Our Stories
Coolie man’s Ital food
Scott’s Cove, more popularly known as Border, is a place mostly known for fry fish and bammy, so Coolie Man decided to offer something different. He told me that he started to do steam fish, as well as conch, for persons who were looking for a broader option, for their seafood pallette.
Crab at Hero’s Circle, Kingston
If you are a crab lover, this is a spot you must try, as it is lined with crab vendors, who have been honing their skills for decades. Most persons here were taught how to cook crab by their parents or community mothers, who lived in and around the area.
Adrian at Palisadoes road
Once you are driving from Norman Manley International Airport, it’s hard to pass Adrian’s coconut stall. There is a cascading Jamaican flag that’s usually mounted on the back of his van, which immediately greets the eyes.
Coolie man’s Ital food
Scott’s Cove, more popularly known as Border, is a place mostly known for fry fish and bammy, so Coolie Man decided to offer something different. He told me that he started to do steam fish, as well as conch, for persons who were looking for a broader option, for their seafood pallette.
Crab at Hero’s Circle, Kingston
If you are a crab lover, this is a spot you must try, as it is lined with crab vendors, who have been honing their skills for decades. Most persons here were taught how to cook crab by their parents or community mothers, who lived in and around the area.
Adrian at Palisadoes road
Once you are driving from Norman Manley International Airport, it’s hard to pass Adrian’s coconut stall. There is a cascading Jamaican flag that’s usually mounted on the back of his van, which immediately greets the eyes.
Berrydale, Portland
Berrydale is some distance from Port Antonio’s main road and kinda embodies the term, ‘off the beaten path.’ The journey to get there takes you through lesser-known communities
Lisa's incredible story
Lisa is a focused woman and believes in hard work, which is evident by her stern demeanour. It is only when she realises that you are not trying to harm her or her sons, she will flash a smile here and there.
Adrian at Palisadoes road
Once you are driving from Norman Manley International Airport, it’s hard to pass Adrian’s coconut stall. There is a cascading Jamaican flag that’s usually mounted on the back of his van, which immediately greets the eyes.
Patricia's Kind Heart
While walking through Papine Square midday on a Saturday, I saw several young girls sitting around an elderly lady and paying keen attention to her. Their eyes gleamed with excitement and interest, as they were being shown how to crochet, and after the demonstration each one eagerly waited to get the needle.
Landale
Landale Mitchell is an outspoken and ambitious first former, who uses his after-school time to sell snacks in Runaway, St. Ann. One weekend while selling on the beach, he identified Kareem’s Quest and asked for an interview, as he wanted others to know his story.
Luxe Beach Resort
This property has been under new management since 2019 and it shows. The colours are vibrant and the layout looks modernized with glass accents and sprinkles of chrome finishes. It has an upscale vibe to it with a low key element, as the property is more befitting for the mature audience.
Neisha
Originally located along the main road at Albion, St. Thomas, Neisha had to move her stall inwards, when the road work began.She reveals that this has had an adverse effect on her business, however she says she is not demotivated, as she has to earn a living to provide for her children.
Rundown
This has been a tasteful and economic food staple for years, in the Jamaican household. It consists mainly of Red Herring, which is an affordable fish, and coconut milk that is obtained from grating a coconut, as opposed to using a processed product.
Shrimp
After doing an interview on Tambo, a donut vendor at Spanish Town bypass, countless persons in the comments, requested that I do an interview with the most famous shrimp vendor in the vicinity. He is always at the railroad crossing, adjacent to Food for the Poor and has become a favourite for many passersby.
Donkey
While on my way to doing a Quest, I saw something unusual in Kingston, a vendor on a donkey. So I had to have a quick chat with him about choosing this means of transportation. Equipped with a spif hanging from his bottom lip, Damion Williams is no stranger to the donkey cart business, as it has been passed down from two generations, in his family.
Angella
Kendal in Manchester is a community that is frequently overlooked, however it has a rich history, outside of the famous train crash in 1957. Angella, resident and vendor, shares with Kareem’s Quest how she is renovating her cook shop, as well as, her appreciation of the companies that are employing the young people in the area.
Mount Rosser
Before the North-South highway, Mount Rosser was the main pathway for commuters to access St. Ann. It’s a serpentine incline that intimidates many drivers, due to the fact that there is a precipice at one side of the road.
Glen
Glen is not ashamed of his past, or the fact that he was once on the wrong path, because his story is about what he is now doing with his life. His stall is always colourful and his warm personality is welcoming.
Howard
Glen is a soft-spoken person, who works extremely hard. He is either selling or sweeping around his stall.You can try his jelly or lychee, which was surprising to me, as very few vendors sell it.
Rasta
While videoing an interview with a 79-year-old lady, Miss Dottie I heard a melodious tone coming from another yard. So when I was finished, I went over to enquire, and saw two men holding a reasoning on their veranda.
Derrick's Craft
When Derrick first came to Negril, decades ago, there were no hotels and the only visitors were hippies and war vets, who would sleep on the beach. He would sell carvings to them and drink beers with them, while they told him about their stories from back home.
Flat Bridge
This is the most revered bridge in Jamaica and for good reasons, as many lives have been lost at this location.
Miss Dottie
Miss Dottie is a 79-year-old lady, who has a vivid memory of what it was like growing up in rural Jamaica, during the Christmas period. As I stepped into her yard, it was evident she was an animal lover, as several cats prowled her property. One rested lazily on the wall, with no care as to what was happening, even with me passing him, by several inches.
Fenton
One day when I was driving through Fern Gully, I saw these beautiful towels on display, so I decided to stop. I saw a man, with a calm countenance and we struck up a conversation. With his bible opened on a table, I asked if he wasn’t lonely, he said, “No sah, is me an God.” He later revealed his name, Fenton
Mother and daughter bite into business
A new sweet spot is in Kingston, offering soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, smoothies, slushies and getting innovative with all kinds of confectioneries. And, a mother-daughter duo is behind it all.
Tambo
Tambo lost both parents by the time he was seven, and had to learn how to fend for himself at a young age. With a natural talent to sell goods, he refused to join a gang, and instead became a donut vendor.
Cinthia
As the beach at White Horses becomes ever so visible, while driving on a decline, vendors can be seen outlining the corridor of the street. One of them is Cinthia, whose family has been selling at the spot for years.
Josh
Josh has one of the biggest vending areas I have ever seen. Packed with fruits, it is like a little market. Armed with a magnetic personality, Josh is quick to point out that customer service plays a major role in people coming back to his location.
Annotto Bay Cemetery
It’s hard to drive into Annotto Bay and miss this cemetery that is adorned with some of the most unique sepulchers. The first one that caught my eyes was the bike on top of the grave, the concept was unique and interesting, so I had to find out more.
Rodney King Riots
During the 60’s, there was a wave of new thinking coming to the forefront of mainstream society. With vocal civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King and A. Philip Randolph taking bold stands against oppression and social inequality. A similar movement was also taking place in Jamaica, and one of the pioneers was Walter Rodney, a fire-branded lecturer, who was very vocal about social reform.
St Mary man patents Jamaican toy
Not so long ago, many Jamaican youth who could not afford certain toys made their own from scraps and scratch. From their creative minds, dolls, houses, cars, carts, trucks, van and bulldozers were manifested, until they could afford cheap, mass-produced gadgets.Things and times have certainly changed, and the creativity among the youth is moribund, to say the least.
Kendal Train Crash
A train pulled by two diesel engines, hauling a dozen creaking, squeaking wooden cars, tearing through the countryside on a quiet, starry night – sounds like the opening scenes of a Western. Rife with anticipation, something is about to go down. Unfortunately, what was about to unfold on the night of September 1, 1957, was not a work of fiction projected on to a 35mm frame.
Plantation Smokehouse makes home run
Part American-style smokehouse, part fine dining restaurant, the expansive Plantation Smokehouse in Richmond, St Ann, shines in all things fusion cuisine. It is also a burgeoning entertainment hub, with the fittings of a stage and disc jockey platform.The surrounding lawns are a play area for various games – a favourite among customers being Jumbo Jenga.
Welcome Home, Mr. Mandela
Nelson Mandela International Day was celebrated on July 18, which was also the 103rd birth anniversary of the freedom fighter and former president of South Africa. Mandela, one of the most celebrated and respected statesmen in the world, had a connection with Jamaica that went beyond the political arena; it was spiritual and musical.In 1991, six days after his 73rd birthday, Mandela made a historic 24-hour visit to Jamaica accompanied by his then-wife, Winnie.
Jakes first guest
Whenever people go to Treasure Beach, it’s almost sacrilegious not to visit Jakes, even if it’s just for the scenic atmosphere. Despite tourism and many other industries coming to a grinding halt due to the novel coronavirus, vehicles of loyal customers are still parked in the front.The first thing that greets the eye is an antique 1941 white Ford Prefect vehicle, sprinkled with floral painting, which, for me, represents the creativity of the matriarch of the business, Sally Henzell.
Azeela sticking by his son’s side
A little over a year ago, Bull Bay was one of the first communities to be quarantined because of the coronavirus pandemic. Residents were fuming at how food items were being shared and the stigma that was attached to them. However, during the ordeal, a group of people worked arduously to build a skate park, boost the morale of the children, and keep them on a constructive path.
Norton Restored to Wartime Glory
The British army relied heavily on the Norton 16N motorcycle during World War Two, the 493-litre single-valve engine moving soldiers in various wartime situations. It was also distributed to many Commonwealth countries and were often ridden by policemen, including in Jamaica.
Rich Rewards From Long MGB Project
WHEN BRITAIN was a production powerhouse for motor vehicles. Jamaica, once a British colony, was filled with its brands. One of the most desired of the British vehicles was the MGB convertible, a gentleman’s sports car built by British Leyland.
Relaxing At The Royal Jamaica Yacht Club
While driving on the peninsula towards Norman Manley Airport, I found a hidden gem, the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, which has been in existence since 1884. After turning off the main road, there is a two-minute journey to get to the property, where there is always a security posted at the entrance.
The Blue House
Located a stone’s through outside the city life of Ocho Rios is The Blue House, a family-owned property that has been in existence since 2006. Coming from Chinese descendants, owners of The Blue House, the Yap family, quickly fell in love with the island and the vibe it brought.
The golden age of cinema in Jamaica
There was a time when cinemas dotted the Jamaican landscape islandwide. In the ’60 and ’70s, Kingston was overflowing with cinemas of various shapes and sizes. The rural parishes were well supplied, too, with at least one or two in each parish capital and smaller ones in faraway towns. After independence, few Jamaican homes had television sets and even fewer had telephones.
Piggy’s finds ‘Quantum of Solace’
JAMES BOND, the lead fictional character of one of the most successful film franchises worldwide, is an MI6 intelligence officer known by his code number, 007. And rescue missions are integral to his work on camera. However, Bond has proven that in real life, he is just as passionate about saving the world, and that even includes a little jerk centre on the island of Jamaica that went up in smoke.
Richard ‘Awire’ Lecky and the 5150 PROJECT
RICHARD ‘AWIRE’ Lecky wants to get 5,150 Jamaicans involved in the sport of mountain biking, and if ever you should ask just why that specific number, he’ll say, “It’s a crazy idea.”
The owner of 5150 Trails, Lecky’s business name is derived from the police code of the same sequence which actually means ‘crazy’. His intentions are to simply create an experience for mountain bikers of all abilities and to spread the word about mountain biking.
Rio Grande plays host to royalty
The tourist destinations in Jamaica are notorious for attracting the very rich and the very famous. One of those destinations, the Rio Grande, grabbed the attention of British royal, Princess Margaret. The Gleaner was there to document the memorable occasion.
Long Walk To Freedom (Part I)- Buju and Me
Buju was always an artiste I wanted to interview, and I tried several times, but he was customarily hard to pin down. However, after the release of his long-awaited dancehall album Too Bad, in 2006, he seemed to be more open to doing interviews. Plus his PR person at the time, Tracii McGregor, was someone I knew for years, and she was internationally respected throughout the entertainment community.
Yellow Man - First King of DanaceHall
The first king of Dancehall. He took the baton from heavyweight hitmaker Prince Buster, who in 1969 did a song called Wreck a Pum Pum, which also shares the same title with a song released by Yellowman years later in 1984. (This bit of information is for all the persons who thought slackness started with Lady Saw or Kartel).
Toots - A Musical Luminary
Toots is one of the few pure artiste in the world. Not only does he write most of his material, he plays over five instruments proficiently. The first time I met him, I had so many questions to ask. We were at a studio at Arthur Wint Drive and there were several instruments laying around, so I randomly pointed to one and asked him to play it.
Seeing Jamaica By Bicycle
The Gleaner chanced upon Felix George, on Wednesday, December 20, in the Canoe Valley of south St Elizabeth and Manchester. We were leaving the scenic Alligator Hole, when he appeared out of nowhere, just as the hens and rooster, and a little cat did, when we arrived.
The Thrill Of Grand Market
The institution of slavery in the British West Indies, of which Jamaica was a part, was one of the most inhumane systems ever created on Earth. It was replete with unspeakable cruelty and the brutal subjugation of people ripped from the bosom of Mother Africa for the purpose of European metropolitan aggrandisement.
Vintage Dining
Food, wonderful food! It can set the mood, bring back fond memories and keep people wanting more, especially when served in the right ambience. From back in the day to contemporary Jamaica, people opt to find that thrill.
It's A Slow Ride In Mammee Bay
A COMMON sight along the Drax Hall to Ocho Rios stretch of road in St Ann is men and youth walking or riding horses, or people riding horses led by a tour guide on foot. But a more common sight is the guide sitting under trees waiting for patrons to come along as they are not attached to any particular hotel or resort.
Around Jamaica With Paul H
I was enjoying the ambience at the recent Boston Jerk Festival, sipping on cane juice, munching on ‘salt fish flittas’ made by Syble Watson, who lives in the area, and watching the clowns making a fool of themselves, when I heard a man loudly advertising his jerked rabbit.
A Touch Of Art With Peter Peart
Peter Peart said he was born to paint. The man behind ‘Touch of Art’, realised his dreams while he was in primary school. Today, he enjoys his passion of bringing things to life through the strokes of his brush.
Flat Bridge: Do mermaids exist? Is it cursed? Resident divers reveal interesting stories
Jamaica in the ’70s: Uncovering a Forgotten Era of History.
Uncovering Forgotten Memories From Growing Up in Somerset St. Thomas
Journey Back to Jamaica in the Swinging 60’s…Re live a Decade of Incredible Experiences
Lost in Tepoztlán: A Jamaican’s Journey through Mexico
Sweet memories: Top 8 favourite Jamaican Sweeties/ Candies
Top 5 Soap Operas Jamaicans Fell in Love with
12 most famous Jamaican Patois words – Part 2
The Story of Jamaican Taxis: From British Classics to Japanese Imports
12 Words Jamaicans invented
Sunbeam, Northern Queen, and More: The Legends of Jamaican Country Buses
Janga, Crayfish, Bussu, what’s so special? Eating at Berrydale, Portland
Don’t Be Fooled! The real Benefits of Stinking Toe Fruit
Jamaica’s 1999 Gas Riots & Peter Tosh dies
Sweet Sweet Jamaica: Childhood Candies and pastries
Hurricane Essentials: Must-Have Items for Storm Season
Jamaica’s 4 most destructive hurricanes
Trish Di Dish: Jamaican Craft Queen
My Top 5 Bob Marley Songs
St. Elizabeth’s Sweet Secret: Jess’s Jamaican Pastries
14 Jamaican Superstitions That Will Leave You Intrigued
Items you would find in every Jamaican household
Tiger: A Dancehall Legend. What really happened?
Peter Tosh: Inside the Shocking Murder of a Reggae Icon
Jerk Chicken Magic at Nain St. Elizabeth
Jamaica’s Jolly Buses: School boy Memories
A Rasta’s Bounty: Jamaican Fruit & Folk Wisdom on the Road
Wayne’s famous Ital soup at Spur Tree, Manchester
Meet Norwich’s Breadfruit King
