Before there are any misunderstandings, I do not jump like the guys in the video! I just jump straight in, holding my nose, girly style!
Before there are any misunderstandings, I do not jump like the guys in the video! I just jump straight in, holding my nose, girly style!
Interesting report One Love. Everyone's experience of Negril is different. You are world wise, thoughtful and observant and will see and feel things many do not. I didn't read a single thing here I didn't find a valid observation of goings on in Negril. I'm just going to say that my experience of paradise is a paradox...
What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?
Ah, my nick actually means without permission in norwegian.Originally Posted by Guirigay
I like that, cross language references are the source of my board name as wellAh, my nick actually means without permission in norwegian.
What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?
Speaking of the cabin in the hill, that was one awsome trip! The guy I met lives up on the hill and didn't care much for the beach scene. So I asked if he could show me his world, goats (I love goats!), bush and all. And he was happy to! So off I went, up to the hill and into the bush. He was a bit concerned that I'd freak over creepy crawlers, but I assured him I would not. It was absolutely an experience walking in such rugged terrain. I'm used to rugged terrain back home, but my feet knows that terrain! He had forgotten his machete so that made it all the more exciting. We ended up at his friends small cabin with a gorgeous view. We were laid on the patio in the shade accompanied by a lizard and small ants. I ended up falling asleep right there with a big grin on my face!
Utenlov - thank you so much for your honest "trip report". Your observations are right on and I appreciate an non-novelised version of your trip to Negril. I actually took notes on some of your observations to comment upon! Here goes-
“The beach.. To me it felt like a stage, a scene put up where people play their parts. I did not fit in..”
Funny you say that. I’m a beach person – everywhere but in Negril. I’ve stayed on the cliffs for 30 years and used to go to the beach much more often. Now I go down there for the occasional dirty banana at White Sands and/or when friends are visiting.
One friend made the observation that the beach didn’t seem “Jamaican” to them. Aside from vendors and service people there was no local feel or culture in their opinion. I’d heard years ago already from another long-timer/part time resident that he felt the beach was like Las Vegas on sand.
If I want sand in my toes these days I head out to Half Moon Beach.
“I can say that I NEVER see that crap when I'm with boardies.” (Brasi)
I don’t hang with “boardies” – and I seldom see that crap. You know where I see it? In a few of the resident expats here. And yes, it is disgusting. The folks I hang with, not boardies - residents, expats, part-time residents and tourists who have been coming here a long time - never, EVER do I hear or see that (if I did I'd no longer hang with them, that's for sure). And I'll tell you something else - the Jamaicans are hardest on each other.
“It was my first time on a beach with security. I felt protected from something I didn't need protection against.”
I remember in my early years traveling to Negril and going to the beach there wasn’t as big a security or police presence there. That said, even WITH security it is not wise to leave stuff out while you go for a swim or a walk on a lounge chair (save a towel maybe). Most bartenders are happy to stash your SMALL bag or pack behind the bar.
“That made me think, do people actually jump into water if they can't swim?”
Yes they do. Drunk too. I've seen some seriously ugly results.
"So many places I went to didn't have a toilet so I figured everyone did as we do in Norway when toilet isn't an option. Pee in a bush.”
Oh, come now,lol. Where did you go in Negril where there was no toilet there or nearby? Negril is WAY too populated to have folks peeing in the bush, which, by the way, is not a “Norwegian” thing. I live most of the year in rural California. Nuff folks pee in the bush here. I take objection though when a tourist stops to pee on my shed when there’s a porta pottie just up the road. That poor man will never be able to pee outdoors again.
“Next time I'm thinking about staying on the other side of the road, and using the public area of the beach. It might be more me.”
Based on your report as whole, it is my opinion that you would be MUCH happier on the cliffs. It’s a much more chill and local vibe – you can get a truer feel for the culture there – and the drinks are less expensive, lol.
Thanks again....loved your report.
“I can say that I NEVER see that crap when I'm with boardies.” (Brasi)
"I don’t hang with “boardies” – and I seldom see that crap. You know where I see it? In a few of the resident expats here. And yes, it is disgusting. The folks I hang with, not boardies - residents, expats, part-time residents and tourists who have been coming here a long time - never, EVER do I hear or see that (if I did I'd no longer hang with them, that's for sure). And I'll tell you something else - the Jamaicans are hardest on each other."
I was just trying to let uten know that she could be assured that kind of thing is not normal here/at boardie events...as far as I know. I hang out with people other than boardies, to be sure...I wasn't making any broad generalizations that there are racists everywhere else...but MORE of racist crap IS gonna happen at the AI cookie cutters in my opinion. In any case, I am with you. If that kind of thing racist chat/actions happen---for example, a local is not allowed to hang with me somewhere---which is tantamount to racism...I'm done at that spot.
Last edited by brasi; 02-22-2012 at 12:57 PM.
Racism is not limited to the AI cookie cutters.....there are some boardies that see Jamaicans as a lower class of people. They may not say it out right or they may not use the N word but it is evident in some of the posts made on this board.
Fire away......
never said it was limited to them, I said they are more likely to harbor it, via "no local policies" etc.
I've never seen a boardie be racist. I don't know Rob well, but I am sure I know him well enough that if uten was uncomfortable seeing racism happening she should KNOW that boardie gatherings are a safe haven from that.
That's what I should have said. Your experience is your own. Mine is my own.
I'm outta this thread...my sanity is about to explode...LOL...I wasn't trying to argue about where racists hide, or who is more racist...I don't care. They are idiots. The end.
Thanks for a great report uten.
Last edited by brasi; 02-22-2012 at 01:00 PM.
Just because you haven't seen something for yourself doesnt mean it doesnt exist. As for me, I am a black woman (technically bi-racial)....I see things differently than some.
Racists are idiots, on this we agree
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