Rosemary Parkinson, Gleaner Writer
A Spicy Nice breakfast of callaloo, brown stew chicken gravy, Johnny cakes, yam, banana and dumpling. - photos by Rosemary Parkinson
A final 23-page report by the United Nations' leading climate council of scientists, issued on November 17, highlights the damage we are doing to our environment. It contained the strongest warnings yet, and "answered many of our questions on climate change", according to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He made it clear that the international community would have to 'transform' its way of doing things to save the "treasure that is our planet … our only home."
The report highlighted the dangers of pollution, threat of rising sea levels, destruction of coral reefs, melting of the Arctic, and a future of infectious diseases.
"We need a new ethic by which every human being realises the importance of the challenge we are facing and starts to take action through changes in lifestyle and attitude," said Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change chairman Rajendra Pachauri. "Every country in the world has to be committed to a shared vision and a set of common goals and actions that will help us move toward a much lower level of emissions."
Negligence
I thought this information was very timely. I have been travelling around Jamaica and have seen some horrible acts of negligence to this beautiful land. Garbage piled up, the indiscriminate throwing of non-degradable items into the morass by some hotels on the Negril strip and rubbish being thrown out of cars by unthinking people everywhere.
In Germany, legislation allows for such persons' licences to be taken and heavy fines imposed. Why not here? Outlets like KFC, Mother's, Island Grill, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's and others need to know that there are bio-degradable containers available in Jamaica. Why not lead the way? I know your containers might be seen as advertising at every corner, but to whom will you advertise when this wondrous land and all its people are gone?
The Commonwealth of Dominica is seeking to be the first Green Globe-certified Caribbean island. Can Jamaica not consider this a priority for the new year? I feel the people will cooperate if taught (through the visual and print media), about what will happen to their children if they do not clean up their act?
There are simple things that everyone can do like not burning plastic bottles. Small and large manufacturing and/or mining companies should be heavily fined for not being pollution free. Huge hotel buildings on the edge of the coast … what can I say? A clean and thoughtful Jamaica for 2008, please!
A Joyous Christmas
Howie's at Bamboo, St. Ann, for pots that bubble all day and into the night.
Christmas Eve found me in the heart of Montego Bay experiencing gran' market. Children sported cornrows with colourful beads, tiaras twinkling in the lights; women with weaves and hairpieces of all types, many in dresses far too tight and too short. Music blared from boom boxes, the odd drunken man in a corner swaying, while Junkanoo did their thing among the vendors of plastic flowers and pots filled with all manner of soups. What an experience!
Starting off very early on Christmas Day, I drove along the south coast road towards Kingston. Good to see many of the villages that had gran' market doing a swift clean-up. Had a lovely breakfast at Spicy Nice in Negril before meeting farmer Israel Palmer with his horses pulling a cart laden with grasses. "I am working for Christmas," he said. "Me can't stop, me 'ave milking cows and goats to feed, you can come back and visit me sometime."
The salt of the earth, proud and dedicated even on a Christmas morn. Stopped off at Howie's pots near Bamboo for some fried chicken where I met Simon Browne from YS Falls, who informed me that Santa had dropped in to Jamaica around 9:30 p.m. on Christmas night - apparently one can now follow his route via the Internet.
Since I still believe in the bearded wonder, next year I shall be on my computer checking him out! Right through my travels people seemed happy, men already filling the rum bars, children playing in yards with small gifts, women cooking up whatever could be afforded for the Christmas.
The Big Feed
Got into Kingston just in time to attend a Christmas all-day-into-evening 'feeding' at Dian Watson's home. Here, masses of friends gathered to partake of ham (both pork and chicken), suckling pig, roast beef, shrimp (both in garlic and in coconut milk), baked fish, among others. Some cooked in Dian's kitchens and some brought in by attendees. There was traditional eggnog made with stout and divine sorrel that many added a touch of Appleton rum to.
Desserts were plentiful, with cakes, trifles and all the different fruits in season. Unfortunately, only one photo (the beautiful Christmas cake by Selena Wong), survived my camera's decision to have Christmas Day off too!
Come late evening, I visited the home of long-time friends William and Rosie Thwaites in Jacks Hill for just a touch of extra wine. To end the night here was fitting, for my first and only Christmas in Jamaica since 2001; may there be more.
Rosemary Parkinson was seen climbing the 'Blues' on Boxing Day! More next week.
Another Selena Wong masterpiece!
