Hey Alan it’s your cousin Marcia. Ba’Stan my grandfather used to take us to church on the old swinging bridge. He placed all 4 of us all under 10 years on his donkeys back. That’s where I developed my fear of heights. The donkey was sure footed but I could feel that bridge moving beneath us.

Now, those are treasured memories. Us grandkids were feeling ourselves because we had spent a few years in the Bronx. This close to nature lifestyle was good for bringing us close to our home.

On the way back, I preferred to take off my Sunday clothes and hike back through the bush and cross the river by foot.

Such old and happy memories from the late 60s and early 1970s.

Local Maroons used some of the materials from the destroyed building to expand the village that today bears its name.

Incidentally, you are pictured on Swinging Bridge but this (revised) structure has been no more since the Rio Grande broke its banks during heavy rainfall 3 years ago, almost to the day. I happened to be there (in Port Antonio) when the news broke and wondered how people, many of whom are relatives, would cope. Mother Nature has conspired to place barriers in the way of these people for centuries, so it was no surprise when I heard they drew on their typical resolve to find a way. Now, however, I understand that an infinitely more substantial and thoroughly engineered bridge has been installed; funded, I imagine, by the Chinese (as are most things in Jamaica these days). I’m a little saddened in a way because I was already lamenting never being able to experience the rope and rotting board version of Swinging Bridge my mother described in tales of her childhood.

Jamaicans make Jamaica truly Jamaica and many vacationers don’t get to meet these amazing people as they stay mostly in resorts. But I am glad we (you and us) got to meet them and call some of them our friends!

Hey, maybe we cross paths in Jamaica one day! I think that would be awesome!

–Jazzy

I couldn’t agree with you more Elizabeth, our memories of Jamaica are sooo precious to us. We love Jamaica, it holds a special place in our hearts!
And yes!!! You never know what is waiting for you around the corner :)

P.s. Love that you visited so much of JA!

That sounds like it was gorgeous. Sometimes all you gotta do is ask! Thanks for sharing with us Ryan :)

Thanks Candace :) We are definitely going back to Jamaica without question (it’s now one of our top favorite places) and of course we will check out River Bumpkin Farm. You had me at excellent food … hehehe!