A Journey into my Culture.

by AJ Brooks (United States of America)

A leap into the unknown Jamaica

“Always remember that the adventures of life wait on you to live them” ~ Original~ In 2009, my family and I took a trip home to Jamaica! I joyously remember when my mother told me and my siblings that we were headed to Jamaica. For months I waited until that day which was the start of an experience that would change my life forever. From Chicago, to Miami, then on to Norman Manley Airport of Jamaica was a whole day in itself. Once we arrived at the airport, we met up with my family and that moment was unforgettable. Seeing their faces again after years was amazing. The next day our adventures began, however, this adventure wasn’t what you’d call a “thrill”---it was more so a trip down memory lane. My family and I talked for hours catching up on what the years we’d been separated brought to our lives’. Up and Down moments compiling laughter with a little pain and joy with some slight sorrow---it balanced itself out. After days filled with just getting to know each other once again the actual fun finally started. First stop, Blue Mountain of Jamaica. In Jamaica we call it the “country-side” of our land. It was where the nice big houses that were in between the thick, lush forests of the mountain were hidden, where people with the thickest creole accents lived, where church was, and where kids filled with laughter would play our version of hopscotch on the steep, narrow roads of the mountain side. I was so excited to finally explore the country life of Jamaica until my first adventure came, which was getting up the mountain. Now, of course we drove up the mountain. However, with roads that had no side barriers and that could quite literally only fit two cars that were going opposite directions it was not at all an easy endeavor. The thought of it was very scary for me. Eventually, after one agonizing hour of the worse case of butterflies and closed eyes we made it to the mountain top. It was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen in my life which made it all worth it. We spent a few days up in the mountains where I felt I got the most exposure to my culture. Days filled with church, new friends, new foods, new animals, new experiences, new everything. It was bewildering for me. When it was time to leave the country, I felt sad, but also very fulfilled---I felt like a new person, but this was only the beginning. Next stop, Montego Bay, Jamaica, which we called the “Golden City'' because of the golden sandy beaches that flood the cruise line. Once we got to Montego Bay the first thing I did was get in the huge hotel swimming pool. Time spent with family in Montego Bay was great. The highlight of this portion was our visit to the beach. When I saw the beach, I had never seen such clear blue water, it was like a crystal mural that surrounded my feet. Thrilling moments like underwater diving, fish catching and cooking, picking mangoes off of actual mango trees and making our forever marks by initialing our names on beach trees were moments that I will never forget. Once we left montego bay it was on to our next adventure which was Starfish Trelawny Hotel which is an all-inclusive resort. Amazed at how big this place was I felt like the opportunities for adventure was endless, which of course I was correct. I did things that I’d never known I’d have the courage to do. Guided Surfing, deep water swimming, and indoor zip lining were escapades that I would totally do again if ever offered the chance. My time at Starfish hotel was different but stunning to me. After 4 weeks spent getting closer to my family, meeting new people and having great experiences we finally said goodbye. As awful as it was to say goodbye, one thing I learned from Jamaica was to accept and love who I am and my culture but most importantly to take chances and to live life and not let life live me.