Jeannieb's trip report was thought provoking for me and truly brought up a lot of memories and my feelings of my beloved Jamaica.
What variables could have changed their experience?
Black tourist vs. White tourist
Understanding patios vs. not understanding patois.
Sharing with locals vs. not sharing with locals
4 men vs. 4 women
I have been vacationing in Jamaica (mostly Negril) since 1995, and was blessed to have a extended stay of 6 months in "99" , the entire 6 months I lived in a yard in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios.
What a eye opener for me. Before my 6 months stay I was making plans to move to Jamaica on a permanent basis. Living in Jamaica and being a tourist, no comparison! I would rather be a tourist! LOL! I still LOVE Jamaica, especially Negril however I have long since lost the desire to live there....even if I hit the lottery I would not live in Jamaica. You can best believe that I would go more often (have not been in about 3yrs) and stay longer but living there is not a option for many different reasons, number one on my list is the government, too corrupt for me, yes I know that all governments are corrupt but in Jamaica the corruption takes on a sinister sense to me. Bad-mindness and jealousy of "some" of the people, again I know this is everywhere but somehow it seems different in Jamaica to me.
Okay, I am rambling now LOL, but I would love to have a discussion on board on YOUR thoughts!