Wah gwaan! I have long admired the Jamaican culture from afar: the music, the food, the dances, the carefree attitudes. I secretly identify with the culture; I just need to severely work on my Patois… speaking and understanding. One of the first things that caught me by surprise is the fact that they actually say “Yea mon” in regular conversation. This means “yes”, “ok”, and “no problem”. No problem also means no problem, which is a mantra for them. This is evidenced by the way they treat you, the way they drive, and the merchandise. I just love it!
I took this trip by way of Passports Tatted, a group created by a couple of my friends from college. They planned the activities, booked the lodging, and arranged transportation. All I had to do was pay my money and book a flight. Shout out to them! The best kind of trip is the one I didn’t plan.
We stayed at Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach Resort in Montego Bay, bussed to Negril to beach bum and cliff jump at Rick’s Café, and bussed to Ocho Rios to boat via the Cool Runnings Catamaran to (attempt to) hike Dunn’s River Falls. Little did we know, this was an actual hike, and the falls were fighting back. Not only did it win, but it also took my phone as a casualty. Dunn’s River Falls – 2, Jenai – 0.
The entire trip was playing in water, fellowship and good eats. Jamaica is the kind of place you can always return with friends, with your special human, or even with your family – do clear water beaches, coconut rum and stewed oxtail ever get old? No mon!
All photos taken with Nikon D5100.
Jenai M. Davis 