Jamaican Tshirt

I am in Europe since past six years but nothing like the global village that london has become! Here one can see people from almost all the cultures of the world. I always wanted to have this enriching experience...

I possess a Tshirt from Jamaica, which has been a part of my baggage since last seven-eight years. Myself wondering today, why I owe it since sooo long?

Well, its a gift from a friend, who had visited Jamaica and decided to bring that Tshirt for me. It is white in colour and pure cotton. The Tshirt has perfect length to my taste, which is a bit longer than the Tshirts easily available in the market. It touches my thighs and makes me comfortable while jogging. So I have been using it on my jogging days in Asia and now in Europe. The Tshirt fits me well, that shows I have not gained weight in the past years.

Interestingly, my humble Tshirt with just one name printed on the front, in blue-'Jamaica' , went unnoticed until I came to London.

After settling down in this new city, the first thing I wanted to find was a park, where I can breath in fresh air and breath out all my longing for home, family and my country. The search began and luckily I discovered a nice park just in the vicinity.

Early next morning, I put on my Tshirt heralding 'Jamaica' on top of it and went out. I started jogging in the green lanes and suddenly I realised that all the men from African background were looking at me. I became very conscious due to this uncalled for-attention. Still kept on jumping and running and walking..

Suddenly I realised a young man coming towrads me. I lowered my eyes and continued with my routine. He came close and just stood in front of me. I stopped. He asked- "Tell me buddy, are you from the Caribbean?" I said, "No." Then the black guy asked, "Then from Africa?" Again, I said no. He stood there for a few seconds looking at my Tshirt and then walked off slowly.

The attention that the Tshirt evokes among all the blacks in the park is astonishing and I believe, it is unique to the UK.

I have started thinking of retiring my Tshirt now, to avoid the gazes. But find it hard to part with my longest jogging companion.

However, I am trying to get used to greetings from Black guys. Yesterday, when I went to the park along with the Jamaican label, an African guy, who was totally drunk and carried a bottle in his hand, walked towards me with faltering steps.

He tried to stop his shaking demeanour, looked at my Tshirt, raised his other hand and said- "Good morning, buddy."

I am still procrastinating, should I bid good bye to my old Tshirt now.

One thing is clear, how much attracted we foreigners are to any symbol, however small, attached to our native culture! It is a joy to see something, which has the slightest fragrance of the soil, we all have left behind....

I am sure, all of us in London have seen one's own 'Jamaican Tshirt', somewhere, in something, which made us stop and stare, reminding us of our roots...