Talk Jamaican

Paperback available at; https://www.amazon.com/s?k=talk+jamaican&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss

Ebook available at; https://www.amazon.com/TALK-JAMAICAN-CHAT-LAKKA-WI-ebook/dp/B01K83Z224/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=talk+jamaican+kindle&qid=1603139399&s=books&sr=1-2

At the request of many readers who want to learn to speak Jamaican patwah, I have started to place skits and commentaries in patwah (the Jamaican language) on Youtube with an overview in English at the end. The ones posted so far are;

1) Introduction; giving the structure of the free lessons; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG_UIhU0uac&t=21s

2) Bay a wya. This skit introduces students to some Jamaican curse words; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYfi5487FEk&feature=youtu.be

3) Corona virus aka the chinese virus at; https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=HUTn8cmBi9c&feature=youtu.be

4) Mi laas to rass; Getting lost in America; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mqyK-6lwSk&t=9s

5) Racism in America; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nWaAEZi8SM&t=

Hopefully, I will be able to post a new commentary/ skit each week to enable you to learn to chat lakka wi quick quick. 

(268) Talk Jamaican: Jamaican patwah - YouTube

The best value for money in Florida

 

I wouldn't go as far as to agree with the sign declaring "Best Safari Park," but would probably agree if they added in the USA.

I was actually booked to experience, probably the best safaris on the planet in April 2020 in Kenya, but that monster called the coronavirus thought better of that plan. With little alternatives and since no one wants to let in anyone living in Florida into their country, I found I had to start exploring locally. And I am here to tell you that the Lion Safari Park in Loxahatchee, Florida, is by far the best value for money in the state.

Well, let me make a confession upfront. I am crazy about animals. All animals. They just make me want to hug them, no matter how big and fierce they appear. Actually, many moons ago I even wanted to become a vet but that's another story totally! 😅

Anyway, it is not at all unusual for me to go to the sparsest zoo or aquarium, and have a wonderful time. 

But the lion country safari is in another category totally and has just hyped me up more to find my way to Kenya as soon as possible. Hope it will be early February 2021. Ok, so I live in hope.

I was really enthralled from the moment we started driving slowly through the park and saw the huge Ostriches happily welcoming us. I was really looking forward to seeing the wonderful 'king of the jungle' as he appeared in the brochure but only saw his offsprings. What the heck. They looked beautiful and cuddly enough to make my day. 

I was especially fascinated by the rhinos that are so huge and ugly but appear so harmless as they ignored us totally or walked nonchalantly in front of our vehicle. I did notice that a few seemed to have some form of eye infection which led their carers to administer a white ointment all around their eyes. Hope they recover soon. 

Now, why would cruel humans want to massacre these gentle creatures for the fun of it? 

After having seen many giraffes over the years, I got the impression that these at this park were extra lazy as they stood so still for such a long time that people would not be too far off if they thought they were statues!

The chimps were so human-like too, that I was once again reminded from whence we came as I watched them interact within their community.

All in all, with family, I had a wonderful day just driving slowly and enjoying God's creations. I did wonder though how the operators were managing to feed and care for the over 1000 animals there, considering the entrance fee for this great experience was only $19, but I guess they know their business!

The animals are so wonderful and this park has once again reminded me how many species there are in this world. Hopefully, we will not continue to wipe them out at the present rate, for if we do, our children and grandchildren will be robbed of their beauty. But I worry for we are destroying our planet rapidly and causing so many species to become extinct. One really despairs. 

The good thing is though is that there are places like Lion Country Park where they are not only taking care of so many animals but also allowing us to appreciate their beauty, though for only a fleeting moment.

, 

The task ahead

 For those who think things are bad now in Jamaica now, in my book, the real tragedy lies ahead when the lack of foreign exchange earnings start to be felt. Naturally, without foreign exchange, imports on which we depend so much, are going to get super-expensive.  

So far, it is the poor and small business people who have been bearing the brunt of the severe economic measures put in place to try to keep that terrible virus under control. But soon, they will cause stress on thousands more.

In retrospect, it was bad that  Jamaica followed the western world and locked down the economy. I am not blaming the government, for so little was known about the virus in the initial stages, that we did not know where to turn. 

Taiwan however took a chance and won. They, with 25 million people, did not lock down but stringently monitored those who were positive and tracked who they came in contact with. By inflicting severe punishments on those who were quarantined, they inconvenienced around 1/4 million of their population for the benefit of the other 24.5 million. And guess what, their economy remained open and  robust and only 10 people died! Sweden tried that the model but their success was not as outstanding. 

Where Jamaica fell down was in locking down the place for too long and being very lax in their enforcement of the rules that cut the spread of the virus. But what's new? Jamaica's problem with crime, justice, social issues and everything else for that matter, has always been, that we fall down in the area of enforcement. Look at how we are quick to prosecute the poor and dispossed, but the rich and well-heeled can break all the rules and have all the covid-spreading parties while the authorities look the other way. You notice too how Bolt has been singled out though? Poor fellow, with all his money and world-wide fame, he just can't make it into the Jamaican uptown circles! 

But I am not going there today. 

What really perturbs me is the fact of those who had little or no savings are now on the verge of starvation, due to the lockdown, which some would happily resurrect!. And I am sure, as savings vanish, many thouands more may soon join that group. For according to the World Bank, as a result of this virus, remittances around the world will fall by 20% this year. 

Already, a recent study conducted by UNICEF and the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) found that eight in every 10 households suffered income losses. On average, families lost 46 per cent of income, while lower-income households suffered a 49 per cent loss.This has caused a significiant number to have to get by on one , two or no meals per day. 

The well heeled who would keep the country locked down, need to spend a few seconds letting that sink in. Remember too, that more than 130,000 families across the island are already registered with PATH.

Even so, the Capri study found that some 10% did not think they could send their children back to school. How concerning must that be for all of us?

Also, what about the psychological illnesses and possible suicides that will occur from depression and hopelessness?

That is just the tip of our iceberg, for we have yet to see the impact of the fallout in tourism. And incidentially, while some people would like to blame tourists for the increase in covid cases in the island, that is not at all true. For it has been the yardies (living here and abroad) who have been ignoring the quarantine rules and preventative measures.

With the exuberance from the election, things appear to be going pretty well now, but are we really prepared to face the serious  challenges ahead?

I fear not, for according to an article in the Daily Gleaner of Septmber 11, 2020 ; "As Jamaica continues to lose millions of dollars to destinations such as Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico, some of the country’s top-producing travel agents have accused the Government of rejecting tourists. The agents, part of the Jamaica Travel Specialist group that boasts more than 8,000 members, vented their frustration on social media Thursday morning, warning that they would not send their clients here until the travel authorisation is done away with. The test is no big deal, so the authorisation process is what the determining factor is here. I can’t support a tourism industry that is doing everything they can to delay tourism. It’s pretty clear they are not wanting tourists,” Hannah Cote wrote online on Thursday morning.

Since August, two months after the island reopened its doors for tourism, complaints have not ceased. People who book both flights and accommodation have expressed difficulties getting landing approval here. Families have been separated as the system rejects some members and accepts others."

Can the country and those on the fringes really endure such a lackadasical approach to the economic well-being of the country much longer?

Return to Epcot

The first time I went to Disney's Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, (Epcot), I think it was the one in California, was probably more than 35 years ago, but I had always wanted to go back. The problem was, each time I went to a Disney theme park, it was always with kids who loved superheroes, exciting rides, princesses, and cartoon characters. No one wanted to go to the Epcot theme park as either they complained they did not have enough time, they were tired or it just was not exciting enough. So it was always a Disney vacation minus Epcot. 

Well out of evil cometh good, for as I saw that they had a soft opening in Orlando after the long lock-down due to coronavirus, I thought I should take it in before it became too crowded. And it wasn't in September 2020.

When my granddaughter informed me that she wanted to visit me in December and go to Disney, I knew I had to move up my decision for I knew once we got there, Epcot would be out. To avoid any crowd, I decided to go right after the schools opened in Florida. It was the perfect decision and I am so happy I returned,  for it is really a fascinating and educational experience, far better than I remembered. 

Every attraction was a slam dunk except when I went to do the ride through the Alps to see the set of 'Frozen.' Then there was quite a line. It wasn't all that long but you have to remember the 6 feet apart system. So it wasn't that long a line, but it took the longest to get it.  It was worth the wait though, as was every exhibit in fact. Luckily I had checked the weather before I drove up to Orlando and took my plastic mac in my backpack, so when the heavy showers came down, I just strolled in the rain, feeling like a kid again. 

As there was a celebration of wine and food that week, many countries participated showcasing the best of their foods and attractions. I liked the China and Canadian displays the best and loved the Mexican mariachi band. I was fascinated by the exhibit on our relationship with the land, scientific advances in agriculture, soaring through the world, (a bit scary at first), spaceship earth, and in fact, just everything. It was so fascinating and interesting, that only when I was leaving that I realized I had been there from 11 am to 5pm.

As usual, I forgot where I parked and it was a bit scary for a while as I kept going around in circles for about 20 minutes before finding my car.😓

Leaving, I wondered how I had stayed away so long and resolved to go back again soon.

                                                OTHER PHOTOS FROM EPCOT

                            Elsa from Frozen rides in her carriage

Jamaica's general election

Jamaica has a lot to be proud of and among the many, is how we remain committed to upholding our strict democratic traditions.

Regarding the general election yesterday, I don't think the most optimistic JLP supporter or the most pessimistic PNP supporter could have expected the results which reflected such a total rejection of the opposition PNP. (49 seats to the JLP and 14 to the PNP). 

Oh yes, Jamaica has had these kinds of results before. For in 1980 it was 51 to 9 JLP voter turnout 86.9%;  1989 45 to 15  PNP voter turnout 78.4%; 1993 PNP 52 to  8 turnout 67%. (Of course, I didn't mention 1983 as that was uncontested). The difference though is that whereas in the previous elections, registered voters turned out in their numbers, yesterday the turnout was a dismal 37%. 

Yes having an election during the corona plague was a challenge but I agreed with the prime minister for not postponing the event because of that disease, as we have to learn to live with it. Maybe a significant number of persons stayed away because they feared getting contaminated but we will never know the extent to which it affected the turnout.

However,  it is not good that 63% of the electorate refused to participate in electing their government.

While I totally agree with the electorate giving Andrew Holness a second term as he has done fairly well as the country's leader, I don't like minority governments or weak oppositions.

One of the greatest problems affecting our country is the prevalence of corruption in our government. 

This was raised during the campaign but the PNP had no moral authority to do so, as they were just  just as corrupt. On the other hand, their leaders have never even tried to deal with the corrupt people in their party. While Holness at least separated some corrupt politicians from their jobs and allowed some investigation, the PNP used the Trump/ Putin strategy.....deny deny and depend on the base to loudly back them up. Further, as long as the stain of Trafigura remains unresolved, the PNP cannot speak about corruption. That is so sad for the country. 

The PNP's main problem leading up to this election was the issue of disunity in the party. I dare say too that the shabby manner in which they treated their former leader, the much loved Portia Simpson-Miller has not gone down well with their base. That I think too was behind Mrs. Simpson-Miller's silence during the campaign and her staying away physically.

But its time to look head,

 As promised by Peter Phillips, the PNP leader, if his party lost he would resign. He did so this leaves his party in a bit of a dilemma for the heir apparent was Peter Bunting and he lost his seat to a newcomer. Of course, the party could go the route of appointing Bunting as party leader and nominating someone who won their seat as, leader of the Opposition in the interim, but I don't think that would be a popular option.

Of the names, I hear being bandied around as possible successors to Phillips are Mark Golding, Phillip Paulwell, Lisa Hanna, Julian Robinson. Of that lot, I think Lisa Hanna would be the best bet but she has an urgent task ahead of her to rebuild her constituency, as in what had always been a solid PNP constituency, she barely won by 14 votes.

If Lisa becomes the PNP leader, the PNP would have a solid record of being an equal opportunity party as she would be the 2nd female leader while the JLP has yet to have one. I am watching that party with great interest for there were 14 brand new ladies elected to parliament under the JLP ticket, so how the cabinet is structured will tell us a lot.  As will their appointments to the senate.

There will be interesting times ahead but I really hope the PNP unifies quickly and becomes an effective opposition as nothing is worse for a country than a government with unchallenged power.

In the meantime, the most urgent task will be to get this damn virus under control, for there had been a spike before and during the campaign, and with the lack of due care during the campaign, I am sure there will be even greater contamination.

Close down again? Definitely not!

In light of the sudden and rapid spiral in coronavirus cases recently in Jamaica, some people have been quick to try and make it into a political issue, claiming the government had opened its borders too quickly. They should, therefore, be thinking of closing down again, they say.

When are these detractors going to accept that this murderous virus is not going to go away any time soon so we better start using our brains and learn to live with it?  Even if a vaccine is found, how long before it can effectively reach all the vulnerable people in the world, especially in poor countries?

 Anyway, I suspect that even if one is available to all before the end of 2020, most people are not going to willingly take it, for the general feeling is that one developed so quickly will not be adequately tested to see what the side effects are. In fact, a CBS poll done in May 2020 found that at least half the US population was saying they would not be taking a vaccine. I suspect Jamaicans are just as skeptical.

On the other hand, we in Jamaica have learned how to effectively control the spread of the virus and were doing quite well until a church got out of control.

 I have long warned that religion is going to be the death of us in Jamaica and it seems some churches are determined to prove me correct. More ominously, there is now a religious political party, the Jamaica Progressive Party ( JPP) which is made up totally of parsons.

Interestingly, this party is promising to pay off Jamaica's national debt. In 2019, that was listed as $14.3 billion US dollars. They have not indicated where they will be getting that class of money, so I can only conclude they are not serious about that promise!

A great start for a religious organization.

I think Jamaicans should be glad I don't have power, for, during this epidemic,  I would probably have padlocked the whole bunch of churches down, as I have always considered them more dangerous than useful! Yes, the parsons would be screaming all the way to the altar, but as far as I am concerned, virtual church service can be just as effective and a lot cheaper for people wanting to be saved and at least they won't feel as pressured to give collection, Amusingly, some parsons are already suffering so badly from a shortage of collection that I hear they have been writing to even unemployed people telling them to tithe even though they have lost their job. 

That's, not a problem though since I don't think math has changed since I did it decades ago. So 10% of zero still remains zero!

But I stray.😁😁

Anyway, there is just too much panic and irrational thinking affecting too many people as far as this virus is concerned.

As of today, there are 1023 cases of coronavirus diagnosed in Jamaica but only 14 deaths. As far as we are concerned, therefore, for some strange reason, this virus has been quite benign. 

Let's give thanks for that and move on.

So while in the USA, coronavirus is the 3rd leading cause of death, coming only after cancer and heart disease, in third world Jamaica which has been very proactive and efficient, deaths from this disease have been insignificant. On the other hand,  I am sure, violent crime is our leading cause of death. (Just can't find the numbers on this issue anywhere!) However, the World Bank has consistently said that Jamaica's economic growth is stymied by about 5% per year because of our crime problem.  I, therefore, wish we would spend as much time thinking up solutions and finding the funds to deal with this perennial problem, as we are for this quite benign virus.

 As long as the government continues to test, track, educate, enforce social distancing and mask-wearing, we can have a pretty normal life. 

We need to open up totally and join countries as diverse as Aruba, Costa Rica, and UAE in requiring that all visitors must have international health insurance so that our budget is not devastated by those foreigners who have the disease.

The alternative to opening up is just too frightening to consider. For as it stands, it is estimated that the Jamaican economy has already contracted by 4%  (sounds like an underestimate to me) because of the lockdown and an additional 100,000 persons are now newly unemployed. When one considers that each paycheck supports between 4-5 persons, the scenario is really troubling. 

With tourism now almost dead, remittances iffy and bauxite struggling, what will happen to the economy in the long run if the government listens to middle-class dreamers who say we must lock up the country once again? 

Back to the days of coal stoves and semi-literate children who must go to school barefooted, hungry and ragged?

 Those who are comfortable can continue to spew from their airconditioned homes and offices but the future for the majority is just too dire for the government to even think of closing down again,

Hopefully, although elections are due soon, they wont fall for the nonsense for short term gain.

St. Augustine, worth a visit

When I first heard about St. Agustine in Florida, I was a bit reluctant about visiting,  as I had become so tired of hearing Americans telling a story of their country, as if it was the white man's story. And more, I had heard of that city being described as America's oldest city.

Anyway,  since I was trapped in Florida, as the coronavirus is out of control here which makes international destinations out of reach at this time,  I decided to kill some time visiting that location.

I was pleasantly surprised as everywhere I went, it spoke to it being "The oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the USA," not America's oldest city as others had described it.

                               

That is exactly right.

This was originally a native American village called Seloy,  but the Spanish put down their roots in 1565 after the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, who is reputed to be the first European to set foot in Florida, came ashore there. As the Europeans came with diseases that the native Americans had no immunity to, in the old part of the city, you see a native American cemetery which bears witness to the fate of the toll their arrival had on those early people. Besides, the Native Americans just did not have the wherewithal to repel the European invaders with their superior ships and weapons,  so the rest is history.

The first thing the  Spanish did was to build a wall encircling their settlement, and most of it is still intact today. 

They occupied the area 200 years but in 1763, they ceded it to Britain after the 7-year war.

 Britain returned Florida to Spain in 1783 but Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1819.

The wall still looks quite intact 

This city, therefore, plays an important role in displaying history in action, and in Florida (pre carnivorous) all third-grade children were taken to this important city to see and feel the history of their state.

The oldest marina in the USA

St. Augustine is also the site of the oldest marina in the USA and of course, the impressive vessels you see there today are nothing like what existed in the olden days. 

There is a huge modern bridge over the marina which attaches the mainland to the 14-mile long island of Anastasia, where numerous hotels are now to be found, but in terms of history, only the lighthouse is of interest. 

Matthew did this

In 2016, a category 5  hurricane named Matthew created havoc in the region, and although many streets could only be navigated with canoes and small boats, today there is very little evidence of the damage except for this building at the entrance of the marina which had been a restaurant. There is one building close to the sea, where the 5-foot tall watermark is prominent, to remind all of that devastation. 

Replica of the original look-out tower

My favorite place was "The Fountain of Youth" which is actually a very impressive archeological park where a bunch of peacocks has now taken a shine to. 

There, it is said Ponce de Leon first came ashore and in the 1990s, they actually found archeological evidence of it being the first Spanish settlement.

Images of the native American lifestyle are all over

 Naturally, hoping for a miracle, I actually drank some of the water from the well which is supposed to be the fountain of youth. The water was awful, as it had a salty taste but neither Ponce nor I were lucky enough to revert to our youth😀!

It was really an interesting experience touring the park though and I actually needed another day as after trying to take in everything.

A demonstration of how a crossbow was used

 I got my first experience of seeing and hearing a cannon being fired and some information on the workings of a crossbow. 

Of course with each European conquest came the church and a replica the oldest catholic is there and of course a huge cross on the property next door.

 To be fair, in St. Augustine, there has been a commendable to record actual history, and not downplaying the role and of slaves and Native Americans as one often encounters in the written history in the USA.

Outside of the Fountain of youth, what I also found intriguing was the excellent architecture representing the various periods. 

And as a matter of interest to music lovers, especially soul music lovers, the late Ray Charles who was born in Alabama,  went to school there.  For at age seven, when he started to become blind, his eye had to be removed. When he became totally blind, he was sent to the school for the blind in St. Augustine where he learned to read Braille and started to play the piano, clarinet, and saxophone.

We who continue to revel in Ray Charles' music, give thanks to the school for the blind in St. Augustine.

Bridge to Anastasia island