He told me the government has issued “notices to vacate” to the shop owners along the seaside as exiting town. That made me sad for them because so many people have little businesses there to support themselves and their families. He told me they have the option to either set up at the foot of Folly Point or pay for a stall in the new craftmarket which was being constructed while I was there. It looks really nice, but most may not be able to afford the monthly fee to occupy a spce but also feel they won’t get the same amount of business if they take the free option and set up at the point.

I pointed to Anna Banana. “Them too?”
“Yep.”
‘What about that place. It used to be called the Hot Spot but I see they are rebuilding it.”
“No, not them. They have a permit to modernize the place.”

He kinda shrugged the issue after that comment saying this is not the first time they were told to move. “They will refuse to move and life will go on until the next time.”

I don’t know but as I looked around noticing all the renovating, upgrading and new construction going on in and around Port Antonio I get the feeling the government means it this time. I wanted to go back and take pictures of both sides of the entire avenue. From Piggies cookshop at the split of the road all the way to Folly Point game field. But couldn’t let go of the thought long enough to ask him to turn back.

I hope to get back to take those photos and videos before anything is changed. Change is good and it’s bound to happen. But the present “look” is one I want to see long after it’s gone and forgotten. .