PICTURES TO COME HERE
Yesterday morning, we visited the Coronation Market in Kingston. We woke at 3:30 am and took off at 4 am. The market is truly a dynamic place. There's thousands of vendors- it's quite overwhelming at first. There are so many different scents and sounds mingling in the air, my attention was diverted at every second. Some of the items that I saw most frequently were peppers, cucumbers, melons, and your typical tropical fruit like papayas and mangoes.
Kwao scrutinizing some produce
Here is the lovely Ann posing by some fruits and veggies
Kwao and Agape said that the market right now is not particularly fruitful due to the drought. Although it didn't look like it to my inexperienced eye, it was apparently slim pickings. Another particular thing to note about this experience was the considerable attention Ann and I received due to our Oriental appearances. Almost everywhere we looked we heard a "Chin Chin!" or "Miss Chin!" Once we did hear a "Tokyo, Japan!" so hey, that was accurate for Ann at least! Or maybe it was because we weren't responding to Chin Chin.
Later on, I asked Agape about the market system in Jamaica and how people most commonly obtained produce on the island. She said that the vast majority of people obtain their produce through markets such as the Coronation- rarely through supermarkets. From the farmer, the produce is passed to what is known as a higgler who then sells it to another higgler who then sells it to the consumer. Agape says that despite the process sounding slightly unwieldy, it is actually extremely organized and logical. Even though it is not the farmer directly selling the produce to the consumer, there is something that is distinctly more intimate about the relationship between the people and their food source here in Jamaica. It doesn't seem like there is that mysterious disconnect between people and their food source that exists in America where produce is largely bought in supermarkets. Perhaps this is because agriculture in Jamaica is not so commercial nor is the industry's power so concentrated among a few corporations. Jamaican agriculture consists mostly of small scale, privately owned farms whose produce is then sold at markets such as the Coronation.
Another interesting thing I discussed with Agape was the presence of organic agriculture in Jamaica. It is negligible or even nonexistent. This is because strong chemicals are needed in this kind of climate where pests can so easily thrive. There are really only two options as of now: spray these chemicals or have your crops infested and killed. Agape says that there are none of the less harmful substances that are used by organic farmers in the case of a bad infestation on the market in Jamaica. She says that she has been wanting to contact some of the companies who produce and market these products to see if they would consider selling here. It would be interesting to see if organic agriculture could take root in a place like Jamaica. It would mean a considerable shift in culture and practice.
We haven't done a lot of work with the bees this week. Maybe because we keep falling asleep midday (so hot!) We did catch another swarm that was near the kitchen! It was larger than the first once and the bees were pretty docile.
Also, the soap making continues. Two nights ago, we made cinnamon swirl- smelled so nice.
Looks like a cinnamon roll
We also went on a gorgeous hike. We went out on a rocky surface that jutted out into the ocean. The waves were so blue- it was magnificent!
PICTURE TO COME HERE
So here we are, nearing the end of the second week. Physically, it was trying. I felt sick at times and very worn. I don't think I anticipated how long it would take my body to acclimate to these new surroundings. But it was also a week filled with many new experiences and for that, I am grateful and happy.
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