Headin' back home....finally

[Accompong]

When my feet last touched Jamaica, it was 8 months ago but it might have well been in the last century. I actually enjoyed coming back to Florida but it didn’t take too long for the patina to rub off and expose the raw emotions that bubbled over from living nearly 70 days in Accompong Town. Every day since has been a mental smack down trying to fit back into the life here I have cobbled together over the past 15 years and all the time having the full knowledge that here is no longer the place I call home.

I actually began packing nearly 3 months ago when I decided on the dates of my next trip of 4 months and purchased my ticket. I sorted through my possessions and either gave away or discarded anything that wouldn’t fit in a couple of totes of storage while assembling the rest inside of two suitcases or on a pallet I would ship before my next arrival in Montego Bay. I knew that I could send 27 cubic feet (3’ X 3’ X 3’) inside of an old refrigerator box on a pallet that cost me an extra $40 making a total of $200.00 US. For almost two months I stacked and restacked those items like a Jenga wood block game until nearly every square inch was occupied. I managed to get that pallet off just before Isaac flooded our area. It is finally becoming reality to me as next week I will finally be back home in Jamaica. Now the real countdown can begin.

Peace and Guidance

[Jenn]

Enjoy and safe travels~

[Sweetness]

I am thrilled for you and thanks for sharing your journey. Busted out a laugh picturing the JENGA moves. Wishing you peace and joy always at home in Jamaica sweet Jamaica. Your best friend and a whole town awaits your arrival!

[captaind]

One Love my Brother.....

[Accompong]

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was nearing the end of a wonderful six-month vacation in Billy's Bay, Treasure Beach......

A route taxi could be difficult to get in Billy’s Bay as there were two brothers (Kenny and ?) who were the regular drivers that came down that far to pick up and drop off passengers. It was easier in early morning to get one if you had to go to Black River and I had to go to pay my telephone and internet bill for September. Later in the day it could be more hit and miss. I went down at about 6:00am to be on that first trip. When I got to Black River, the C & W office down by the river had just opened so I stopped there first and paid my bill. I needed to do a little shopping at the market so I went to Juicy Patties first and grabbed a callaloo loaf and a box juice to fuel up for the day. It was a short walk around the corner to the town market.

I bought some spices and some vegetables that the fruit and vegetable higgler didn’t have on his weekly rounds. I was shopping as quickly as possible with an eye out for the Treasure Beach Route Taxi or one of the brothers who would take me straight to Billy’s Bay. I was just finishing up when Kenny came around the corner with two passengers in the car. I got the front seat and put my shopping in the trunk and off we went over the Iron Bridge and back to Irie Rest. We were cruising down past the Parottee turnoff when a voice came over the car’s radio. The announcer said, “A plane has just flown into the World Trade Center Tower and it is a fiery inferno!” I started to chuckle at what was said and Kenny, the driver shot me a quizzical look. I went on to tell him about Orson Wells and the “War of the Worlds” broadcast that was a hoax and this must be one as well. Then the announcer broke in and said another plane has hit the second tower and they were collapsing.

Now I wasn’t so sure. Maybe this is real. Could it be? The car went silent the rest of the way. When we reached Treasure Beach, I asked Kenny to drop me off at Golden Sands as I knew they had cable TV. When I walked up, Jackie (Mr. Lewis’ daughter) was running for the cottage where the TV was so I ran to follow her up the stairs. I watched it in stunned silence. Somebody had actually attacked my country and maybe we would be going to war now. I served during Vietnam and knew the country didn’t have the stomach for war but also knew we could do nothing either. I watched for a while angry at what I was seeing before catching another taxi down to Billy’s Bay. I was walking around simply stunned at the turn of events. There were two couples from the US staying over at Hikaroo a guest house next door to Irie Rest and they came by to chat about what was going on. They too were feeling conflicted over what was happening.

I put away my shopping, washed up and then walked down to Skips where a group of about 20 Billy’s Bay residents and the two couples were sitting in the pool table room watching a satellite broadcast. It had always amazed me when I first started coming to Jamaica at the passion these people projected towards the news on TV. In the earliest days, it was mostly bars and larger shops in small towns that had TV as it would take some time for the sets to make it into the family homes. People would come in to watch the news and maybe a John Wayne movie or a show like Lime Tree Lane before going home for the night. When the newscaster told of a killing or beating and showed pictures of victims, the people would shout back in anger at the perpetrators. When they showed the victims, people would praise God and even cry over what they were witnessing. So it was with this broadcast. The Jamaicans were more angry and upset at the terrorists than we Americans seemed to be. Maybe because we were in shock or maybe they just felt the pain in a more personal way.

Skip would normally put in a VCR tape of some Kung Fu movie or a “shoot em up” Western but tonight the news just kept playing and we all came a little more together as citizens of a world gone mad.

Peace and Guidance

[Flipadelphia26]

Thanks for sharing that Accompong.

[Accompong]

((ring…ring….ring) (caller ID… its Marshall calling!))

“Marshall, mi bredda … whaa gwan?”

Hey Bill. What time should I be at the airport?

“Plane doesn’t land until 12:05 so 12:30 – 1:00 is cris”

I will be there about 11:30 okay?

((laughing)) “Marshall, mi fren. The plane will still be in the air and you don’t need to be early, okay?”

I don’t want to miss you. I will be early!

“Okay. Mi bredda”

The conversation goes back and forth for a couple of minutes until his credit cuts out. I slowly put down the phone and looked aimlessly out the window of my little office. My emotions are ping-ponging around in my heart and in my head. I miss Jamaica. I miss Accompong Town and I miss… no, LOVE Marshall. I am trying to wrap my mind around that feeling. In my life I have only truly “loved” two people; my first wife (the second was more like “lust” lol.) and the second is my faithful friend, Marshall whom I love like my blood brother.

We met in Accompong Town a little more than 24 years ago under some unusual circumstances. I brazenly entered Accompong Town without permission from the Colonel and that, in those days, was not something easily tolerated. When Marshall took my arm and escorted me to the Colonel’s office, I was suddenly terrified and exhilarated at the same time. Colonel Martin Luther Wright questioned and interviewed me in front of a gathered group of the town’s residents peering through the open windows and door. Apparently satisfied with my answers and stated intentions, he turned to Marshall and told him I was allowed to “come and go from Accompong Town whenever I chose … I could stay as long as I wanted” and finally, “I was his responsibility”. An order he took very seriously.

For those next 24 years, I have traveled the length and breadth of Jamaica with Marshall as my guide and (if needed) protector. His presence was not as a bodyguard but as an intervener who could easily steer his way through possible problems like an Indy car driver avoids an accident. We traveled through Trenchtown, Tivoli Gardens, Old Hope Road, Morant Bay everywhere and anywhere we wanted to go with an easiness that belied my “plexion” and “affaren” difference.

((knock on the window)) I am suddenly brought back to “bizzaro reality” where I function as a front desk clerk. I mechanically explain the rules and take the IDs and money before giving them a receipt and a key to go to their appointed room.

Leaning back in my chair, I put on my headset and select “Peter Tosh Live” at maximum volume. I close my eyes and imagine myself on my verandah at my house in Accompong Town knowing that all dreams can become reality.

Peace and Guidance

[Sweetness]

accompong......thank you is not enough to say. Your honest words of love inspire me. Simple life with respectful caring people sounds blissful. thank you for sharing thoughts about Marshall - I secretly hoped you would speak of him when I mentioned him in my post above. I have so enjoyed your stories and deep love of that special place. Your journey is already blessed but I add mine. With deep love - Walk Good towards your dreams. [if you are moved to do so I would love to hear from you along the way about "life"]

[Accompong]

Tomorrow. Home. Peace and Guidance

[Juli]

Real love comes in many forms, some never know.
You have been blessed, Accompong.