Carolyn Cooper | Giving thanks for the kindness of strangers

On New Year’s Eve, my sister Donnette, our friend Cecile and I planned to go to Columbus Cove. I must admit I have issues with memorials to Columbus. I’m on the same page as the central character in the novel Annie John by the Antiguan writer Jamaica Kincaid. When the schoolgirl Annie sees a picture of Columbus in her history book – in chains, “seated in the bottom of a ship” – she wickedly adds this caption: “The great man can no longer just get up and go.” She mocks the high and mighty explorer who is brought low after he fell out with Isabella, Queen of Spain.

Anyhow, I decided to forget about imperial politics and just enjoy a day at the beach, whatever the name. We wondered about the weather on the north coast and called to see if it was raining. It’s a good thing we did. The beach was closed. My sister and I decided to go to Bob Marley Beach instead. This was my first time on the new highway. It is such an excellent development. It took us about 10 minutes from the Harbour View roundabout to the beach. I know there must be trials and tribulations for pedestrians needing to cross the highway. I hope this issue can be satisfactorily resolved.

There are no longer any signposts for Bob Marley Beach. Corn Shop is my landmark. But you have to go way past the shop and turn around. Then, because the highway has been raised high above the original road, the entrance to the beach is now very steep. It’s almost like going over a precipice. This wasn’t stopping patrons who are still enjoying the beach despite the threat of exclusion. I got in touch with Dr Devon Taylor, president of The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM), for an update on that pressing issue.

This was his response: “The fight to protect the public’s right to access Bob Marley beach and to use the sea under the Prescription Act goes back into the Sutton Street court on March 28, 2024. This will be the third time the case will be called up.” In addition to JaBBEM there are nine other plaintiffs. These include “the Jamaica Surfing Association Limited, fisherfolks and members of the community in and around Bob Marley beach.”

The defendants are “the Woof Group Limited who now own over 200 acres of land adjoining the beach; and the Commissioner of Lands, a statutory body of the Jamaican government.” Dr Taylor confirmed that, “Rastafari heritage at the beach is also under threat with the land rights legal case to protect ancient Bongo Gabby’s home on the beach. This case is now in the Appeals court of Jamaica.” Dr Taylor forcefully argued that, “The public must continue to defend access to Bob Marley beach and push back against the displacement of Jamaicans from beaches and rivers across the island.”

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD

On New Year’s day, we made another attempt to visit Columbus Cove. I had resigned myself to paying the $1,000 entry fee. But I resented the fact that patrons are not allowed to bring their own refreshments. We stopped at Scotchies for a snack before heading to the beach. When we got there, we were most distressed to find that it was closed for a private function. We called the office and the phone was answered by the same woman we had spoken to the day before. We asked her if she didn’t think she could have told us then that the beach would not be open to the public the next day. She said it hadn’t occurred to her. She recommended another beach much further away.

I was not going to give up so easily. I decided to try my luck with the hosts of the event. I found out that they were Richard and Carol Bourke. I didn’t know them from Adam. But that wasn’t going to stop me. I asked if we could come on the beach and find a spot out of the way. Richard’s gracious response was, “If you’re in, you’re in; and if you’re out, you’re out. And you’re in.” He added that he would be very offended if we didn’t join the birthday party for his sister Joanne Bento.

We certainly did. The DJ, Jason Buchanan, aka Baby Thug, kept us dancing. Executive chef Ravi Anne who operates the restaurant at Columbus Cove, as well as the Manzil Indian restaurant in Soni’s Plaza, Ocho Rios prepared a brilliant array of dishes. To be honest, I would willingly purchase a meal at the Cove, catered by him, despite my vexation about the ban on ‘illegal’ food. The birthday cakes were gorgeous. Betty Chung from Ocho Rios did lychee and chocolate coffee cakes. The cheesecakes by Melonie Brown-Walters of Supreme Cheesecakes, Trelawny, definitely lived up to their name. And the efficient staff served guests in fine style: Chef Rattigan, Fabian, Latoya, Leonard, Nascellia and Shavel.

Richard and Carol Bourke have been in the hospitality business for decades. She’s now the general manager of Sandals Ocho Rios. He’s the managing director of Amstar DMC, a subsidiary of Apple Leisure Group. Hospitality is not just their profession. It’s who they are. I’m still giving thanks for their generosity. On our way home, Cecile reminded us of this proverb, “Fortune favours the bold.” My philosophy in these circumstances always is, “All dem can seh is no.” I’m certainly glad I was bold enough to ask for a favour. I was reminded that despite the constant negativity in the news – all the crime and violence – kindness is still in abundant supply in Jamaica.

Carolyn Cooper, PhD, is a teacher of English language and literature and a specialist on culture and development. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and karokupa@gmail.com.