Nice to see the real Jamaica in the news recently. What a
great place for a relaxing holiday in the sun.
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It is easy to ignore the human misery that led to the
demonstrations while staying at all inclusive resorts or
cavorting in the sunshine of the North Coast. The truth is
that the bus boys that bring your drinks and the maids that
clean your rooms are being paid the equivalent of $20 US per
week. The gasoline taxes they were protesting would leave
them paying about $1.00 per litre at the pumps. That would
make getting to and from work a little difficult considering
none of them can afford to live on the coast and have to
commute by mini-bus from the shanties 15 miles back in the
hills.
There are 2 Jamaicas - the wonderful tourist Jamaica where everythings just "irie" and a real Jamaica which is plagued with unemployment, crime and desperation. While Jeremy's original post was obviously sarcastic about the "real" Jamaica being in the news, he is correct - the real Jamaica was in the news. The rioting was certainly not a commercial from the Jamaica Tourist Association. It is indicative of a tremendous undercurrent of dissatisfaction and major problems in the country. This will not be the last of the rioting in Jamaica -- thats for sure.
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I know from my experience working in Jamaica that 99% of all tourists don't care about Jamaicans, don't care at all about Jamaica, and only really care about relaxing in the sun with a rum drink in their hands. Most don't venture outside the fortified walls of the hotels anyway -- so they only "real" Jamaica they see if to and from the airport.
As a frequent visitor to Jamaica and one who was there
during last week's protests, I agree with much of what John
John and Brad have written. We traveled by private car
along the north coast last Monday during the road blocks and
were able to see people's frustration and dissatisfaction.
Indeed, such an increase in gas prices because of the tax
places another burden on people who are already struggling.
After learning a little about the situation, I can see why
so many Jamaicans felt the need to take action in order to
have their frustrations heard.
This visit was certainly a learning experience for me. We
stayed in a guest house near friends for the second part of
our trip and witnessed some of the protesting and road
blocking first hand. Jamaica may have many problems, but
the people I saw were sure able to come together and take a
stand on an issue...something that is often lacking in my
own community. I left the island this time feeling many
things; sadness for the situations of so many of my friends
(some tourists do care), worry about what the mmediate
future holds, and hope that positive change will come to
Jamaica through the strong united voice of the people. I
should mention also that in spite of it all, the good people
I encountered made sure I still had a 'relaxing holiday in
the sun'. Jamaica is really special and I pray better times
come to this unique place.
Rose, are you the same person from the longest running post
"Horrible Jamaica" of many months ago ? I think
so....anyway, Im back....after a looong absence. I saw a
lot of the stuff that was happening, both on the road and
via the tv. The truth is that the real Jamaica was on
display for real, as it is when visitors are here having a
wonderful time and leave with pleasant memories. My
position is, and those who followed that last post between
September and December last year will agree - Brad ? - that
this country is the most complex of the English speaking
Caribbean countries, and takes a little getting used to, if
what you are looking for is a quiet getaway. You can get
to your getaway in Jamaica but you cant miss the fact that
we are not so straighforward. The protests were a long
time coming, in that the economic situation has been tight
here for a long time, for an increasing number of people,
and it doesnt seem to be getting any better. As a people,
we are extremely vocal, and for a while, I was wondering
how we were gettgin so docile, in the face of deteriorating
conditions. But my faith in our protest culture was
restored. Rememver, this is the culture that produced Bob
Marley, whose protest music provided the soundtrack for the
fall of the Berlin Wall and countless other demonstrations
worldwide....so dont come thinking we are all a placid
bunch. But having spoken our minds, we went back to
business. The traffic jams in Kingston were back to normal
by Thursday, and Friday night was like your usual Friday
nite, everybody out at after work jams and going out
drinking etc....Hey, Beenie Man, one of our dancehall
artistes, even put out a song about the demonstrations by
the end of the week..doesnt sound bad either....so we have
gone back to rest for maybe another few years. The last
one like this was 1985, and before that 1979. All sparked
by fuel price increases. By the way, JohnJohn, for the
sake of accuracy, the increase took the price of unleaded
gas to about US$0.53 per litre, not US$1.00.
Yes, Original Jamaican, it is me from a few months ago. I
took a break too, but now that I'm back from Jamaica, I'm
homesick for it and reading all the boards!
You're remark about Friday nights has made me miss JA even
more. Last Friday night we went with friends to a party in
Steertown where the DJ was playing old hits (olitz?). Oh,
what fun we had...I even took a nap early in the evening so
I could stay up late with everyone. How do you all manage
those late nights?
You make a good point about Jamaica taking a little getting
used to. I think if my first trip to JA had been during the
protests it would have unnerved me some. However, it was
inspiring to see everyone showing an interest and speaking
up about things. A lack of apathy...so refreshing!!
One question; I read yesterday that the government has
rolled back the tax 45%. How close to what it was before
the tax does it bring the cost of fuel? (in dollar amounts)
Thanks
Hey Rose, welcome back....i am still working on a way of
managing the late friday nights myself....as it turns out,
we have been having a lot of cricket on the tv, as you may
know, with the Aussies touring, so I just, y'know, watch
cricket all day Sat !!
Yes, the fact that not only the poorer classes but the
middle and upper classes were out in the streets was really
quite a phenomenon. I mean, in wealthy areas in Kingston,
the residents were out with placards protesting the tax
etc. Anyway, they have retreated to their verandahs for
another few years and, for the poorer classes, the old
cars, trees etc have been stored wherever they keep these
things until the next time, when they reappear magically.
I think the gas prices are now about $17 per litre, meaning
say, 45c US. Previously, the price was in the region of $13
per litre.
I watched some cricket myself while there, but still don't
know the rules..It seems that Everyone watches it and a
couple of our friends become so interested in the game that
they reminded me of some of our youth here in the US when
they play video games..zoned out.
People were discussing what you mentioned about the upper
classes being involved in the protest and how some wealthier
people just parked their cars in the roads and walked away
with the keys...impressive! It was interesting too how the
churches took a stand as well. I don't know if we'd ever
get that kind of universal involvement here in the US.
Help, help!!! Me and my dear friends are planninng to go to
lovely (i hope) Jamaica in october-99 to mars-00. We don┤t
know so much about the Island, except for the sunny weather,
witch are one of the reason that we are going. So please
anyone who just know anything about Jamaica, like hostels,
how to find a job, clublife, nice reaggeclubs and anything
else that will make us stay forever in the sun.
Thank you thank yoou thank you
Hey Rose & original Jamaican
I have always wanted to go to Jamaica, but have never had
the chance I could go later this year - at last. I would
be going as a tourist (Doh - of course) but what has put me
off for a long time is the prevalence of these All
Inclusive places - like Sandals etc.... Having said that I
do like a bit of comfort - I do not think just by having
some comfort yuo have to lock yourself into a resort for
your stay. I want to take in the real culture and the
beach culture. Where would you recommend? I ask you
because reding above you seem to be switched on.
Sorry to take up room on this post for my own ends.
cam