From the Windowseat

As I write this the view outside my window is not of a mango tree, but rather of millions of swirling snowflakes — the window seat is far away…for Christmas I made a surprise journey back home.

Less than a week before Christmas I made a quick decision that the holidays are meant for family and — because I am Canadian – they are also meant for snow, skiing, sweaters, hot chocolate, quilts, candles, and actual Christmas trees (i.e.: not decorated tropical plants). So, after 28 hours of traveling I arrived at my parents’ home…much to the surprise of my mother, father, sister, aunts, uncles, cousins — Christmas 2009 has been filled with ‘Hallmark moments’.

That said, it has also been filled with Canadian/Jamaican cultural clash moments. Observances include:

• Driving through town and never once hearing a car honk its horn.
• The wonders of consistent water pressure.
• The ability to go for a run in the afternoon.
• Walking through town and never having someone say hello.
• Being inside and not hearing anything from the outside (i.e.: the effect of having windows that close and walls with insulation).
• Walking through a huge grocery store (which probably isn’t actually that huge by Canadian standards…) yet not being able to find saltfish or soursop juice or spice cake or plantains or…
• Spending an hour or a day or a week without staging an epic battle against ants.

…As always traveling changes you and makes you recognize things in slightly different ways. Seemingly small and simple things are pronounced. I wonder what will become pronounced when I return to Kingston?

Have a fabulous new year.