Weekend getaways

Roadside fruit stand

Our sugar cane is in bags on the left

Dunn's River Falls hike

Cindy tasting fresh coconut water

Beautiful Ocho Rios

Where the falls meet the beach

Thank God for the weekend! We now understand what the rest of the 8-5 world means by TGIF! We awoke Saturday morning well rested and eager to embark on an excursion to Ocho Rios with our preceptors. Driving through Kingston we paid attention to all of the roadside stands selling every type of fresh fruit imaginable to the layout of each neighborhood. The ride from Kingston to Ocho Rios is about 85 kilometers and transverses the Blue Mountains, through valleys, rain forest like gullies and ends at the beach. Talk about changes in scenery! The rural areas of Jamaica are so captivating and are unique. The flora and fauna is unlike any other place and there is much diversity in the types of plant life around. We also passed by factories that extract the raw materials to make aluminum foil. Prior to environment regulations, the company would dump wastewater into the local lake that turned it a deep rust-red color and was toxic to the ecosystem. We also drove by areas where new highways were being carved into the mountainside and our mentors wondered about its effects not only on the promise for better transportation, but the ecological impact such a project would have on the floodplain in the area.

The mountain road had so many hairpins in it, and with each turn held a new view of the country. We passed through Walter’s Wood where the essence and life of Jamaican jerk continues to thrive. Onward we continued through Fern Gully which is a roadway that weaves through towering trees covered with moss, ferns and vines. The further in we drove, the darker it became as the sun was blocked out by the canopy. At the clearing we saw the sea displayed before us. The town of Ocho Rios was right in front of us. We stopped to pick up lunch in town and continued toward Dunn’s River Falls.

Dunn’s River Falls is a national park in Jamaica and is world famous. You can hike the falls with the assistance of a guide. Prior to hiking, we went for a swim in the sea. Cindy and Christina were happy to feel the ocean air and water, but their preceptors felt that the 75ish degree weather was too cold. We try to remind them where we come from is much colder and just had snow! After the short swim, we began our assent along the Dunn’s River Fall line. The falls move with such power through the forest and emerge directly on to the beach and into the sea. The rocks surprised us by the lack of slipperiness and we were able to move from rock to rock with the assistance of our guide. Between each fall line was a pool of crystal blue fresh water we could wade in. We stuck our heads under the fast moving falls and took in a freshwater shower! The water was crisp and took our breath away!

At the top of the falls we posed for a picture with the guide and continued to walk through the park. After our trip to the falls, we meandered back through the country and began the 2.5 hour ride back home. We stopped along the way at a local farm stand so our preceptors could buy the best, freshest country grown veggies. Each stand has its own specialties but most contain the same staple ingredients of sweet potatoes, yams, callalo (like our collard greens), and cabbage. A little further up the road we stopped for coconut water. The vendor literally takes the coconut in one hand and quickly yields a 2 foot long machete over its top to expose a hole into which a straw can be inserted. The coconut costs about $50 Jamaican, which is 60 cents US. The water is nutrient rich and is an important remedy in the rural areas for warding off dehydration. Inside the coconut you can scrape out the insides and eat coconut jelly, also nutrient rich. We also bought raw sugar cane from the vendor to snack on.

On the way home we stopped in Spanish Town which was the capital city from the 16-19th centuries. The historical area houses old churches, the King’s home (façade only), and other government buildings from its day. Outside Spanish town is the oldest bridge in the western hemisphere, which is not in operation anymore.

Back in Kingston we got to see another view of our city. The locals were gathering in the streets in many neighborhoods listening to the sound of reggae music and preparing for barbeques. The sounds and smells and sights are most interesting now!

Thanks for your prayers, we have had two brief rainfalls here in Kingston and the smoke around the mountains seems to be subsiding!