Jamaica is Reggae music, steel drums, sunshine, and calm seas. It’s familiar Bob Marley songs, but also the bass beat of Dancehall music, the upbeat tempo of SOCA, and the tinny sounds from a Mento band with a homemade rumba box. It’s beef patties and jerk chicken, and Jamaican patois greetings of “respect” and the reassurance that everything is “Irie, mon.” It’s a culture so strong that every Jamaican carries it with them. It’s inescapable and palpable, and if you have been to Jamaica, you have felt it.
I first visited Jamaica in 1997 and then made nine return trips over the over the next seven years. Returning to Jamaica felt like going home. It’s where I developed my love for Caribbean music and everything in the sea. To me, Jamaica was sun and sand, Red Stripe beer, and fun. But most of all, Jamaica was people. I’d like to introduce you to a few who made me love Jamaica.
Grant was the first Jamaican I got to know in 1997. He was an expert on all things Caribbean, including the music. Reggae goes beyond Bob Marley, check out August Town by Duane Stephenson. SOCA is a mix of Soul and Calypso–remember Hot, Hot, Hot? Dancehall has rhythmic beats and patois lyrics like Sean Paul’s Get Busy. I’ve never lost the passion for Caribbean music!
I would never have become a SCUBA diver without dive master Fastcar. I was so nervous on my first Discover SCUBA dive, but he took my hand, and five minutes into the dive found a GIGANTIC stingray. I’m talking 6 ft wing span!! It was lying in the sand, unconcerned with us, and I was in complete awe. It was the first of almost 100 dives that I logged with Fastcar.
Renee was my amazing dive instructor who grew me from nervous newbie to a diver with buoyancy so good that I could swim with all my dive gear perfectly centered through a hula hoop. She was kind, funny, and stickler for safety and perfect diving form. I’m so glad to have her signature on both my Open Water and Advanced certifications!
Big D was another of my favorite dive masters. When I first started diving, I had a super stiff first-generation wetsuit. Those were a bear to pull on, especially over your booty. Big D would see me struggling, come grab the wetsuit by the hips, lift me off the ground and shake me into it, never missing a beat in dive preparations or instructions!
Norm was local fisherman who invited me to visit his tiny fishing community called White House. He showed us all the day’s catch, including these cool spiny lobsters and a huge bin of fresh conch. I ate lunch sitting on piece of driftwood picking over a whole grilled parrot fish with my hands and a plastic fork. The afternoon at his community is one of my very favorite memories of Jamaica!
These people, and their kindness and humor, represent the Jamaican culture of community and care. Jamaicans are a deeply faithful and incredibly resilient people. And right now they need our help. Jamaica is a tiny island that depends on tourism. I’m hoping you might be willing to send a few dollars their way to help the rebuild efforts after Hurricane Melissa. If you are, please go to World Central Kitchen or Food for the Poor.
Respect, Lynda
You’re the reason I fell in love with Jamaica. You always brought back such great stories and I couldn’t wait to go myself. I’ve been 7 (or 8?) times now, and am headed to Ochi in March after almost 8 years away.
🇯🇲 one love ❤️
HI!!!! I am so happy to hear this, but even happier to hear from YOU!❤️ You first went to Sandals Whitehouse, correct? Are you still staying at Sandals? When I went during the pandemic, I didn’t stay at Sandals, but I did get to see Fastcar.
Lynda