Jamaica, Jamaica

It just occured to me, as I was researching this dancehall artist named Movado, that I still have not replaced my missing copy of Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's 2005 release "Welcome to Jamrock". If you loved his dad Bob, you need to take a stroll on over to Imeem and check out some of Damian's work. I have added a live version of probably the most popular song from this album "Welcome to Jamrock" below....take a listen.

I tell you what, I have had a taste for stewed oxtail ALL WEEK LONG! Just today my girlfriend commented that we needed to look into another girlfriends getaway to Jamaica.

Hmmmmm, I am noticing a pattern emerging here. I just left a Fela Kuti, all things Nigerian phase. I think I feel myself on the precipice of,yet another, all things Jamaican phase. Which has me thinking, when was it that I fell in love with Jamaican culture....the food, the music, the people, my people to be precise. Probably after my first trip there back in 1996. I distinctly remember being swept away by all the sights and sounds. Falling madly in love with the spirit of the people and just feeling at home. I also remember being mildly depressed for weeks after coming home that I even had to return to this "concrete jungle" and be party to this whole "rat race" home,school,work cycle(ya'll marley fans know what I am talking about). I "reasoned a lickle" with several Rastas during my stay and one in particular had a lasting impression on me.

This is Reggae artist Buju Banton, who has always reminded me a lot of Brenton Riley

His name, as I would come to know, was Brenton Riley. He had come down from the hills one morning to exercise and take a wash in the ocean near where me and my three other "totally touristy" girlfriends had set up shop for a day of fun and sun. This man had locks down his back and his skin was black as ten midnights......he was beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I was playing around in the water near where he decided to dip and after a while we began to talk. Three hours later, I had learned all I could possibly know about a mountain man from Jamaica's perspective on world politics, the Jamaican tourist economy, the cultivation and spiritual use of the herb, the problems plaguing Africans throughout the diaspora and the cures thereof as found in Rastafarianism. During one part of the conversation, where I sought his advice on dealing with difficult people, he told me that his policy was never to argue, just to let the other person speak. Then to take a walk and think, if need be, and then return with a cool head to reason once things simmered down a bit.

When the conversation regarding the Jamaican economy emerged, he expressed concern over the notion of family and friends having to leave their home to pursue a "better life" outside of Jamaica. I told him that I did not understand how anyone could leave such a beautiful place and I expressed a desire to stay myself (I think here is where he got the idea to propose to me), but on a more serious note he told me that in order to be happy in this life we have to see the beauty where ever we find ourselves because essentially, we are the beauty we seek. He went on to explain that which I have read many times over in many different spiritual texts, we have to be happy where we are, no matter the outside circumstance and not allow said circumstance to dictate our inner state of being. Largely because things are not always what they seem. I have never forgotten that conversation.

It was during my conversation with him that I finally was able to tune my ear to, and fell in love with, the rhythmic sounds of a deep Jamaican accent. It was during my tour to Bob Marley's resting grounds that I remember seeing so much pride and joy in the faces of people who had so little by way of material possessions - but were so rich in spirit you could taste it. It was during my first trip to Jamaica that I saw myself in the faces of other African people, outside of the United States, and realized how truly connected we all are.

I returned to Jamaica several times after that trip. Each time to a different locale and, sadly, I never quite had the same feeling that I did that very first time. In fact, one time, I was so ready to go after a few days it was not funny! During those later trips, I was exposed to parts of Jamaica that I would just as soon forget- parts that stood in firm juxtoposition to the fairytale image I had created from my first trip out. At which point I guess I would have done well to recall the words of my friend Brenton regarding being the beauty we seek, bc nothing is ever as it seems.

Nevertheless, I often think back to that very first time and smile inside for the myriad experiences with wonderful souls there that truly did broaden my world view. When my friend Brenton and I finished our conversation, which btw only ended because the tour bus had come to collect the charred remains of me and my girlfriends, Brenton gave me a fist pound, wished me Jah's Blessings and literally trotted off down the beach toward the mountain side, locks swinging in the sun.

I guess if my son's name (Jah) was not enough of a give away regarding the love and respect I have for Jamaica and it's rich culture...particularly my sincere respect and admiration for the Rastafarian massive, this post should clear up any doubts.

When one of my old bosses would get on my nerves, I would tease him and say that I was going to quit (which I did do several times only for him to refuse my resignations) pack up shoppe, move up to the mountains of Jamaica and live peacefully off the land. Well, I have not made it there yet, but I do try to live each and every day in the way that my friend Brenton Riley advised....making peace with my current situation and doing my best to find the beauty therein....nuff respect Brenton, nuff respect.

One Love Ya'll

Jaaaah....Rasssss-tafari!!!!!!!!!