The hour and twenty minute flight down to Kingston was filled with jitters and deep reflection. I sat in my seat looking out the window for the majority of the flight. I questioned my past here and the soon to come gravity of the current situation. I also couldn't help but wonder how my history here would impact my interpretations of my present reality. I know Jamaica to be a place filled with passion, joy, loyalty and strife. It is a place made special and unique by its people. A humble people whose spirit is impenetrable by the violence or ills around them. A people who view the glass as half full, and who value positivity over naive insensitivity. Amidst these thoughts, an elderly Jamaican man next to me placed his hand over mine and said "don't worry darling, this too will pass. it always does." I was touched by his tender gesture. Apparently my uncanny characteristic to be as easy to read as an open book doesn't transverse nation lines. As we landed in Kingston a quiet peace settled over me. I was desperately looking forward to seeing Elin again along with old family and friends who I have missed so dearly.
After a long wait to clear customs and security I was home free! The Jamaican air hugged me tightly like a blanket wrapped tightly around an infant in the first few moments out of the cool airport. I eagerly embraced my Dad as relief poured out of me to be there safely and to see a familiar face. He placed my luggage into the back of the car he was borrowing for the week. Tucked away in the fold of the trunk was a maceti... safety first right? In the drivers seat sat an armed security guard who was escorting Dad and I back to Kingston. Thank God he was there. He was receiving radio updates about what streets to avoid due to gunshots and road blocks to ensure our safety. The city was eerily quiet. Very little movement on the streets, people were indoors and businesses were shut down. It looked like something out of Ghost town. Every couple of minutes trains of police trucks would pass us in the streets, armed men sitting on the cars and in the trunk with guns protecting and patrolling the airport route. I sat in awe and dismay in the backseat.. the brevity and seriousness of the situation finally hitting me.
I was incredibly comforted on the way to our apartment. It is nuzzled away in the upper part of town, far from the violent areas, (well as far as you can be on an island haha). Once arriving in our apartment complex, I had an emotional and joyful reunion with my old nanny, Lorna. Growing up she was closest thing I had to a second mother... being in her embrace again was a surreal experience. Along with her I greeted her husband, Elin!!, and Lorna's two baby twins. Playing with the infants was exactly the remedy and therapy I needed after over 12 hours of traveling!
Soon after, we made our way to our apartment in the same complex. I was in awe when I walked inside. Its fully furnished, filled with anything and everything that Elin and I would possibly need throughout our stay here. The lady that we are renting it from was kind enough to even fully stock our bathrooms, kitchen and fridge. What a relief! To know that each and every day we will be able to relax before and after work in a peaceful, secure, and serene environment.
I spent the next three hours sleeping after learning that our apartment was equipped with free WIFI and a landline! I am so thankful to have Elin here through all of this. She is a source of raw inspiration and she doesn't even know it. I slept like a rock last night, Elin and I woke up this morning to AM Yoga at 7am. If the conditions allow, tomorrow we will go to Marigold Childrens Home.
keep it irie,
tkm
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