Do All Jamaicans Smoke Marijuana?
Visions of sunny beaches, the blue-green sea, palm trees and gorgeous sunsets come to mind for many of us when we think of Jamaica. For some, the first images are those of pot-smoking men on the street corners. Believing that…
Jamaica Vacation: 10 Things to Pack
What do you need to pack for your vacation in Jamaica? Anyone who travels knows that you have to pack differently for each location. What can be useful in one country, for example, is a waste in another. Time spent…
Jamaican Patois: Language, Dialect, Slang?
Fearful of not being understood, many Americans seek out vacation and retirement options where English is the official language.This leaves many at a loss when they vacation in Jamaica and encounter Patois, the “unofficial” language. Misunderstanding Patois can easily send…
3 Favorite Jamaican Destinations
Although I shy away from tourist traps, I do have a lot of visitors who enjoy seeing “what there is to see” when in Jamaica. I hire a driver or rent a car and we hit the road. These are…
Transportation: 6 Ways to Get Around Jamaica
In the beginning, the most stressful aspects of living in Jamaica for me was mastering the transportation system. It all seemed so confusing. What is the local transportation scene like? How do the locals move about? Let’s talk about the…
YS Falls, The Garden of Eden
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through the Garden of Eden? Complete tranquility, pristine beauty and a sense of wonder have to inhabit such a place, right? Well, I think the closest I’ve ever come…
10 Tips for a Better Flight
I’ve traveled all around the world. I love airports, with people going off to unknown destinations. Every flight I’ve taken has had its own rhythm and vibe. Each country has its own methods and rules. It seems I’m always learning…
Jamaican Me Crazy!
Your first, and possibly only, contact with Jamaican “locals” may be in an all-inclusive resort on the sunny shores of this beautiful island. You may go home believing that the Jamaican people you dealt with are the happiest people on earth.…
Let’s Talk About Crime in Jamaica
I remember that first trip to Jamaica like it was yesterday. As we rode the shuttle bus from Montego Bay out to the resort in Negril, I watched the scene unfold like a sad photo album. Crime was the last…