LUSAN

Yesterday I had some friends over for the night. We have been friends for quite a while. Our friendship began in Jamaica and it was so much fun reminiscing about good times on the beautiful island.

We talked about pulling off to the side of the road and eating jerk chicken and/or jerk pork for example. There was a specific spot called faith’s Pen that was as it seemed a plaza of jerk or pan chicken as it is often called as well. The little wooden shacks where they made the pan chicken was nothing to write home about but meant a lot to those who owned them as it was the pride and joy, it was there business. When we would pull over to buy our meal it was a difficult task to choose which one out of the eight different jerk chicken shops we should go to. Somehow they all did OK. After purchasing our chicken or pork served with bread, we had a choice of sitting by the shop and eating it there or taking it with us to enjoy on the way to our destination. I guarantee we always stayed and ate there, we just could not wait. Getting in the car before we started eating would be too long to wait for such an awesome meal. Man, we miss those days.

Describing the task of jerk chicken with it’s pure Jamaican spice would difficult to do on paper because the description would be incomplete. So, click here for a recipe to try it on your own.

It may not mean as much to you as it does me and my friends but I am sure you will have your own experience and it will mean something specific to you.

For years I have enjoyed the pleasure of Blue Mountain Coffee. Known worldwide for it’s outstanding aroma and flavor. My mother likes to say, “You can stay from miles, yes miles, and smell the Blue Mountain Coffee aroma”. I believe what she says is true, as I remember as a child being awaken by its pleasant aroma. Oh what an aroma! Oh what a flavor!

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Beans, its name derived from where it’s grown on Jamaica’s Blue Mountain, which stands approximately 7400 ft high. Amongst the thick forest, the rainfall, and the mountain’s mist, makes it perfect for the growth of the world’s finest coffee. Only fifteen percent of the coffee grown in Jamaica is authentic Blue Mountain Coffee. This coffee is guaranteed to be 100% true Jamaican Blue.

How can one resist having this coffee? This has been one of Jamaica’s best selling souvenirs (if you want to call it that). You’ve got to try it.

First order Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. When your order arrives, go ahead and start brewing a pot. After it has been brewed and you have poured a cup, instead of using the creamer and sweetener, try something a little different. Try using coconut cream. You may like it. How’s that? Uhm, Good, right? You have never experienced coffee, until you sip on a cup of blue mountain coffee with coconut cream.

Jamaica is an island known for its reggae music as well as its beauty. One that glimmers in the sun. Jamaica is filled with brilliant color and flavor. This is truly evident in the diversity of its people, beaches, food, and it’s music.

Jamaica’s music has moved through many different variations. We have heard and seen performances of rhythms such as Dub, Ska, Congo, and Dancehall. All of these rhythms are known across the world as reggae. This music is a combination of African, American, Blues, and Jamaican folk rhythms. Though this style of music is original only to Jamaica, it is known and loved globally. This music had its origin with ska in the late 1950’s right about the time Jamaica got it’s independence from England.

It all started with the sound systems, and the massive open-air discos that established themselves on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica. It was in the 1970’s that the late Bob Marley took this art and made it an international craze with roots reggae, which was a heavy, spiritual and conscious sound. In 2002 Bob Marley’s album Exodus won album of the century. This proud, bold island had now made its mark on the world first because of its music.

In the 1990’s dancehall and reggae evolved, accompanied by the opinion that it contained more offensive lyrics that would encourage street violence and dismay. However, recently I have seen and heard a recent development going back to more socially and spiritually aware lyrics known by some to be the New Roots Movement. I find that this is a good turn for music in Jamaica and the rest of the world. One of the leading producers in Jamaica, Boby Digital, said:

“If you feed people with violence they’re going to be vile. If you fill them with love, they’re going to be lovely.”

Today you can see the great performances as the artists are showcased at events such as the Caribbean Music Expo, and Jamaica Sumfest. New Reggae artists such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Abijah have brought reggae even further internationally. These events usually take place on the north coast (i.e. Ocho Rios, Runaway Bay, Montego Bay, Discovery Bay) of Jamaica, and sometimes the south coast such as Negril, Jamaica.

It is highly recommended that those who are truly interested in Jamaica’s culture and music attend one of these shows. Some of these stage shows can be days long, so if you can’t be there for the entire show, you can catch at least one day of it.

Nuff Respect (Much respect) and one love!

A few years ago I started a website about Jamaica called tryjamaica.com. It was going well with a wealth of information on the island but one thing led to another and my interest in keeping the site going wavered. I went on to doing other things like business, real estate and putting food on my table. Anyway, recently I have been feeling the need to write some more about Jamaica. So I have decided to do that here on this blog along with my other stuff.

I will be writing about my experiences in Jamaica and should educate you on what to expect when you visit for vacation. I will also try to provide as many links as possible that may help in making your stay there enjoyable and memorable. I have heard too many horror stories about people who went Jamaica for vacation and did not enjoy it because of lack of knowledge of the island and the surroundings. Consider me your guide. If you have questions or need any recommendations please feel free to let me know.