Jamaica: Yaadi Style

Jamaica is one of the most beautiful of all the West Indies islands. Just about everyone who've I've talked to and tell them where I'm from, they've almost, always say they want to go, wish they could go, or plan on going someday.  Also, everyone who I've spoken with, who have been, all said just how gorgeous the island is.  They remembered almost every moment vividly, from getting off the plane to the very last day of their stay.  From the very moment the plane hits that hot, black tarp of one of the islands airport, and the seals of those big, metal doors are open, and your feet hitting the first step, you're greeted by the rush of the most sweet smelling, warm ocean breeze, that caresses your face and washes over your skin, as if to give you a friendly hug and the cool breeze whispering in your ear, "Welcome to Jamaica".

The people of the island are some of the most friendliest people you'll ever want to meet.  No matter what is going on, we are always the first to greet you with that warm wide, teeth showing smile.  There is something about the Caribbean lifestyle where you can't help but smile. Our way of life is hard, no doubt, but, as one of our well-known phrase says, "Everything Irie", meaning "Everything is Alright".  As a visitor to the island, you are taken on sight seeing tours of beautiful gardens on crystal blue ocean voyages to historic parts of the island  and, of course, you have your lazy beach combing days.

Seeing the island from the view of a tourist and the view of a islander are two totally different things.  We both see just how beautiful the island is, but the beauty from the perspective of a tourist and of someone who was born here differs in simple ways.  The visitor will see the coconut trees, the banana trees, and maybe even one of our mango trees and say just how beautiful the trees are but an islander would see the same trees and see their next meal.  We both see the beauty of the trees, but the view is different.  As they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder".

I wish that everyone who visits my beautiful island could see an experience, the simple beauty, that us islanders see living there, day to day.  From some of the small shacks that are called home for so many, to the smile of the children playing soccer in the street.  Seeing the island through the eyes of an islander is something every visitor should experience, so if you should get the chance to visit my small, beautiful island, take the opportunity to see it, yardi style.