Oh dear. One of Jamaica’s most popular dancehall artistes, Busy Signal, is in custody today. He was apprehended at Norman Manley International Airport after disembarking a flight from the U.K. yesterday. The charges are drug-related. He was taken into custody and brought to the Gun Court, which is literally across the street from the offices of Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Nobody saw him though. Although this morning as I walked to work, I saw a police officer let loose one of the guard dogs. I hope the best outcome possible for all involved happens.
Last night a bunch of us went to a free screening of One Day on Earth. It is sort of like a documentary and created through a partnership between filmmakers and the United Nations Development Programme. The concept is cool- 19,000 filmmakers around the world generated 3,000 hours of footage in every country on 10.10.10 (Oct. 10, 2010). Condensed into 104 minutes, the film is packed with gorgeous footage and covers broad themes like the universality of love, marriage, the environment, conflict, birth and death. There is a subtle tone of political social commentary, but mostly it is a feel-good look at how we are all really the same deep down.
Okay, the content of the song doesn’t quite apply- but you get the idea. What am I talking about age for? My grandmother, Grace, just turned 98. On Monday, she will board a plane bound for HERE! She and my sister will visit me for the week and it seems too good to be true. My sister has just completed her first semester of an early childhood education course, where she achieved a 3.98 GPA. These two ladies are, to me, a couple of the best in the world and among my favourite people. Both provide inspiration for me every day- my grandmother, with her intense gratitude for life and my sister with her determination. I hope Kingston will be kind to them. At 98, my grandmother is still a busy lady and just started a new exercise regime. But as you can imagine, things slow down a little and I am concerned as this is not a city that is easy to get around in. But my grandmother has big plans for when she is here- she would like to take a trip up into the mountains, for example. People often ask me what I think her secret is, and I believe it is that she has kept both her mind and body engaged. She retains an amazement at the simple things in life and still reads the newspaper every day. I am so proud of these two people, I could discuss them at length, but I must go- am off for a trip to Port Royal today with some of the mentees from Youth Opportunities Unlimited.
Good Monday morning. I’ve discovered this video recently- it is a rough approximation of the coaster ride I have to work in the morning. Although mine is a little bit more exciting, as in, I’m standing up, often almost dangling out the door. And the music is blaring. I’m aware that I keep writing about the coaster. I think I could write a post every day- the experience varies that much and is that interesting. It also encapsulates a lot of what is unique and lovable about Jamaica.
So this morning, I got hustled on and stood as usual, crammed against a couple of guys. I eventually got a seat and then clued in to the music. It was LOUD as usual and a seemingly tender ballad. But as I listened to the lyrics, they were extremely explicit and detailed. But everyone just sits there…some nodding their heads, a couple singing along. It was bizarre, and a little disturbing, considering there were several children on board.
Yesterday, it rained all day on and off. Torrential rains. I went for a long run in the morning and got caught in it. Running in the rain, for me, is lovely. But the people I passed seemed quite alarmed that I continued to run and didn’t scramble under a shelter. Several people also apparently found it hilarious and a few just felt the need to observe and vocalize that I was running in the rain. It was heavy, though, and a couple times I was up to my ankles in water. But I made it home safely, albeit drenched. It threatens to rain again today and is oppressively humid. But at least it is not snowing, as it is in Ottawa.
Need I say that Bob Marley is sort of a big deal here? Tonight, on the eve of the worldwide release on 4/20, a new documentary about Bob Marley is airing. To honour Marley’s roots in Kingston, the 140th Anniversary of Kingston itself and Jamaica’s 50th, the producers and the Marley family decided to premiere it for free in Emancipation Park. I was there running this morning while they were already setting up. Two massive screen, lots of chairs and gates and a walkway lined with red, green and gold were in place.
Apparently, the Marley family is happy with the film.
Here’s a quote from one Marley son, Rohan: Rohan Marley said he was pleased with the documentary. According to him, “I felt that Kevin (Macdonald, the director) did a wonderful job conveying the message of a real man. My father had a lot of struggles from childhood and onwards, and no matter how great or successful he was, he still had struggles, but he conquered them. It’s good that this documentary was made.”
Tomorrow, the film will also stream live on Facebook and some proceeds will go to Save the Children.
This morning I attended the launch of a new marketing campaign for a local media company called the Creative Production and Training Centre. It linked this new campaign with the Jubilee celebrations (marking Jamaica’s 50 years of independence). It was a live radio and television newscast hosted by local personalities. The best part was an amazing performance by a young reggae artist named Romain Virgo (the video I’ve linked to.) He is truly talented and most of his lyrics are introspective and positive. A couple of federal ministers also made an appearance, including Youth and Culture Minister Lisa Hanna (former Miss World Jamaica). After the launch, the ministers lingered over breakfast and they were completely approachable. There were no media relations people monitoring their every word, nor security, at least visibly. It was a refreshing change from events in Canada, where politicians are shielded by several handlers and where it is difficult, if not impossible to talk to them.
I want to try video for the site- this was about the extent of my weekend in Treasure Beach (except for the tour with Captain Ted to see the dolphins, alligators and crocodiles.) There were awesome hammocks and I fell asleep in one but filmed this before the nap.
Jamaican Journal 