| There are many who believe the glitz and | | | | |
| glitter of the tourist industries and the | | | | Jamaica For Real is the creation of Oliver |
| accompanying commercialization of both the | | | | Foot. His family has been in Jamaica for |
| areas around the tourist centers and the | | | | generations. In fact, he is the son of the |
| culture of Jamaica overshadow the ?real? | | | | last British governor to rule Jamaica. He |
| Jamaica, the people and culture that exist | | | | provides what could be called reality tours |
| beyond the tourist centers, the true heart of | | | | of Jamaica. His goal is to share his love for |
| Jamaica. This has led to the creation of a | | | | Jamaica, a love that includes those qualities |
| variety of opportunities to visit the other | | | | that may not be attractive to those who |
| side of Jamaica, to see people and life | | | | treasure Jamaica for the tropical pleasures |
| beyond the often stereotypical vision of | | | | of the island, for the stunning array of |
| Jamaica that most visitors see. | | | | creature comforts and entertainment, and for |
| | | | its majestic beauty. |
| The Meet The People Program is one of these | | | | |
| interesting, non-typical experiences. It is | | | | With his Jamaica For Real tours, Foot shares |
| run by the Jamaican Tourist Board, and has | | | | the special beauty to be found in struggle, |
| more than 500 local participants. These local | | | | the social struggles against oppression that |
| volunteers come from a variety of | | | | resulted in the rich ?real? culture of |
| socio-economic backgrounds, and their | | | | Jamaica. Visiting such sites as the |
| interests and skills are listed in a | | | | Borderline, once a highly charged area |
| database. Tourists who sign up for the | | | | between two politicized neighborhoods during |
| program provide the same types of | | | | the social unrest of the 1980?s. He tours |
| information, and then locals and tourists are | | | | Trenchtown, an area notorious for its |
| matched up. Amazingly, this is a free program | | | | poverty, one that received international |
| and provides unparalleled social and cultural | | | | attention through the reggae music that spoke |
| exchange. Aside from social engagements, such | | | | of the desperate conditions to be found |
| as family style meals in the local host?s | | | | there. He shows the beauty of the countryside |
| home, the matched groups together explore | | | | and its people, and offers a vision of the |
| their shared interests in Jamaica. | | | | beauty to be found in the ordinary life. He |
| | | | presents an amazing and enlightening vision |
| Country Style is a similar program, bring | | | | of Jamaica in a tour that shouldn?t be |
| tourists and residents together for more | | | | missed. |
| natural interaction than would happen in the | | | | |
| usual tourist scene. After all, spending time | | | | These types of experiences are a wonderful |
| with someone on an equal footing, as opposed | | | | way to explore Jamaica. Aside from the |
| to with someone who is paid to see to your | | | | wonderful people you?ll meet, you?ll gain an |
| comfort, is a different experience all | | | | insight into Jamaica that few outsiders |
| together. Based in Mandeville, Jamaica, | | | | rarely acquire. Once you have a view of the |
| visits are arranged with interested and | | | | ?real? Jamaica, the island will never look |
| interesting residents throughout the island. | | | | the same again. |