Jamaica: Day 2

The second day was spent in Spanish Town. The city was established by St. Jago de la Vega in 1534. There I stayed with a family in a two roomed house made of wood and straw. The population of Spanish town is about 100,000, and is located in the St. Catherine Parish (similar to states). I was woken up early in the morning to go to work and did not have breakfast. On the way to work, the father, Fernando, filled me in on the brief history of Jamaica. I learned that Spanish Town was the original capital of Jamaica. Also while walking I saw a statue. Fernando told me it was a statue of Admiral Lord Rodney who was in the British navy. He defeated a Spanish and French invasion. When the capital became Kingston the statue moved with it. People who disapproved of the move, followed the statue and attempted to kidnap it. In the process a hand was lost, but the statue was soon returned to Spanish Town. We spent the day fishing on a small wooden boat, and at the end of the day we had caught a variety of fish. We sold the fish at the local markets for the highest price we could get. At the end of trading we came home with 5,342 Jamaican dollars ($50), a half cup of rice and a pound of beef. At home the Fernando’s wife made beef soup with rice. Later in the night we went to the Reggae Sumfest. The Reggae Sumfest is an annual music festival in which reggae artists play their tunes. The most famous reggae musician was Bob Marley.

Alfred Lord Rodney