| Jamaica. You are sitting in your cubicle bored to | | | | them doing their daily business or simply sitting in the |
| death with a tedious office job when suddenly this | | | | shade and relaxing. |
| word just pops up in your head promising you a | | | | You arrive to your resort which again is a striking |
| distant paradise surrounded by the blue waters of | | | | contrast to what you have seen on your way there. |
| Caribbean. You start dreaming about your next | | | | Most Jamaican hotels are examples of luxury and |
| vacation and go online to book an all inclusive | | | | comfort which are reflected in their far above |
| package. Jamaica, wait for me -- I'll be coming soon! | | | | average prices. You will find the resort staff friendly |
| Your flight lands in Montego Bay and you are plunged | | | | and welcoming. Let them care about your luggage |
| into the hectic atmosphere of the airport crowded | | | | and go to the nearby diner to enjoy some of the |
| by the hordes of tourists: groups, couples and | | | | best food in Caribbean. |
| families. A jolly tune of a steel drum band welcomes | | | | 'Nyam' is Jamaican for 'to eat'. Jamaicans are well |
| you and so do hundreds of merchants trying to sell | | | | known meat-eaters and their favorite dishes are jerk |
| you almost everything: beer, cool drinks, newspapers, | | | | chicken and pulled pork. Patties are also delicious, filled |
| souvenirs. They greet you in the Jamaican manner: | | | | with meat and vegetables, sometimes too hot and |
| 'Yah Mon' (yeah man), 'Y'allright?' (are you all right?), | | | | spicy. Be careful -- most traditional dishes have bones |
| 'Whaapen' (what's happening?). | | | | in them, don't be shy to pick them out of your |
| Finally you find the resort representative. 'No worries | | | | mouth and place them on the side of your plate, |
| mon,' says he while helping you whith your luggage. | | | | everybody does so. |
| Now brace yourself, the ride to your resort is about | | | | Be sure to try two famous brands of Jamaica: Blue |
| to star. The bus driver seems to have no regard to | | | | Mountais Coffee and Red Stripe Beer. And don't miss |
| his, yours or pedestrians life and if you are motion | | | | the awesome liquor they have there: Pimento Dram. |
| sickness prone -- you'd better get a paper bag ready. | | | | If you want to have some shopping fun, go to a |
| Oh no, he seems to be driving the wrong side of the | | | | local market, like the one in Ocho Rios. Enjoy the |
| street! 'No worries mon', it's a tradition the Brits left | | | | whirling atmosphere of a Jamaican marketplace |
| here. By the way, this is a good reason not to rent a | | | | where hundreds of merchants are desperately trying |
| car in Jamaica. | | | | to sell you things you'd never need. Some will meet |
| Once you left the airport park you start noticing | | | | you before you get into their booth and take you |
| contrasts. The stunning Blue Mountains are surely a | | | | inside constantly talking and piling one item on |
| breathtaking view. But they are also a backdrop of | | | | another into your face. |
| the striking poverty reminding you that you are in a | | | | Jamaica's gems are not just white beaches or |
| third world country. Shacks built of rusty metal and | | | | glorious nature. Jamaican people, vibrant and friendly |
| some unrecognizable materials occupy the sides of | | | | folk are the true treasure of the island. Good buy |
| the road. They are homes for thousands of | | | | Jamaica, Jah Bless, Likkle more, I'll be coming back |
| Jamaicans, and while you drive by you see some of | | | | soon! |