Jamaica Jah Bless Deh Pon Wi :: Sports Day

We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we left training early one day to go see “Sports Day” at a local primary school. To be honest, most of us were tired and really just wanted to go home. But we went and did not regret it!

Sports Day was in full swing by the time we arrived. There was loud music, cheering, team banners being held up, and even beer being sold outside for the parents… wait what? Yes, you read that correctly. Red Stripe for all! The point is that Sports Day is a huge deal in Jamaica. Students are assigned to a team when they are enrolled in the school (think Harry Potter houses) and those teams compete against each other. Each team has its own color and the students, parents, and teachers represent their teams color from head to toe. We watched obstacle races, sack races, and dashes. It was awesome to see how excited everyone got over these games. As a matter of fact, all of us trainees got pretty excited as well and decided to run in a race of our own. We were all still dressed in our training clothes but that did not stop us. We kicked off our flats and lined up for the race. I was asking someone when we were supposed to start when I turned around to see my fellow competitors racing towards the finish line. That was my bad.

Anyway, I ended up WINNING 4^th place :) Out of four. The principal greeted us in the center of the track to award us with our medals. She told me that mine was just a participation medal because typically only 1^st-3^rd are awarded medals.

Before

After

Big ups to my fellow competitors Courtney, Megan, and Dan (the real MVP). You were all worthy opponents and I feel honored to have raced alongside (but behind) you.

Jamaican culture is always surprising me. This was such a fun surprise. I’m already looking forward to celebrating Sports Day at my own school next year.

xoxo, Leah