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
