemed to get the message through as he devised a dance for the kids to remember all the safety rules.The event was sponsored by RBC and I met the representative, who told me he spent five years in Toronto, on King Street. It was also planned and hosted by several government agencies and it is clear that there is a group of people who are relentlessly devoted to children’s issues.

Another person whom I know is devoted to youth issues is Canadian Senator Don Meredith. I spoke to some people in his office yesterday, as we are planning an event at which we desire his presence. Fingers crossed.