You cool?

You good though?  You cool right?  Everyone is always checking up on me.  I feel so welcomed and cared for.  "You cool?" is pretty much all I hear all day and my answer is always yes.  How could I not be cool when I get to take a sea bath every day?

I arrived in Kingston on Friday and was quickly whisked away to Yallahs via Blacka and his taxi driver friend.  Blacka welcomed me into his home and showed me my room, yes of the two bedrooms they have, they offered one to me.  I immediately felt at home at Blacka's and every day I feel welcomed even more.  Although I was floored by their offer of a bed, I told myself I would sleep outside as much as possible.  I set up my tent and hammock and there is a bed swing also, so I have many sleeping options. 

Besides catching up on my rest, I've been eating delicious food and swimming as often as possible.  Honestly, if you're not swimming in the sea, you're swimming in your own sweat.  There is a nice breeze by the sea though, so I can only complain when I'm out on the road; that is when the sun seems to be sitting on your shoulder.  Although the sun is blazing here, it is a beautiful scene.  The other day I watched the sunset and stayed up through until the sun rose again. 

The first night I arrived, Blacka said, "Just a minute Schu."  So, I thought he was going to come in and say something to me, but then I heard him say again, "Just a minute Schu."  I waited a minute and I heard him say, "Just a minute Schu."  Finally, he came into my room and said, "Come here for just a minute Schu," and that's when I realized that in Jamaica when they say, "Just a minute," it means come here for a minute.  I explained to Blacka that in America when you say, "Just a minute," it usually means wait just a second or I'll be there in a minute.  It is always interesting to discover the small difference cultures hold.  Another common phrase difference is "good night."  In the U.S. we say good night right before bed, but in Jamaica, "good night," is a greeting just like "good morning." 

The first picture is what Blacka called me outside for.  The second is a meal that Anne (Blacka's wife) cooked for me.  It was a delicious dinner of calalou, rice and salt fish stew.  She keeps serving me mountains of food, but she is realizing that I don't have an endless stomach like her son and husband.  The last photo is a portrait of my little babe Lily.  She is one of my favorite little friends in Yallahs.  I was terrified that she would be all grown up by the time I returned, but she honestly hasn't sprouted yet.  I for one am happy, I don't want to miss a minute, let alone another year.  That's all for now, until next time, stay cool.