Rosemary Parkinson, Contributor
Monica, Maria and Francisca before their trip.
LEAVING MONTEGO Bay last Tuesday my breath was taken away by the beauty of Fern Gully in Ocho Rios. Moneague was an array of different hues of green and, of course, that marvel - the gorge - every time I go through it, I am in awe. And what a lot of fruit is available again. Juicy fat naseberries, ripe bright yellow bananas, sweet pineapples, plump avocados. Jah is back on track.
Kingston itself was all about traffic but there's always something exciting about entering the capital. I headed for the Coffee Festival on the East Lawn at Devon House. Now, what was that all about, pray tell - I could not believe it. Shame. What an opportunity lost to showcase our magnificent coffees. Jablum was there but where were Twynemann and all the others. And the mills, and the beans, and aromas of coffee permeating the air, and bites all made with the pride of Jamaica - Blue Mountain Coffee. Where? There was instant coffee, (Nescafe), Wata and Ocean Spray Juice, Crackers and Saltfish. Jablum on the terrace. Tia Maria hidden behind a speaker. There were more press and dignitaries than there was coffee. Sad.
THE AWEFUL TRUTH
I heard some awful news there - Devon House's imminent closure if funds are not received immediately. Dear God! Kingston's most famous, most historic great house - a symbol of pride, black Jamaica pride to be exact, to be closed? How come? And why is Devon House so in need? Why does the place look like a shambles? I touched a railing and with rotting wood giving away, nearly became a garden bed ornament. Surely it does not take a rocket scientist to see the possibilities this property has to be financially viable. The mind boggles. Come on Jamaica - we need to rally together here. Devon House should be standing tall and beautiful, its gardens giving the Chelsea Flower Show a run for its money. Devon House must always be a glorious sight for all Jamaicans and visitors to behold.
AROUND KINGSTON
Let's turn now to more pleasant things. Had a lovely Liver Pate at Cassons Pub on Braemar Road - all patrons of the English persuasion still reeling from the celebrations of the winning of The Ashes, people having partied until midday the following day. What a something eh? Remember the days when we used to celebrate? Wish I could! Remember and celebrate that is.
Enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Dragon Gardens on Constant Spring Road delighting in their Wanton Soup; a divine Tofu and Minced Pork in a Chinese Sauce that was really special; some sweet Baby Back Ribs in Ginger and Scallion - nearly going mad with a chives based side-sauce (placed on the table in addition to the pepper soy). I was so mesmerised, I ordered extra to take home. Hmmm. Hmmm. Exquisite.
I could eat that stuff raw!
Went off, all by my lonesome self, to try my luck at the Terra Nova's (Waterloo Road) Monte Carlo Gaming facility. Okay - so I lost mi money but the wine came fast and furious and the eats were scrumptious. I had endless bites of Stamp & Go, Fish & Bammy, Chicken Wings, delightful shrimps and knowing that at 3 a.m. Kingston would probably be asleep, I dipped into several cups of their fine Red Pea Soup. The Hussey family really know how tings supposed to go and with the staff so very, very pleasant and friendly, although not a hardened gambler myself, I had a wonderful evening and will return.
Found myself next day in Hellshire to visit Miss May - love going there early during the weekday - no big set of traffic and not too many people on the beach. And what a highway that is going to be for Portmore eh? Had some mean, mean oversized fish (Oh! I can taste it as I write this piece) and lobster (fresh from the sea) that we (three friends) topped with copious amounts of Miss May's special Escovetich Sauce. I had to laugh - Miss May's cooking has so reached the shores of other lands, that her daughter was sent off that morning (looking like a Dancehall Queen I might add) with one hundred fish, roast breadfruit and enough cane to feed the whole of Miami. Me never see a suitcase so full of food in mi life. What a laugh!
DELICIOUS CONCOCTIONS
Barbican Centre - the new complex in the heart of yep! Barbican - caught me at Häagen-Dazs - a new luxurious, children- and adult-friendly ice cream bar. Annicia Spencer was our waitress - not only as cute as a button but obviously well-trained. I had a large scoop of Belgian Chocolate accompanied by one of Coffee and to make matters 'out of hand' followed it with a Mochaccino Freeze that was as delightful as could be. Naturally there are so many flavours to choose from, it would be difficult to mention all but one thing I know for sure - when you get a lovely setting such as this, tables and chairs out on 'sidewalk', great welcoming staff (I saw the manager actually mopping up some spilt ice cream as though she enjoyed the task!), delicious concoctions to tempt the palate - there is no doubt, success will be totally theirs.
FROLICKING LADIES
Back through the mountains, I ended my trip with new found friends, Jamaican Monica Tewani (who lives in Miami), Maria Esterez and Francisca Rodriguez (the Canary Islands, Spain) at Hedonism III. Champagne, great food and a lot of chat was the order of the weekend. Michelle Davis (Public Relations) organized wonder
driver Cecil Martin with one of my special 'witchy' itineraries for the north coast that had the ladies frolicking in the waters of Long Bay, Portland, enjoying a meal at Cool Runnings, amongst many other 'wild' stops. I know my Jamaica peoples - these ladies are going to be three more hooked, labeled, signed, sealed and delivered repeat lovers of this blessed island. God is good.
'So they dance, from dusk till dawn, knowing now that this was it, and now will be perpetual.' - From Retrieve - Mutabaruka: the first poems.
