Heather Robinson
THE STORY of Christmas is one that has kept generations of Christians alive and constantly living in hope of Christ's second coming. 'At this time of the year, we share gifts with our families and friends and the more generous among us share with complete strangers. Individuals and private organisations go to great expense to light up their homes, offices and public spaces as we remember that original star that guided the three 'wise men' to Bethlehem.
This Christmas has seen many thousands of Jamaicans taking a journey of a different type. This is the journey along the 33 kilometres of Highway 2000. Last Thursday morning I left home at 5:03 a.m. to make my annual visit to my clients starting in Savanna-la-Mar. Within about 15 minutes I was making that left turn just above the Caymanas Crossing off the Mandela Highway. I was cautious as I sought to explore this new highway in the darkness of the early morning. As I drove, I tried to identify each flyover. It was with a great sense of satisfaction that I paid the attendant my $200 at the Vineyards Toll Plaza.
Soon I was in May Pen, then Mandeville during RJR's six o'clock newscast. It was sheer pleasure. My journey was delayed a bit in getting into Westmoreland, but I was in Savanna-la-Mar just before eight. On my return, I carefully made my way along the highway, as I needed to make some deliveries in Spanish Town. The directions were easy and I accomplished my mission in record time.
HIGHWAY 2000 EXPERIENCES
Highway 2000 has provided many and varied experiences for thousands of Jamaicans. Here are a few of such experiences. One driver called me singing "Oh we are marching onto progress" with her friend joining in the chorus as she drove from the Old Harbour roundabout onto Highway 2000. She is among that group of Jamaicans who travel from Montego Bay to Kingston regularly and who at that time of night would have either been making her way carefully through Spanish Town or would have joined a long line at the Old Harbour roundabout waiting on the Spanish Town bypass to reopen to two-way traffic. She described it as well worth her $50 and likened it to the New Jersey turnpike.
A retired Portmore resident was on her way home one evening along the Mandela Highway when to her surprise she suddenly found herself on a road where she could not identify any familiar landmark. Eventually she came to the Vineyards Toll Plaza and explained to the young man her distress at finding herself on Highway 2000, but how pleasant the drive had been as she saw the green, beautiful plains of St Catherine and Clarendon. She asked to be redirected to Portmore, and the young man instructed her to turn around, did not charge her for her error and suggested that she drive behind another motorist who was going to Portmore.
OF PUDDINGS AND HALLELUJAHS
My final story is about a stubborn Mandeville resident who has decided not to use the highway, saying that it is too expensive. Well, on Saturday evening she packed her car trunk with three nice puddings to take to Kingston for her sister. Potato, bread and cornmeal puddings were all carefully placed. Now it is important to note that these were 'puddings' and not 'pones', so the potato and bread were firm in texture and yes the cornmeal was like her mother had taught her to make it with plenty "hallelujah" on top. When she finally arrived in Kingston and opened her car trunk to remove the puddings, to her utter astonishment "Hallelujah" had taken full possession and were it not for the presence of the "good old Gleaner" she would have spent many hours
trying to repossess her car.
Highway 2000 has provided many of us with more time in which to be productive, as we will spend less time in traffic lines. It allows sisters to have a good laugh when one wilfully drives on the "jug jug" Old Harbour Road and scatters "Hallelujah" along the way. And it allows us to thank those who have invested and worked to ensure that we can go about extending Christmas cheer in a more dignified and calmer manner. "Hallelujah" indeed, and blessing and goodwill to all as we drive carefully into Christmas 2005.
Heather Robinson is a life underwriter and former member of Parliament.
