Your Other Passport Reviews

New To Jamaica?

—

by

Kristi
in



Yes, that’s me on the left in the photo. If you can see the small date on the picture it says March 17, 2003 and that was taken at Sangster airport when we first landed. I knew nothing about the country I just entered and had no idea it would change my life and career path forever.

There are a LOT of things I miss about being a newcomer to a foreign country. It’s not that the mystique of Jamaica has left me because I’ve been there so many times, it’s just that I miss seeing it through new and fresh eyes. If you’re going for your first, second or even third time I implore you to hang on to the moments you experience because there can only be one FIRST time for everything!

I was driving around my hometown the other day and wondering what it would feel like if I wasn’t from here and was seeing it all through fresh, tourist eyes. Then my mind wandered to my first few times in Jamaica and how things have internally changed for me over the last 9 years. I tried really hard to recall how I felt on those first trips and what was so new and amazing and different from life as I knew it in Canada.  For those of you who read my book, you read a fraction of how I felt landing in Jamaica my first time and the thoughts that ran through my mind.  It was crazy seeing, feeling and hearing a new culture.

I want you all to post in the comments section below what YOU miss about being a first-timer to Jamaica!  Not only will it help us all travel down memory lane, it will help real first-timers who are reading this to be inspired to PAY ATTENTION.

[ad#ad-1]

Comments

25 responses to “New To Jamaica?”

  1. Janet Davis..(.England and Jamaica) Avatar
    Janet Davis..(.England and Jamaica)

    To be honest, every time I fly in and land, it’s like the first time.
    I get a huge buzz when I see the island from 12,000 feet as the plane descends knowing I’m going to be there soon and when Im on terra firma and I feel the humidity hit me, there is nothing like it because as I become acclimatised its just not the same again as that first wave of heat!

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I feel the same each time I land as well but it’s just NOT the first time. I remember back in the day before boarding bridges at Sangster, they opened the front and rear doors of the plane so we could walk down to the tarmac. The WHOOOOSH of hot humid air that came through the plane cabin was incredible. I’d never ever felt that in my life.

      Reply
  2. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    The humidity was the first thing……..the ocean sounds……….and hearing reggae EVERYWHERE i went!!! For someone who lives & breathes roots reggae at home in Canada…..it was incredible. I think my spirit just heaved a huge sigh of relief and whispered “you’re home now……relax”

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Oooooh Heather I can so relate.

      Reply
  3. Brenda Avatar
    Brenda

    I remember flying over Florida and seeing theamazing shades of turquoise waters beneath me and thinking it can only be more amazing on land with thesebeautiful tranquil waters rushing over my feet.When I first landed in Jamaica and the wonderful humid air that smacked me full on was a pleasure to welcome rather than the windchill I said good-bye to only hours before!th e 5 man band with their rhumba box welcoming guests as they arrived was the sweet sound that instantly told me I was going to love this country! But I never knew the connection I would feel would be as strong as it is!and it only grows with each visit!<3

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I’m SO with you Brenda! And thanks for reminding me about the band inside the airport because that ALSO reminds me….back in 2003 the immigration area was really tiny and there was a group of 3 singing ladies wearing traditional clothing. They would sing a sweet song about “welcome to Jamaica” in perfect harmony. It was beautiful and my first time is the ONLY time I’ve ever seen them. Immigration is too monstrous nowadays.

      Reply
  4. Daniella Avatar
    Daniella

    I remember my first time going to Jamaica like it was yesterday. It was my first time leaving the states. The first time I went it was 1991 and I was going for my birthday. We flew Air Jamaica and they served us champagne and rum punch on the plane. I remember watching out the window as we approached and the water was crystal blue. I saw the mountains and sun and immediately knew I was going to be happy with my trip. As we landed they opened the doors and we walked down the stairs right onto the tarmac. The humidity, sun, and smiling faces was so refreshing. I too remember hearing the live band playing and the ladies welcoming each of us to the Island. The airport was extremely small back then but inviting nonetheless. I also remember hearing the men speaking Patois as they ushered us to the waiting shuttles. I felt totally lost because I had no clue what they were saying but I still felt safe. I was in amazement of the beauty and of what looked then as “poverty” as we drove the long bumpy roads to the Crane Ridge Resort in Ocho Rios. Within that “poverty” or so I thought, I found smiling faces and happy people. Looking at ones poverty showed me that although material possessions were limited, there was no lack of love. Ohhh how I love Jamaica….Sorry this was so long but it made me reminisce HARD!!! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Daniella! Don’t apologize lol! Just appreciate that jog down memory lane. I was the same way as you with the difference in living condition there. I may have once thought of it as poverty but now just think of it as different culture and life. It’s an island with tropical weather – they CAN live in board houses comfortably if they want. It’s intriguing.

      Reply
  5. Sandie Avatar
    Sandie

    Great post Kristi … I still get butterflies every time I visit and I’ve probably been there a dozen times (honestly I have lost count) My first trip, if I hadn’t have won a contest, I really don’t know if I would have even gone to Jamaica, it wasn’t on my radar and I had so many other places on my wish list. I was over-the-top excited to go because it was a free trip but to be honest a bit nervous because of all the negative reasons people were telling me not to go. Even saying they have to give trips away because it is so dangerous!! Anyway, it was the absolute BEST vacation of my life. We even missed our plane home and extended our stay by a few days and both myself and my friend that I took with me were back in no time literally .. myself within 48 hours and my friend and I (same friend I took on the trip) back again within 6 weeks or so. It’s crazy looking back but I have no regrets. I remember the time like it was yesterday and such amazing memories. What an experience!

    Reply
  6. Sandie Avatar
    Sandie

    I really don’t think I answered the question of your blog, there’s so many special things I remember about my first trip and I don’t really miss them because they’ve become part of my vacation traditions (if you can call it that) too many to document here LOL. Another thing though, myself and a friend went for a walk the other day and we actually were talking about what it’s like living here and how beautiful it really is. We noticed things we never really did before, things we take for granted everyday. So thought that was cool as you talked about that in your blog too. Anyway, enough rambling on here … you and I have so much to talk about – hopefully next month we can link-up to do just that!

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Sandie, its interesting we were both thinking the same thing around the same time. I do take Canada for granted really, but I think I’m calming down now and trying to appreciate my surroundings no matter where I am. The one thing we have in Canada that we can’t see in Jamaica are the beautiful fall colors. It’s gorgeous in Calgary right now.

      And I look forward to meeting up with you again!

      Reply
  7. Jodi Avatar
    Jodi

    omg I SO have to comment on this…being not even four weeks ago that I experienced Jamaica for my first time, it is still very exciting and fresh in my mind…
    Before I comment on Jamaica though…I can totally appreciate what it’s like to see something familiar through fresh eyes…we have had many visitors who have never seen our beautiful Rocky Mountains…seeing them through their eyes always gives me a little thrill.
    Now on to Jamaica!
    First, leaving Calgary on a chilly October night in capris…LOVE IT! Second, as mentioned before me, seeing the gorgeous blue waters of the Bahamas and Cuba…watching the “you are here” map on the tv..”ok, it says we should be right on top of Jamaica..is that it?? No, we flew past…wait, is THAT it??” LOL Being surprised at the topography of the island. I’m not sure what I expected as I knew there would be mountains…just was pleasantly surprised.
    For sure getting off the plane and being smacked in the face with the heat and humidity! I LOVED the band that was playing in the airport and wished I could have parked myself on the floor in front of them to listen a while. I was so, so happy and excited that I was finally in Jamaica…trust me, if I could do a cartwheel, I would have been spinning those suckers all the way through! ;0)
    My boss and travel partner (also a Jamaica virgin) needed a smoke before we met up with our group so we headed outside and of course were immediately approached by Keith, offering his driver services. I swear, I could have stood there and talked and laughed with him all day…before we even left the airport I had made two new friends and taken a ton of pics. haha!
    As we were a group of travel agents, we would be staying at two different places and touring a ton of hotels..our first was a huge all-inclusive and it was lovely…but it was the hotel on the Hip Strip in Mo Bay that was my very favorite…because I could get “among” it all…I wasn’t sheltered behind a big property…This is getting rather lengthy so I will use point form for my person hightlites of the trip:
    – Mr. Brown aka Cosmo introducing himself to us during our lunch…I approached him and a group of his friends after and we spoke of Canada and Jamaica
    – Clifton…a super kind, outrageous Rasta on the beach that I bought my bracelet from…he really was just content chatting and I loved that
    – the music…ohhhhh the music
    – the dancing…good Lord the dancing….thank God for Jamaican cold showers…;0)
    – and let’s state the obvious…the most beautiful men I have ever seen!! Must be something in the calaloo…LOL
    – the playful, teasing, friendly nature of all of the people that I met. I’m a “fluffy”..in a lot of things! I have a big personality, big laugh and a big voice…the fun banter that I had with so many men and women there was a blast
    – the artwork…soooo beautiful…
    -the delicious food!
    – and yes, the rum…and the Ginger Red Strip lite…

    Sorry to be so long, but although my body is back in Alberta, my heart remains in Jamaica. I cannot wait to get back there and see more of that beautiful island.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Jodi! I LOVE your comments and we HAVE to meet up! We’re both in Calgary and I’m back now. Lets go for a drink sometime!!

      Reply
  8. Jodi Avatar
    Jodi

    Yes, I actually forgot something! haha!
    I loved waking up early at our hotel on the stip and sitting out on the balcony that faced the street…watching the hand cart vendors head down to their positions for the day, the homeless man talking quietly to himself as he woke up, and the delivery man with the long dreads…whistling and singing away as he parked his van in the middle of the street and went about his business. He must have felt me watching him because he turned and gave me a big “good morning” and wave…what a perfect way to start anyone’s day…

    Reply
  9. Jodi Avatar
    Jodi

    YES!! Let’s for sure do that, I’d love it!!

    Reply
  10. Kelly Hanson Avatar
    Kelly Hanson

    Maybe I haven’t been going as many years as some, but to me, each time I go is like the first time except better cuz I know what is coming…I still am in awe and wonder of all I see and hear myself saying “wow, and that is so beautiful” a lot!! I fall deeper and deeper in love with this island each time I go….I make more friends and see new things each time.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      And the learning carries on forever! I’ve been going for 10 years and STILL learn something new every single time!!!
      I love watching you in Jamaica, Kelly. Like a kid in a candy shop 🙂

      Reply
  11. Daarlin Avatar
    Daarlin

    I have been 3 times in almost a year and ready to go again in 10 days. Everytime feels like the first time. I get excited as soon as I leave to head for the airport here in Washington DC. To know I will be there in about 3 hours and seeing all the smiling faces and the blue water and hear the music and most of all to see the new friends I have made. My friends at home keep telling me go somewhere else instead of Jamaica and I say NO, when I feel like I want to I will but as of know Jamaica is my second home and hopefully soon it will be my only home. I love it with a passion.

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      I still remember my first few trips like they were yesterday. Wouldn’t take any of it back!

      Reply
  12. Seveen Avatar
    Seveen

    My first time I was a typical tourist. My second time I was in Kingston and stayed near 56 Hope Road. Our days were spent in Bob’s yard eating ital and reasoning with the Rastas. THAT changed my life forever! I wrote a short story about it — it’s somewhere out here on the internet 🙂

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      That’s so awesome Seveen! I would love to read that short story so if you ever find it let me know!

      Reply
  13. MariannaF Avatar
    MariannaF

    First of all, I didnt know you had wrote a book…I read the sampler pages and am definitely going to have to read the rest 🙂
    Second of all, this was such a great post- especially reading through all the comments. I hope to be able to contribute in a few weeks time when Im back from my first trip 🙂 Im surprised to read how many people keep going back…it must be a special place!!

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      Hey Marianna – I’m glad you’re going to Jamaica soon and glad you’re learning from the blog! Would love your comments when you get back. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Kaitlyn Avatar
    Kaitlyn

    Finally I have found a group of people that love and appreciate the island and the people as much as I do!! When I try to talk to some of my friends about my experiences and the people I have met, they can be so negative and so stereotypical. I loved reading this blog post as well as every single comment!

    The first time I went to Jamaica was in 2010. I went with an ex boyfriend (who was an ex at the time..weird I know) and we were flying from DTW to MBJ. We stayed at the RIU in Montego Bay and was told by a billion and one people before I left to not leave that property. Seeing as how this was my first real vacation without family and to an international destination I was now officially scared. But, the moment that plane landed in Jamaica I felt like I was home. I felt immediately invited to this lovely place. I felt like I had been here a million times before- instant comfort.

    I left the resort once to go on a zip line tour because he was very reluctant to go anywhere. I met the nicest, kindest, amazing man working that tour. I have traveled back a handful of times just to see him and can honestly say I do not regret a single moment spent off of that resort since the first time I went.

    My next vacation is on July 19-August 2, 2013- just in time for Reggae Sumfest 😀 !!! I will be staying with him and his family and I cannot wait. Jamaican people are so kind and so loving and his family is that and so much more.

    I can agree that your trips after the first may not be “new to the eye” in some respects. But I personally feel that every time I go I see and feel something new and I enjoy it every single time. It is nice to see that I am not the only one who loves Jamaica the way I do 🙂

    Reply
    1. Kristi Avatar
      Kristi

      So true Kaitlyn! Even after 20 trips I still find new things and experience new feelings every time I go. It’s a drug let me tell ya!

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Daniella Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *