Jamaica Mon?

The island of Jamaica--we all hear about it on the travel ads-- a beautiful country located in the caribbean.  They advertise sitting on the beach sipping fruity drinks out of coconuts while getting a tan (what’s more relaxing than that?), riding horses on the sandy shores, and zip lining through the trees.  In 2012 I got the chance to go to Jamaica while I was on a cruise with my extended family.  I’d never been more excited, I’d never been anywhere so tropical and dense with forests.  

Photo from: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism

Jess sitting in the window of the ship

 Pulling into the harbor on the enormous cruise ship my older sisters and I threw on our bikinis and grabbed our bags as we watched out the rectangular window of our room.  The view was already breathtaking and we weren’t even off the boat.  I could see beautiful flowers of pinks and purples flourishing beneath the tall green trees, the turquoise water glimmered in the ninety degree sunshine.  As we waited in line to exit the boat I could see glimpses ahead through the people of the dock, and to the buses that would take us on our excursions.  What I found when we were walking off the dock was a strange thick yellow line.  What’s this line for?  Beyond the line vendors were desperately selling little beaded bracelets or Bob Marley t-shirts.  An older woman offered me a free necklace, and my sister gladly said no before I could accept.  Later I realized, that if they gave you something for “free” they would start reaching for your purse and money . . . what’s free about that?

Throughout the day I realized that this same thing kept occurring, people begging for money and begging for us to buy small miscellaneous items.  I’d never realized the poverty that overtook this country.  

The shops were no different, owners forcefully brought items to me and convinced me that I needed them, and young children ran around wildly trying to sell braided rasta bracelets.  I didn’t understand that so many people there were struggling financially so much.  I didn’t realize how good I have it in America.  If I wouldn’t have traveled to Jamaica I wouldn’t have discovered what I did.  The advertisements tell about these amazing places and they do exist, they aren’t lying.  But there is so much they don’t tell you.  Most people who travel to Jamaica stay inside the resorts and don’t experience the true culture of the people there.  And I think it’s important that everyone know and understands what it’s really like there.

Jess and her family at Dunn River Falls, Jamaica

Don’t get me wrong, I had an amazing time in Jamaica.  We went to Dunn River Falls, a waterfall and with our excursion guide.  As we climbed up my bare feet had to grip the slick rocks,  it was absolutely beautiful underneath the dark green canopy of trees climbing as the cool water rushed over my feet.  It was an experience of a lifetime.