Jamaica

During the early years of my life, I was blessed with the opportunity to explore my family's heritage. When I was approximately nine years old, my Granny decided to take my cousins and I on a journey to her hometown, St. Elizabeth. My Granny came from a small town in St. Elizabeth, called Kellits.

As soon as we arrived there, I noticed that droves of people ascended upon us, it was as if they heard someone famous was coming. I turned to Granny and asked her," Why is everyone so overjoyed to see us." She answered, "Because your Great Grandparents were very good people."

I said, "Granny, aren't most people good people?"

She said, "Usually, but my parents were especially revered and respected because of their good deeds." She began relaying the historical facts to me.

Apparently, My Great Grandfather and his brothers migrated from England to Jamaica via Spain, with his Greek wife. When they arrived they decided to settle in the country side, in a town called Kellits. They decided to develop the town by building schools, churches and gas stations for the people of the town. They eventually created an estate called Peadro River Penn Estate where they raised their children. They wanted the town and their children to experience urban life, like the rest of Jamaicans living in Kingston. They knew that in the country it would be possible for them to preserve their way of life, without cosmopolitan influences.

Granny continued to tell me that they employed several people to work for them on their Cocoa and Cane plantations. I said, "Granny don't you just buy cocoa and cane from the grocery store?" She said, "No sweetheart, let me show you." Granny and I began a little expedition through the Peadro woods. For the first time in my life I saw Cocoa trees that beared the most delicious cocoa fruit. I had no idea that cocoa actually grew on trees. I saw acres of sugar cane, that was reaped, and processed in all different forms, like cane juice, sugar and molasses.

Later on, Granny and I picked a few cocoa beans and boiled them in a pot. It was then, I tasted the real flavor of cocoa that is called hot chocolate. It was all natural, not processed like some of the foods we eat today. Granny said, "This is real hot chocolate, none of that mix and go nonsense, that you young people have today."

After our hot chocolate break, we decided to visit with some of Granny's older, surviving relatives. They still lived on Peadro River after all these years, they managed to preserve life as they had known it in the late 1800's. In those days families lived in close proximity of each other, sometimes side by side or around the corner. I met my Granny's auntie who had lived to 104. The lady could still thread a needle and pick her own coconut from the tree. She was amazing! It only confirmed what I always believed, that country people know how to live the good life and live longer.

At the end of our visit with Auntie, we decided to go by the river. Granny showed me how they washed in her time, the method they used to wash clothes. It was by the river with a washing board. Granny said, "We didn't have any instant machines that wash and dried for us, do you see how good you young folks have it?" I replied jokingly, "Yes Granny, they really don't know how fortunate they are. This generation is something else."

As we continued our travels, we stopped by the house Granny grew up in. It was a white, colonial looking house. Inside it was a bit disheveled; however, I could imagine the structure that was once present. There was a parlour, sewing room and several bedrooms. I also saw a victrola, an archaic instrument in which they used to enjoy music. For me, this was a priceless history lesson.

Once we were departed from the house we saw Granny's uncle, he was dressed like a true Englishman on an afternoon stroll. He looked very dapper, while holding his bible in hand and whistling a church tune. He was so pleased to meet our generation, because they seldom ventured to Kingston, so this was our first meeting. For a minute I thought I was lost in time, I was experiencing a world that I never knew existed.

The visit to Peadro had given me a much keener understanding of my Granny and "the world" she came from. I now understood why Granny was a "Renegade" of her time. She came from a pioneering family who through deeds and actions passed on their legacy to their children. After a wonderful day of discoveries, I felt tired and was surely ready to retire for the night.
It was then Granny announced, "Get your second wind, its feast time!"

In true, grand Jamaican fashion, no country gathering or visit was complete without a grand feast. They roasted a pig, goat and made several Jamaican dishes. This was their way of giving God thanks for helping us to make the journey, and for those we visited, to rejoice.

Well, all I can say was, everything was scrumptious. Food from the country parts of Jamaica always taste better than food anywhere else. I don't know if it is because they take more time to prepare the food, but the difference is always obvious.

The next morning before we left from Peadro, Granny took myself and my cousins on a nature tour, where we paid respects to our ancestors. We visited the family cemetery, where we learned more about our ancestors, and how to honor those that have passed on.

Some of my cousins were quite squeamish, but after Granny prayed everyone became more settled and relaxed. We then filed into the car to begin our trip back to Kingston, all of us feeling a sense of pride and dignity. Especially since the people of Kellits still remembered and revered my Granny and family after so many years. Before driving off, Granny said to us, "You see children, it is still possible to preserve your way of life, no matter where you may roam in this world. Always remember that."

I responded, "Granny does that mean I am going to have to grow my own cocoa and boil it everyday?"

Granny responded, ""Sometimes, you may just have to do that."