Fire Light Life
on George Hamilton (Jamaica), 24/Nov/2010 11:10, 34 days ago
Yesterday when George walked in the door after work expecting to see supper on the table, I greeted him with the question "do you want yesterday's leftovers or would you prefer to try a new raw foods restaurant within walking distance?". George, always open to new ideas, and possibly remembering it was leftover tofu, not his favourite, agreed to try the vegan raw foods option.Fire Light is located in a house and difficult to spot because it doesn't have a sign out front, but it was busy, there were several customers taking out orders when we arrived. Ben, the 29 year old owner and chef, learned to make African Hebrew delicacies and is one of only 14 vegan raw food restaurants in the world. That's what is so great about Jamaica - it is one of the most fashionable countries anywhere. It's right up there with modern ideas, quietly leading the pack and yet it has the second worst murder rate in the world and children can't get places in school.On our way home, we had only walked one block when we were greeted by two police officers standing on the corner, just doing their thing while the street vendors danced between the cars stopped at the light to sell fruit, flowers and bag juice. One of the officers asked us where we were going. He wanted to make sure we were safe and had a purpose, not lost tourists. He even helped us cross the street, advising us to get half way across and then wait until the green arrow on the traffic light disappears before crossing the second half of the road. We were told about this tactic on our very first day so it was reassuring to hear it from a police officer. It's dangerous crossing roads in Kingston. I almost got hit by a bus once. It was not anywhere in sight when I started to cross to the mid point but all of a sudden it was right there barrelling towards me. I'm not sure if it came around the corner or from across the street. I didn't have time to wonder...I only had time to run for my life. George is convinced they actually speed up, but I don't agree, they just don't slow down.Fire Light Life...