It had taken me by surprise. Like many people, my perception of Jamaica was dominated by tropical beaches and reggae music. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would leave that island and return to my home with an insatiable hunger. Why do I crave Jamaican food? Why do I get excited when I hear someone speaking with a West Indian accent? Why do I cry everytime I leave? I can only surmise that Jamaica posseses something that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. There is no one quality that can define its essence because it's all encompassing- it is the patois, the food, the land, the music, and most of all, the people. What had taken me by surprise was when I told my friend that I wanted to go home. I shocked myself when I realized that I was referring to Jamaica as my home. It is the place where I am truly happy and at peace.
EverytingJamaican JamaicaTalk plays the vital role of maintaining the link to Jamaica. It is here that people who share the same love for Jamaica are able to make connections and build friendships. I am so grateful that ETJ was created because it enables me to cope with being away from the place that my heart calls home.

So true. Tia I love this piece. I am happy that you have found you're home. And trust me, you have found your family too, beginning with me.
Nuff love, PB.

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I feel you Tia and i'm glad that ETJ has brought us together so we can be at home with each other and be family and friends although we're thousands of miles apart. Nice writing and i'm happy that my home is your home!!!!!

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Nuh Watch No Face
2 Sweet

Tia girl, I can see you crying as you write that. I understand, we all understand. And there's no winners and losers here....just a bunch of crazy Jamaicans that crave that connection you talk about. I love your story.

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Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Tia dear sweet Tia that mi proud fi sey mi meet an hug ya. Gyal yur sentiments are my sentiments. Great piece of prose and luv ya so much. Mi no mi ago see yu agin in Ja an we ago hug and laugh an enjoy our new found country. Peace n nuf Luv, JM

Tia,
I am new at this, but no one could have expressed those feelings that we all feel for Jamaica as well and as eloquently as you did. Do you mine if I still your line "the place my heart calls 'home'"? That's exactly how I feel.

hi woogie, nice to have you here. of course you can use that line. my heart will be going home next month...i'm so excited!

that`ll be us di tru born jamaicans.

In a couple of more days this will be my 20th trip in 5 years, back to the Island of Jamaica where I now consider it to be my adopted home...It is said Home is where the heart is and my heart and spirit is in Jamaica, where I left my footprints in the sand.....Jamaica Soon Come!

ready for fun in the sun gurl?.

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every tree in the forest represent a living person........ all

I can certainly understand where u r coming from. That is excatly how i feel about Jamaica. I love the land, the food, the people. Jamaica is my new home. It is my PARADISE. I just can't stay away from it. Every chance i get i go there. Now I have a special reason I am going to be marrying a Jamaican this year and he is truly a wonderful person. I love his attitude is so sweet and just wonderful as a person.

congratulations on your upcoming marriage strawberry! best wishes to the both of you.

Tia, thanks for your well wishes. We r both so excited. He should be entering the states by June. Keep your fingers crossed for us.

Love this post........Oh the good old days......sigh

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