The cave had been stuffy. Much, much hotter than I expected... and humid. Terribly humid. It actually was almost smothering to this unexpecting soul. And so I skipped the last pool, which fed into the cave system from the small pond nearby. Ahead, I saw sunlight- And we climbed our way towards it.
Daylight was fresh, the light was crisp, the air was crisp...
Which you might expect, after emerging from a humid, dimly lit cave. I didn't know what I was getting myself in to when I started out my day, but the humidity and head bonking were so worth it: I felt the heart.
The four of us chatted for a bit, smoked a spliff or three... Time to explore more.
Lloyd, our cave expert and guide, took us around to what had looked like a still pond. But when looking closer, you could see movement. The water was bubbling, right in the middle of the pond. Not just bubbling, but gushing upwards. A blue hole. And not just one, but part of a series of over a dozen in the area, all gushing, 24/7, since forever, pure Jamaican water. Pure, jump in and drink water, filtered through the entirety of Jamaica's foundation, continuously presenting itself for the very fortunate few living nearby.
This was the Roaring Rapids.
Lloyd explained that the women I had seen earlier, feeding the fish, come every day. He told me that local lore is that giving them offerings brings blessings. It certainly looked like it was blessings to the fish- they practically lined up for it.
I felt like I was the beneficiary of a blessing so much greater, though. just by being there. I wish I could express to you how absolutely clean the area was: The water, gushing forth, aqua in color as you approach. The earth richer than any I had ever seen, plentiful, unspoiled, farmed the same way it was a hundred years ago and a hundred before then. And the air. I have never in my life experienced air so clean.
Lloyd was so patient as I stood silently and just breathed it in, astonished that air could not only smell so clean, but that my body could actually appreciate it with every breath. I imagine others have had the same reaction He knew. I think he appreciated it, too, that others see the absolute pristine beauty there.
This place is a huge "stay with me forever" moment. Huge.
This... is the Roaring Rapids:
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