Cap, Thanks for your input. Being that you have have such a close and personal connection to Jamaica you are able to detect things that most non Jamaicans can't. Despite my dozens of visits I am still just a tourist with an opinion. That opinion includes love for the Jamaican people who I had found to be the salt of the earth. Kind, friendly, mostly honest, willing to help if they could. Political loyalty beyond the ordinary (according to my American values).

These impressions have grown on me during the 30+ visits to JA stretching from 75-2014. I have always found the country people to be the true Jamaicans especially the mountain people perhaps because due to the topography they were / are able to eek out an existence off the abundance of Mother Nature, fresh water and air, fruit and vegetables to sustain their existence.

Although I loved Negril Beach I realized that many people there had come there for the employment opportunities that tourism provided, many of whom didn't live there but commuted on a daily basis to earn a living, and returning to their home communities at days end. The country people pretty much earned where they lived. It was a more stable sense of community I found where nobody was begging, haggling, or otherwise bothering anyone. These were peaceful people who were kind and caring. This isn't to say that there aren't great people in Negril and other tourist destinations but I found myself more trusting of people the further away from the epicenters.

Perhaps there is a challenge for the Minister of Tourism to consider: Run a Yearly nationwide contest for the friendliest / safest Parish in Jamaica. Using certain criteria, data and contest rules to establish the best, friendliest and safest Parish on the island based on the agreed foundations. This is only an idea and a place to start from but one that might develop into a fun and progressive sweepstakes that reinforces positivity Name: images.png Views: 374 Size: 2.6 KB