The Other Side

written on Wednesday
 
Today we had a day unlike any other. A national holiday in Jamaica, Ash Wednesday, paralyzes the city. Tara and Elin woke up early as usual and prepped for the day but didn't wake us up until 8:30, 2 whole hours after the time they had initially told us we'd have to be ready by. Instead of Tara's melodic "Wake up! Wake up! It's time to wake up!" As she switched off the A/C and slided open the curtain, we were awoken with ice cold sodas and cheers of "Surprise! We're going to the beach!!!" Unfortunately, Reid, John, Jon and Gary weren't as happy since they had been ready since 7 am to go to Ferry....whoops.

Still, no one could contain their excitement. We couldn't believe that we were taking the day off to walk on sandy beaches and swim in the Caribbean Sea. Little did we know how much better the surprise would get. After a short bus ride we arrived at the local marina, miles different from Ferry. Although a lot of us were a bit sad that our promises to see the children today had been broken, we knew there was tomorrow and took this as a welcome respite and taste of the different local experience.We didn't do service today, but we learned a little more about the real Jamaica.

After walking for  a bit we approached a bleach-white yacht filled with 20 or so of Tara's best friends. As we got to know all of them we realized how similar we were to them. A lot of them went to American universities like Duke and some were in Rhode Island and other states at boarding schools. They were not too different from the typical Vandy student at all.

For a minute we had to remember we were in Jamaica and not in Miami, San Diego or the Keys since our surroundings were so reminiscent of the places we've lived in and vacationed in.

Today I learned about the other side of Jamaica--regardless of how common and widespread this experience was, I believe it was necessary because it is reality. Jamaica has a very connected society. One where those of similar socio-economic classes all know each other and take care of each other.

I believe it's important to see this beautiful island-country holistically because it isn't all poverty, it isn't all about corruption, bad schooling, insecurity, illiteracy.... Like the US, Canada, Colombia and Puerto Rico, Jamaica has its social, economic and political problems, but so does everywhere else and it's important to realize that we are not as different as we would think from Jamaicans.

They can have blue eyes, bronze skin, blonde hair, while sporting a heavy Jamaican accent. As is the case in Nashville and the rest of the US, there is so much diversity in Jamaica and there is beauty and serenity and wealth and love and extravagence. No country serves as an exception.

We are not an exception and neither was today. Our experience today taught us a lesson about ourselves, our culture, our values and past times. We encountered Ferry's polar opposite. It's not the fake Kingston, it's just the other side.


Stefanie