Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-05-24, Page 18PAGE 4A--OODERICH SIGNAL-S7i.R, THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1973 Travel feature Montserrat - poor but stable This is the second of a travel series by Signal Star Photo - Journalist Ron Shaw. Last week we looked at the island of Antigua and this week begins the first of several stories about the island paradise of Mont- serrat. Montserrat is basically van Agricultural .country, it always has been and probably always will be. Their economy though is not' self sustaining and is heavily subsidized by grants from the British government and foreign aid mostly from Canada Canadian aid covers many areas of the .island life but the most outstanding is the com- plete water service which has been installed by. paid for and operated by Canada. Earlier 1 referred to the native peoples. To do• so, in that context, is not entirely correct and should be further explained. In the earlier days of its history, long before Columbus first set foot on North America or any of the Caribbean Islands, islands like Mont- serrat were populated by the Carib Indians. Even that statement needs clarifying because the Carib's are said to have been a tran- sient race, moving from one island to the other in canoes hut never staying long. in one place. Their life was nomadic and they were not agriculturally inclined, so many of the islands would exist for generations without seeing humans. Then a wandering tribe of Caribs would stop for a time hut eventually move on. The Carib Indians were not dtmrk skinned as the present Montserrat native, tg.it were in fact, more like the Polynesians. As the islands were colonized by agriculturally inclined races after 1532 the Carib Indians withdrew to the mainland of South America and today only a ver'v few small tribes of this race still exist. Sugar, Cotton and similar products requiring a great deal of labor. were found very well suited to the islands like Mont- serrat and as a result the slave trade brought to those islands a new race of people. Negroes from Africa. The present natives of Mont- serrat are therefore relative newcomers to the islands being descendants of slaves first im- ported to the islands during the early 1600s. Although later England chose to free its slaves their ride from Africa to Montserrat had been on a one way ticket and a whole new generation had grown up on the island so they stayed. Living conditions for - these people. first appear to. theNorth. American extremely primitive if not reminiscent of photographs on CARE' posters. However a closer examination showx,..-.Like in so many societies around the world, Montserrat should not be judged on our' standards. W. J. Denomme FLOWER SHOP Phone 524-8132 DAY ° `�� OR NIGHT At the peril of falling into those gastly cliches about "happy natives" I must point out that life in Montserrat goes along with a song on everyone's lips. Life moves slowly, with none of the North American pressures grinding down on day to day living, and as a result the people of Montserrat are a relatively, contented lot. This does not mean there are not social problems that should be corrected. Doubtless there are but in two weeks of talking with natives on just this sub- ject, and working with them as I compiled these articles, not once did I ever hear a com- plaint about one single problem. Those houses which to us might seem little more than one room shacks, are regarded as quite sufficient. Each day the women' go down to the village tank to bring back buckets of water on their head but no one seems tot mind the laCk of indoor plum- bing. Men and women, work the fields all day in• 80 degree plus temperatures but the evenings are long and cool and no one seems to regard the work a har- ,`dship. What can one say? Life looks so hard, so demeaning and so bare but the people living it laugh and sing and never com- plain, so how can one judge'? Village life takes place around one of two things. For the women its the village tank I mentioned and for the men ifs a street lamp outside the rum shop. The tank is a stone or cement water tank equipped with several taps from which the people can draw their wate? The tank is kept 'filled from a reservoir atop the mountains and a pumping system, all in- stalled by the Canadian' gover- nment. At these tanks women gather to gossip as they fetch water or wash their clothes, their children or anything else that might need washing. Anyone selling soap in Montserrat must do very well indeed because cleanliness is most important. Meanwhile, with the days work complete, the men gather outside. a_ rum shop to sprawl on' the pavement in the glow of a street lamp and play either dominoes or an island -game that makes use of dice and a board with holes along which.. the player advances stones. One evening I ,had ' the misfortune of topping a hill in our jeep a little_ too fast thus almost wiping out half the male population of Harris village as they played under a street lamp just down the slope. The men were most indignant --about the whole.... -affair since _ apparently any fool should have known there would be a game in progress under that lamp. And so the social life of the local population goes on, c+en- tred for the- most part in the local villages and often within almost a -family or tribal circle. There are surprisingly few family names on the island with perhaps half the island population sharing four or five common surnames. The reason for this being that Montserrat claims what must be one of the highest illegitimate birth rates in the world. Asking a father about his family and how many children he has will often bring a reply like, "Well I have six At home and I guess eight outside." The "outside" refers to 'children born to women other than his wife Eby him. This should not draw any conclusions about the lack of church activity on Montserrat. In even the smallest village Wel.- are at least two or three churches, but despite the efforts Agent for 24 -hr. FILM DEVELOPING Enjoy a 2 Night Special in TORONTO The. Lord Simcoe has something extra for you. It's a 2 night special for two at a cost of only $59.90. it includes deluxe accommodation for two nights, dinner in the famous Captain's Table complete with a champagne cocktail, breakfast each morning and a sightseeing tour of Toronto's many exciting attractions all for only $59 90, subject to advance registrati(s. .I he Lord Simcoe is in the heart of downtown Toronto, close to shopping, theatres'and entertainment. You get something else that's special at the Lord Simcoe it's friendly hospitality you will enjoy through- out your stay with us. Colour TV in -every room, fully air conditioned. Ld mweHotel See your travel agent or contact us at. 150 King Street West, Toronto. Telephone 362 1848. of the local pastors, and birth control pills provided virtually free, there are still a large num- ber of children born "outside." As a entioned earlier much of a Montserratians life is spent in the village. of his or her birth. In one case when Peg and 1 took two girls from Hai ris village to a movie in Plymouth, 12 miles away,. it ,represented one, of only a few times when one of the girls had ever been to the city. The same girl had never been to the most northerly village on the island which would only have been about 20 miles away. Etrrlier I referred to the native peoples. To do so, in that context, is not entirely correct and should be further explained. In the earlier days of its history, long before Columbus first set foot on North America or any -cif the Caribbean Islands, islands like Mont- serrat were populated by the Carib Indians, Even Eller statement needs clarifying because the Caribs are said to have been a tran- sient race, moving 'from one island to' the other in canoes but never staying long in one place. Their li was nomadic and they were not agriculturally inclined, so many of the islands would exist for generations without seeing humans. Then a wandering tribe of Caribs would stop for a time but eventually move on. The Carib Indians were not dark skinned as' the present Monserrat native, but were in fact more like the- Polynesians. As the islands were colonized by agriculturally inclined races after 1632' the Carib In- dians withdrew to the ainland of South America and today only a very few small tribes of this race still exist. Sugar, cotton and similar products requiring a great deal of labor were found veru well suited to the islands like Mont- serrat and as a result the slave trade brought to those islands a new race of people. Negros from Africa. The present natives of Mon- serrat are therefore relative newcomers to the islands being descendants of slaves first im- ported to the islands during the early 1600's. Although later England chose to free its slaves their ride from Africa to Montserrat had been on a one way ticket and a whole new generation had grown up on the island so they stayed. Living conditions tor these people first appear to the North American extremely primitive if not reminiscent of photographs on CARE posters. However a closer examination shows,- like in so many societies around the world,. Montserrat should not be judged on our standards. At the peril of ,falling into those ghastly cliches about "happy natives" I must point out that life in Monserrat goes along with a song on everyone's lips. Life moves slowly, with none of the North American pressures grinding down on day to day living, and as a result the people of Montserrat are a relatively contented lot. This does not mean there are not social problems that should be corrected. Doubtless there are but in two weeks of talking Aitnough agriculture remains as the centre of Montserrats economy no-one living there' Is ever very far from the sea and that facto Is reflected in a fairly active if backward fishing Industry. This young man prepares a home made spear gun before wading Into the surf In search of lobster and a fish known as the Red Snapper. (photo by Ron Shaw) with natives on just this sub- ject, and working with them as 1 compiled these articles, not once did I ever hear a com- plaint about one single problem. . Those houses, which to us might seem little more than one room shacks, are regarded as quite sufficient. Each day the women go down to the village tank to bring back buckets of water :,on their head but no one seems to mind the lack of indoor plum- bing. Men and women work the fields all day in 80 degree plus temperatures but the evenings are long and cool and no one seems to regard the work a har- dship. What can one say? Life, looks so hard, so demeaning and so bare but the people living it laugh and sing and never com- lain, so how can one judge? Montserrat is basically an Agricultural country, it always has been and probably always will be. Their economy though, is not self sustaining and .is heavily subsidized by grants from the British government and foriegn aid mostly from Canada. Canadian aid covers many areas of the island life but the most outstanding is the com- plete water service which has been installed by, paid for and operated by Canada. Village life takes place around one of two things. For the women its the vi)lage tank I mentioned and for the men its a street lamp outside the rum shop. The tank is a stone or cement water tank equipped with several taps from which the people cap draw their water. The tank is kept filled from a reservoir, atop the mountains and a pumping system, all in - (Continued on page 10A) .n ••,K FIorida6nitOctan�liie, • IOW - 3200 Galt Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale 33308 - narr 4I Acres of private,,, ocean -,)encu -•heated, pool, sun decks •-luxurious accomnodatiorvAgolf..... prtviledges on..3 championship -courses • -free t€nnis.on.premises .•superb dining .•. nightly dancing and entertainment • visits to Walt Disney World available. See your travel agent or contact: Innkeeper, 212 King St. W., Toronto, Tel. (416) 362-7537 FOR YOUR 1973 HOLIDAY YOU'D BETTER GO SUNTOURS SUNFLIGHTS SUNTOURS 'BRITAIN FOR LESS' CANADA WEST 2 WEEKS -BARBADOS FROM $302.00 1 WEEK -BAHAMAS FROM $179.00 2 WEEKS -ACAPULCO FROM $319.0O SUNFLIGHT INCLUDES: * Jet Air Transportation from Toronto to your destination and return. * Air Conditioned Accommoda- tions with bath and full use of re- sort facilities. * Transfers between Airport and Hotel and • return including the handling and tipping for one piece of baggage. *Sunflight Beach Bag. SUNFLIGHTS DEPART WEEKLY Special New CHARTER FLUGHTS • ... WITH A DIFFERENCE FROM 189. TORONTO -LONDON -TORONTO DIFFERENT BECAUSE: You fly the newest and quietest giant on the route... the magnificent 1)(' -lo. Gentle Giant 'comfort... big windows, room to stretch, walk around... a marvelous, roomy feeling. Free in-flight movies ,and stereo... superb meals... free first class bar... duty free shopping privileges. Departures for two, three and four weeks from Toronto every weekend. For more exact departure dates call us toll free at 1-800-265-5254 ROCKIES & PACIFIC 15 DAYS- $695 A fully escorted itinerary from Toronto visiting Calgary, Banff, Columbia Icefields, Jasper, Vic- toria and Vancouver. includes Economy Class Air Fare, deluxe private motorcoach while tour- ing, four breakfasts and six din- ners, First Class Accomodations and handling and tipping for one piece of baggage per person. GRAND PACIFIC CIRCLE - 15 DAYS $73$.0O A fully escorted itinerary from Toronto visiting San Francisco and environs, Portland, Seattlee and a ferryboat cruise across Juan de Fuca Strait to Victoria, Vancouver, Fraser Canyon, Jas- per, Banff and Calgary. DEPARTS WEEKLY JUNE - SEPT. BETTER BECAUSE * You get a holiday that takes you there... and brings,you back! * You get the best possible values! • You get all the benefits of Suntours and the Royal Bank of Canada! * Last, but not least, you get the professional services and free advice of VELLINGA'S WORLD wIDE TRAVEL SERVICE LTD. *44 Q.ssi Street, - Chatham, Ontario Travolphine 519-352=5150 CaII Toll Free 1-800-265-5254 P.S.—We look after all your Travel Documents! w the craft corner 40 MAMMON SI G0DER1(14 FOR THE FINEST IN - HUNTING FISHING & SPORTS EQUIPMENT CIA Alltsts sloAct1 10:00 a,m, N 1 2:00 p.m, N 4104 524411 HUC L SPORTING 73 Hamilton St. 0 1 Join Your Fellow Canadians on a 1913 TRAVELLINGA COMMUNI FRIENDSHIP TOO1 YUGOSLAVIA ANLL THE DALMArTION 'COAST Fifteen days on the beautiful Dalmation Coast, TM visit Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Split; tour througho f beautiful countryside; cruise along the coast to tr islands of Korcula and Hvar; visit the Moorish tihi Mostar. Sept. 9 departure escorted by Dean Hupp Sept. 30 departure by Art Wachsmuth, Both of rite men have led a number of Travellinga Tours irfthap* 15 DAYS—All inclusive from Toronto ONLY $575.00 EUROPE - 1 enty-two days visiting Holland, Germany,,* tria, Switzerland, France and Belgium. Visit to world-renowned cities as Amsterdam, Cologne, Bowe Munich, Vienna, Lucerne, Geneva and Paris. 1'a) cruise on the• romantic Rhine, viewing vine* castle -crowned hills and the famous Lorelei Rb Bavaria in Germany; the Vienna Woods and tki Danube; F'ranee with its picturesque villages andld vineyards. Departures on July 9, August 9 and St tember 6.. All Tours Management escorted through:4i 22 DAYS — Ail inclusive from Toronto ONLY -- $998.00 THE 'BRITISH ISLES AND SOUTHERN IRELAND- In Southern Ireland you'll see rugged and wild the awed -Inspiring Cliffs of Moher; mountains, Hl. and seascapes all vie with each other. Up in • you're in loch country; Glasgow, Edinburgh; Cairngorm Mountains; Firth of Forth; Edinburgh England's Lake District, Stratford-upon-Avon ands Shakespeare Memorial Theatre; Stonehenge , ,. Britain's; major pre -historic monument, over 3,0000 old. Europe's largest city, London; Buckingham Pi ace, House of Parliament, St. Paul's Cathedral, Tow of London. August 5 departure escorted by Rev,Ma rice Dobson; September 9 departure escorted by Wile Forbes. Both of these men have led .previous.TQ, vellinga Tours to Europe. 22 DAYS-- All inclusive from Toronto ONLY — $995.00 ALASKA AND THE YUKON — Edmonton and beautiful Alberta; the city of gold -Ott son City; travel the Skyway Highway to Fairbtnlu` the heart of Gold Rush country; cruise on thesis* wheeler "Discovery" down the Tanana River, stop at the Old Sourdough Indian Camps; you'll viiitdt North Pole, the home of good old St. Nick; Alaska fastest-growing. city, Anchorage; such places Oho* like Tok Junction, Haines Junction; Whitehorse int* ada's fabulous Yukon Territory; Skagway aid* "Trail of '98"; Prince Rupert, Jasper.- This Torsi be 'personally escorted by Mr. Jake Bruinewr former member of the R.C.M.P., and a person* lived in like the this palm of area his hand.b Departing er of arsfr d Tool ' knool on Augnst 8th, 1973. 22 DAYS — All inclusive from Toronto ONLY —$897.00 These tours are more than a vacation . • • tfoe a total travel experience. They have been espacl arranged for you and over the past few Years me1 }oun. of you have joined us on these outstanding many of you three and four times. This 110 choice and number of departures are better iM ever. Inquire today as space. is limited to 30 PO per tour. ee 1 800, 265'5254 Call Toll Fr ( ) and we'll send you the Brochure of the TO you're interested in, or complete the pon below and mail today. Yes, I am interested in Travellinga's 1973Ct�MM1 e FRIENDSHIP TOURS. Please send millustrated Brochure on the following Tours; YUGOSLAVIA & DALMATIA ALASKA & YUKON ISLES & SOUTHERN IRELAND. NAME: ADDRESS Interested Friends: Mail to: VELLINGA'S WORLDIW TRAVEL SERVICE LTD. 'Travellinga's Quality"Tou 244 Queen Street Chad'' THE 01191 TEL'