Jamaica in June
If you Google when the rainiest season in Jamaica is, you will find conflicting information. Some sites say November, others October and yet another says June through November. In any case, it’s raining here now in torrential downpours and thunderstorms. This trip has been all about taking care of business… claiming the container at the port and trying to figure out how to get it up a very steep hill; borrowing an excavator without permission from a nearby building site; hiring a truck driver with a flatbed; paying a customs broker; acquiring chains and locks; and learning just how to work the hustle that is Jamaica.
While at the customs dock, our container was opened and inspected. A squall ensued and our stuff got wet. No one seemed to notice or care. It’s a good thing I stayed back at the hotel and wasn’t there to witness it. Practically everything I own is in that container. Patrick took a short video and sent it to me. I could see a box of my Christmas decorations getting pummeled by raindrops. Sigh…
On its way up the hill, the chain broke and the container had to be abandoned in the middle of the road until a solution was agreed upon. More chains and several hours later, it was dragged up the steep incline. It made god awful noises being dragged on the rocky terrain. A neighbor complained it was tearing up the already torn up road. Several other neighbors came out of their houses to offer help. A water pipe on our property busted open. It was raining buckets.
It took 12 hours, but it was finally situated.
Our builder insists that the container will be safe. We are trusting him.
When we had some free time we visited Rose Hall, the home of a former plantation owner. The $30 tour focused mainly on the niece of the mistress of the household who eventually inherited the house. Legend has it that she killed three of her husbands. There was no mention of sugar cane or slavery. I guess they tell tourists what they think they want to hear. I learned very little on the tour, but the house was beautiful and the view spectacular.
Rose Hall - Montego Bay, St James
The steps leading to the dungeon where runaway slaves were punished. Now it’s a gift shop and a bar.
We stayed in a modern apartment in Paradise Bay. The rain pooled outside of our door and water came up through the bathroom shower. I hope this is not typical of the entire island.
Our house is not ready to be occupied. There’s no sense asking when it will be done because island time could be anywhere from a month to two years. We have our fingers crossed that we’ll be on the ground by August when we’ll be able to bust open that container to see what has survived.
To be continued…
