Lessons Lernt

**First, I just want to extend my deepest condolences for Rose, a PCV in Kingston, and her family who have just experienced a very tragic loss. I’m asking all of you to send her your most healing and heartfelt prayers to help her get through this difficult time.***

I have only been in Jamaica for three months, but I have been gaining more lifelong lessons with each passing day. I would like to share some of them with you today.

The first lesson I have learnt is that “learned” is spelt “learnt” and “spelled” is spelled “spelt” and instead of saying “…please send me something” you would say, “please sent me someting.” Do not mess this up or you will be taken for “wan fuul fuul” (a fool).

Slightly more profound lessons learnt include:

-Share. I never realized just how stingy I was until I came here. People I work and live with are constantly giving me food, advice, their time, and pretty much anything else I could ever need without expecting anything in return. Many Jamaicans are living in poverty, yet so many share what little they have and do it whole heartedly. It is an unspoken rule that you are to help out others when they are in need, even if you yourself are in need. I have met very few Americas who give like they do here and there is no excuse for it! This lesson on giving is one that will stay with me long after I leave.

-Be genuine. Cut the crap and be who you are. Jamaicans aren’t stupid, and they definitely aren’t down for the whole “act like you’re okay if you’re not okay” or asking people ‘How are you?’ if you really don’t care to know the real answer. Needless to say, my perma-smile does not always go over well in this country because it makes me look like I am either being fake or I am just plain clueless . In Jamrock it is best to be honest with others about your feelings because you can sure bet they will do the same with you.

-Look out for one another. Show real concern for the welfare of your family, friends, neighbors and they will do they same for you. Checking up on them, bringing soup to them if they are sick, calling to make sure they got home alright; these are all common practices to show how much you care. People here make little gestures towards their loved ones to make sure they are safe and sound and very much I like it.

-Laugh at yourself. If I got all hot and bothered every time someone told me I was too fat or too skinny or had ugly clothes or just plain didn’t fit in, I would have gone crazy already. Several times a day I am reminded of just how weird I am. But it’s ok! Instead of getting upset or self conscious I just appreciate peoples’ honesty and refuse to take their observations and opinions to heart. Again, this is a country where people tell it like it is. If they don’t like you, they will tell you. If they think you look weird, you will know it. It can be really refreshing to hear people speak so openly about things, but to be happy here I have definitely had to put aside my uppity American way of being constantly polite and politically correct and instead just accept the fact that yes, I am weird here and the way I look and act are totally hilarious in respect to the culture and I inspire a lot of criticism for it. Yes, I have made some changes to my dress and behavior to seem more “normal,” but deep down I will always be the crazy white girl who makes an embarrassing cultural faux pas here and there.
-Have patience. Have faith. Have fun. Have a positive attitude. And you’re all good in the hood.

Less profound lessons learnt include:
- Halls cough drops are considered candy here. At first I thought everyone had a cold, but it turns out people just think these are a really neat sweetie.
-There are many rules about underwear here. Women are never to wash their under garments with the rest of their clothes or in any type of sink or shower. It took me a good two months to figure out where exactly 1.5 million women are washing their underwear and I finally have an answer. They wash them in their special underwear washing basin that is mysteriously hidden somewhere around the house. I even have one. I could tell you where I keep it but I would have to kill you.
-It is sometimes acceptable to defecate in a shopping bag and throw the bag high into a nearby tree. This practice, known as kiting, still boggles my mind. I noticed that there were black bags hanging from the trees around my work and asked what they were. To my surprise, I learned that they were bags of poo. Yeah. I don’t stand under trees when it rains, I make sure to find other forms of shelter. Although someone did tell me not to knock it until I try it. I’ll pass.

Jamaica is not an easy place to live. You need to constantly be on the lookout for your own safety and practice some serious assertiveness, especially as a woman. Overall though, I really enjoy living here and living a slower and more people-oriented life.

This week has been a good one. I helped to lead a Peer Educator workshop for 10-12 year olds and I gave a little HIV/STI session for a group of women in a salon while they got their nails done. They both went over well! I also participated in a Red Cross fundraiser and had a friend come to visit from Anotto Bay.

I am now just preparing for my mom’s arrival (t-minus one hour!!!!!) Next time you hear from me it may just be a joint blog post from her and I, get ready!!

Hope you are all well. Miss you and love you!