Jamaica and Jerk Chicken

What a wonderful past couple of weeks this has been! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because of all the delicious food, but also as I get older I love spending time with family and getting the kiddos together. As Abby gets older it is fun to watch her play and interact with her cousins. This year Thanksgiving was a little rushed but we did make it to visit with both families before Andrew and I headed off to Jamaica for some relaxing beach time.

Jamaica was amazing, but I do not think that I would go back. I have heard that Jamaicans are friendly people, and yes if you are paying them they are nice to you. Most Jamaicans I met were on the resort and being paid to be nice and were even nicer (more Rum in my Pina Colada) if you tipped. Off the resort, they just heckle you for money, not nice, and annoying. Example: While in Negril (which is supposed to have some of the nicest beaches in the world) Andrew and I went for a walk down the beach. After 50 feet down the beach (off the private beach we were at, that does not allow non-workers on the property) we decided to turn back and return to the private beach. We were heckled way too much! No, I do not want to pay to take your jet ski out, or take a boat ride, or try your marijuana/mushrooms/or hash. I also do not care that you "farm up in the mountains" and that this what you have to do to support your children. I honestly do not know if what your saying to me is true. Another example: while snorkeling about 200 yards off the shore from a boat a guy swam out and tried to sell everyone his homemade bracelets. No, I do not want your bracelet. I used to make bracelets like that when I was 5 years old. Annoying, there were many other examples like this. Besides the heckling, Jamaica is beautiful, but I would suggest sticking to the resort and doing tours through the tour companies. Also, I'm pretty sure I could eat jerk chicken every day.

On our vacation we got to climb Dunn's River Falls, swim with dolphins, relax on the beach, indulge in many pina coladas, shop in Negril, see the white sands and clear waters of the 7mile beach in Negril, enjoy some delicious Jamaican Jerk chicken, and snorkel in Mineral Cove. I'd say it was an "ok" week. Did I mention that Minnesota got about 10 inches of snow while we sat on the beach.....

In Negril, at Margaritaville

Jamaican Jerk Wings, 

 

Cliff Jumping at Rick's Cafe--Negril

Abby finding our Christmas tree after our return to the frigid cold in Minnesota. We have already started planning our next warm weather vacation. I hear the beaches in Spain are pretty amazing.