Small Islands, Big Dreams

When searching for Jamaicans to interview I didn’t have to search far at all for this one. I spotted him a long time ago and was fascinated by his story, mostly because it resembles mine. We are two peas in a pod when it comes our dreams to explore another country we’ve become obsessed with. Kirk aka “Jamaipanese” has studied and researched just as much or more about Japan, as I have about Jamaica but I have so much respect for him because all his exploring was done from afar (at home in Jamaica). Getting to Japan from Jamaica is no small feat so naturally, last year when his dream came true I followed his story every step of the way. He left one small island to head to the next to experience his vacation of a lifetime! See the interview below:

Q: Which part of Jamaica did you grow up in and what were the best things about growing up there?

A: I grew up in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston. Kingston, like most cities is always evolving and a lot of things have changed since I was much younger. One of the best things about growing up in Kingston would be the people, there is almost never a dull day. There is always something happening that creates a buzz that makes the city feel alive and eventful.

Q: If a tourist were to visit your part of the island what would you say is a must-see for them?

A: I’d recommend two places in Kingston if they had a local to escort them around. Port Royal is a great chill spot where visitors can go for excellent seafood and an escape from the chaos of Kingston. The second place would be downtown Kingston which really is the heartbeat of the city. The stores and markets are always busy and while it may not be for everybody it can be quite the experience for those willing to try it.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about Jamaican culture and being Jamaican?

A: Without a doubt it would be our music. Even as a Jamaican I am amazed at the vast amount of music, musical icons and types of music this tiny island has produced over the years. I’m somewhat of a Jamaican music audiophile and there is never a shortage of new music to discover and classics to enjoy over and over again.

Q: Your online name is Jamaipanese (which I think is quite clever!). Why?

A: “Jamaipanese” is a candid portmanteau of the words JAMAIcan and JaPANESE. I am Jamaican and I am crazy about Japanese culture so I combined the two to call myself and my blog Jamai + Panese. The name has helped immensely with my blog being recognizable and memorable, I am still amazed at how much my blog has grown over the years, not in my wildest dream did I imagine when I started that it would have grown past more than a few dozen readers.

Q: We’ve talked about how our stories are so similar, in that we’re both obsessed with a country other than our own. Why Japan? When did that all happen?

A: Japan is gem I discovered while reading about Asia and World War II as a teenager. I wondered how a country devastated by two atomic bombs could rise to become the second largest economy (at the time) in the world. Further reading got me more and more fascinated with the culture, history and people of Japan and before I knew it I was hooked. Anime, cars, tech, skyscrapers, technology, trains, temples, video games, robots, etc are some of the myriad things that fascinate me about Japan.

Q: When your dream of visiting Japan finally became a reality last year what was that like for you? Were you disappointed with anything in Japan that you thought would be better or different?

A: Saving towards and visiting Japan is the biggest personal achievement in my life thus far. It has put me on such a high and opened my eyes to so much that I have grown addicted to the feeling of “achieving”. Japan is everything I imagined and more, there is nothing I am disappointed about and when I think about it although Jamaican and Japanese culture is so significantly different there are still some basic things in common that makes us all human and global residents.

Q: It’s fairly widely known that the Japanese have a pretty big underground Jamaican culture/dance obsession. What do you think about it?

A: Japan loves any and everything Jamaican, in some places I felt almost like a celebrity because as soon as many persons realized I was Jamaican I was treated to extra special service and could see the gleam in their eyes as they tried to speak English while firing off question after question about life in Jamaica, Bob Marley, music and more. I didn’t get the opportunity to go to a Jamaican dance or restaurant while in Japan but I went to a club that played strictly Jamaican music and it was quite the sight to see middle aged “salary-men” and other office workers of both sexes dance non-stop and sing along word for word to reggae music from midnight to 6am.

Q: Did you go to college / university? If so, what did you study? If you hadn’t studied that what else would you be doing?

I haven’t gone to college yet but as I said above wanting to, planning to and then visiting Japan has really inspired me to get more things done in my life. One of those things is going to college, I am happy to report that barring any unforeseen hiccups I will be a college student studying information technology come September 2012.

Q: Which do you identify more with – Jamaican or Japanese culture?

A: I identify more with Jamaican culture. I love Japan but I am Jamaican to the core and very proud of my country. It is unfortunate that a few Jamaicans have caused all of us to be viewed in somewhat of a bad light to some but I try to do my own little part to ensure I show that not all Jamaicans are bad and promote the positives.

Q: What’s your ultimate goal with regards to your blog and your love of all things Japan?

A: My ultimate goal with regards to my blog? That’s a tricky question, but I’d have to say that I really want to be in a position where I can visit Japan once or twice a year. Jamaipanese.com is a hobby but revenue from the blog paid for about half of what my first trip to Japan cost. I’d love to continue to blog about my love for Japan and other interests like photography, video games, technology etc – grow the blog and increase revenue so I’ll be able to take trips to Japan more often!

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Check out Jamaipanese.com and you’ll find more about his journey to Japan.

And you REALLY need to check out his Youtube Channel.  It was so fun watching his own commentaries on what he was doing abroad.  Cute seeing a real Jamaican attempting some of the lingo.

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Kirk!  Thank you SO much for doing this interview – much respect.  It’s been a real pleasure getting to know you and following your journey over the years.  And thank you for supporting mine too.  I really love what you said about becoming “addicted to the feeling of achieving” and I think you’re just in the baby stages of achieving great things!  Somehow I feel Jamaica will lose you to Japan one day LOL.  You can’t leave before I link you in Kingston!