This post covers a few odd or funny things I came across on my last trip to Jamaica. There’s really no category they’d fit into and each has their own funny story.
First up – the ashtray. Now that I have my own apartment there I needed to furnish it with some standard items that would go in most homes. An ashtray was one of the first things I was looking for because most people I know in Jamaica smoke something, and I was tired of using a kitchen bowl. So every morning I eat breakfast at Fishermans Beach and every morning I would ask a friend of mine to hunt down an ashtray I could buy. It didn’t need to be anything special, just an ashtray. After a couple mornings he turned up with nothing. Finally on the third day I was having my breakfast and up walks my friend…..he’d found the ashtray! He pulls out the most hideous thing I’ve ever seen, hands it to me and I’m supposed to pay for it! Well let me tell you….this will be the LAST time I ever send a Jamaican on an ashtray mission for me! I paid him the money and this piece of work is now a permanent fixture on my veranda LOL!
Next up – everything REALLY is IRIE in Jamaica! It was a Sunday evening and I was low on toilet paper at my apartment. The only problem is that everything is closed in Ocho Rios on Sundays and I really needed toilet paper in the house! I was at a little street bar and just happened to mention my dilemma and was desperate enough that I was going to buy a roll off the bar but one of my friends from the area said there was a tiny shop up the street that had some. I walked up there and the lady unlocked the shop just for me – lo and behold she had toilet paper! I bought two rolls from her and laughed at the packaging. Even the toilet paper is IRIE in Jamaica.
Last but not least, there’s no real funny story about this next item but I’ve never seen them before. I’m sure we don’t have them in Canada. Coconut M&M’s. Has anyone ever seen these outside of Jamaica? I tried some and they were just okay but different and interesting.
Comments
16 responses to “Odd Products In Jamaica”
lmao! love the toilet paper but the ashtray is priceless! I love odd and old things and these are real interesting pieces! Enjoy and your friend who bought you the ashtray has a “flair” for odd things,,,,,send him/her out for more my friend!
LOL yah Annette, he’s a trip!
JC,loved your story,the ashtray is out there,but i really got a kick out of the toilet paper label,irie for sure!something to look forward to,getting familiar with other jamaican brand products while your at your aparment in ochi,bless!
oh yeah, had the coconut m&m’s before here in south carolina,like you sad, there ok,but i dont see them much,maybe not a big seller here,oh well,have an irie day,one love
sorry,spelled “said”incorrectly
HAHA you’re the only one I know besides me, who would go back and correct your spelling!
There will be more odd product posts once I get there. Like the “spicy cock” soup mix! Ever seen that one?
I’m guessing you haven’t seen “Cock Soup” yet. Cock as in the male chicken by the way 😉
Jamaipanese, did you see my last comment? About spicy cock?? LOL!
LOLOL I had an ashtray similar to that one.. LOL @ Hideous thing LOL
numb one girl in ashtray kinda resemebles you … numb 2 bet it was Irie finding that paper…
There are lots of places open in Ochie on Sunday…Petcom, Hi-lo, KC, and many little Chinese shops. Doubt if they sell IRIE TP though. Never seen that anywhere.
None of those places were accessible on foot from my apartment.
Great posting! I love the Irie TP most, that’s hilarious! One very odd thing I found on the road (in Ensenada, Mexico) was a nativity set made completely from tin foil, It folds down into an envelope. Really artistic and awesome!
That’s hilarious! A nativity set that folds into an envelope??? I think that beats Irie toilet paper any day!
I think its so funny that it took your friend a few days to find that ashtray LOL I wonder if he was looking for just that one in particular! Never seen one like it!
I’d to see a tin foil nativity, like you noted Dave, very artistic!
I know right Vera! I figured he’d be back in the first 10 minutes with some boring piece of ashtray.