40 years later

[francis]

42 years ago ... I first arrived in Negril October 1972 ... and thought I had died and gone to heaven, what a pristine paradise it was ... people were friendly and cash poor but quality-of-life rich, very friendly and generous ... the Old Jamaicans refer to that time as "When the Hippies Came!" ... and come we did, first as a trickle then a torrent ... the 7 mile beach had just a few isolated buildings, the cliffs were just as isolated, we could go anywhere we wanted and it was possible to pay $0.50 per night to camp on some friendly person's property who would toss in a meal ... where in the world today can such a place be found? The marvel was not how inexpensive Negril was, nor how unpopulated it was, but that the people had lived for so long without money that they placed more value on people and friendship than money, and because they had such few material possessions they had learned the value of sharing and they freely gave what little they had, albeit they were happy to receive some cash, which had ironically changed Negril forever; isn't that the way it is, eh! We find paradise and bring to it our values - cultural influences - and change comes in like a storm to wash away the shores never to return to its original state; I lament, I know, because I was 19 and found freedom and love, and during the time I lived there, Reggae music via Bob Marley came to fruition, creating an atmosphere of positive vibrations and goodwill everywhere - truly a magical time in Negril. I tried to capture that time period in a novel, a highly fictionalized account of experiences; if you don't want to shell out the cash to check out my creative attempt at capturing that era in storytelling on Amazon or CreateSpace, email me and I will send you a PDF of the novel: Island Odyssey, Francis Oliver Lynn franlynn36@gmail.com

Island Odyssey Ghetto Flowers in Paradise

PAPER BACK
https://www.createspace.com/4258190
E-BOOK
http://www.amazon.com/ISLAND-ODYSSEY.../dp/B005TVG54A



Thanks for the pictures and stories - they are precious!

Irie! Brothers and Sisters ...