the times they have changed

[original spanky]

as a many time traveler to negril since 1974, i do realize times have changed as the people have become more americanized . my last couple trips down my friends i have known since the start actually complained because the extra suitcase full of clothes were not what they would consider cool enuff. there is a club on the beach road, believe it's Kennys that the crown of jamaicans makes me think i am in south beach . i am happy so many have become successful but the vibe is not too my liking still we will return in december . this time with my teenage daughters. it is a bit scary to hear about guns and the supposed violence.has anyone encountered situations where they felt in danger?

[Markospoon]

Hey Spanky,
yes, time does march on.

Like the song says "Everything must change".

I wish my grown daughter was 6 years old again,
but.........................

[takinitslow]

Hey Spanky I haven't been going near as long as you but I have encountered the same thing and the answer for me was going to a different part of the island less touched by tourism it was the best experience I have had. This year I will spend less time in Negril and more time elsewhere. I met a lot of down to earth people who I didn't feel like they were expecting something from me. It opened my eyes.

[bksmm]

has anyone encountered situations where they felt in danger?

I recently had 2 guys on mopeds racing towards me in a threatening manner ... while I was walking on the sidewalk.

[LivinInThe603]

I'll be in Negril in April for (only) my fourth time, but for my summer trip, I'm going to the north coast and Kingston.

[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. "

[captaind]

One big change is that I don't have to have water brought to Zion hill by donkey.

Nice havin A/C, electric, running water, internet and phone..

Big changes

Cap

[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