the times they have changed

[Accompong]

When I travel to San Francisco, I no longer wear a flower in my hair or go down to Haight-Ashbury Street for the "summer of love".

These are just romantic images that may or may not have been the case in the mid-60's but that is how we remember them and talk about them. That's just one of the problems with trying to reconcile now and reality to times long gone.

It is true that Jamaica has changed. Just as we have. It is not the Jamaica I remember in stories and experiences but then again some bad things happened to me too in those romantic days of remembrance. Old timers coming on the board lamenting what Jamaica has become are still comparing it to a romanticized notion of what it was.

Some things may have been better then but we were also a lot younger and able to adapt much easier. Some of us have even developed a heightened case of common sense which makes things you would have brushed off in the past an issue today.

I loved the Jamaica of the '80s and I love the Jamaica of the '16s because I am aware that it is more me that has changed than Jamaica.

I returned to Jamaica a couple of days ago to no fanfare. I have had nothing but the same boring wonderful experiences that I have become accustomed to over the years.

I urge newcomers not to stress out over posts of negativity. Common sense has always been in season and it is a muscle that should be exercised regularly.

Here is what I missed most. Pumpkin and ackee in fresh coconut flavored rice. Fresh caught King Fish with fresh vegetables. Enjoy!

Peace and Guidance

[LivinInThe603]

When I travel to San Francisco, I no longer wear a flower in my hair or go down to Haight-Ashbury Street for the "summer of love".

This is hardly an appropriate comparison. "

[Accompong]

This is hardly an appropriate comparison. "

I agree. It was not meant to be a comparison but an analogy. I don't know when you first visited Jamaica but it too was the stuff of which legends are made.

[LivinInThe603]

I agree. It was not meant to be a comparison but an analogy. I don't know when you first visited Jamaica but it too was the stuff of which legends are made.

The magic lies in the eyes of the beholder

[LoveinBlackandWhite]

We have made many friends over the years (locals (people born and/or raised here), expats, and regular visitors), and Negril is like a second home for us. We especially like to hang out at places that welcome, and are frequented by, locals.

Negril has been economically depressed for as long as we've been coming here, but I have wandered (on foot) all over Negril at any time, night and day, no problem. The recent shootings near Blue Cave Castle (admittedly in a well known drug-dealing area), and a friend being "ethered" last year, have been disturbing. However, we shall continue to frequent (Have Dominoes, Will Travel) our usual haunts (Collette's, Red Dragon, De Bar, [Yacht Club re-opening?], etc.).

I'm not surprised about Blue Cave's recent troubles. We had been staying there for 15 years, but, when they (Susan, the owner, and her new man) fired Teddy (brilliant chef and Petrona's man) and then Petrona herself (beloved manager since it was built), not to mention prohibiting the staff from interacting with the guests anymore, the magic was gone for us. You will find us at Sunset on the Cliffs from 11/30 - 12/28 this year.