Day 8: The Final Countdown

Its Thursday… everyone is tired… heat-driven exhaustion has finally kicked in with a hint of dehydration but that never slows us down! Today is our final day with the Mountainside School and that means only one thing… RECORDER DAY YAAYYYY! I mean… yay.

Breakfast was really neat with cornmeal dumplings, scrambled eggs and callaloo. As a special treat our host Lenny brought mean two cashew apples. I was curious earlier in the week about cashew apples and what they looked like. Come to find out there is only one cashew nut per apple (no wonder they are so expensive) and the nuts are completely poisonous until roasted! The apple however is very juicy, very sweet and very dry like a fine dry wine. The flavor is a cross between apple and pear.

School went by quick considering all we did was recorder lessons grades 4-6. Lunch was fried chick and rice with beans… pretty simple day.

What I do want to talk about is the food at the schools. The kids have a thirty minute break from about 10:15-10:30 daily. During this time there are multiple concession stands open but all the stands sell are soft drink, very sugary juices, cookies, candy and chips and this is all the kids eat during this time every single day. Today was rough on us teachers; they ran out of bottled water so all we had to drink were the sugary soft drinks and juices… the juice’s ingredients? Water, sugar, and citric acid that’s all.  Ugh.

Lunches seem to be the healthiest meal these kids get… and possibly the only full meal they will get all day. Think of that sometime when you throw away leftovers.

The kids introduced me to a lizard they call the “Ko-ko-mung” it has a proper name and when I find out I will try to update this. But the lizard dwells in palm trees and is usually brown and green in color with a yellow , sail-like fin that extends from their neck when they feel threatened or its mating time. This one was about sixteen inches long from head to tail and bright green… awesome what you can find out here.

Tomorrow we visit the school one final time just to donate all the supplies and say our goodbyes and then we will be visiting the primary schools where kids ages 3-4 begin their studies! Stay tuned!

Day 7: Mountainside Part III

Hey everybody! Sorry this post took longer than normal but the internet is very patchy at our Guesthouse so sometimes I have a connection and then suddenly it’s gone. No problems mon!

Breakfast was more on the traditional side this morning which was nice considering my stomach did not settle well with last night’s dinner. Not that any of the food has been bad but I think large amounts of new spices are bound to bug someone sooner or later. Nothing French toast and plantains could not fix!

We took off for Mountainside which has been the main school we have been focusing on this week. The main focus today was level six children and introducing them to the drumming and vocal selections we have been using with all the other levels. The main goal is that by Friday we want to have an assembly of the entire school to perform all the selections we have been working on together. That’s four hundred kids!

I taught three sessions, one vocal and two drumming. The vocal stuff is always easy but drumming can be tough. What is even funnier is that the girls can out drum the boys – not that this is intended to be a sexist battle or competition – but there is a higher level of focus with the girls. I believe that part of that reason is that women are still relatively new to the idea of schooling down here and really take education as part of a privilege. All the kids are very obedient. Corporal punishment is still used seldom here as a means of, well, attitude adjustment.  We do not use this system because it has been outlawed, plus none of us would even consider to as American-trained educators but sometimes they still use it here… scary to witness.

Anyways, what I was saying is that it was funny that the boys would not focus until I made competition between them a means of learning. With a class of twenty-two, twelve year old boys who all had drums in front of them I had to do something so they would actually learn.

No rain today, not till later at night. Rain never lasts more than an hour around here. It mostly comes around to cool the area down and it leaves.

Dinner was good tonight. The entire team went down to a hut called Strikey’s, and when I say hut, I mean a bamboo walled – straw roofed... Well… hut. Delicious food though! In a choice of shrimp, T-bone steak or lobster… I got the steak… you know it!

Tomorrow we return to Mountainside one last time for a recorder lesson…. Probably should pack the Tylenol…

Until next time!!

Day 6: Bigwood Elementary

I asked a goat how he was this morning.... he said not baaaaad.... yep...

Once upon a time, Emily went up a hill... then down.... because she doesn't like to climb.

That story was brought to you by Emily who insists on being part of my blog... thank you Emily. 

This morning started off with the daily breakfast: PANCAKES AND SCRAMBLED EGGS - YES!!! As much as I love trying new ethnic foods sometimes a small taste of home can bring a lot of joy to a slow morning. However today was very special. My teammate and new friend John B. and I were the next pair to visit Bigwood Elementary. I say pair because the school is very small - only about 40-50 kids grades 1-6) so there is not a high demand for multiple teachers.

Stacy (an advisor for the JAFSP) accompanied us and aided in teaching today’s lesson: Drum studies, children’s songs (“River of Babylon” and “In the Jungle”) and a new session of recorder lessons. Now I love kids, but give them a recorder is like giving someone with trigger finger a paintball gun. Nothing like a bit of high-pitched fun that makes the teacher squirm to get the ball rolling!

Lunch was ackee with salted cod – I like it – but the ackee bugs me a little now after trying it a second time. I’m not sure if its texture (like cooked egg) or just the fact that it was a hot meal in the middle of a hot day. Food is food down here, so I would never complain.

After break we worked with the 1^st and 2^nd grade classes performing basic kid’s songs like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “Happy Birthday,” and “The Wheels on the Bus.” They also has a chance to improvise on a Djembe while Stacy laid out a fun beat on another and John helped them with egg shakers. Man can some kids rock out!

After classes goodbyes come like they usually do, with hugs and the traditional Jamaican handshake. There is something about “goo-bye mista Rusty” and “tanka mista Rusty” along with the combination that I may not see them again that near breaks my heart. At the end of each day each child becomes almost like a sibling.

Dinner was a surprise too – Lenny, our host, had lobster prepared in a curry and turmeric sauce served with whole boiled potatoes and a type of squash the name of which escapes me. Also I had a mango that a Rasta had given me when we visited last week… Jamaican mango cannot compare to the stuff in stores. None of this can. 

Tomorrow we return to Mountainside and from what I am told by my teammates - the kids cannot wait to see me again. I love this trip. 

Day 5: Mountainside School

Today was the big day... Day 1 of 5 of the main reason this trip exists. But first... a recap from square one!

Breakfast was more along the line of traditional Jamaican: porridge with banana mixed in, orange juice and toast with guava jam. I'm telling ya... I would stay here for the food if no other reason.

Two buses took off... one for Mountainside and one for Bigwood (where I will be tomorrow). Fourteen of us went to Mountainside since there are about 400 students there and only about 50 at Bigwood.
When we arrived we were instantly surrounded by students grades 1-5 whose main priority was to say hi and see just how playful we could be in return.

The schools here are structured very differently. Morning sessions end after an hour and a half with a fifteen minute break. The breaks allow kids to get out of the warm buildings, grab a snack ad re-energize before another session. Lunch time is an hour long and very social - the lunch are very well prepared and consist of the traditional rice and beans, a veggie and some sort of meat - today was stewed chicken...  so good! Oh! I almost forgot to mention - the entire country is primarily Catholic or some sort of variation on Catholicism - except for the Rastafarian's and Animalists. So Church and State are not separated. There is something unifying about it too not on a religious level but on a unity level. You have to experience it to feel it.

Our lessons plan were simple but for the most part completely new for the students. We split up into teams: Literacy and Music Ed. The Literacy team focused on story reading and activities pertaining to the stories. For instance, on of today's readings was "Goodnight, Moon!" and the focus was on the letter "M." Also "Caps for Sale" where the children made paper hats and wore them around to show off.

I was part of the Music Ed team where songs like the Jamaican National Anthem, The River of Babylon, and In the Jungle provided movement and familiarity with the students. Movements were relatively simple and were coincided with the words to help create familiarity. The hardest part was remembering that the children mirror you and in return we must mirror them, so left was right and so on and so forth... Classes were split into male and female groups and three of us teachers to a group had twenty minute sessions. We would switch off male and female and singing and drumming.

The drumming lesson provided basic instruction on Rastafarian and African drumming patterns. By using terms such as "Boom" and "Da" the children learned tone, hand placement, sounds and were able to better follow instruction by what they both said and heard.

We did get rained out... the typical Jamaican weather is blue skies, hot sun and varying breeze but lately at about 1pm-3pm we would get a heavy shower depending on both altitude and overall weather. So classes were forced inside and improvising had to take place.... but have no fear we still had a great time!

The kids are so very excited to get visitors. The principle explained that in her 24 years of leadership they had never been visited at the school. We could hardly sit for two seconds without being rushed by excited students who wanted to take a picture with you, play, or steal your camera to take pictures for you.

I really hope that someday we almost make a requirement out of these experiences... you really don't know what an impact you have as a teacher and above all friend of these people until you get here.

Until next time, keep the music living!

-R

Day 4: Stingrays and Dolphins and Gators.... Oh my!!

Today started off nicely as always and with a traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, hand roasted coffee and fried plantains. At 10 'clock we took off from the beach on in a large tour boat driven by a local named Dennis.

Dennis took us through the 3 bays of Treasure Beach down the coast to the west. About two miles from where we started we ran into a small family of Dolphins. They were shy but playful and so very majestic. We managed to get a few shots before carrying on. Check below!

Our destination was the Black River, Jamaica's largest half fresh/half-salt water river. At the tributary we were able to also find Saltwater Crocodiles. They are pretty non-aggressive and prefer to just sunbath and take their time... it is after all, Jamaica.

Another mile in was a landing rest spot where some locals showed us the ropes of...well... swinging into the water. I chose not to do it.. mostly on the grounds that I could not climb the mango grove tree  to get to the rope... yesterday's hike did a good number on the ol' ankle.

Regardless, the best part of today was lunch at a place called The Pelican Bar. It is a small restaurant built completely out of drift wood in the middle of the reef. We ordered ahead for lunches ( a choice of lobster, whole fish, or veggies) I went with the whole fish... yes I know... no lobster but I made the right choice seeing that the portions of lobster were very small. My fish was a local fish fried whole and topped with a bitter sweet fruit relish and served with rice. Awesome as always.

We shot back to shore because of threatening rain... mostly it was just wind... but it made for one hell of a ride back HELLO JAMAICAN ROLLER-COASTER! The rest of the day until dinner was spent resting... I know its sounds like such a hard life but tomorrow the real reason and adventure that I am here for begins. Stories about the power behind these music sessions makes my heart pound. With every new thing I learn I grow more and more anxious to see the faces of the kids I will work with.

Dinner was more on the traditional side (Americana, if you will). Stewed Pork in a brown sauce, white rice, potato salad and a Callaloo mix (the spinach-like stuff I mentioned from our first breakfast). There was a homemade carrot juice that tasted more like a melted vanilla milkshake... not my favorite but I'm glad I got to try it.

Time for bed - round one begins tomorrow!

Day 3: Accompong and the Maroons of Jamaica

Today was a rough day - mostly because it involved a 6 mile hike and my ankle is still very very swollen BUT I wouldn't change my experiences today with anything.

First off - NEW FOOD  ALERT - Breakfast consisted of a fruit called Ackee. When cooked, Ackee resembles egg: yellow, very bland and poisonous until fully ripened. Whens its combined with onions salted cod and other spices it is a delicious breakfast item. It was served with a cornmeal/plantain dumpling and fresh (and I mean fresh) pineapple.

After breakfast we took off by bus to the city of Accompong - A major city of the Maroons. Today's Maroons consist of ancestors of the slave population from the 1600's. During the Spanish rule, England invaded which forced Spain to free its slave population. England, not liking the decision, tried to reclaim the freed slaves as their own. The Maroons (literally meaning "wild and free") were led by Cudjoe and a woman named Nanny who spent a long time ambushing English troops in an a brave attempt to keep their freedom. Eventually a treaty was formed at the peace cave (literally a small cave) by mixing the blood of both the Maroons and English leaders in which they would both drink from. Please, please, please seek out more information on them. They are now considered their own sovereign nation within Jamaica and their laws are formed around non-violence, truth and justice. As it was explained to us - they would never steal, kill or harm any individual or else they would suffer the punishment of the Maroons. We can learn so much from them if we just listen.

NEW FOOD - The Star Apple... imagine a gelatinous, sweet, watermelony fruit that is very refreshing. Google it!

We brought with us an offering of white rum - a symbol of the past considering sugar cane is a major crop here and rum is form the sugar cane. The rum is used as a religious offering to the ancestors of the Maroons and is used in ceremony. Commonly, visitors to this region have to approach the Colonel of the settlement. He is elected by ballot every five years to guide the people and therefore is responsible for who comes in and out. If for some reason he does not like you or the spirit you possess you do not gain access to the village and since it is by sovereign rule, their decision is word.

Considering we were welcomed with open arms, asked to dance within the traditional drum ceremony and to drum along side of them (rare), our welcome was well noted.

During the hike we saw various important sites to the Maroons including the Kindah Tree meaning "one-family." Here the various Maroon tribes would gather to discuss attacking the British to defend their people.
After the long hike we got back to the settlement literally just on time to see a torrential downpour. On a dryer note, they offered used jelly coconuts as a means of refreshment. The jelly coconut is a young coconut that you drink from but then scoop the un-matured, sweet jelly like substance that would eventually become a mature coconut's meat. They then served us a hot lunch of fried chicken, rice and beans, a baked potato,cabbage and carrot slaw and a very dense, rum-soaked bread pudding made from cornmeal and potato. Think that's intense? Try the homemade ginger beer... freshly squeezed ginger will give you one hell of a punch!

My ankle was very sore and beaten at this point and the local holistic medicine man of the colony gave me a visit and offered me a solution. By squeezing key lime juice on my ankle, letting it dry, and then re-applying, my pain eventually was lifted. Amazing what natural remedy and do. Natural remedy is all they have here - no pills and no salves. Bitter bush (a small plant and natural anesthetic) was mashed in our hands and applying to our bug bites/cuts to both sterilize and offer relief... it works people...it really works!

When we got back we headed down to the beach to cool off but instead we were met with rain.

Dinner was also fantastic - NEW FOOD ALERT - A very hard-boned fish called Beach Fish was fried and served along side salad and home cut fries. A variation on fish and chips. Beach Fish is a dried and salted fish that is reconstituted and fried - not mild - but not over fishy at the same time.

Before crashing - and I literally crashed from exhaustion - we drummed a bit and reviewed our teaching plans for Monday. So many experiences help to prepare us for teaching these kids professionally and promptly. I would not trade it for the world.

Day 2: Sights and the Food

Every day starts at 6:30 for us with a cool shower. Nothing is heated here and the water is from a  collection pot on the roof so whatever the temp of the wata (water) is what you get for a shower.

***I may use Jamaican terminology but rest assured, i'll put the english translation too in case its too hard to figure out :)

Breakfast was an egg omlett with a spinach like plant called Callaloo and toast with Guava jam. Absolutely delicious... you just have to try it!

Today was a day of adventure as well took off for Great Bay. There are 3 main beaches on the south side: Billy's Bay (where I am staying), Great Bay and Calabash. Great Bay is gorgeous and is considered the safest bay available on the South Side (safest = less coral reef).

We hiked about 1 mile to a bluff located just on the edge of this bay. Agave (the plant commonly used for tequila) is a common plant here but is used for medicinal purposes than alcohol. Other plants include cactus, wild rosemary and thyme, and one of the hardest wood producing trees called Guaiacum. Back during the early wars, this wood wa sused to make plane propellers.

Lunch was a special treat. A local Rastafarian family cooked us a meal of stewed chicken, rice and beans, and a cabbage/cucumber salad. All for 800 J. (A "J" is a Jamaican dollar. 1 US dollar = 85 J so for 800 J it was a $9 meal.)

The rest of the day involved free time where we rested, sang songs with the owner of the Guesthouse;s baby, told stories and just had a good time. Eereeting is joost Irie! (Irie = good/feeling fine) One thing we all agree on: time seems to slow down when you are on the island.

Breakfast and dinner is prepared at our Guesthouse daily. Dinner tonight was stewed beef, rice and beans (which is a staple), and a hot cabbage/mixed vegetable dish. I'm telling you these people cook with real care and passion.

We started training for the schools we will visit tonight with some tradition drumming lessons and song study. It was today that I finally realized I made the perfect choice in going into Music Eduation and I am sure I will reaffirm this for myself every day with the students to come.

'

Day 1: This... is Jamaica

Wow... just wow...

Everyone sees this place as a tropical paradise - and it is! But within the actual country live an amalgam of diverse people and amazing culture. Everyone is like family to one another and people remember you for the smallest things good or bad.

My first experience with Jamaican food was at an off road stand where "jerk" is king. If you ever have eaten anything "jerk" in America... you are being cheated out of an amazing experience.

The population consists of mostly cows, goats, and stray dogs but as my instructor confirmed -  everyone knows whose livestock is who. They are precious here, something we all too often take for granted back home.

Everywhere there are vendors and farmers trying to sell what little they have for what little profit they seek. People will be standing in the road (which for those of you who are not aware, the driving system basically has two rules 1) just drive and 2) brotherhood -i'll explain later) anecd they will try to sell you cold drinks and snacks.

Now the driving system is crazy. There are minimal road signs and traffic lights, no speed limits, and really no rules. If you can get through, get through but be certain and honk of the horn tells you "hey i'm sorry, but thank you for letting me through" and a honk back is simply a "you're welcome." Seriously... we honk back home when we are annoyed, they honk to say hi and thank you.

We are staying on Treasure Beach at Billy's Bay in a wonderful Guesthouse named Irie Rest. We are 200 feet from the ocean (The pictures below are from where I am staying). More info to come later!

After a long day, a brief meeting and some Conch soup we settled in for a great sleep through a calm night.

More to come...

Somewhere over the Florida Keys...

Yep... there's internet on the plane... go figure.... AND AND AND... I love flying. We are currently above the Florida Keys... I know just by looking out the window... here's some pictures!!!

Twas the night before take off...

Well here we go its the eve before and I am excited, nervous, anxious... I just can't wait for all the new experiences and to work with these kids.

For those of you who don't know I have NEVER flown before! I think that is where most of my nerves play but I know that I don't have to worry -  and hey - if anything happens, it all happens for a reason! God willing it will just be a beginning to my "Musical Missions."

I will do my best to post photos as soon as I can!

Until my next post, love and music all!

Rusty

PS - Here is another picture of one of the primary schools we will visit!