This is a few months old now, but frankly, the content is ancient. Why is it mission critical when it’s in our own backyard, but business as usual elsewhere?

Nigeria is in my top five place to report from. Top five. In fact, it might even occupy position number one.

Music by Aaron Leaf. Images by Artbeats. Remix by ME!

Camera man Dave is particularly bitter sweet. I have vivid memories of lying in thick thistle for almost three hours, under blazing July heat, waiting for the Red knots to fall in line so we could fire the cannon (in order to capture and process the birds.) The space was cramped and I couldn’t move or talk or do anything at all. Except wait. I remember thinking the birds would never settle, and I would miss the shot (perhaps the most important of the film.) In this instance, patience paid off. The tide pushed the birds in line, the cannon was fired, and suddenly I had a film.

People believe National Geographic is sexy. They think making natural history content is the best gig in town. I won’t lie – I love my job – but here’s the bottom line, just between you and me; More often than not, it’s a whole lotta hurry up and wait.

I won’t pretend to know Jamaica – you can’t possibly know a county you’ve spent only a week in. But I will say it has certainly captured my imagination. A strange mix of Africa and America, vibrant music, edgy violence, lovely people. Who knew Rastafari worshiped Halie Selassie (ok, maybe you did, but I sure didn’t. How bizarre.) Suffice to say, I’m hooked. I’ll be coming back.

A few quick shots, spliced together, of downtown Kingston, to give you a taste of the sites and sounds of the city.