FLEET STREET

Kingston downtown is not where you would want to go. Due to the gang rivalries, the area was once known as "murder capital of the world". However, on my last day in Jamaica, friends suggested visiting the Fleet street, famous for its Paint Jamaica and Plant Jamaica projects.

A brief history: Marianna Farag, a French traveller, while visiting the Downtown saw how poor and grey it is. So, in 2014 she partnered with Jamaican artists to colour the abandoned warehouse's walls and launch the project called Paint Jamaica. This project inspired a local volunteer Andrew Bruce, who started a spinoff project Plant Jamaica. The objective of the project is to create sustainable farms in local communities with the help of farmers, artists, and educators.

We took a cab to the Fleet street. On our way there, I remember seeing suburbs, a lot of destroyed buildings, and still had doubts if we made the right decision. However, when we reached the place, I was pleasantly surprised. It was nothing that I have imagined: graffiti walls, little farms in the backyard, and it was very safe. We entered The Life Yard farm and were welcomed by hosts. They showed us their farm, and for a small price offered lunch. It was vegan, and they cook what they grow at their farm. Back then, I never had vegan food in my life, but the lunch was one of the best meals I've ever had!

While eating, we saw kids coming back from school. Despite the conditions they were living in, they looked joyful. As most of the kids, they were playing, enjoying their life, and not bothering about anything else.

We then took the Paint Jamaica (graffiti walls) tour. Each artwork is a masterpiece with a story behind. It didn't look like Kingston Downtown at all, but more like a mini-artwork area, like Wynwood in Miami.

I left with a bittersweet feeling. On the one hand, the street was beautiful, and people were happy, but on the other hand, the area was destroyed, and it was difficult to imagine how they lived there.

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