Arrival in Jamaica (Sunday - March 2, 2008)

We are back in Jamaica and the beauty of this country never ceases to amaze me.

Our flight left South Bend very early this morning. And thanks to the kindness of our friend E.V. who picked us up at 4:30 AM and treated us to a pleasant ride to the airport. Way before dawn.

We flew to Chicago where we waited for 3 hours to board our flight. After successfully boarding and getting an entire row to ourselves, we sat on the tarmac for over an hour waiting for the food and beverage service carts to be loaded onto the plane. After a very long day (about 10 hours total) we arrived in Montego Bay. The process of entering Jamaica is always amusing to me. Long lines of tourists who are eagerly awaiting the stamp in their passport. The customs agents always look at us a little funny when we answer their questions.

***
"What is the purpose of your visit?"
"We're volunteers. We'll be volunteering at the Clarendon Infirmary."

[Agent's eyebrow is raised. Perplexity expressed on his/her face. Who would go to the infirmary on their vacation?]

"Where are you staying?"
"We will be staying in Harmons, at the Harmony House in Manchester Parish"

[Facial confusion ensues. Harmons? They have never heard of Harmons. And it doesn't seem to be near the beach.]

"Is that a resort or hotel?"
"Um, no, it's more like a, uh, guest house. Yes it is a guest house."

[Silently the agent stamps our books, still a little befuddled. We get motioned to pass through the turnstile to pick up our luggage.]

***

I'm sure we're an oddity in the midst of the tourons (thank you MFG for that wonderful term) who can't wait to get to the beach and pina colada number 1, 2, or 3. I always wonder if the agents think we're lying to them, but then I figure there is no to use the "Infirmary volunteer" as a cover for anything so maybe they do believe us.

Our friend Don was waiting for us at the airport and kindly stopped along the 4 hour drive so we could pick up some food at the market.

Jamaican grocery stores remind me of what shopping in the 50s, 60s, or 70s must have been like. Small, intimate, a hodge-podge of boxed items and produce available. Other than allowing patrons to use debit cards, I think a lot of things must be the same. When I get home I'll ask my parents what they think.

We arrived in Harmons around 6:30 PM and finally met Mark and Emily who are an American couple living in Harmons full-time. Emily was good friends with our friend Pearl (who passed away in August) but we have never met nor officially corresponded until today.

We are ready for bed (to say the least) and looking forward to our first day at the Infirmary tomorrow. We know already that it is the head Matron's birthday so we have a little gift to convey our appreciation of her.

We hope to post again tomorrow with some photos but we are awaiting the password to get online with our own laptop.

More as soon as we can!
Liz & Ryan