Jus Now...

What does this title actually mean?  That's a good question.  One of the ice breakers last week was to share some of our slang and language differences with the group.  As the Canadians had fun sharing some "double double" explanations, the Grenadians told us about the "jus now" concept.  We have experienced this comment on quite a few occasions.  

To recap, last week we were meeting and interviewing people who are focused on preserving Grenadian traditional music and practicing using herbal and home remedies for illnesses.  So when the appointments and times were set up, there is never a real guarantee that everyone will be on time - for many reasons.  So if you ask the person when we will be able to meet, they might say "I'll be there jus now"....which, as it was explained to me, could mean in a few minutes, an hour, a day or even a week or more.  So if a Grenadian says "yes, I'll be back jus now" that doesn't mean right away.  So we have been having fun enjoying the fluidity of the schedule.

Can you see the name of this boat?

Monday was a day to visit a few more interesting people as we approach the final stages of gathering and documenting stories and culture.  I was only able to be with one practitioner of herbal medicine in the morning.  He has a doctorate in botany, and spent most of his career educating.  

We sat in the middle of his farm among swaying bamboo, listening to his ideas and philosophy on education, climate change, symbiosis, Grenada culture, generational differences, apathetic teachers, applied learning, marijuana usage and the list continues.  This man was inspiring and we filmed for 45 minutes.  After the end of the interview, I felt I had completed a full 45 minutes of shavasana in yoga.  I was relaxed, calm and ready to tackle the world.  It truly is important to listen to "elders" - they have an amazing ability to find simple methods of solving problems and understanding life.   The students were as mesmerized.   If I have a chance, I hope to share some of this educator's video with colleagues and friends.

His farm is on a very steep hillside and is not in neat and tidy rows. His farm is a natural growing series of native plants.  He cultivates and maintains every plant and has a specific use for each one.  There were tons of fruit trees, spices and herbs, plants used for medicinal purposes, plants for specific pest control, and plants that are just pretty to have around and enjoy.  He told us how the plants are at the bottom of the food chain and unfortunately humans do not respect the plants for this reason.  As I looked around, I realized I was sitting near a nutmeg tree.

 Nutmeg Tree

Nutmeg fruit - the red part is mace, and then under this is the nutmeg.  The fruit (yellow flesh) is used to make jams and jellies.  I have been enjoying the jam on toast every morning.

So overall, another amazing day with so much learning it is hard to describe in a blog.  The rest of the week I return to being an instructor as I prepare the students for their final presentations on Friday.  

Grenada fact of the day...

There are over 90 unique species of mango in Grenada.