"Jamaica - A tragic paradise" a Ocho Rios Travel Page by ridermirv

Jamaica is a very beautiful and lush island with a unique people and culture. There is no reason for it to not be wealthy and prosperous. So why isn't it? The only reason I can think of is because it's own people are it's worst enemy.

Jamaica has fertile soils that are condusive to growng a vast array of crops like tobacco, sugar cane, coffee, and all sorts of fruits, nuts, and vegatables. It is one of the few places in the world where bauxite (a major ore used in making aluminum) is found. The Caribean sea is a bountiful supply of sea food. They also have a thriving food and beverage packaging industry. Their largest industry is probably tourism, which thrives in spite of it's social ills. But with all this going for them, a large majority of the population just wants to remain in a constant state of rebellion. The fact is they really just want to be lazy and irresponsible. A life of crime for most is there self proclaimed rebellion. For others, they want to work on there own very slow pace, aggressively hounding tourist to buy crap that no one really wants.

Thats the dark part of the island. Not all Jamaicans are that way. There are also a lot of happy and well meaning people there too. I met different people in road side bars and in small stores and markets that were very freindly and not pushy at all. In the towns away from the coast, the people are much more laid back.