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Often when I travel, I am broadcasting my journalist hat and ask a set of the same questions to everyone I meet. Do you know any farms? Beautiful flowers? Seen any dolphins lately? Many people pointed me toward the 'Rasta Farm' run by 'the Bushman'. Sounded like something I'd like, so I made it my goal. The three hours I spent there were some of the sweetest moments in the whole Caribbean. My first encounter with the Rastas of SxM was at the Ital restaurant on Bush road. A tiny house perched on a hill with 4 tables on an open patio is run by the Bushman's son, who taught me how to identify Purslaine (pictured below) that I gathered wild. For lunch I ate a curry roti-very popular all over the islands it was veggies wrapped in flour pancake. 100% vegan; ital = vital. Fresh juices were available in ginger, beet, or grapefruit. Once I made it to the farm on the French side of the island, I was greeted by a volunteer who was running the produce stand on the property. She was finishing a plum harvest. Also for sale that day were tomatoes, herbs, and other fruit. Two kids showed up because it was their day off school. We played together among the trees and shady pavilions. From what I understand, this is the only working farm that supplies locally grown produce. Which is surprising, because the island was originally inhabited and covered with sugarcane plantations. Later in the afternoon, I met the Bushman and his wife, both crowned with ancient dreadlocks. Real Roots Rastas. A nonviolent diet is one of my favorite elements of the Rastafarian religion. I try to eat vegan meals to balance my body and pursuit what I find agreeable. I learned that we can create our freedom through responsibility to leadership of ourselves. Like more sustained energy from plants. Learning new skills to feed myself from the soil and seeds is a blessing of freedom. I found a lot of signs for exploration among the weeds. these pictures below were taken during my walk across the Dutch, French border of Saint Martin. Saint Martin lovingly shares his cloak. Philipsburg, the Dutch capitol in the SE corner this two-nation island of Sint Maarten was my school for a week. The French claim Marigot as capitol of the French, NW side the island of Saint Martin. This cruise port city has the European comforts of gelato and great buses for $1 a ride. Even better, most business is conducted in American dollars. A few government workers receive pay in Eastern Carib dollars (EC), so don't freak out when you see grocery stores shelves labeling a box of cereal at $7 (the cashier will exchange and accept your currency). Note, Euros are only accepted on the French side where the grand marche is straight out of Paris. I couchsurfed here for 10 days prior to a flight to Jamaica. Each day was a new opportunity to get onto a boat for short and long term freedom rides. Boating, akin to biking, gives me a feeling of freedom. My body becomes lighter and my field of possibilities opens up into new heights. |
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