Yeah-man! (Jamaica)

Member Name: bruleo

Product:	Jamaica
Date:	26/10/01 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good beaches, Local food.

Disadvantages: Expensive, Tourist restaurants.

Red Stripe beer, Tia Maria, Reggae, and Rastafarianism; These are the things that most people associate with Jamaica. However, there are a number of other things that Jamaica and it's people have to offer.

The food is first class, especially in the non-tourist retaurants. With a spicy mix of African, Indian and Chinese cuisine, it will certainly give your pallete something to think about. Coffee is another major Jamaican export. In fact, Jamaica is only 2nd to Brazil in exports of coffee to the western world.

When I was there in 1996, I found the people to be friendly enough, but can often be imtimidating to tourists especially when they are selling things. I usually found that a firm but friendly "no" usually did the trick. Some holiday makers got visibly annoyed with and started being verbally abusive to the Jamaican locals, which often resulted in a little bit of trouble. As long as you are friendly to them, they will normally be the same. Having said all that, I know that the situation has changed significantly since I visited in 1996. There has been much trouble in certain areas, especially 'down-town' Kingston, with gun fights between locals and the police. I would suggest that if you plan to visit Jamaica, you contact your foreign office for the latest information.

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