Maintain our cultural landmarks
TRAVELLING THROUGH the Jamaican countryside has always been a very satisfying experience. Whether for work or recreation, I have deliberately ensured that there was a stop or two at some of our ‘cultural food locations’ which I have always had happy memories patronising.
Going east, there is White Horses in St Thomas, famous for nase berries, good honey, and Irish moss. A trip to Portland would not be complete without a stop at Boston for jerk pork, bussu soup at Reach Falls, or a dip at Winnifred’s Beach. Rolling through Junction Road, you hit Friendship Gap and the OFC Chicken Stop. Along the main in St Ann, there is the Ultimate Jerk Centre, opposite the Green Grotto Caves; and White House fish and bammy stalls in Westmoreland, plus many other places of interest across the country that our citizens recognise as cultural landmarks, and which also contribute to the tourist industry.
These are places which travellers look forward to visiting, whether in private or public transportation modes. They have become part of our lives, we feel somewhat uneasy if we pass without stopping or do not plan a trip every now and then.
CASUALTIES OF INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
We are, however, in danger of losing some of them. They have become casualties of infrastructural development and will die if not addressed/ resuscitated. Prior to the North-South Highway, for example, heading to the north coast would always involve a stop at Faiths Pen for a delightful earlymorning breakfast. This has not been replicated along the current highway. In fact, one does not have the opportunity for a cultural food stop anywhere along the new road.
Fast-track to the parish of Clarendon. Landmarks such as Fyah Side, Murray’s Fish and Jerk Hut, the cashew vendors at ‘train line,’ Juici Patties establishment in the Clarendon Park area, the fruit vendors through Scott’s Pass to Porus; they all seem to have been written out of the script with the advent of Highway 2000 and its recent extension to Williamsfield, Manchester.
I am an ardent supporter of these landmarks. They help build and sustain a specific culture that identifies the special country and people that is Jamaica and Jamaicans. They also serve to create employment and a livelihood for many families, many of whom might be suffering now because of the loss of activity/ income. They fill a gastronomical gap.
The new leg of Highway 2000 did not obliterate the Melrose Hill roast yam specialists, and provisions were made for that location to be accessed by traffic going westwards. We must be thankful for small mercies in the scheme of things, I imagine. I am also mindful that the construction of highways, elsewhere in the world, have catered for ample rest stops, places where the motorist can pull off the main thoroughfare and access food, petrol, restrooms, and other facilities needed when travelling long distances. One is also aware that the sudden pull of patronage from establishments, caused by new roadways and therefore the re-routing of traffic, can cause the demise of such businesses. The unemployment fallout has many adverse impacts on society, inclusive of possible increases in crime, at a time when the country is seeing much-needed reductions in all categories.
AUTHORISED ‘REST STOP’
The current situation begs a few questions. In the planning of these new roadways, was consideration given to offering the businesses in Clarendon Park, for example, an opportunity to operate from authorised ‘rest stop’ areas along the west- and east-going lanes of Highway 2000? Are there considerations for similar enterprises along the North-South Highway? Can this be made a consideration in the buildout of highways in the future? The highway to Portland, going east along the south coast, is not yet completed and the Government is positioning itself to commence the Montego Bay to Lucea bypass/highway. I don’t think it’s too late to factor in these necessities, which will show that infrastructural development of this nature really puts people first.
These landmarks help to ‘advertise’ the type of people that we are and enhance the overall cultural experience of our citizens and visitors alike. They are a part of Brand Jamaica, and we should ensure that they remain an integral part of our roadway infrastructure.