If you live in the Caribbean, particularly in the smaller islands, going into the Capital is referred to as “going to town”. Well, more precisely, “going to tung”. Last Friday while the air-conditioning in my jeep was being repaired, I decided I was going to “tung”. I’ve been several times before, but somehow, being on foot once again caused me to see little things I may have missed before.

First it was to Church street. Destination was a government office at one end of it, opposite the Catholic Church. I started out at the opposite end and slowed down when I saw this house, situated beside the Anglican Church, destroyed in Hurricane Ivan.

There is a garage attached to the house. A gentleman was there doing some woodwork. Chatted with him and found out he lives in the house and had helped to restore the lovely wooden details.

Here is a close up (and yes, I asked him permission before I took both photos).

 

 

 

 

After dodging a mad man who was peeing, I stopped at the intersection of Church Street and Market Hill.

Now Market Hill holds a special place in my memories. When all the evil of 1983 happened, it was shown on TV in Jamaica. I distinctly recall a video clip of people walking up a very steep hill in town. When I first visited the island back in 1995 and encountered Market Hill, it jogged my memory back to 1983. Lovely view, but very steep. Would you take the challenge and walk up that road? Notice the old lady with her stick?

I recall too that my doctor used to have his office on a side street off Market Hill. Parking was difficult and sometimes the only space was close to the top of the Hill. In those days, I ddrove a stick shift. Good thing I didn’t buy the licence! You shoulda seen me expertly parallel parking while balancing the gas and clutch pedals.

This was the side street where the office was. Yes, people park on there. Yes it was always a tight squeeze to drive through, which is why I stopped bothering to look for a space there and just settled on Market Hill.

Next, the Catholic Church. They have been fundraising for a long time. And opposite the Church is York House, the old Parliament Building. Australia promised to give the funds to build a new one, but then back tracked when a new government came into power, in both islands

View from the balcony of the government office.

Also seen from the balcony, is Fort George. The headquarters of the Police Force is there.

More importantly, that is where all the evil happened in October 1983.

The weather was perfect on Friday. Imagine I haven’t reached to the beach yet in THREE WEEKS! Very unusual. It’s across there.

Well in one shape or form, I had to get to the beach on Friday. Ah yes, there’s lunch to be had at this beach restaurant and bar. Was delish (and bready!).

A great day out it was.