I spent a few days away on a family vacation in Jamaica last month. It was my first time in the Caribbean – not to mention my first visit to a country outside North America. As with other travels to new places, I have some observations to share:
- Jamaica is a beautiful country – except for when it isn’t. The coastal areas, foliage, and tropical colors were all great. However, on the 1+ hour travel each way from the airport to our resort, the outdated and run-down roads, buildings, and housing structures were a deep contrast to the beauty.
- Driving on the left side of the road, with a right-sided steering wheel, is weird.
- I have never interacted with a group of friendlier people than the Jamaicans. I’m well aware that I only visited the tourist-y places, and friendliness under those conditions may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Still, this was a deferential friendliness, as if someone feared offending me by just stepping across my path. So I think there’s something more to it, something related to their laid-back living styles and frames of mind.
- I saw plenty of people smoking joints, but I frankly expected to see a lot more cannabis than I did.
- The food was a bit hit-and-miss for me, although I might not have been adventurous enough. Among the most notable items, the Caribbean jerk chicken was very good, and I absolutely loved my daily serving of fresh papaya.
- There wasn’t much time for watching TV, but I had no idea there could be that many televised cricket matches.
Jamaica was interesting. It had a few scars, but as the locals might say, it's no problem, mon.
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