04-03-2023, 12:49 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-03-2023, 12:53 PM by CardBoardBox.
Edit Reason: add t-shirts
)
For several years, I brought down 2 boxes of mainly baby clothes for a whore. I didn't know that was her profession. She befriended me walking on the road to Sav from her house, with her 5 picney, living next door to two sisters who also had 5 children. I enjoyed the conversations, siting on the porch.
I ceased this when she requested a clothes iron since they had no electricity. (Hind sight - someone else had current. Not all connections were legal.)
Many years later, a local was "hitting" on the tourists walking near the round-a-bout. He recognized me and remembered the clothes I used to bring. It was a relief I did not have to fend him off, or should I say it was nice he remembered and was appreciative of past events.
So, some good comes from the good we do.
A side note that on one of my early visits I was on the property with the 3 houses, not in eye sight of anyone as I was waiting for my "friend" to greet me, a tall boy came towards the front yard directly in my direction with a machette in hand. I froze and figured I was going to end up a statisic in the newspaper. You might know what quiet panic feels like. Turns out he was trimming the grass. Relief on a scale of "My life is saved."
If you want more of the total story, I met the grandmother one trip. A distingushed looking slender lady, who asked for a hat. The next trip I brought a hat. I also had an emerald green dress which I presented to her in a paper bag. She looked and closed the bag, not even showing it to her daughters. I found out that it became her Sunday go to church dress, which she was eventually burried in. It really was eligent.
Should end there, but background, baby clothes are expensive. But from yard sales, I'd get a whole box for $5. I say baby clothes but that included t-shirt and jeans, probably fit through age 8. That dress probably cost me a buck. Jamaicans have no problem with "used" things as long as they look almost new.
I ceased this when she requested a clothes iron since they had no electricity. (Hind sight - someone else had current. Not all connections were legal.)
Many years later, a local was "hitting" on the tourists walking near the round-a-bout. He recognized me and remembered the clothes I used to bring. It was a relief I did not have to fend him off, or should I say it was nice he remembered and was appreciative of past events.
So, some good comes from the good we do.
A side note that on one of my early visits I was on the property with the 3 houses, not in eye sight of anyone as I was waiting for my "friend" to greet me, a tall boy came towards the front yard directly in my direction with a machette in hand. I froze and figured I was going to end up a statisic in the newspaper. You might know what quiet panic feels like. Turns out he was trimming the grass. Relief on a scale of "My life is saved."
If you want more of the total story, I met the grandmother one trip. A distingushed looking slender lady, who asked for a hat. The next trip I brought a hat. I also had an emerald green dress which I presented to her in a paper bag. She looked and closed the bag, not even showing it to her daughters. I found out that it became her Sunday go to church dress, which she was eventually burried in. It really was eligent.
Should end there, but background, baby clothes are expensive. But from yard sales, I'd get a whole box for $5. I say baby clothes but that included t-shirt and jeans, probably fit through age 8. That dress probably cost me a buck. Jamaicans have no problem with "used" things as long as they look almost new.