Hi, I am Tonya and I’m from Jamaica. Yep, the same ‘Bob Marley-Usain Bolt-Shaggy-Dreadlocks-Ye Mon-James Bond inspiration-Home of Reggae Music-Crystal Clear Sea’ Jamaica.
My little island has done a lot of BIG things over the years. Notwithstanding, the representations of us on the big screen are always so stereotypical. We are pitched as either really aggressive pirating types, cannabis junkies or the cheery (often dreadlocked) islander. Believe me that NO true Jamaican says ‘Irie’ or ‘Mon’ (side eye Brad Pitt in ‘Meet Joe Black’).
We are a diverse set of people with loads of personality, passion and purpose.
I love travelling – around and outside of the island and I contribute to Google Maps because I wanted persons to see more of MY JAMAICA, not just what is represented on hotel promo videos. There is definitely something about Jamaica that makes us one of the most interesting nations in world and I’m committed to showing that to everyone!
We are musical but Marley’s message is rooted in a global experience of struggle and his torch is alive and well in young local musicians Protoje, Chronixx, Tarrus Riley & Koffee and seeing them perform live is what acoustic dreams are made of;
We are a sprint factory producing mega stars such as Usain Bolt, Merlene Ottey, Asafa Powell & Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce not because of sheer luck but because our athletes (irrespective of the sport) KNOW that the ENTIRE country comes to a standstill every international track meet, every football game etc as we gather in numbers across public places adorned in the Flag’s Black, Green and Gold to cheer and watch our sons and daughters do the impossible;
We are a happy people it’s true but no joy compares to seeing a bunch of Jamaicans in a cluster as we play dominoes or dance. Oh what a sight to see us move together in unison to the ‘Flairy’, the ‘Bogle’, the ‘Genna Bounce’ to ‘Signal the Plane’ at a good party;
Our beaches are breathtaking but have nothing on our less trekked waterfalls, some named after famous Maroons and Slaves – Kwame, Nanny and Tacky;
Our food is well seasoned but the best is not to be had in any resort when there is Boston Centre in Portland for all things Jerk, Peppered Crabs at Heroes Circle in Kingston, Steamed Lionfish at Strawberry Fields in St Mary, Oxtail and Beans at Norma’s Restaurant on Whitehall Avenue in St Andrew and the ‘Pudding Man’ along the roadway in St Ann.
The island has proved that it’s so much more than its stereotypes and I want visitors to see that.
So let me show you Jamaica, my Jamaica.
