Jamaica is the land of reggae and rastas and big spliff cigars. FACT: the island's inhabitants are approximately 72% Christian and 25% Rastafarian, and many Rastafarians cut and trim their hair (though I'll catch flack on that one, I am sure).
"Tourism is the life-blood of Jamaica and tourists are the support of Jamaicans."
FACT: over 80% of tourists spend little to no time farther inland than 4 miles from the coastline, and some never leave their all-inclusive property. Most of the Jamaican population, residing in Kingston, Mandeville, Spanish Town and the interior, rarely if ever have much interchange with tourists. Nearly 64% of the nation's foreign capital is raised from bauxite and agricultural exports, followed by 30% tourism. The percentage of the population that works in the tourism industry is less than 28, with 23% in agriculture and 20% in industry. The biggest threat to the Jamaican economy IMO is globalization, not tourists becoming disenchanted.
"Life is not sacred in Jamaica." Yes, I've actually heard this one put about.
FACT: the death penalty remains in Jamaica, unlike most U.S. states, for the crime of murder. Longevity in Jamaica is approximately 74.5 years, like the U.S.
"The Jamaican government is corrupt." Shall I bother to answer this one? Do you mean like Watergate, or more like Condit? Do you mean like the Kennedy problems, or more like Clinton's? Or are you referring to politicians being caught taking bribes, kickbacks, or giving business to their friends, like maybe, in Whitewater? Thank God that doesn't happen in America!
"Jamaica is a poor, illiterate, desperate country." FACTS: Jamaican literacy is at nearly 92% with over 80% attending school past 15 years of age. Just like America. Although poverty and desperation are serious issues in Jamaica, the major cities, that most tourists do not visit, are filled with middle class and upper middle class neighborhoods. I lived in Orlando for 11 years and the irony of the Trenchtown-style poverty-stricken neighborhoods of Sanford being minutes from Disney World was not lost on me. The problems in Jamaica are largely due to inflation and 18% unemployment, not some inherent factor in Jamaican society.
you who are not already to
in banking, industry, transportation, health care, construction, manufacturing, the arts, and government.
Wish I had a flat
panel monitor
at work...
Jamaicans have more holidays and celebrations than you can shake a stick at. Jamaicans play for fun, not
just for the
benefit of tourists
on the beach.
Jamaicans do it with
gusto, and passion.
It may not be glamorous, it may not always be "Irie" but there you have it . . .the real
Jamaica full of real Jamaicans
