We are packed...almost!

Our suitcases are filled with clothes and shoes and all of our stuff that we are bringing to Jamaica.

However, we are not ready. In our hearts and minds we are already there, we are so excited and we just can't wait. But, there is still lots to do and only four more days before we go. Jesus please help us.

Someone recently asked me some questions about Jamaica. So, I thought I would share a few things about my native land. Yes it is a third world country, meaning the economy is bad and the poverty level is high. However, Jamaica is a country that is very rich in culture. Jamaica is a tropical paradise and has many beautiful white-sand beaches and coral reefs.
Jamaica is very small with only a population of over 2.6 million natives. Tourism is a huge part of the country's economy; therefore there are many tourists there all year round. The weather pretty much stays the same all-year round, nice and warm. It's also humid but there is a tropical breeze.

We are well-known for our reggae music and Bob Marley. We are also known for our food rich in spices like curry and jerk. We also have our famous Blue Mountain coffee.

Yes we do speak English. It is our official language. We do have a dialect called patois (pronounced patwa). It is considered broken English. Yes we do have cars too; however, most people cannot afford to purchase their own automobile so buses and taxis are mostly used by the natives.

There is so much more that I could say about Jamaica. Like I've told people before; yes the circumstances do appear bad but it's really all about perspective. If you have only a little then you learn to live with a little. When I was living in Jamaica I did not have many of the luxuries that I have today. I've gotten used to many of these luxuries and at times I feel like I couldn't live without most of them. The truth is I've forgotten what I used to live without when I was growing up. When I return to Jamaica and I see how people (even my relatives) are living I'm often sad because I have so much more than them and I feel sorry for them. But I know that there are things that they learn to appreciate so much more than me because when you have a lot you take things for granted.

Sometimes when I think of my childhood too I think of all the things that my children will miss because they will not have the opportunity to live in Jamaica. When I lived in Jamaica I could climb trees and pick fresh fruits and vegetables. I could run and play all day outside. I could trust my neighbors and people in our community. We shared food between family and friends and we were always getting free stuff. We wore uniforms to school and we said "yes Ma'am and yes Sir" to our teachers. We prayed in school. We did not speak when an adult was speaking and we could never curse in their presence. We were taught good manners and values. We learned how to appreciate what we had and be grateful for whatever else we received. Yes, sometimes the people who only have a little really are richer than those who have more.