Tuesday Belmont

Tuesday June 2, 2009
Today we traveled to Belmont. We left Summerset around 9:30 am and said goodbye to Pam, Cody and Carrie because their flight leaves on Wednesday. The remaining seven of us loaded in a van driven by Bigger whose place we will be spending the night at. The drive was the same route that we took to Mayfield falls except for a different turn after going through Savlamar. The scenery was as always gorgeous but the poverty could be seen all around. Along the way their were small road side shacks that were bars, stores, souvenir shops, and homes; which ranged from some very nice homes to some shanties. We reached Belmont which is a fishing village and the ocean is right there. The first thing that I noticed was the quietness of the place. We are use to all the hustle and traffic around Negril that when we arrived it was like getting back to nature. No one hassled you to buy anything it is a very quite community, and so relaxing. During our visit we did a bushwalk to see how the Jamaicans farm. It was quite interesting, Ian was our guide, he is a Rasta who farms in Belmont. We walked to his farm which was mostly flat but it was still mountain climbing. It is interesting that if the land has any fruit tree on it you cannot farm the ground because that means that it belongs to someone. So they use machetes and axes to clear the land. The problem with the land here is that there is so much limestone so clearing an area can be difficult. During the eight hours we spent in the bush – and I do mean eight hours, the walk to his farm was close to an hour walk. Along the way he pointed out different fruit bearing trees, herbs that they use for different elements, a charcoal burn pile; which they sell for money, and a natural spring. The path getting to his farm was fairly easy and you will understand why I say this after I explain the entire trip. Along the way we saw ganja growing one for seeds the other was just female plants. It was just amazing going up the mountain, but I did not realize what a mountain was yet. As we walked there are paths that we were able to follow which made this part of the journey much easier – again just wait. I had to stop along the way as these legs just are not as strong as they use to be and the elliptical did not get me in shape for this. With sweat dripping from me from places I never new I could sweat we made it to the flat areas of his farm and all I could remember is that he does this about two to three times a day – no wonder these mountain people are in such good shape. He had banana trees, yams, ackie, pumpkin, squash, watermelon, bread fruit trees, pimento trees which are the only tree that they use every part of, and so much more. He had one of his friends up at the site with a fire going with bread fruit roasting. A small protection shelter was built to keep cover during rain, which we had while we were there so we all huddled up to keep dry. The cook made some of the most amazing soup and some of us had tea while other tried the fresh squeezed lime juice. The soup was made from everything from his garden. It had pumpkin, yams, potatoes, carrots, bread fruit, boiled in water. Coconut milk was added and then we made dumplings to drop in the soup. I loved it he had a pepper in it that gave it a little kick but he took it out before serving. I do not think I have ever had soup that was hot all the way to the bottom but this was. We talked about the barrels that he has which he catches rain water in order to water his crops; otherwise, he carries water from the natural spring in order to keep his garden growing. They do not use the same land each year when farming because they do not want to pull all the nutrients out of the land so each year they have different land that they try to clear but as long as the land has a fruit tree on it another farmer cannot farm that land, so they always have another part that had been cleared in an earlier year to go to. Now although I say the land was flat it was not a smooth surface at all. You had to watch every step and as we walked I kept seeing these large holes I finally asked about them because I was not sure what was living in them. Crabs are what I formed these holes and we were to go crabbing later in the day so I was wondering exactly how you go crabbing. After the rain stopped we headed out. He took us a shortcut – so he said – and we walked through the bush with him using his machete to cut down as we walked. It is amazing that he knew where we were going because we walked for miles. We were all wondering how this could be a short cut but we got the full experience of what they go through. This is a path that he takes but he had not been this way in over two years so imagine the overgrowth. I had a few choice words along the way especially getting caught in a sticker bush. We were all trying to help each other and it was truly a team bonding experience. We made it to the road after what seemed to be twice as long as it took to get to his farm. My leg was bleeding from scratches, but I was not the only one and we kept wondering how this was a short cut. We walked down the road a little way and came to a small river that runs from the mountain. So down to the river we went and I tried to walk on the river bed but the rocks were killing my feet so I put my tennis shoes back on and got them soaking wet. There were some amazing places that you could place yourself along the different falls get totally relaxed. The water in some of the areas was ice cold but it was like getting a massage and it felt wonderful after the bush walk we just had. As we started up the different levels there were two local having sex against the full body fall. She at least put her clothes back on while we passed. After going through the water Libby called Bigger to pick up us. We were so relieved. We got back and we were all exhausted. Bigger’s wife made dinner for us which we all enjoyed. Crabbing out of the question I don’t think any of us had the energy to walk any further. I was the first to turn in for the evening; all I can say is what a day. – RESPECT (so appropriate for this experience as I have all the respect in the world for what they do on a daily basis). Tomorrow Caledonia.