Jamaica

Jamaica is everything that you picture it to be, until you actually set foot on land. Pulling up to Ocho Rios was breathtaking. The mountains there are green and luscious with spectacular waterfalls, the ocean is a crystal clear blue, the beaches are covered in white sand, even the sugar factories spanning the hillsides add to the beauty. Towering walnut trees are weighted down with their bearings. There are turtles living wildly among the people. Yep, turtles, how cool is that. They just stack on top of one another at the base of jungle trees and absorb the sun. But, once off of the ship you find that Jamaica is dirty and dangerous.

The drug dealers swarm the tourists as they come into the city, Ocho Rios has put up chain linked fences to keep the tourist on the sidewalks that lead to their shops but, hands fit through the fence and the dealers are literally pushing the drugs out at the tourists in hopes of making a sale. We have all been taught to "Just Say NO" and walk away, what a comforting thought, until you try it and dealers become maddened and even more forceful. If you try to ignore the dozens of people calling to you and asking you to follow them around the corner or onto the beach they become rude and truly make it uncomfortable to continue walking by.

I mentioned the beaches with the warm clear water and the sparkling white sand but what I didn't mention was that to get onto any of the beaches, just to walk in the sand or even cross to another beach you are expected to pay. Once you finally give in and realize that no matter what you do or where you go you will eventually have to pay just to be able to but your toes in the warm Jamaican ocean you might find yourself feeling just a little flustered. Finally on the beach you realize that although there are dozens of open chairs and big shade throwing umbrellas those too can only be used for a price. So lets say you pay the price, rent a chair and sit down to relax, aah tilt your head back and get ready to soak up the sun.

Oh but wait... who are all of these people? They have suddenly surrounded you. Salesmen, more druggies and oh my favorite the weirdos without goods. Do you want to buy a necklace, a bracelet, some junk some junkie made? Or maybe some drugs, because although you didn't buy before you know that you want to, this "stuff" is the best, not like in America where your from, it's the "real thing", strong and lasting! No you don't want any of this? Why not? The salesmen know that you are rich, sailing on your big snotty ship to country after country while they are stuck in Jamaica on the shimmering beaches selling handmade junk, the druggies know you want to use you just don't realize it is okay in Jamaica, it is legal. The signs saying otherwise are just to scare rich Americans. Wow, all of this "relaxing" sure takes up a big chunk of your time in Jamaica. Finally the "sellers" have realized that you are a cheap beepity beep and move on. WONDERFUL,  it has been awhile so you better put some sunscreen on, tilt your head back and soak up some... weird there is a man doing flips and handstands right in your hum, would you call that your line of vision or is that what we call our face. Anyway, what ever it is he is all that you can see, he has made sure of it. He begs for praise and conversation. Okay, go ahead appease him say hello, tell him it was a well formed somersault for a grown man. Actually, maybe you should have just closed your eyes and kept your mouth shut, because now he wants cash for entertaining you. Have you given up on relaxing? I sure have, should we try some shopping? Great!

Shopping in Jamaica was fun, yep I said it, fun. There were some gorgeous wooden masks, wooden jewelry, wooden jewelry boxes, wooden... I had to buy one (or two) of everything! Out side of the shops there was a life size statue of the countries hero, Bob Marley! Dave and I had a few laughs, a few pretend hits on our pretend joints and bought a bunch or rasta colored gifts for all of our fun loving hippie relatives back in the states. Once we had covered all the shops in the touristy part of town we braved walking to the Hard Rock Cafe for the oh so necessary guitar pin that Dave must own. (by the way, I didn't say that sarcastically, he truly must own them. I must travel the world and he must buy guitar pins as we go. It is just part of life!) As we walked the 3 blocks to Hard Rock it felt as if each step was a little bit scarier. The armed police men that encompassed the tourist attractions were few and far between here in town. It was sad to see how many disabled people lined the streets begging. They truly needed help, they were not "disabled" like the people we see on the streets here in Utah, people who have been helped with their medical needs. These poor people by all appearances were born and apparently raised but needed medical attention. Clubbed feet were not straightened, infected eyes were blinding and not treated, wounds were oozing and sobs and pleas emanated the street. It was heart wrenching, it is easy to forget how thankful we should be for what we have until you realize what others are going through.

Although in reading this it probably felt as if I did not enjoy my experience in Jamaica, that is far from the truth. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to experience a country that so many people long to visit. I loved the educational experience, the sun, the sand and the shopping, and is there any better way to finish off a trip than to learn how grateful you are to have what you have waiting for you at home.