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