Kids

Yesterday I was walking home from the bus park on my way back from a Peace Corps meeting in Kingston and some cute 7 year old(ish) girls came up to me and asked if I wanted to play dominoes with them.  Well at first I thought they were asking me for money (through the thick Patwa accents) and I was so glad I hadn't immediately dismissed them as kids begging for money.  I then remembered that I had met them before and had actually played dominoes with them.  I couldn't play as we had pizza at the office and my home was a callin' (for those who know me you know what I'm saying...) but I smiled and said, "Next Time".  It really struck me how wonderful it is that I can sit and play dominoes with some kids and not have everyone immediately assume that I'm some sort of pervert.  I can smile and wave and kids walking by and even stop and talk to them.  Younger and older kids stop me on the road and say "Mr. Candido!  Wat a gwan!" (whats going on) I can stop and chat with them for a while and their parents will smile and nod, not giving me a look questioning my intentions.  I have it say that it's just great!  There are growing issues with child molestation in Jamaica and I think the independence of small children can be a contributing factor, but the experience reminds me of when I was a kid and could walk to school alone.  It's quite an interesting topic for debate, whether to become more like America where everyone is paranoid protecting their kids, or leave it like it is in Jamaica now.  It's hard to say what is better, but I sure do enjoy being able to greet a child without wondering if somebody is thinking I have evil intentions.