Friends in Carib Territory

With a basic map, and directions from a local, we head south down the only road from the airport. Although the road is narrow and often full of hairpin turns, it is well-paved, and other cars are few, which makes for significantly easier driving. We soon reach Carib Territory - a section of land on the East coast of the island, facing the stormy Atlantic Ocean. Dominica is the only Caribbean island with a remaining indigenous population. The last of the Carib Indians, 3,000 total, live in this territory.

We see a Rastafarian walking on the side of the road and we invite him to ride with us. He tells us that he lives off the land, growing plentiful food to live well - bananas, citrus, and roots such as yams, potatoes and dasheen. He also has a small (illegal) marijuana plot hidden in the Central Forest Reserve, occasionally using the proceeds to purchase goods that cannot be grown on the land itself, but primarily the crop is to share with friends. And friends appear to be many, as he seems to know every person we pass on the road.

Materially, he says he has little, he owes his health to the fresh water from the rivers and the bountiful food from the land. Friends are plentiful, and community important. He says that he's happy with this. This proves to be a common attitude among many we are to meet on this island - "We don't have many things, but we have what makes us happy."

"Jah blesses you, mon" are the last words he says when we drop him off at his destination. We have a few more miles until we arrive at our lodging, but already I know this is going to be a good trip. We have the blessing of Jah.

Friends in Carib Territory

With a basic map, and directions from a local, we head south down the only road from the airport. Although the road is narrow and often full of hairpin turns, it is well-paved, and other cars are few, which makes for significantly easier driving. We soon reach Carib Territory - a section of land on the East coast of the island, facing the stormy Atlantic Ocean. Dominica is the only Caribbean island with a remaining indigenous population. The last of the Carib Indians, 3,000 total, live in this territory.

We see a Rastafarian walking on the side of the road and we invite him to ride with us. He tells us that he lives off the land, growing plentiful food to live well - bananas, citrus, and roots such as yams, potatoes and dasheen. He also has a small (illegal) marijuana plot hidden in the Central Forest Reserve, occasionally using the proceeds to purchase goods that cannot be grown on the land itself, but primarily the crop is to share with friends. And friends appear to be many, as he seems to know every person we pass on the road.

Materially, he says he has little, he owes his health to the fresh water from the rivers and the bountiful food from the land. Friends are plentiful, and community important. He says that he's happy with this. This proves to be a common attitude among many we are to meet on this island - "We don't have many things, but we have what makes us happy."

"Jah blesses you, mon" are the last words he says when we drop him off at his destination. We have a few more miles until we arrive at our lodging, but already I know this is going to be a good trip. We have the blessing of Jah.