Hello my name is Cheryl and I'm from the USA. I just returned from my second cruise to Jamaica and I was intrigued by what I saw. I'm very interested in learning more about the Jamaican culture and also make some new friends. If there is anyone out there wanting to corrospond with some one from the USA please feel free to drop me a line. I'm married and looking for friendship not romance.
My email address is cheryl1264@wb4me.com

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Please dont bother reading my disclaimer I only thought the others were hilarious and I wanted to have one too, so I really dont kno what to write here.. I just want it to be long enough so y'all have to get closer to the screen to read it

Hello Cheryl.

If you want to just post away, it's sort of the same thing you are looking for.

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If you've never stared off in the distance, then your life is a shame...

We dreamers have our ways
Of facing rainy days
And somehow we survive

As I wrote in my post, this was my second trip to Jamaica. The first trip I just went on a boat tour but this time we took a bus from Montego Bay and Negril and got a chance to see another side of the Island that you don't see in the tourist broshures. It almost made me not want to come back, after we spoke to several Jamaican citizens who told us how little they made, compared to how much money we paid to different excursions. For example. We took a glass bottom tour. We paid $60 and the 3 guys said the would only get $5 each for each tour which wouldn't be bad except did not get a salary. Is this story believable about how much they make? Are we really helping the islanders with our tourist money?

Welcome Cheryl. Yes you are helping them when you are tourists. What you can do is tip them to up the amount they receive. Since Tourism is the number 1 industry in Jamaica, it is important for the whole island.

They probably were telling you the truth about what they receive in pay. A school principal receives less than $400 US a month. A grocery store person who takes the groceries to the car receives around $50 US a week relies heavily on tips to survive. Some of them have to skip meals if it isn't a good day.

it can be offputting when your asked as a tourist for money constantly but please try not to be put off. for instance i know personally how those trinket sellers on the beach who may hassle you actually live and their struggles to survive. as a tourist you are their ONLY income and often they go to the beach and are lucky if they earn their taxi fare home. yes it can be daunting and too much at times but please consider how they have to live and what your dollars or pounds are really worth to you. you dont have to give to everyone who asks but remember a very small amount to you could mean a huge amount to someone who is struggling. yes some do take the p*ss but make your own judgment by the vibes your getting and dont give to aggressive sellers if you feel uncomfortable.

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