One Love, One Heart.....

Lately I have been feeling different from any other feelings I can remember ever having. It feels like there is something major missing from my life. When I try to do some soul searching to see if I can identify  why I'm feeling this way, the answer it seems is a personal spiritual deficiency, and  I am definitely working on it. I find that as I get older, I get more humble. My children told me not so long ago that I lost my 'edge' and that I have become 'soft' compared to the strict, serious parent I once was. Although I disagreed with them, they may be on to something that just may be true. The things that 'bother' me now are not the things that I thought were important before. I find that my failed marriage is one of the things at the top of my list of 'failures' that makes me really think about what we do in this life, and the things that we should most value. I know better now, and if I ever "walk that aisle" again there are definitely things I would do differently.

I find that I am also more cognizant of others, their feelings, and how I treat them. When I see the way in which we as humans treat other human beings sometimes, it saddens my heart, and sometimes bring a tear. There are people born in parts of the world that all they know is war, and anguish. We live in a free society that we can do just about anything we want, eat what we want, go where we want, freely. I'm not saying we don't have 'issues' and daily struggles, but a lot of the "issues' we have, we bring on ourselves, and majority of the time we can get out of them. 

Can you imagine a world where the leaders of the various countries  have one main goal

and strive for it. A goal of peace, where humanity is the main focus, and love is the message. A world where the color of a man's skin is unimportant, and people are seen as just that, people! We all can do our part in making our lives, and those around us a little more pleasant. A simple hello, please, and thank you can at times make the world of difference. We can't always spare others of 'unpleasant' feelings, but we can always try to be a little more humane in our everyday actions.

Think of the difference it would make in this world if we all try just a little harder to be nicer. As the  late Great Bob Marley said, "One love, one heart, let's get together and feel all right."

LADA Days.....

I know you all remember when LADA was the main form of  taxi back in the day in Jamaica. No matter how bad the roads were, and trust me, a lot of them were very bad, those cars seemed to stand up strong! There were areas that weren't even considered roads especially if you lived in the country because of all the bush, and gully side. Pot holes seemed like the norm, and the width of the road, as narrow as your hand middle. A car meant to carry six passengers, at times held fifteen. Half of the driver's body was outside the car, while three more passengers in the front, another eight in the back seat, and the rest packed like sardine in the "kitchen" (trunk). 

I must admit, I have ridden in the "kitchen" a few times, and it was fun. At that time, it didn't seem we had any fear of accidents or the dangers of what could have happened if the taxi driver made an error, or if other drivers would have plunged into us. We were schoolers, with just the thought of getting to and fro. Some drivers kept their cars in pristine condition, those were the guys you found on the "charter stands." They were for hire, and they most certainly weren't going to pack their cars like a sardine can. There are very few Lada cars left today on the road in Jamaica. The road is saturated with Corolla taxi drivers instead. If you were to ask any of them, they would tell you that the Corollas are not half the strength the Lada cars were. They say things like, lada caan dun, a de toughest car dem ever mek! (Lada cars are indestructible, they are the strongest cars ever made). 

What are some of your Lada experiences?

River Vibes....

"River vibes" in Jamaica is one of the most wonderful experience anyone could have. It is an old "tradition" of the locals, and today it is still done. It is no coincident that we have one of the most famous rivers in the world, The Dunn's River Falls. Dunn's River Falls located on the North Coast of the island in Ocho Rios sees thousands of visitors every year, both local and foreign. It is the most popular sightseeing activity of the cruise ship visitors, and for visitors to the island. Climbing the falls is fun, it can be scary at times, but a lot of fun. It is most definitely something to add to your bucket list of things to do.

We also have the various rivers where we can go rafting. The most popular one is the Martha Brae. Rafting on the Martha Brae gives you a oneness with nature , a true peaceful connection that leaves everyone breathless, and in awe of just how colorful, and beautiful nature is. It is also considered the ultimate romantic experience. Many couples seem to rekindle their relationship while rafting on the Martha Brae. I would also add this to the bucket list experience while in Jamaica. You wont be disappointed.

As exciting, exotic and beautiful as the Dunn's River Fall and river rafting are, this however is not the river vibe I am talking about. You have not experienced true river vibe until you visit a local community river. There is a domino table, some pots, some food cooking and everyone a  hol' a vibe. Its all about oneness, peace and love. Although river life has changed some since I was a little girl, the common thread is, its all about fun, its good times, and some good outdoor cooking. Next time you are driving especially  through the country communities  on a Saturday or Sunday you will find a group of people having fun at a river. Music playing , most times from a parked vehicle. You will see people playing around in the water, some chatting, some cooking, some dancing, and almost always a puff of smoke in the air from some irie "sensmena." The vibes is always just right. River vibes is a must experience, and definitely bucket list worthy especially for my fellow "yardies." 

Good Times....

Where ever you see a few Jamaicans, especially ones who have not seen each other in a long time you know you are in for some good ole' time fun. Bring out the domino table, and "run a boat." Nuff niceness about to go down!

Today at the hairdresser, like always,  there is always some conversation going on between us Jamaicans. There is some food  talk, what entertainment is on the calendar, who dead, or in the hospital, who just come from "yard" who soon go a "yard". The conversation then shifted to politics, then to how kids nowadays don't have a clue what real fun is, and how computer has enabled them to cannot do simple maths. I must say I have to agree. Before all this high tech stuff, calculations use to be done in "our heads", now without a calculator, people seem clueless when it comes to simple calculations.

The conversation then shifted to things we did as kids growing up like dandy shandy and all the OUTDOOR games we played. Some of us didn't even have TV back then because there was no electricity. Bottle lamp use to run tings. Imagine no play station or cell phone, and no facebook! My children would say they were bored when they were younger, and I would use that opportunity to tell them about when I was growing up and what we did as children, and how we never seemed to be bored.

They would look at me crazy, but they will never have the experiences of culture like I had growing up in Jamaica. It was then I decided to write a book on the Jamaican culture through the eyes of a little girl name Winnie.  I figured there were many children like mine, and their parents and grandparents were probably telling them the same stories. Winnie The Beginning  was born from that idea. I am currently in the process of writing Vol 2 which should be published this summer.