Growing up in the Caribbean Islands
What was it like for you while growing up in the island? As a little girl my sister and I used to travel on the train from Kingston to St Elizabeth every summer. Each year I looked forward to the trip because my mom would buy us pepper shrimp at the nearest railroad road station. We would immediately devour the shrimps because they were delicious, then we ate the sweetest peeled oranges to quickly eased the hot peppery taste.
This past February, I had the pleasure of visiting my roots (Ipswich, St Elizabeth). Upon returning I labeled the trip “My reality check”. The reason is, the last summer I visited St Elizabeth was over 20 years ago, not only was the train a distant memory, the tracks and rails were broken and rotted. I experienced such a sudden world wind of emotions that words could not explain, only because, for all the years I’ve gone back to Jamaica on vacation I failed to visit the place of my ancestry, the beautiful mango eating and sweet pine bearing St. Elizabeth.
What’s your story?
As we all know growing up in the islands, there is no place better than home. Since moving here I haven't gotten the chance to visit my home city of Montego bay and this site serves to be the perfect outlet to connect with my roots, culture, especially topics on football{Liverpool/Carib United FC} and my alma-mata. I would also love to hear more about how your herbalife nutritional products can help someone like me enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
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Ricardo
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, don't feel bad about not going back home as yet. I'm sure most of us could relate, my first trip back home took 4 years. I remember I was so home sick I nearly went into a culture shock, especially having to transition from jamaica primary school system to another school in the Eastern Caribbean.
I'm happy to see you are interested in living a healthier life style. Herbalife products are healthy nutrients which help nourish your cells with exclusive blend of plant-based nutrients that provide vitamins, antioxidants and minerals to support complete cell function. The health and wellness page on my site will show you several categories of all the products we carry. www.caribunitedfc.com.
By the way Ricardo do you think Liverpool stand a chance with the Gunners this season?
Lavern
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Life in Jamaica was a little tough for me. This made me realize though that I would be responsible for making the best out of my situation. I lived in many different place as a child, between ages 12-15 I had already moved four times, living with four different sets of people.
Gregory Park was the last place I was living in Jamaica. I did love and enjoy every moment of that place, even though betterment was a though and must. I use to get up by 5 o'clock in the morning to get ready and catch the chi chi bus to school. The bus ride was from Portmore to Downtown. When Downtown, all the student use to just hang out by the taxi and bus stand even when school had already begun.
When it was "go home time" the bus ride was from Half-Way-Tree back to Portmore. Go home time was special for us. This was "girls" time.(dem time deh wi have alpha a wayyyy... gosh.. My friend Rajive and I. "Me" mainly (lol) wooiiee. It was nice. Anyway we use to catch the executive buses back to Portmore. If we did not have money for anything else, we had our executive bus fare money.
Ah Sah! those buses would give the sweetest ride when they took the Ferry route instead of the Causeway. Fi me, Everyting wah me use to do a Jamaica was fun.
Miss Coach Tanks fi di appachunity fi share da likkle piece a mi life with mi fellow Jamaicans.
R.I.P Rajive
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Hi Pascoe
Thanks for sharing your story with us, don't ever lose those wonderful memories of your past, because they are the railroad to your future. Much love & respect!!
Lavern
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Despite the fact that i wasn't actually born in Jamaica, I have the pleasure of saying that I've enjoyed some of the best experiences of my life there. One scene that is embeded into my memory is the view that you get when arriving on the island from a plane; the mountains scattered with little houses and the ocean off in the background.
There's never been a time that I went to Jamaica and was'nt blown away by the true beauty of God's work. I remember going to St. Elizabeth (a.k.a. 'the country') one year for a week or so and I never wanted to leave. Eventhough it seemed to take an eternity to get up there, it ended being more than worth it. What made me actually fall in love with the 'country' were the simple things like going on miniature hikes/adventures, spending hours down by the river, devouring freshly picked pineapples from the pineapple field behind the house.....those were the days....times when there were no worries or concerns about what is going on in the world but what you were going to do the next day.
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I went to America for the first time this year July 2008 and i realise how much i love Jamaica. Being in America was ok but it is very hard to survive there. I didnt like the food at all. Jamaica has the best food. Jamiaca has the hypest parties and hot spots. Jamaica to the world!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Hi Kaypass
I truly understand how you feel about the food and party lifestyle in America, I've gone to some of the best parties in Jamaica, the American lifestyle is a complete different culture which will take getting used to.
I would love to know why is it easier to survive in Jamaica than it is in America. when I visited Jamaica in February 08, I got a lot of mixed messages, some of the natives were complaining of how hard it was to survive yet each district or neighborhood I drove through had two to three homes being built or remodeled, the housing economy seems to be prospering in Jamaica, what is the Jamaican people doing differently?
Lavern
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Well here in Jamaica we complain about having a hard life. But we should be grateful. In Jamaica, if a man have no house he can "squat" on a piece of land. A man cannot do that in America. We grow alot of food crops in Jamaica and so we r not gonna be hungry. A man can starve to death in America because the only way to get food is to buy at supermarket and if that person aint got no money, what is he gonna do? The cost of living here in Jamaica is high but the most expensive things in America are 1. rent, 2. health care and 3.phone bills. These are nothing compared to what we pay in Jamaica. Lots of people get the impression that living in America is a bed of roses but its not. My friend was telling me a story about her church sister. She went away to get a better life and when another church member went to America they saw her lying down on the street. Can u believe it?
But I think the reality is we cannot necessarily compare America to Jamaica. America is first world and Jmaica is Third world. Therefore the economy is different. However, i think the Government is really looking out for the people becuz they try their best to get everyone a home and i think thats very wonderful. Jamaica to the world!!!!
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"Jamaica 2 the world" I like that.
You touch on some very strong points Kaypas, having travel to both side of the world you are very knowledgeable and are able to compare both sides while appreciating your home land. Not many people are as fortunate as you.
As you follow the presidential campaign you are aware that healthcare is one of the hottest topics along with the financial crisis facing us. I work in the healthcare field, trust me my heart goes out to the people who seek health care due to an illness and get turned away because they have a balance and can't afford to pay the bill or their insurance no longer cover them nor their children, it's sad. Hopefully the right person gets to the White House November 4 and brings forth a change. Pray for us.
I enjoy communicating with you; spread the word to your friends and family, as this Blog was created to be an open forum for my Caribbean people. Peace!
Lavern
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Jamaica is one of the best place in the world. As a born Jamaican i really appreciate my country. When i came to America to live permanently, this made me realize how grateful i am to be a Jamaican. Education wise we are way more advanced than they are here, this gave me an edge, because going to school here i was teased because of the way i spoke.
Every visit to Jamaica feels like the first. This is because you know your'e going home to some real food, fun and adventures. The Land of Wad and Water nice. NO WHEY NO BETTA DAN YAAD.
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I truly agree with you Denise, every time I visit Jamaica it seems as the first. As I see the mountains from the plane window all stress is gone. This is why I cant get enough of that beautiful island.
LOL
Lavern
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