Jamaica's Reluctant Guest

If I had to make a list of countries that I either thought I'd never visit or never wanted to visit, Jamaica would be at the top. Well, it was at the top until recently.

For many reasons, Jamaica conjures up images of Rastafarians, reggae, ganja and jerk chicken, all things of which I'm not too fond. Add cruise ships, crowds, hedonism and all-inclusive resorts to the list and well, you could count me disinterested. (I know this isn't all there is to Jamaica.) I even disliked the Jamaican community I visited in Costa Rica.

It's one of the places that comes up in Everyman's conversation, particularly every black man as a place they've been to/wanted to go/are going to/love. Who can forget the island nation's starring role in "How Stella Got Her Groove Back?"

Usually I'm not too fond of a place "everybody" loves or has been to (Think Las Vegas, Navy Pier, Disney, cruise ships, all-inclusive resorts, malls....), which is why I've avoided it. And who hasn't heard the stories about the abject poverty there. But I've been wrong before (Think Puerto Rico).

I can't resist a cheap sale to travel, particularly when I know that travel has afforded me many opportunities to stretch and learn about other places, people and cultures.

I know Jamaica, one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, isn't a city, and perhaps there are great places to go outside of Mo' Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril, right?? Have you been to Jamaica? Have I pigeonholed her already? To be honest, I could use a break--any break--from things in the big city. And the idea of checking out the Jamaican dogsled team (I cannot make this up) is kinda appealing.

Photo: Personal Choice Jamaica.com