Left: Ezekel Stenford grins with pride as he describes his home town, Salt River, Clarendon. Right: One of many farmers in Mocho, St. James, takes a stroll with his trusty goat. - PHOTOS BY IAN ALLEN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The following are letters from our readers about the Roving With Lalah feature which is published every Thursday.
Excellent stories from Lalah
THE EDITOR, Sir:
I WAS very thrilled and happy to read the stories about Salt River in Clarendon and about Nine Miles or Rhoden Hall in St. Ann.
I must say that your newspaper, The Gleaner, is doing a wonderful job in educating people about these wonderful places in Jamaica. Sometimes I felt like going back in the country to live, but because of the economic constraints, I have to stay in the urban area.
Robert Lalah is such an excellent writer. He writes with such clarity and makes me feel like I am a part of the visiting team. He speaks to such amusing and humble country people to whom I always like to read about.
He takes me down memory lane as I was living in Clarendon back in the '70s. We used to go to Salt River every Sunday and on school holidays we go there to swim and frolic in the water. As children, we didn't even know that the water has such healing power. Maybe that was the reason for my good health then.
When I saw the headline, 'Easy going in Nine Miles', the first place that came to my mind was Bull Bay in St. Thomas. I was amazed to know that there was a place in St. Ann by that name. It's such a tiny and country-like district. Mr. Lalah made me laugh till I cried when I read this story. He surely releases my stress and pain and, at the same time, educates me.
You should collate these stories and make a book and sell to the public, especially to schools, so that students can educate themselves about the country and, at the same time, learn how to express themselves by emulating the writer.
Please give my commendation to Lalah and also to your newspaper. I will also use this medium to congratulate him on winning the Prime Minister's Youth Award for Excellence in Journalism. The Gleaner must be proud of him. Keep up the good work and well done, Robert. I will always rove with you.
I am, etc.,
J. WILLIAMS
Portmore, St. Catherine
Looking forward to more
DEAR ROBERT:
READING YOUR article on Mocho makes me feel like I was sitting on the verandah with Miss Mattie too. Wonderful article, quite humorous too. Looking forward to read more in the future.
God bless.
TONY BAILEY
tonybailey@sedward.com
Keep up the good work
DEAR ROBERT:
I ENJOYED reading your article 'Marvels in Mocho'. Keep up the good work.
SONJA LEVY
madukes_2321@yahoo.com
Lalah highlights violence-free Jamaica
DEAR ROBERT:
YOU ARE a very good writer. I enjoy reading you articles. It is nice to see someone visiting the far corners of Jamaica and highlighting a way of life that is so free from the violence that we hear about in the media every day.
Keep it up!
LILA DAWKINS
ld_work04@yahoo.com
Stigma associated with which Mocho?
DEAR ROBERT:
FIRST, CONGRATULATIONS on a fine series, I really look forward to your column on your journeys through the Jamaican countryside. I do have a question for you, sir. I know of three Mochos, one in Clarendon, one in St. Elizabeth and the other, which you just visited, in St. James. I have a funny feeling that more research might turn up some more. My question then is, which one of the Mochos originated the stigma?
LYNVILLE SCOTT
newmarn@optonline.net
Enjoy daily trips
DEAR ROBERT:
AS A daily reader of The Gleaner online, I thoroughly enjoy your day trip articles to the small villages throughout the island.
As a visitor to Jamaica for about 35 years I have visited or stayed at many locations (including two visits to Kingston) and have always met the most wonderful people. The people and friendships I have developed are the main reason why I return. When I return to Jamaica I am greeted by name and when I leave I receive a goodbye hug.
This happens!
BRYANT W. KRUEGER
bkrueger@vp.com
