A Jally Good Time

It was your typical early morning fishing expedition. The crisp morning air, the gentle sway of the wide open sea - oh, and the mind-numbing noise of heavy machinery at work. Now, while a few minutes in the area left me seriously contemplating the pros and cons of ripping my ears off with my bare hands, Jally the fisherman from Bull Bay in St Andrew seemed unperturbed by the ensuing madness. He and I were standing near the Palisadoes main road in Kingston, recently, while major work was going on nearby. Trucks, tractors and dozens of shouting men and women were there, working on expanding the roadway.

Jally's fishing line was in the waters of the Kingston Harbour. I asked him if perhaps a less chaotic scene wouldn't have been more desirable.

"No sah! Afta mi nuh business wid dem," he answered quickly. "Dat deh work ah gwaan from when, and it nah go done fi now. Mi can't wait pan dat."

Falla fashin!

I looked across the road. A white car was parked there and two men, both dressed in striped shirts, were standing near the water. They were both holding fishing rods, the lines of which were in the water. Further down the road a man in blue overalls was wiping sweat from his forehead. A large fishing rod was at his feet. I mentioned to Jally that there seemed to be a lot of persons who felt the same way he did.

"Idiot dem!" he shouted. "Dem too falla fashin! When time mi used to come out here come fishin', mi never see dem. Now everybody come crowd up crowd up," said Jally, looking cross. I asked him if the returns were good.

"Yeah man, nuff fish deh out here," he said. "But true everybody start hitch up one place now, it kinda dwingle down."

Cars going to and coming from the nearby airport were moving quickly along the roadway behind us. Every now and again, someone would yell something to Jally.

"Ketch some fi mi too!" one taxi driver begged. Another man driving a black van with very big wheels shouted, "Come sell mi two pound ah di fish when yuh done!"

Jally looked at me. "Joker dem," he said.

There was a white bucket near Jally's feet and I asked him if that was what he used to collect the fish he caught. He nodded and I got closer to take a look inside. It was empty. Before I could say anything, Jally spoke up. "Ah true mi come out likkle late today why it nuh full up yet. Mi ah experts so more time all five bucket mi full," he declared.

Tourist

A small white car laden with the burden of at least five large suitcases and an equally weighty female passenger slowed as it was driving by. The driver was a skinny man wearing a cap. The female passenger stuck her head out the window.

"Hey there, how you doin'?" she shouted. Jally turned to her.

"I haven't had any fish in so long! Gimmi some of what you gat!"

The woman was wearing dark glasses and had a big smile on her face. The driver's expression was unchanged.

Jally waved and grinned. The woman waved back. "Alright my friend, we'll talk!" The car drove away.

It was getting hot out there near the Palisadoes roadway. Jally was sweating heavily and still had no catch to show for his efforts. I asked him how much longer he would stay out there.

"Mi haffi at least ketch something. Nuh worry yuhself, man. Fish soon ketch. Mi ah experts, nuh worry bout me," he said.

Where should Robert go next? Let him know at robert.lalah@gleanerjm.com

Feedback

The following is feedback to last week's Roving with Lalah.

As I sit here at my desk in COB Spiecher, Tikrit, Iraq looking all serious and mission focused I burst out in thunderous laughter. Everyone around me was looking all confused as if I momentarily lost my mind. If only they knew how joyous it is to read your column they would understand. Starting next week, I will copy and email your article to all my soldiers and co-workers. I'm expecting an office filled with thunderous laughter.

- CPT Plunkett

Lalah, you are a true Jamaican. Keep up the good work. I'll keep coming back for more.

- Neville

Keep on writing Dr Lalah, it's medicine for us all.

- Shakka

Can you believe it? I passed that place thousands of times before and never made a stop. After Lalah's encounter I think I just might. Loved the section of the story with the discourse between the Rastaman and Lalah.

- Ocsa

Superior story-telling style.You capture the essence of our people. I cannot wait for Tuesdays here in Brampton, Ontario to get connected through you.

- Grace

Something about how you put words together to create a picture as we read. I just love JA and Jamaicans. Please continue to write for us, especially those overseas - it keeps us close to home.

- Patty

I really look forward to reading your piece every week. I miss Jamaica so much, this is the nearest I can get to being back home. Nothing like this you will see in England. Keep up the good work.

- Mfrancis

I so look forward to Tuesday mornings! Kudos, Lalah. You're like a Kisko on a hot day!

- Yardigurl29