I have never blogged from my phone before, but as I sit out here on the patio waiting for Brandon to wake up, I thought I would share a few more unique things about the country.
For starters, weed is illegal here, but unless you read the tour books before coming, you’d never know it. We are approached many times a day on the beach by men offering to sell it to us. They sneak into the resort from the property they are squatting on next door. The resort has to allow them to by law because only 15 feet from the property belongs to the resort.
The funniest encounter was actually in the water when a boy, wearing a snorkel, came out of no where beside us in the sea. First he offered us shells. Then “something to get your party on.”
They are not pushy. Just say,”No thank you.” And don’t ignore them. Jamaicans are a very friendly culture & they want “respect”. Many will give you a knuckle bump & say “respect” just because you showed kindness by talking. Then they walk on.
It’s ironic because just outside of the swimming area boundaries we watch 2 police jet skis go by all day long. We know they know what’s going on, but they ignore it. We’re told by the locals the police are corrupt, & that’s part of why so much goes “unnoticed”.
The girl at the scuba dive shop told us “a lot of things in Jamaica are illegal, but this is Jamaica. We are relaxed. No problems.” She also explained that next to hair braiding, selling drugs to tourists is the easiest & therefore most common employment option in Ocho Rios.
As I type this, I am watching one guy walk across the beach now. They all have a cover item to sell you first…necklaces, shells, etc…
….
The other unique thing about the resort is the number of stray cats everywhere at night. I like seeing them. On our first night we made friends with a black one as we lounged by the pool. But many people find it odd they’re near food areas, etc… I imagine those same people aren’t pet owners.
Last night Brandon & I both laughed when we saw a cat lounging in a chair by one of the pools. It’s a cat’s resort by night & a place for human entertainment by morning.
Okay, I am ready to go snorkel before the boats make the water by the pier too choppy. Off to wake Brandon up now.
