While living in the suburban area of Jamaica, I have always wanted to experience the outer world.
A world beyond the seas.
I have had friends who had been
Traveling to and from foreign countries.
But I have never had that opportunity. Now saint Catherine was a total escape from the heroism that happened in some parishes daily. But it was a lonely and boring life living there, so I decided that i wanted to explore To travel, to meet new faces.
Before my first time traveling I Heard about the cayman islands.
In those days no one needed a visa to travel to the Cayman islands
I had already have a passport, so i went to check out what was the requirement to travel to the Cayman islands.
After making the traveling arrangements
I then went and told my family at the time that I was going to the Cayman island.
At the airport I was a wracked of nerves knowing that I was going on the iron bird for the first time.
When I first arrived in the island I inquired about where was the closest shopping center for food, and I was told about foster supermarkets and hurleys supermarket. there was this tortuga rum cake factory, where they made spiced rum cakes and sold your favorite liquor you have places like turtle farm and Hell, but when I heard about (Hell) I began making some very
Serious inquiries as to where the location was because I did not want to be nowhere near there.
a beautiful island of iguanas wonderful beaches and sunshine. los Tortuga's.
Land of the turtles, land of Peace.
Over the years I have seen many changes in government but Cayman islands is still a beautiful country.

The main port of entry to the island is the Owen Roberts international airport on Owen Roberts drive, the next port of
Entry is the Royal Watler Cruise terminal on harbour street, at times there are so many ships
In the harbour, taxis bustling here and there, it is such a wonderful sght to behold.

Chapter 2

Not knowing where you are going for the first time can be very nerve wrecking
In cayman the first immigration officer I met was Mr Manderson, he was a very great guy and was very courteous in handling my first visit by the questions he asked me,
Like what is my reason for coming to the island? Is it business or pleasure? In my passport I had
Businessman as my occupation so he asked what type of business
I operate? I then explained to him that I was a freelance photographer

And I just wanted to visit the island to get that experience.

Mr Manderson asked me if I knew
Anyone on the island? Without looking at him i told him that the
Person who was to land me had
Missed the flight back in Jamaica
He then asked me how much money I had to keep me on the
Island? I had three hundred dollars so he held my passport and Told me to go and find out where the Person live and come back for my Passport.
It was nineteen hundred and seventy eight and I am now in the
Cayman islands, where do I go from here? On the outside of the
Airport there were taxis and cars waiting to carry their passengers
Away, I waited to see if any one
Would offer me a ride. But getting a ride where would I go?
I was at the airport until all the
Taxi's were gone leaving a elderly
Man in a bus who appears to be a taxi driver who didn't had no
Passengers so I walked over to him And explained my situation. Asked Him if he knew where leanord Streete is living? he Told me that he was in Jamaica,
He took me to leanord home, there I met
The wife of leanord.
Upon sharing formal information
And settling, in I was given a room
Looking like a stable to live in until
My departure.

Chapter 4

I was in a adventurous mood so
I hit the road to get myself acquainted with the Cayman community. my first stop was at
A bar by the name Blue Marlin
It took less than ten minutes where I met this girl after a few
Drinks she told me that I could
Stay by her place in the town, it took me fourteen days to learn about the island. The people, their
Culture and what the island had to offers. I had spend twenty one days on my first time visiting cayman islands.
After departing the island I found
Out in my heart that I was infatuated by that small island I
Just wanted to be there, it was like falling in love.
Air jamaica became my frequent taxi, I became a frequent flyer
Flying every now and then.
In and out Cayman islands, but without a job its best for you to go back to your own country.
Every thing is for sale, so you have to Have money or a job.

Before hurricane Ivan it was not so hard To survive, with me being self employed as a gardener.
Having rent to pay other bills plus
Nessessity.the island is not what
It was, today, It has grown into a huge development of large building's structure been built almost everyday across the island. with more than twenty one
years since i have been working on this island, working with many different employers, working as
A Gardner
I remember my very first working
Permit which was held by Brent
Greene landscaping I worked seven days everyday for three months, my work permit was taken Care of by Mr Brent I could not get a one year permit with the company so I moved on. two thousand and two someone had applied For a six months permit for me to work, Which was turned down the person who had
Applied for the permit didn't have
A business license so I had to leave the island, a few weeks later
I got a call that my permit was granted I came back to the island working for
V&A garden and landscaping. I worked for seven years straight with that company, I had my roll over in two thousand and nine then i returned in two thousand And ten which I believed was
A big mistake, the people who I work for seem like they make a
Decision not to pay from (2010)-
(2017) I am owed almost (15000.00)$ Cayman has changed
So much for me that I can't even
Get a job, even the garbage collector job in
Cayman today is a prize possession only for caymanians,
Residents or status Holder's.
I remember November 2015 I apply for a job at Phillip bodden quarry in east end I was told that They did not need workers presently but if I could do farming
I would be considered. in
A few days I went back to the office where they took out a temporary work permit for me so I began
To work on the farm
On the farm there were two other worker's, After been shown what to do and Not to do, I began working independently, unsupervised that this Is how I generally work on my own, though I prefer to work with the team.

Chapter 5

The first day on the farm. one of the farmers had left the job, then
Courtney who was the produce sales Representative his job on the farm was to reap and sell the produce, his time on the farm was seven a.m to two p.m, then at two
He would go to the market to sell the produce
He always like to get help when he is reaping the produce but he will not assist you doing your task I almost Lost my job in the first month on The farm because courtney went to Phillip who was my employer at the time, office and told him that
I wasn't helping him, phillip called me to his office and told me all
That Courtney had said Phillip said to me, if I didn't believe him I must go and get Courtney.
After getting Courtney he was hesitant and told me he didn't want to get between me and the
Boss.
I drove back to the office and he
Followed me, inside the office Phillip Said to Courtney, tell Ezra what you told me about him not helping you. He was so shocked that if the earth had open and took him in would be better than to deny,Phillip had to send him back To the farm. And said to me, (if courtney is not fighting against you, then i am, And i am not getting no more (permit for you) at that moment I was contemplating leaving the farm that day, l didn't have a choice. I Did six months on the farm sometimes working alone. at the end Of the six months Phillip refused to apply for my yearly work permit i asked his wife blondidette on many occasions and after much pleading and persuasion and
Telling her that my son was in college. and I didn't want him to stop, that they Decided to apply for my one year working permit
They remove me from the farm and had me working at the quarry
To assist pappy who fell through a
Hole on the crusher they then cancelled my permit in two weeks
And gave me 24 hours to remove
From a house that they had me living in at East end.

Phillip told his wife that I was sleeping near the crusher, then pappy who had seen me using my phone, went and told his stepdaughter that I
Was on my phone, his stepdaughter Then told me to leave my phone at home. I took my lunch break that day and went in town on their business. And came back to work only to hear that I am fired just because I didn't answer my phone which was at home.
Phillip bodden had fired me on the twenty fifth April twenty hundred and fifteen I got another permit which had expired from October twenty sixteen
Presently I am on my hopes my dreams and my aspiration.
I was accused in September by a
Two policemen, officer player and officer imitation.
Who told me that am accused of leaving the scene of a accident.
After finding out where the accident was the police took me away and had me breathalysed
They then charge me for being in control of a vehicle which was not moving,
Being in control of a vehicle which was not on the road, being in control of a vehicle that I was waiting on someone in,
From September 4, 2016 That faithful day
I have been on bail until march 2017
I went to court where I had to surrender my driver's license.
Presently I am unemployed and will have to leave this island soon.

Chapter 6
I am grateful to god to be surviving presently on
This island.
Surviving? How? With no job no
Money no transport no license
No passport rent to pay wife and
Child to support. What can I do? Some times I feel like I am going crazy,It is only through divine intervention why i am not locked up, or in the prison
I was arrested by the police on a occasion where they claimed that I was involved in a accident they came back for me on three
Occasion. Telling me that they had
A warrant for me I told them that I had already been to court and that I was on bail to return to Court another time
Anyway they still took me away to the remand center, after being processed by another officer he
Told the arresting officer to take me back home because I have already been before the judge.
I had this experience with two other officers they all came with
Blood in their eyes and a determination to lock me away.
For something that I have not done.
When I was first arrested in September i was sitting in my car, on a premises that I have just recently removed from.
Even though I wasn't physically living there I had a friend who was
So after work we always meet there.
On the third day of September twenty sixteen my friend had called me to do a favor for him.
Then the land lord came walking around and saw me.
He then came over to me and ask me if I can cut his lawn seeing how I am still on his premises daily
I told him that I would clean up his premises but he would have to pay me for the job because when I was living there i had to pay him
Rent for six years.
He then got very aggressive in his behavior and started telling me some curse words and said that
I should make sure that it is the last day that I come back to his
Place. I didn't really take him serious. I laughed and drove away.
In the night there was a party keeping in Belford estate, with nothing else to do I went over and
Enjoyed myself until two thirty am on the fourth of September twenty sixteen where I saw my friend who came to me and asked me to give him
A ride home when I am leaving so I told him that I was ready
So we both left the party
On reaching where my friend live
He came out the car and went to His room, so i sat in my car thinking that he would come back outside
But he didn't return.

Chapter 7
I sat in my car smoking on a cigarette waiting until the sun came shining through where I fell asleep.
I was awaken by the sound of knocking on my car window, it was nine o'clock in the morning I saw two policemen
behind my car, I then came out of the car and asked what was the problem? Mr myers was alongside Mr nation so they both told me that I am suspected of leaving the scene of a accident.
Being surprise to hear what they
Said to me, I asked them where was this accident? Mr myers said to me, you don't know where? And I said no.
He then began accusing me, telling me that it was me who did the damage and that I was drunk
And did not know what I was doing.
He brought me to see the accident, he then ask me for my car keys, he then went back for my car while I was at the scene of the accident Mr myers returned with my car to the scene looking for clues. they had me breathalyzed in bodden town, then took me to fair banks in George Town. Mr myers then took a long leave of absence
Close to his return to duty I began getting unexpected tickets on the road.
The most surprising ticket issued to me was on my way from Bodden town going through shamrock road. in the night at the round about has many coloured lights and I was driving behind a white van in the right hand lane,
At the round about i saw two radio cars, one of the car was on the left
Parked behind a vehicle that was stopped, the other police car was parked on the right going towards crew road with no lights on.
At no time was my vehicle stopped by any officer at the round about, the officer drove me down with no headlights on and no siren until I almost reached the gas station on shamrock he pulled up and I pulled over.
When I came outside of my car he came to me saying, you never see this? I though it was a gun he was showing to me,but to surprise it was A tiny flashlight with no illumination, said he is charging me For failing to stop. Expired license disc almost five hundred dollars ticket value i didn't get his name but I know him, by his stumpy figure.
He recently came to my house to arrest me with a warrant after I had been to court.
Just one week prior to mr Myles Return from his spiritual journey I believe he had send a police by the name Harris to target me, to look out for my car
And give me a ticket because he wanted me off the road so badly
He was in such a bit of hurry to see me in court .
He wrote me up as a gardener then write that I am a boat attendant from west bay.
In September twenty sixteen my
Friend grievous wounded me.
I then made a report to the police
Who arrested him.

Chapter 8
He told the policemen that we Are friends, and I should drop the Charges and he would take care
Of my doctor bill.
I went to the station and the police ask me if I am going to be
Dropping the charges and I told him no.

My friend had been going to court for the longest time until I finally Decide to drop the charges.
Ever since that day that I dropped the charges
My friend hasn't given
Me nothing towards my injuries
It is not that I desire anything from
Him.
I was his teacher his chauffeur
I even provided meals for him.
I had to surrender my license to the court so I had to stop driving
For the duration of the court proceedings
My friend then bought a car, when I saw him it was six thirty in the evening, he told me that he was going to George Town so
I asked for a ride, on reaching town my friend began telling me to come out of his car before he
Takes me out, knowing that I had Just freed him from going to
Prison, I politely said to him, my friend, Can you take me to the bus stop? He began acting like some
Drug's had popped in his head
He told me to walk because he Was not carrying me in his car no further. But There is a saying, keep your enemies closer, and your friends at a mile
Many people with whom I associated with asked me on many occasions,
What was I doing with that man in My car? A known child molester.
A petty theif.
When I was his chauffeur I takes Him wherever he asked me to go
The many stupid acts that I saw My friend performing, for instance
On Fridays he would ask me to take him to change his check at the bank in town
On his way down he would stop At a certain store on shedden road
He would be in this store for a long time, when he comes back to
The car he would boast of what He paid for and what he didn't Pay for, I asked him how did you
Pass the cashier with all those Things? Whenever my friend goes
To foster supermarket to buy he Leaves with his pockets full of
Roll on or cologne, any item that Can fit in his pockets or under clothing.
After seeing that my friend was Going to get me into problem, I had to stopped taking him in My car.
It was one month time that he called me, asking me if I can take him to Cox hardware on eastern avenue
I told him that I would try, he told Me that what he really wanted was a van
To carry windows that he would Be buying as cox had sale on everything in the store at eastern avenue, my friend did get a van
And bought two windows,
Yet he left the compound with Sixteen windows the security caught him stealing but he told The security that he didn't get his
Windows. Seama green, my friend Used one receipt and got sixteen Windows.
I have told this story to many people who are curious to know why I have a friend who is so shady
Is because you get to know what some people are capable of doing
If some had told me this, maybe I would not believe, but The lord rule supreme
Who is like unto thee o Lord?
Thou who giveth rain in due season thou o Lord who art
The alpha and the omega.
Thy mercy o lord endureth for Ever.
This has been my longest moment
Of transition, my longest period of change, these are the moments in a persons life where the brain switch chipped off and madness chipped in.
Each day that my phone rings and I see my wife phone number or my son, knowing from my heart that I am not in the position to help my family or even myself is very frustrating and agonizing.
Unfamiliar thoughts do meddles with the mind.
Growing up I was taught to have faith in god and he will see you through. Unfavourable living conditions No water in the pipe since October yet I keep on persevering.
I can't remember how many times I have eaten a decent meal.
Remember that Bob Marley song
Can't remember when I have eaten bread.
Yet I am in Cayman islands at the
Mercy of the the court, still love you Cayman islands.
July 27, 2017, I had sold my car
To a fellow who was working with the landscape division, but from
This man remove my car he has not call me to pay for the car
Neither is he answering my calls
It was a Thursday and I was chilling out by the Tortuga rum cake factory.
Some men were having their early morning 345 beers, I had been observing a police vehicle
Coming in and out of the premises. Seems like they were looking for a man who was wanted for breaking and entering a liquor store nearby after getting their information they went on their way.

Note I said (my friend) this guy knew that I did not have a accident, and he didn't give a statement to the police, with the evidence of the damage at the accident scene, there was no damage to my car but I was charged with destruction of property, I felt like the world was against me, there was no formal investigation into what or who did the damage, it suspect and charged. My passport was detained for three years, I have been unemployed for three years, during these times I was attacted and bitten by a security guard dog, two men attacked and wounded me at my place of residence, these are my experiences with the Cayman islands, did the world came tumbling down on me? I quess it had, knowing that I am innocent of the charge give me a reason to be happy and to wish those who made the false accusations the best of health, there is a unseen eye watching everyone,
he knows what we do not know, and he sees what we do not see.


© All Rights Reserved
written by Ezra Cunningham
edited by resoundz digital production 2021