Tuesday, October 13
After a delayed but otherwise uneventful flight from Chicago, we arrived in Montego Bay a little after 2pm. We made our way down the long, winding corridors of the airport to customs and baggage claim before exiting out into the heat, humidity, and bright sunshine. The weather here is no different than what we experience in July in the Midwest, but after the cool, dry fall weather we’ve had recently, it seemed especially oppressive.
We met our driver, Patel, and piled our luggage in the back of a van before climbing aboard ourselves. After a quick stop at Burger King for lunch, we began the drive to Brown’s Town. Because Jamaica was a British colony, they drive on the left side of the road here. This was a new experience for most of us, but it was not nearly as disconcerting as the manner in which they drive. There is much passing and swerving and honking. Most of the trip to Brow’s Town took place on a highway which ran primarily along the coast of the Caribbean Sea. We passed luxury resorts on our left near the sea, and homes and shops on our right – large mansions and ramshackle dwellings alike. Once we turned off the highway, we made our way up the narrow, twisting mountain roads. As vehicles near curves, they often honk to warn oncoming traffic of their approach and, apparently, this helps prevent accidents.
The manse, or parsonage, where we’re staying sits on the top of of a hill overlooking Brown’s Town. After we took our luggage into our rooms, we sat out on the back porch, introducing ourselves to Rev Harrison and discussing the challenges of continuing traditions in the church while staying relevant, particularly in worship music.
Rev Harrison’s wife June made dinner for us – potato salad, slaw, mango slices, a meat/carrot/dumpling stew, and a coconut ans guava cake. After dinner, we all headed off to bed and drifted off to sleep to the sounds of frogs croaking, the wind rustling through the trees, and the occasional dogs barking.
Submitted by Angela
