"To Fry or Not to Fry" # 2 - Sorrel, the official Christmas drink of choice.

  Carlene at home makin some Sorrel. Here's now it's done:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound sorrel, leaves picked
• 2-4 oz. ginger
• 2 quarts water
• Sugar
• Wine (optional)
• 8-12 pimento grains

1. Wash sorrel thoroughly, using the finger to lift it from the water.
2. Put into stainless steel pot.
3. Scrape and wash giner. Grate and add to the sorrel. Add pimento grains.
4. Boild water and pour over sorrel.
5. Allow to stand 4-6 hours. Strain.
6. Sweeten to taste and add rum to taste
7. Add optional wine.
8. Serve over ice.

Jam Pic Series # 9 - Lionel Denship Airstrip opening



Pictures: Top Left – Prime Minister Bruce Golding     

          Bottom Right – Jason Henzel Chair of the SEPDC, 

Yesterday the planning department was invited to attend the grand opening of the Lionel Densham Airstrip. Although St. Elizabeth, in particular the greater Treasure Beach area, has seen increased levels of tourism in recent years, many foreign and local travelers note how difficult it is to access the region. The distance from other major tourist nodes, combined with the general condition of the regional  road network, prevents many visitors from accessing the area.  The airstrip will allow people to connect to southern St. Elizabeth from other major airports around the country, increasing the overall connectivity and accessibility of the region.  

Amazingly, the airstrip was funded entirely by private investment.  Actually Jason Henzell owner of the popular luxary boutique hotel ‘Jakes’ and the amazing ‘Jack Sprats’, a restaurant I’ve been to 7 times already, was solely responsible for its development.  The name Henzell may sound familiar as his father, Perry Henzell, directed the famous Jamaican film ‘The Harder They Come’  (http://www.imdb. com/title/tt0070155/). Mr. Henzel is also the Chair of the St. Elizabeth Parish Development Committee, and has helped to establish a number of programs for children in the local community.  He has been a major player in the revitalization of the greater Treasure Beach area and the promotion of the south coast as a sustainable tourist destination that focuses on small scale, locally owned development.

              

Reggae Christmas

Last week I attended the St. Elizabeth Parish Council monthly meeting and was surprised when a large quantity of Appleton's Rum was consumed. Nothing beats a little afternoon rum and ginger beer at work I say.   Apparently it's a Jamaican Christmas tradition for the councillors to have drinks at the meeting prior to Christmas.  Sadly I did not partake, as I was trying to be on my best behaviour. I did however find it highly entertaining to be at a council meeting, discussing community and political issues surrounded

by cheerful rum drinkers (because of course,

when drinking at work one can’t help but be cheerful).

I love all-things Christmas. I’m a Christmas fanatic one could say.  It’s a bit of a weakness of mine, and the thought of missing Christmas was one of my initial hesitations about taking a job in another country. Not to worry though, I’ve got a flight booked for next week, and will have a white Christmas after all. I’m not quite sure what I expected, but when I pictured a Caribbean country, I didn’t picture Christmas trees, lights or music. However, December 1^st came around and lights began showing up on houses and storefronts in town. Apparently most people decorate a fake tree at home. I recently heard that real trees are becoming more popular though, with the occasional tree farm even sprouting up here and there.

Jamaican’s tend to use music as a focal point for celebration, and Christmas is no exception. I’ve heard countless reggae versions of Christmas songs and last week there was a Christmas reggae party/concert happening down the street from where I live in the parking lot of a department store. This week there is the annual Christmas tree lighting in downtown Black River with performances by the Black River High school Choir and a bunch of other local groups. No doubt it will be a reggae Christmas celebration of immense proportions.

Jam Pic Series # 8

The heart and soul of Jamaica - Coffee planters

The real deal - the bean

"To Fry or Not to Fry" - # 1

This is the first pic in my Jamaican food series "To Fry or Not to Fry". My sister and some of my close friends are chefs..so this is as much for them as it is for me. I was told explicitly I must photograph food.  So here goes...

When I first moved into my house I was having all my meals cooked for me. This is a perfect example of Jamaica food...rice, meat, and a little bit of vegetable..often cabbage. Actually usually it's rice and peas aka rice and black beans, rather than white rice. The rice in the rice and peas is typically cooked with coconut milk and takes on a brownish tinge because of the beans. Rice is served with everything...and I mean everything. Almost every authentic Jamaican restaurant I've been to serves the exact same thing: Chicken (fried, baked, Jerk) Pork (usually stewed) Beef (usually stewed) and maybe Oxtail or curried goat...all with rice and peas of course. There are variations,  but those are the staples you get on every menu.   I'm going to take a swing at it and say that the meat here in this pic is pork. Through my experience, pork is typically served with a thick trim of fat (like a good inch or more). Jamaicans love it. Me...not so much. In the future I should probably write about the dish closer to the time I actually ate it seeing as many dishes look the same.

Jam Pic Series # 7

Little fun in the sun, Jamaican style

Jam Pic Series # 6



Team Canada

This past weekend we were invited to attend a gala for Mr. Minnott, the previous chair of the Manchester PDC. From left, Danny, Nicole, Morgan and myself. Lookin good...

Jam Pic Series # 5



Long Beach - Negril



Jam Pic Series # 4



 Roots Bamboo - Negril



Jamaica Underwater

I haven’t had the chance to write in awhile, seeing as my internet at home NEVER works and my internet at work is spotty at best, but I’m writing now. Today’s topic:  the impact of built form on the natural environment annnnddddd the reality of living on a tropical island. This combo creates havoc in Jamaica and has been discussed at nearly every meeting I’ve attended. Arriving just after hurricane Nicole, I witnessed the aftermath and impact that heavy rains have on the region. Some major roads were completely washed out leaving debris and scattered fragments, preventing travel and leaving people stranded without food, water or assistance. Minor roads were either completely washed out, flooded or had become so riddled with pot holes that they were barely passable. Many houses, churches and schools were submerged in three feet of water. Some are still under a foot of water two months after. Stagnant water leads to an increased risk of disease, foul smells and a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

I was not prepared for the amount of flooding and damage that had occured, especially in St. Elizabeth.  The parish is home to the Great Morass, a vast network of swamps, rivers and floodplains. Black River is actually located on the boarder of these swamps, and the Black River of course, as well as the ocean.  During the rainy season, flash storms/floods are frequent and hurricanes are a definite reality. Naturally, flooding is a risk for Black River, and the rest of St. Elizabeth.  I mean there’s only so much one can do to protect against mother-nature and the damage she can inflict in a short period of time.

However, flooding becomes a major problem when infrastructure is left to develop in a relatively unchecked fashion, especially in a region as geographically complex at St. Elizabeth.  I suppose a good portion of the development in Black River could be considered a form of urban sprawl, although not the type of sprawl one would see in say, Toronto. For example, I’ve seen houses that have clearly been erected in a flood plain and subdivisions that exist entirely in marshlands. I’m no expert in determining what a “marshland” is, but usually if a national map labels an area as marshland and there’s more than one proposed “lot” underwater, chances are its some type of marsh.  St. Elizabeth lacks any sort of formal growth plan, and with city planning being a relatively new occurrence in Jamaica, many development projects have proceeded without fully understanding the impact they might have on the natural environment and the local community. For example, in the past some developers have purchased a piece of land that is located in close proximity to a flood plain, filled it in with gravel so it sits on higher ground, and re-sell it so it can be developed. Not only is this property still at risk of being flooded, but it creates an impermeable surface with increased run-off exacerbating the overall problem.

Unfortunately there is another side to the story, or as the popular Jamaican radio station  by the same name would say, we need to hear "both sides of the story". I should note that I only know this radio station because I hear it every day in the office from about 1-4, and its theme song is "Hands" by Jewel, which is played during every commercial break.  The flip side is that many Jamaicans can't afford land resulting in residences which are constructed on lands that aren't officially owned by the family. In fact a national program was started last week to help people acquire land titles, to simplify the process and make it more affordable for people to prove their owndership. In some circumstances, residents constuct houses in the communities they were born or have access to using any available land. Often these residents are at risk of flooding, or other natural disasters. This applys to both residential and commercial development of course, both resulting in a development pattern that really has no rhyme or reason. Similarly local governments have lacked the necessary resources, financial or other, to enforce any sort of plan that may have been developed. With limited resources efforts must be focused on basic needs such as road networks (which I'll talk about in a later blog), running water, hospitals, education etc.

Many of the detrimental development patterns are from previous years where city planning wasn’t given much consideration. Working with the planning department, I’ve experienced first -hand the efforts of the planning department and local leaders that are striving for a more sustainable means of development. I’ve also met countless community members who recognize the need for proper planning and who understand the inherent connection between built form and the environment. Living in a tropical climate does come with certain risks. However these risks can be mitigated by providing development that is sustainable and considers the physical environment and its natural limitations. As planning continues to be recognized across the country healthy development patterns should follow. 

B

1 Month Down

Well, today marks the official start of week five in Jamaica working as a Sustainable Development Planner for the St. Elizabeth Parish Council Planning Department.  The past month has seen me consume more fried chicken and rice and beans (and maybe Red Stripe as well) then I thought I’d eat in my entire life. I’ve driven across nearly half the island through rolling mountains and incredible landscapes spread over five different parishes. I’ve spent hours swimming in the ocean at the rustic but beautiful Treasure Beach and I’ve risked being swept away after taking a swinging rope plunge in the YS Falls. I've had the opportunity to stay in my first all inclusive resort (which I always thought I'd hate, but how can you really hate tropical beaches and sea-side views). I’ve met some amazing and hilarious people and already feel more in touch with a culture that is distinctively different then what I expected...proof that stereotypes are often wrong (except for the notion of "Jamaican time"). Although I’ve managed to squeeze a lot of fun and adventure into this past month, I’ve actually been working this entire time....honestly, I have.  Here’s a little bit about what I’ve been doing, and what I’m here to do:

A Bit of Background

St. Elizabeth, considered by many to be the “bread basket” of the country, is Jamaica’s third largest parish and is located in the western half of the island between Manchester and Westmoreland.  In recent years, St. Elizabeth has seen a rise in tourism, particularly eco tourism,  attracting those who want a “Jamaican” experience in a more culturally intact region of the island (in comparison to the resort areas) and an opportunity to meet local residents. St. Elizabeth is home to a variety of natural attractions including the YS Falls, Black River’s crocodile tour, and the distinctly easy going Treasure Beach area, making it a popular destination for nature tourists and those looking for small beaches off the beaten track. It also has the Appleton Rum Distillery...a must for any rum enthusiast, myself included. Although it is recognized that tourism can positively impact the local economy, residents have expressed concern that the area could develop in a fashion similar to that of the north coast (aka large, commercial development that dominates the landscape). It was determined that a plan needs to be created that would help preserve the area’s natural and cultural features while also addressing the economic, social, and environmental needs of the region.

After the success of Manchester’s Sustainable Development Plan in 2008, the parish of St. Elizabeth was selected by the Canadian Urban Institute for the development of a second sustainable development plan.  St. Elizabeth is in the beginning stages of replicating the local sustainable development process that was used during the development of Manchester’s Sustainable Development Plan. Using a modified Manchester model that will be adapted to the context of the Parish, St Elizabeth is developing a long term sustainable plan for the south west portion of the Parish. Eventually the plan will expand  to cover the entire region. 

 Map:  While I live in Black River, I spend my weekends either traveling or with the other interns in Mandeville.

Sustainable Development Planner...????

My primary role as Sustainable Development Planner is to assist with the development of St. Elizabeth’s Sustainable Development Plan working with the Parish Development Council (PDC) a non-partisan partnership between community groups, NGS’s, the business sector and the local government, and the Parish Council Planning Department.  I should note that I’m the first CUI intern to come to St. Elizabeth, and the only one living in Black River. Although the CUI has been working with Jamaica for some time, St. Elizabeth is a recent addition to their list of partner parishes. The three other Canadian interns, who I spend most of my weekends with, live and work in Mandeville, about an hour drive from Black River in the next Parish over.

Map: This map shows the main attractions in St. Elizabeth. It takes roughly a half hr to drive from Black River to Treasure Beach.

So Here's What I’ve Been Doing

First off I should say that starting a new job in a new country is a much more complex process then I expected..on many levels. I underestimated the cultural differences, many of which are more noticeable in a work environment. The past month has been as much of a learning curve in terms of actual work as it has been learning to relate to Jamaicans in a professional context. Most of my time is spent dealing with development applications, subdivision approvals, attending a variety of planning and related meetings in Black River and beyond, and working on a few independent projects that are helping with the preparation of the long term plan...or more specifically, preparing us to work on the plan. At the moment, the planning department and relevant agencies are organizing the logistics of the plans preparation (office space, funding, equipment, and personal). As such, this month has provided ample time to familiarize myself with the Jamaican planning process, making me feel that much more comfortable and ready to contribute to the next stage of the project.

Overall my first month has had many ups...and a few downs, similar to any traveling experience I've had in the past. Living in a country where it’s not recommended to walk around at night but gets dark at 6pm makes for little time to really explore your environment and a lot of time to spend at home trying to entertain yourself. I actually still haven’t explored Black River having spent most of my weekends traveling to other areas of the country, and my evenings in doors. And well, one can only eat so much fried chicken (although I still kind of love it..Jamaican’s seriously know how to cook some good fried chicken). Not entirely what I expected when I thought of Jamaica and living on the coast.



My position at work has been a learning curve, both from a professional and cultural stand point. Really it’s been a matter of figuring out how I fit into the greater scheme of the project, and how I can contribute on a day to day basis.  But...I think I’m getting it. Things seem a bit better and a little easier each day and I’m starting to feel at home in Black River, both at work and with the family I’m staying with. The key has been to recognize challenges and tackle them head first... trial by fire I say. These challenges are what will ultimately make the experience that much more gratifying. The hardest things in life often end up being the things you learn the most from (Brody the philosopher?). On that note, I’m truly looking forward to what new adventures and challenges the next four weeks have to offer.

Jam Pic Series # 3

One of the definite highlights of working with the planning department is the opportunity to participate in planning meetings, workshops, symposiums and the like. This one just happened to take place in Ocho Rios, on the North Coast, leading to an incredible 3 hr drive through the mountains and an over night stay at a pretty luxurious resort located right on the coast. I'll have to talk more about the actual meetings I've attended in my next post. For now I just wanted to show what life has been like so far.



Jam Pic Series # 2

Other then the fact that there is no sidewalk for a good part of the walk, and that this is one of the main highways where people have a tendency to speed, it's a pretty liberating morning walk...when I'm not dodging cars to save my life that is.

The St. Elizabeth Parish Council planning office, where I spend the majority of my time. Saving grace..AC baby! Sometimes I stay hrs after work just so I don't have to go home to my sauna of a house.

Jam Pic Series # 1

Black River: My House for the Next 6 months/Wall of Fame. Note: The pictures on the wall came with the room.

How it all began

So before I attempt to explain what exactly I've been doing in Jamaica for the past 3 weeks, it would probably be a good idea to shed some light on how I got here. Well, for starters, I'm a recent graduate of Ryerson University's Urban and Regional Planning program. After spending the summer doing a little volunteer work, some fun part-time jobs and a whole lot of enjoying not being in school (I've been in school 7 of the last 9 years), I decided that it was about time for me to start looking for a 'real' job. After a week of applying for planning and related jobs, I came across a posting..a facebook posting of all things.. on the Canadian Urban Institutes webpage. I had previously interned for them, and had recently become a follower on facebook to keep up to date on urban matters. The posting was for a number of positions, many of which were directly related to the field of planning, in a number of different county's. I applied immediately for every position I could and eventually got an interview and a job offer for a position in Jamaica as a Sustainable Development Planner. I had three weeks to get ready and leave. And queue adventure music...