Stush in the Bush is an apt description of Lisa and Chris Binns. Stush is a word Jamaicans love. It implies style, pride, and a certain arrogance about living a good life, valuing quality, what’s important. The most important ingredient in every Stush in the Bush product is love and affection; it even says so, right on the label.
It was Tammy’s birthday, and she wanted to be hiking in the Blue Mountains, with Family and close Friends. We were a group of Jamaicans, and none of us had ever hiked the Cunha Cunha Pass, a 5.5 mile mountain trail, which was first used by the Windward Maroons, (Taino and Africans who ran away to the mountains rather than stay as slaves).
Last winter I was lucky enough to tour with Stephen and Sahar-Arafat Ray. They asked for a couple days pursuing Steve’s passion – Music, and Sahar’s – Food, in southwest Jamaica. Steve has a dream job promoting Texas generated music for the Austin Public Art’s Council, and Sahar is one of Austin’s favorite cooking instructors and food bloggers – Tart Queens Kitchen. The resulting blog can be found on Sahar’s blog: http://www.tartqueenskitchen.com/?p=2278
In Jamaica we take eating seriously. Most islands are simply too small or overdeveloped to sustain local agriculture and must rely on imported foods. In Jamaica eating ‘local’ and eating well, is a point of pride.
Lynda Lee Burks has lived in Jamaica most of her adult life. She supports her passion for living by the sea, by organizing tours of Jamaica, producing events – dub poets to destination weddings, and as artist and teacher.