Kelly's World | 'Country' nice, yes, but ...

Have you ever heard older people reminiscing on the 'good old days'?

Dependent on who the person is, they may be talking about their days growing up in 'country'. Now, I have always felt that not all rural areas are created equal.

For instance, some places we see on the nightly news that cause us to wonder just how exactly you get there. And this isn't even when heavy rain causes landslides; just the regular road is a disaster by itself.

Or how about those places where those international travel shows would love to visit to see the 'real' Jamaica? You know what I mean, the ones where you have a 360-degree view of pure greenery, nothing but bush!

That, for me, is 'country'. But when some people talk about country, and then follow it up with one of the parish capitals (like they say "I grew in Port Maria, St Mary") it's almost like I'm less impressed.

 

URBAN COUNTRY

 

I've always called some rural towns 'urban country' because the term rural seems to have a more rustic feel to it.

So whenever I hear people say they're from Mandeville or Montego Bay, and I think of all the 'modern' stuff these towns have, I sometimes quip they aren't really from 'country'.

Problem is, even those rural towns that were once so quiet, you had to pay the residents to mek likkle noise, are now facing issues they wouldn't have imagined.

Whether it's the migration of the lottery scammers or the growth of little 'shotta' factions fighting for 'turf', country ain't as peaceful as it used to be.

But while I can appreciate the country life to a point, I'm not sure if I could live in a really rural town.

I went hiking with a friend to a section of St Thomas (or it could have been Portland, you know how tricky identifying the parish border can be when you're in deep bush).

The place was quite idyllic, with a cool river, food prepared over coal fire and not a blaring sound system anywhere.

It was a great place to VISIT, but I don't know if I could spend the majority of my time there.

I have this (almost) phobia of being too remote from the 'wider' world. This is weird because at times I feel like I want to disappear from the hustle and bustle, but I'm not sure how distant from civilisation I could get.

While I am no fan of the pollution (both air and noise) that surrounds me at various parts of Kingston and St Andrew, I don't know if I could work with only the chirping of the birds and the wind rustling the branches and leaves.

Although I suspect as long as I had cable TV I'd be fine. But wouldn't that defeat the purpose of 'getting away'?

A real country setting is perfect for when, er, I mean if, I get a nervous breakdown. But not long term. Maybe as I get closer to retirement, I might change my mind.

For now, a rural-esque part of the Corporate Area will do just fine; I get the best of both worlds.

- Travel with me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com