Why OECS Integration keeps me happy and my belly full!

It seems that lately there has been a lot of political squabbling within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) especially between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and St. Lucia. The latest squabble has been between Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and Minister of Tourism Senator Allan Chastnet of St. Lucia over access of air carriers to their territories. While I know I am more than well equipped to discuss this issue, I will save my two cents for another day. 

With the OECS Economic Union coming into force in January 2011, one would think that the governments of the Eastern Caribbean would try to work more closely together. This however does not seem to be the case. It seems as if the talk is just that, TALK. But it seems among the OECS students of the University of the West Indies, there is a movement of integration and I just happened to experience it firsthand.

Last semester I met a young St. Lucian by the name of Laurina who just happened to go to the same church as I do. A friendship developed as we not only shared similar religious views but were related by geographical location and a better understanding of each other’s culture (I had been exposed to St. Lucia by my time in the airline industry and had picked up one or two Lucian Creole sentences along the way.)  There was also Iola who is a Dominican national who not only lives on the same cluster on my hall, but also majors in Media and Communication as I do. In addition she is a fantastic singer and a fashion enthusiast.  Also there were the two Grenadians in my Communication Culture class, Norlene and Kwesi. Interestingly I knew Kwesi as he had lived in St. Vincent for a while after Hurricane Ivan as well as he dates an old work colleague of mine. There is Louis, an Antiguan with whom I take Portuguese. Majoring in International Relations, he hopes to work in the diplomatic corps and eventually lead his country.

Each of these persons represents a different country within the OECS. They come from varied backgrounds with different majors and different life interests. Yet there is one common factor that keeps us all talking and united: the fact that we are from the Eastern Caribbean.  The Jamaican society tends to use the term ‘small islands’ to refer to the islands of the Eastern Caribbean and often try to belittle us because of our size. They assume that due to their size they are superior in everything and as such have a snobbish attitude towards us.  For this situation we as ‘small island’ people have to band together.

It was great last semester to have students from the same geographical and cultural background in my class to understand and support the views that I expressed. The Grenadians were not only able to assist me in showing that outside of Jamaica there are other views but they also had my support for their points. By exercising that integration, we were not only able to help bring across our points but counteract a lot of the misconceptions held by our Jamaican colleagues. I was extremely happy when we could propose examples which were non-Jamaican and show their relevance within a Jamaican and Caribbean context.           

Portuguese is always interesting with Louis. I had been to Antigua several times and have a familiarity with the island. This aided not only in conversation but in working together to present the Eastern Caribbean culture in the Portuguese context. It’s interesting that our islands have descendants from labourers who migrated from the Portuguese island of Madeira. By working together we have been able to show our colleagues the similarities and differences of the islands in the Caribbean.

Then there is my favourite part of life, the food.  Being in Jamaica exposes you to a different type of cuisine. From the infamous jerk to the Sunday rice and peas to the national dish of Ackee and Salt fish with Breadfruit, there are so many dishes to engage your taste buds with. However there comes a time where you yearn for some great Eastern Caribbean food, whether it is bakes and salt fish or some good soup with cattle skin or just some steamed ground provisions with stew chicken.  It’s great when we have friends from St. Lucia or Dominica who cook these dishes and though they may have slight variations. The offer of just green bananas and a piece of fried fish just makes me start to salivate.  I have had my fill with bakes and salt fish since I have been here as my St. Lucian and Dominican friends not only make them regularly but make some of the best bakes I have ever even. The texts would come to bring the flour or provide the peppers and tomatoes to make the salt fish and one would only be more than happy to oblige. Nothing like a hot bake with salt fish cakes early in the morning or on a good night lime where we are ‘old talking’.  The invitation to the celebration of the Independence anniversary of St. Lucia this week was topped with the serving of a breakfast of hot bakes and salt fish cakes with hot chocolate tea.  The tea which was rich reminded me of Sunday morning when my grandmother would make a nice big pot and I would savour the flavour of the spices in my cup.

What’s the point of all this? We as persons from the Eastern Caribbean are aware of our small sizes and our limited resources. By working together not only in small settings but in larger ones we are better equipped to confront the challenges and portray and support ourselves on a regional and international level.  While we may have differences, the old adage comes to mine which says “Divided we are conquered, United we stand.” And so I for one will continue to push for Integration as it not only keeps me happy but keeps my belly full!

A New Market Experience

              Today was a different experience for me. After being in Jamaica for four months and being invited out several times by my good friend, legendary Vincentian broadcaster, Pam Barbour ( or Ms. B as I like to call her), I decided to make the trip to downtown, more specifically, to Coronation market, located in the heart of Tivoli Gardens. Tivoli was the same area where the "Don" Christopher 'Dudus' Coke was reputed to have controlled before his extradition. Granted that this was the same place where all the horror stories of pick-pockets and other crimes are reputed to be the norm. So to say I was the least bit frighten was just the tip of the iceberg. However I decided that I still wanted to see that side of Jamaica and took the journey.
          It was a beautiful Saturday morning. The skies were just a bit overcast but the sun was still shining. We departed at 6:30 am for our destination and only stopping to collect the friend of Ms. B. As we made the drive the place transformed from the new office buildings and high rises to which I was accustomed to the old architecture common in older sections of towns. The old English and Spanish style buildings were dilapidated and run down yet they gave a rustic feel and added a Caribbean dimension where you saw the true reality of contrasts in life in the Caribbean. As we arrived the first thing that struck me was that we were in downtown renowned for its dreadful reputation, yet there were people of every walk of life (upper and lower class or as Jamaicans say uptown and downtown people) were going about their Saturday shopping routine as normal.
          A most interesting point was that persons brought their own bags to the market or bought them on arrival. These bags made from  the sacks used to import grain and other materials were very well crafted. This is a plus as they are re-usable, providing and opportunity to conserve and not buy and overuse black plastic bags (also known in Jamaica as scandal bags.).

          The market was just an array of sights and sounds. The first thing that appealed was the colours. There was wide variety from the brown of the ground provisions to the purple of the red onions and the differing colours of the peppers, my eyes were just drawn in and my attention was kept by just the sights. The produce was fresh. There was every type of fruit and vegetable available for sale there. From the Jack fruit to the Jamaican Star apple, there was a wide assortment of colours and prices. Interestingly almost all produce is sold by the weight and the prices are quite reasonable in comparison to shopping in supermarkets.
      The sounds of the market were so interesting. If getting a feel for the Jamaican patois is what one is looking for , this is the place to go. The mix of accents from the different parishes within Jamaica is undeniably present. The use of the colloquial is quite common and makes for good humor especially when one hardly understand what is said or realizes that he or she is the butt of the joke. I was provided by the entertaining peddlers of wares who walked around the markets shouting while selling different small items such as pimentos, spices and even tiger balm! This gives a feel for a Jamaica which cannot be experienced outside of this setting.
       The vendors in the market come from different parts of the island and yet there is one common quality about them: their friendly customer service. Its interesting to see the way they interact with their customers. It is as if two old friends were meeting to chat. While the transaction is being conducted, conversation varies from what is good this week to the  kids and grandkids and even the ongoing Manatt inquiry. It was interesting that the vendors knew the names of their customers as well as the customers the specific vendors. Its  how they were able to talk about Mr. Bogle or Ms. Marcel.

      One interesting point for me was the carts used in the market. These "mini cars" come equipped with steering and brakes and are a sight to behold as their drivers maneuver them through the tiny corridors within the markets. The drivers age in range from young to aged men yet one can see that it takes some skill to drive these carts around.

       After one hour in the market I had all I needed  and for an extremely reasonable price. From my vegetables to make salad to a piece of yellow yam to cook, I left with my bag full and extremely satisfied about what I had to nourish my body with for the rest of the week. Interestingly I met a lady selling guavas and could not resist the urge to buy. Although at home I just have to go to my sister's home for guavas and never buy, here I am not so privileged here. It turns out it was a good buy as they were both sweet and firm making them excellent for eating.
      It was a great experience for me at the market. It was not only eye opening to the culture of the Jamaica and seeing the different foods they offer, it shows that one can never be too quick to judge from hear say. Would I go down town again? Yes. Its all about being cautious yet going with a brave heart and an open mind, seeing the sights, taking in the culture and all that while getting great bargains. I will be going back to the market in two weeks with Ms. B because opportunities like these are not to be missed!