‘NOTHING BEATS CHRISTMAS IN JAMAICA’
Filled with nostalgia and anticipation, diaspora members flock to the Rock for holidays
Published:Wednesday | December 20, 2023 | 12:10 AMSashana Small/Staff Reporter
Hopeton Nelson stood outside the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Tuesday, eagerly looking for his ride to take him home to St Thomas.
Donning a green suit with bold gold embroidery, completed with a green and gold pair of shoes, he stood out from the scores of travellers who had arrived in the island in time for the Yuletide season.
It’s been six years since the father of two spent Christmas in Jamaica, having left the island in search of greener pastures in New Jersey, United States. And after enduring the holidays in the cold, he was ready to come home.
“I’m here for the vacation, Boston beach, to get some jerk pork and enjoy myself,” he excitedly told The Gleaner.
The development taking place in St Thomas is also something he is keen to experience.
“It is the forgotten parish, and when I see what they are doing to improve it, I tell my wife [that] I need to get on that nice road,” he said.
After years working at a sugar factory in St Thomas, Nelson said its closure forced him to migrate as he fell on hard times. But being able to bring home gifts for his friends and family this holiday season makes the decision worth it.
“Mi haffi bring fi di family. As mi seh, tings hard out ya, so every man mi haffi mek sure seh mi have a Clarks fi dem … . A suh it set. Been away for six years, have nuff friends and family, haffi spend some hundred dollars,” he said, pointing to five suitcases at his feet.
DOUBLE CELEBRATION
Today is Oneil Lindo’s youngest daughter’s birthday. With a gift in hand, the father of three daughters arrived from the Cayman Islands – where he lives and works as a mechanic – in time for the “double celebration”.
“Spending Christmas with my family means more than anything in the world,” he said. “It is perfect being with them as a family and make them feel happy, … feel better than how mi did feel when I was young.”
Also flying in was Herma Phillips, who has lived in Queens, New York, for more than 36 years.
She told The Gleaner that although she now lives in the United States, she spends most of her Christmas holidays in her native land.
“Christmas in New York, you have to stay inside because of the cold [weather],” she said.
That’s a stark contrast to what the retired nurse is looking forward to doing this holiday season.
“I want to enjoy the sunshine and eat the good food – the curried goat, roast breadfruit, rice and peas, sugar cane, coconut,” she said, hastening towards the vehicle waiting to take her to her extended family in St Thomas.
‘I LOVE MY COUNTRY’
The last Christmas Audrey McKenzie spent in Jamaica was in 2020 during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, she said, dampened the holiday spirit. She is hoping that it has been revived since she last visited.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the lights and the enjoyment … . I love Jamaica Christmas, when you abroad and Christmas time all you do is just gift and just stay in … . Not like here, not like Jamaica where Christmas is merrymaking, our families get together. I just love Christmas here,” she said.
“My family is here, my husband is still here, my children and grandchildren are here. I love Jamaica; I love my country. I wouldn’t give weh my country for nowhere,” she told The Gleaner.
McKenzie said she left the island seven years ago to join her son in New York, but ensures she comes home most Christmas holidays.
The Portland native said she is looking forward to reviving her family tradition of eating roast pork and bread on Christmas morning.
“On Christmas morning, my mom used to have the roast pork and bread. Wi never used to cut bread; we used to break the bread,” she recalled fondly.
Meanwhile, Dwight Smith, who has lived in the Cayman Islands for the last nine years, is looking forward to spending the holiday with his wife and toddler at home in St Catherine.
“Once you come through that [airport] door, [it] is a different feeling,” he said. “Jamaica is the best place for me; it’s different from everywhere else. Christmas here is different. Christmas in Jamaica is home.”