Fever Grass and where it led to
on George Hamilton (Jamaica), 12/May/2011 02:52, 34 days ago
Here's Hubert the gardener at Valencia Apartments with Bunty and my fever grass transplant from Treasure Beach. Initially I had fears that the fever grass would be mistaken for a weed and literally mowed down. I was surprised too at how quickly it had grown, starting out a few months ago as only two or three strands.The genesis of this photo was my initial impression of how fast the plants grow in Jamaica. So yesterday I took a reasonably conscientious photograph with Hubert standing slightly down the slope so the plant looked bigger than it was. Unfortunately the top 10% of his head was missing. Today's picture is less planned but is 100% Hubert who announced his presence this morning when loud squeaking and rattling noises let me know that the building's lawnmower was being readied for action.Fever grass made me think of Johnny and June Cash's song "We got married in a fever.." and I was analytically mulling over whether fever grass would keep the fever going or whether it was to tone it down a little bit so it didn't become dangerous or life-threatening. Bu then a question arose - could Johnny actually go to Jackson if he lived in Jamaica?The Jamaica map was checked. Surprise, there are actually two Jacksons here, as well as a Jackson Town and a Jackson Bay. As a result Johnny would have felt right at home. I was the sole loser because I missed my chance to adapt the words and write something corny like " I'm going to Sligoville, I'm gonna mess around" or worse still for those unused to Canadian cold, "I'm gonna snowball Sligoville". Why Sligoville? Yesterday I hadn't even heard of Sligoville and now it's center stage. Read on.Sligoville is a place on the back road that avoids the road works on the A1 around Flat Bridge. Paul Hines at the office told me to take the Sligoville road, so first I had to find the place so I knew roughly where I was going; it might even have been a speedy pot-hole free shortcut.Although part of my route is revealed, the ultimate destination must remain secret. Nobody else must get to where I'm going first and renders my trip pointless. All I can tell you is that it's nothing to do with the Hash Harriers and world domination, trust me.Another route I was told about was through Linstead at the end of the rail line that will be shortly re-opened. This is reassuring especially as the road alternative is blocked off. The train ride will be another adventure for the future maybe. I think reactivating the train has been an ongoing project in Jamaica for the last six years or so. I'll be leaving in a year's time. Maybe I'll go on the train, maybe I won't.Walking up Camp Road today I passed a neat little convoy of four jeeps carrying five soldiers each with guns pointing in all directions. Made me think about the May 2010 Tivoli Gardens incursion that is now almost a year away, and how this might be a subtle reminder by the authorities that law and order is here to stay, and that no criminals should bother violently celebrating the anniversary.That's about it for today. Thank you for reading.