My Paradise

When I think of Jamaica, I think of Paradise. There is no place on earth where you can find people of so many different origins; music with a thumping flair and rhythm; and attractions that overwhelms the heart.


The people are very precious to me and there is no doubt that the Jamaican motto remains true as out of many one people. Though it is said to be 87% black, this rich blackness is its essence that overshadows Syrians, Indians, Chinese, Spanish, Africans and even Caucasians to name a few. As the national flag predicts the black represents it people. Where else but in this paradise can you find neighbors who will tell you to ‘walk-good’, or smile at you when you are passing by, talk to you on the commute even though they may not know you or give an helping hand in the discipline of your children. The people’s expressions, friendliness and willingness to help highlight that stream of light in my heart. Seems as though they have a hidden motto engraved in their hearts called ‘irieness’ where 'every ting is gonna be all right.' No matter the circumstance that ray of sunshine is always surfaced to comfort my soul and ignite the flame that is within and everyone that a Jamaican touches. These qualities are spilled over from the lives of the people onto Everything Jamaican-Jamaica Talk making it my home away from home. “One love, one heart” – is the popular phrase of unity that is also echoed from the life of the people and its music.



Jamaica is also special to me because of its culture. Rocking hard with its vibrating sounds of Reggae music, the renowned language of the island - the patois and of course its food. Let me illustrate the beat of my heart…’’in Jamaica on a nice Friday you can hear my neighbor playing a sweet tune. The mango trees swaying in the breeze. The coconut jelly that refreshes my mouth while I’m sitting on the verandah eating patty and coco bread. The children coming from school looking all alike in their uniforms, walking home with smiles of a long learnt day with an anticipation. This anticipation I feel cause I know the same stomach feeling they get, I have also. And that is to turn the corner and smell Mama’s pot full of well-seasoned curry chicken and white rice or sometimes boiled bananas and dumplings with sweet potatoes, yam and stew chicken if money permits. I think of the lady by the bus stop making a living, but that living is her song. That’s the song of selling crabs, jackfruit and jumbeling. Little girls playing dandy-shandy and little boys playing marbles…” The spirit of Jamaica is truly colorful and upbeat. How can I not love it all?



Nothing speaks paradise more to me than its music. Some cultures have its own sound that identifies them with their origins. With Jamaica, this sound is the Reggae music. The lyrics written and heard echoes unity, issues that Jamaica faces daily, peace, hope and love. My heart and body moves when I hear Bob Marley (the trend starter of the reggae music flavor), in one of his well-known songs ‘don’t worry about a ting, cause every likkle ting is gonna be all right.’ It pleases me to listen to artists like Buju Banton, Capelton, Elephant Man, Fab5, Tanya Stephens to name a few. It is beyond my control when I hear such beats, as the ‘bruk-up and heads high rid dims’ the music I’m telling you will make you want to more than dance.



Jamaica could not have been my paradise with out its beautiful attractions. Each scenery gives me solace, the waters calm and the green grass hope for a better tomorrow. When I gaze upon Blue Mountain Peak (St. Andrew), the Blue Lagoon (Port Antonio), Dunns River Falls (St. Ann), the many exceptional beaches, the spectacular resorts, the gushing rivers like the Rio Grande and its eccentric food. I know that heaven must have landed on earth because of its beauty. Its lovely golden sunshine bringing the tropical heat to the island and forming gracefully the color of my chocolate tan skin. Its food is tropical but one of a kind. Where else can you find ackee, breadfruit, green Groto yam, dasheen, dukunoo, naspberries, jackfruit, sour sop and Appleton rum? The food is magical! It melts in my mouth and disappears in your stomach. It’s almost like tasting the rainbow where each color is the flavor that captivates the sky with a promise. A promise that each time I eat, it will be fulfilling and my taste buds would be overjoyed and fervent to taste again. The spices and cooking methods adds zest to the original ingredients.



The dialect is the uniqueness of the island and its people. When I speak patois, it breaks down the English language in a judicious way adding creole, passion and truth. When spoken to my fellow Jamaicans they can relate and to non-Jamaicans or Jamaica lovers, they can feel the depth and vigor in the words and experience a greater outlook on the expressions of my mind. The dialect is rare and elite because no matter where in the world I am, if I open my mouth to utter phrases such as “mi tyiad man” or “de place nice eeh!” the language is broadcast as my trademark.



This paradise equips me up for success where I daily and eagerly contribute to Everything Jamaican-Jamaica Talk. Even though I am no longer residing in Jamaica, there is a longing for my island and this forum brings me closer to home. With a conglomeration of the people, their experiences and interaction it keeps me updated with the endeavors of Jamaica. The members are personable, touching my life in a personal but enjoyable way. They express and have their own stories to tell but most of all; their stories are nothing but everything about Jamaica. This transformation makes a difference where I can say I have met some candid friends to cherish for a lifetime. Everything Jamaican –Jamaica Talk truly lives up to the Jamaican motto-‘out of many…one people’.



Jamaica reflects the black (the people), the green (the land) and the gold (its sunshine). It is always good to know that I can have the freedom to worship without persecution and to speak patois with out discrimination. Truly the attractions, culture, dialect, food, music and the people make Jamaica a paradise to me and what it is up until now. My life, my home, my Paradise, my Jamaica – Jamaica land I love.


*PrincessBlack*....(below is a snap of the Blue Lagoon, Portland).

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