Disappearing Paths

Disappearing Paths

by Godfrey Cyntje

“I will wait for you by the Turn Down on my way to Lobolly Bay”. To tell someone that when I was a kid they would have understand the location you was talking about. The Turn Down was a path that forked to the left from the main road going over to Lobolly Bay. I remember someone walking along with me and when they got to the Turn Down the said goodbye as they were going to their grounds while I was continuing on the main road. It was just a narrow path for pedestrians only. There was no cars in those days. Transportation by foot or donkey only. You have to wonder who gave those old paths those name. That is now lost in time. But if we take a moment to pause there are many memories that will come back for those who walked that old path of a more simpler time when our parents and grandparents walked these roads to go to their grounds the Turn Down was one of our streets..Everyone knew where it was at the Turn Down you can hear the surf of Lobolly Bay and feel the fresh sea breeze on your face one old road that served us well.

Able Path
Able path the name used to intimidate me it always seemed to be a far distance and for me it was tiresome to walk the distance of Able path. Maybe physiological the name beat me up. It was like who is Able to walk Able Path. Why did our ancestors gave it that name? not a very appealing name. Who wants to go for a walk in Able Path?

The Sand Path
Being that I’m a Easterd Way man I can more identify with the Sand Path.
As a kid I was always excited to go up walking in the Sand Path. The path led to Coopers Rock better known as the Grouper Rock. This was a new world to me the beauty of the area was breath taking. From the bay of the Grouper Rock I could see Pelican Point and the East End the farthest point of Anegada going to the East. There was no sand in the road of the Sand Path. Why was it given that name? Once this path was well travelled but the old folks that had to walk this path going to and from their grounds or to cut wood or pick wood has now passed on and the passing of time has undoubtably change the landscape. This and other paths was once part of the Old Anegada.

The Middle Road
The Middle Road was understandable the dividing line separating the East from the West. Considered to be the center of the village. If you lived a certain distance on the western side of the Main Road you lived in the West. At a certain distance on the East side you lived in the East. Align with the Main Road you lived at the Main Road. This is a part of the old Anegada that still exists. So many memories. The Sun rises on the East side of the Middle Road and sets on the West side.

The Main Road
This was our Main Street this would take you as far west or East that you wanted to go inside the village. Take a walk down or up the Main Road and you would see all that the village had to offer. Beginning From Egypt to the last house in the west or the Brack Wells the Main Road would have taken you there. Unlike the other paths that has died the Main Road is very much alive and has increase in size its well paved a testimony to the new Anegada.

The Gray Pasture.
The Gray Pasture was once the Savanna of the East a wide open piece of grassy land it was always a welcome sight going to and from the Table Bay, The Grouper Rock, or the Sand Path when you pass the Gray Pasture half of your journey was over. On your way home you knew that you was almost home. Many times I ran from the Gray Pasture straight home. I also remember walking this area many times bringing home the cows. The foot prints that people made in that area has long since blown away with the wind. The Grey Pasture now just a distant memory for a few. I’m sure the name will completely disappear one day no one will remember. The name will be gone forever.
There are many more old roads that I don’t recall all the names that served us long before there was any vehicles. The old ways has to make room for modernization. Things that used to be are no more. But we will continue to reminisce on all the things our ancestors left us with. Who gave those places the names and why ? we will never know but the question remains waiting to be answered. Who name those old paths? and why were those names chosen? The answer is now just blowing in the wind.

Godfrey Cyntje once call Anegada home when he was a young child and the memories have been with him a lifelime. He left Anegada when he was 12 years old and had family on island. He as said “Whatever is written, I write from the heart. I try to give God the glory because I’m sure this is what he wants me to do.”