Misty mornings

Morning Walk Photos

"Trumpet tree"

Long Mountain Rd

Entering UWI Campus

Cindy's mystery meal

Wednesday was another eventful day. After falling asleep Tuesday night to the sound of steel drums we awoke to another cool, misty morning. We are enjoying our morning walks to campus; the area is beautiful and the people are very friendly. Our flat is nestled between Long Mountain and the beginnings of the Blue Mountain Range, which is very popular worldwide for its coffee.

The mountains shield us from the early morning sun and there is typically a light mist rolling off the tops of the Blue Mountains that is quite beautiful. Every morning the mountains look different as the sun hits them. The walks to and from campus are a nice time to absorb the surroundings, relax prior to starting the day and unwind at the end of a good day's work.

Our hosts are most generous! It seems drinking tea is very customary and we have gathered with many over a cup. Many Jamaicians put sweetened condensed milk in their teas; Christina (and her sweet tooth) has most enjoyed this and puts the sugary lsludge in coffee too.

We had the oppotunity to observe at the Sickle Cell Clinic on campus where residents are bused in from all over Jamaica whether it is for routine follow-ups, wound care, or crises. Jamaica is collecting cohort data starting from birth; we saw many patients from the first cohort (1980s) today. They were young men living with a complicated chronic disease with the threat of complications. The workers within the clinic possess a great wealth of knowledge on sickle cell disease; the overall prevalence rate in Jamaica is approximately 7-8%!

Lunchtime had surprises of its own; Cindy ordered a "vegetarian combo," of which we were not sure of the ingredients. Cindy later learned she had Jamaican style tofu!