Why I go back to Jamaica; and why you shouldn’t put off your trip.

My first trip to Jamaica was more than 30 years ago. I vividly remember the first impression of Jamaica and the small town of Lucea, which was my classmate and friend’s hometown. The drive from Montego Bay to Lucea in Hanover Parish took more than an hour. Arriving in Lucea and seeing the beauty of this small rural community and its seawall was eye opening.

As I reflect on these earlier years traveling to Jamaica and naively believing that as “armchair revolutionaries” we would change the world, I can’t help but smile at the endless enthusiasm and convictions that we all had with the strongest desire to make the world a better place.

The wonderful people of Lucea and the warm hospitality of this small town community helped shape my life’s journey. Late nights sitting on the sea wall talking; or enjoying a drink at the local disco epitomized island life and the community created by its peaceful simplicity.

Recalling the sentinel events of this first trip: the water that just wouldn’t run up hill and there was absolutely no flowing tap in the house. So, with soap and towel in hand, we had to take nearly a mile hike down to the Caribbean sea and bathe in the ocean. What a wonderful (and salty) experience.

Traveling back to Jamaica 30 years later and ultimately having the privilege of making several trips the this wonderful island every year, I thank God for the opportunity to meet such incredible and loving people.

As with other developing nations, there are certainly problems, but each visit to Jamaica brings awareness of a renewed opportunity to feel majestic peace. The world should adapt the Jamaica saying, “Out of many, one people”.

The people, the food, the beauty and the laid-back life style are all the reasons why Jamaica calls for me to return.