Once my work brought us (family) to Kingston that is in Jamaica. When we arrived it was the season before lent and a lot of activities were now lined up, considering that the Carnival in Jamaica is about to start. I'm just glad that my secretary booked our accommodations in advance otherwise we would be left on the streets because hotel rooms were already taken.
We decided to experience the festivities and extended our stay for another week. The most intriguing part of the carnival was the 8-mile walk attended by dancers in a state of almost total undress wriggling to the accompaniment of Jamaican music, particularly the popular reggae. Then not to be outdone are the colorful floats complete with large festival flags and various
pennant streamers that continue to be a favorite fare to tourists since it joined the festivities in the 90's.
Aside from the colorful display, what caught our attention were the hundreds of food carts that lined the streets. Come to think of it as street foods, but with a difference because these are courtesy of the luxury hotels and food chain serving the tantalizing chicken and pork jerk native only to Jamaica, taken with chilled fruit juice that is in season.
We truly enjoyed not just the carnival but also the food, but after 2 weeks on this particular diet, we started to crave for food from home. We roamed around and when I saw an
American flag jutting out of the KFC food chain, I know we're home. But, what surprised us are the patrons that eat at the joint, no tourists but all were local inhabitants.
I found out from the resident manager that Jamaican's dig KFC even over local delicacies.
by:
The Flagman
