My favorite place
It Takes a Village
My favorite place is Old Harbour, Jamaica. Old Harbour is a small town approximately 30 miles west of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Originally called Esquivel, after its Spanish founder, it was famous for shipbuilding. Old Harbour Bay, as the locals call it, is the largest fishing village on the southeast side of the island. Here you will find, many locals congregating in the open air market, awaiting the arrival of the fishermen to return from the “sea” with the day’s freshest catch. While sipping “Red Stripe”, I see local fishermen coming ashore with their precious cargo (fish, crab, lobster, and conch) in their old, shabby worn fishing boats. Immediately, the fish scaler’s, who have waited patiently for hours, begin to work for their money and/or food for the day. I am amazed by the varying colors of skin tones, Jamaicans of African descent (dark brown skin), East Indian descent (fair complexion), known as “Coolie”, and Chinese descent (light complexion), sometimes called “Chiney”. Although “Countrymen” now, each brings a skill set from traditions of past generations in net and boat mending techniques. I watch in utter amazement, as a fisherman uses antiquated tools and techniques for repairing his boat. I close my eyes and listen to the sensual and sultry sounds of reggae music. I hear seagulls squawking about and in the distance, faintly hear the sounds of children’s laughter, as the aroma of fish frying, steamed lobster and crab, permeate the air. As the sun begins to set, a warm breeze blows in from the “sea”, I think to myself, how astounding the beauty and peacefulness of Old Harbor Bay!
My favorite place is Old Harbour, Jamaica. Old Harbour is a small town approximately 30 miles west of Kingston, the capital of Jamaica. Originally called Esquivel, after its Spanish founder, it was famous for shipbuilding. Old Harbour Bay, as the locals call it, is the largest fishing village on the southeast side of the island. Here you will find, many locals congregating in the open air market, awaiting the arrival of the fishermen to return from the “sea” with the day’s freshest catch. While sipping “Red Stripe”, I see local fishermen coming ashore with their precious cargo (fish, crab, lobster, and conch) in their old, shabby worn fishing boats. Immediately, the fish scaler’s, who have waited patiently for hours, begin to work for their money and/or food for the day. I am amazed by the varying colors of skin tones, Jamaicans of African descent (dark brown skin), East Indian descent (fair complexion), known as “Coolie”, and Chinese descent (light complexion), sometimes called “Chiney”. Although “Countrymen” now, each brings a skill set from traditions of past generations in net and boat mending techniques. I watch in utter amazement, as a fisherman uses antiquated tools and techniques for repairing his boat. I close my eyes and listen to the sensual and sultry sounds of reggae music. I hear seagulls squawking about and in the distance, faintly hear the sounds of children’s laughter, as the aroma of fish frying, steamed lobster and crab, permeate the air. As the sun begins to set, a warm breeze blows in from the “sea”, I think to myself, how astounding the beauty and peacefulness of Old Harbor Bay!