Jamaica Part 2
When I started writing these blogs, I thought I was at the tail end of recovery from Dengue Fever..turns out I was a bit delusional. That really threw a wrench in the spokes of my New York plans —and everything really. Nearly a year later I’m getting back on track with my writing and excited to continue to share my adventures Leica Q2 - 1st photo in Jamaica
I landed in Jamaica, after a long day of travel, on April 1st 2023. I was greeted by Dr Machel Emanuel at the airport with some herb and a freshly cut open coconut with a straw to quench my thirst.
I did minimal amount of research before going to Jamaica. I enjoy diving in without expectations. Although, I was aware that the US Embassy stated a level 4, do not travel, because of wide spread violence.
I wasn’t too worried about it, but I didn’t understand how sketch Kingston could get until I arrived.
I was advised by many locals I befriended to not wander around alone like I typically would snapping photos and exploring the area.
Canon Demi half frame - Dorm Room
I stayed in a dorm for post-grads at the University of the West Indies. Since it wasn’t safe in most of Kingston for solo travelers like me to be at hotels or air bnbs — especially because the amount of photography equipment I was traveling with.
The dorm was an interesting and fun experience —I didn’t do the traditional uni time out of high school.
My flatmates were a couple of med students from the Bahamas. Tim & Nay. They were super dope, really kind and helpful when I had questions.
It was humorous they thought I was a PhD student, then upon finding out I was a photographer working on a weed project their interest was much greater than I expected!
Canon Demi half frame - University of Kingston
I spent the first 5-6 days hanging around the uni getting acclimated, smoking herb, and meeting people.
The second night we ventured into the hills overlooking Kingston to Dub Club.
Dub Club is owned by an older Rasta musician. He opened his house to the public to jam to dub, eat ital, drink, and blaze ganja. It’s nestled below the street level down a long uneven, crooked stairway of about fifty steps. And it always seemed longer upon leaving!
April 7th:
We woke before the sun to get on the road heading east to St Thomas. This was the first venture outside the campus and into a different parish.
Our goal was to visit three farms each day out in the field.
Once out of the city, the drive reminded me of Humboldt backroads — but a tropical version. We drove high up into the mountains on windy one lane roads surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, many of the plants I’ve never seen before.
Leica Q2
Canon Demi - Professor and me
Leica Q2
Canon Demi - Melenin
The clouds were partial with the sun bursting through creating magnificent god rays that kissed the land. Higher and higher we drove up into the region to arrive to a man standing on the side of the road signaling our parking spot.
Drone view
Every parish we visited, we met with an escort that had access to the various properties we visited.
We greeted a group of men by a structure on the side of the road. After a few minutes of discussion we were shown a path into the jungle. One guy hoisted my 70lb pelican full of gear over his shoulder as we followed them into the jungle. The trail was slick mud, steep in areas so footing placement was crucial.
As we made our way down the path, Machel pointed out a nutmeg tree and plucked this apple-like fruit from the tree, popped it open and there was this dark seed entangled in this vibrant red webbing of sorts.
I brought the nutmeg back to the studio, check it out below! Click to enlarge
As we walked through the jungle the birds were singing as the sun passed through the big banana leaves and palms. This was a whole new world to me —my first tropical experience.
After about 10 minutes down the trail the land opened up to a clear cut area where the ganja was planted and the sweet aroma of herb filled the air.
Check out images from the farm below.Clicke to enlarge
Our first farm visit was a success!
Full flowering plants, farmers that wanted their photo captured, beautiful scenery, and decent weather.
Farm 2
House of second visit
The second location was around 30-45min drive away from the first. We pulled up to a house with a group of men chilling on the porch.
We greeted an older Rastafarian man and started explaining our project. After receiving his blessing for photos we headed to the garden
A short walk behind his house near a river bed juvenile plants revealed themselves.
It appeared he tossed seeds about randomly, they were hard to see at first glance. There were some males in the mix as well. He grew for sacramental use.
Machel interviewing
There were only a few flowered plants, one freshly half harvested. There wasn’t too much to see, but being able to meet and interview with the Rasta, who was born in the late 1940s, was worth the visit!
Check out images from his property below
Rasta
Farm 3
The last stop on our first tour was another hour or so away from the Rasta’s house.
We drove further up into the mountains. The scenes were incredibly beautiful, like out of a movie.
We arrived to a small village to find cannabis growing in all types of vessels around the property. It didn’t seem like they were growing for commercial purposes.
We met a couple of middle aged guys who lived at this property and were cultivating the herb. We followed them around the house to find a bunch of herb growing in beds along the fence.
Kinda like ornamental flowers or shrubs lining a property in any suburb neighborhood of the USA. It was really cool to see.
It started raining while we were up there, thankfully the rain comes and goes quickly leaving the plants vibing for their photos!
The images are arranged starting upper right, in a reading layout of what I saw first. Starting with the jungle scene, to then the fridge, so on and so on. Click image to enlarge.
The professor blessed these guys with some of his grown ganja and it left some big smiles on their faces.
Throughout this project I captured editorial images, like in this blog, portraits of the farmers, and studio macro-micro-motion content back at the university.
Our project took us on an unforgettable journey over the course of two weeks.
Early mornings became our norm, often rising at 3:30 am to load the truck with gear for long drives into the unknown, documenting every moment.
I collected field samples to bring back to my studio set up in professors office at the university.
We explored 15 cultivation areas spanning coast to coast on the island of Jamaica.
Ganja growing in the Black River morass
Next stop the Black River morass.