Self Discovery in the Caribbean

by Lebene Mawutor (Canada)

A leap into the unknown Jamaica

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As a fresh journalism graduate full of ambition. The most asked question was “soooo what’s next” as I was hesitant to answer because I knew that no one would understand the next move. I informed my mother first. So, mom, I had an interview and there is a high chance I will be spending six months after graduation in Jamaica. My West African mother quickly sighed with disbelief saying “Kafui send me the link of the website for this opportunity you know there’s a lot of scams out there eh”. I quickly sent her the link on WhatsApp. In the evening she replied to me okay it seems real. I could hear the hesitation from her text. I had never left home for more than a week on my own so my mother wasn’t prepared and my dad was excited that I would be independently living in another country. As he spent his university years schooling at one point in Trinidad he was excited for his firstborn child. As I began to pack I became so stressed. How does one pack for half a year? It was stressful and as always I procrastinated with my shopping last minute. As much as I was excited about my new adventure I was extremely anxious. But outside I kept my cool. Arriving at the airport I realized that I packed too much but that was no surprise. I measured my bags before reaching the counter and readjusted my luggage. The nervousness I had when the air Canada attendant asked for my passport and found my name I was relieved. Then it was time for goodbyes I honestly expected my mother to cry but she didn’t. Instead, she told me “stay safe, pray asleep God first. As a passed through TSA check my nerves where all over the place. I then complete the check and sat in my section waiting for the plane to arrive. On the flight my motions where a mixture of anxiety and excitement. I was excited about the experience that was about to unfold but I was nervous about if I’m going to be ready for everything. With my layover in Toronto, I had my last Tim Hortons order of a mocha iced cap and cream cheese bagel. It was a 3 1/2 from Toronto to Kingston. My anxiety during the flight was through the roof. As we were about to land I assumed that the weather would be similar to the suffocating heat of Ghana but actually, it was hot with a bit of breeze. I had never seen water so blue it then sunk in that I’m really in the Caribbean. The airport welcomed me with the national colours of Jamaica. With cultural symbols of Jamaica such as reggae, breadfruit and beautiful designed art. As I stepped out of the airport with my two luggage in hands I saw palm trees and automatically became calm. I also saw a coconut stand and I felt automatically at home. I was surrounded by so many people who look like me. Greeted with the patwa saying “wagwan” I then knew that I was finally in the land of Jamaica.