By Odeisel

On this day, August 6^th 1962, the island nation of Jamaica became an independent nation. While still technically a Constitutional Monarchy with the Queen of Britain as a figurehead, it stands as the third largest English speaking country in the Americas, behind the US and Canada.

The island nation is home to an immense amount of history and culture and is a very popular vacation destination for Westerners, particularly because of its white sand beaches awash in crystal blue water, its lush green mountainous regions and its currency value.

While the vacation spots are generally trusted, cities like Kingston, as every other global urban population center, have been shunned out of fears for safety. I’m here to tell you that for the most part those fears are a bit out of whack. While there are certainly the same dangers available from crime and drugs, like most cities it can be avoided with awareness and sticking to your itinerary.

Kingston in particular possesses much of the nightlife, destinations, shopping, recreation and site seeing. There is of course the Bob Marley Museum of Hope road in the Ligaunea neighborhood. Marley, the most universally known Jamaican once lived in the main house of the museum and it was there that the infamous assassination attempt on his life took place. While most would consider it touristy, there is legitimate history and a moving video presentation which, combined with artifacts from Marley’s life, make for a compelling experience.

There are numerous shopping malls and places to consume and restaurants in abundance including franchise mainstays like Burger King and TGIFriday’s, but if you want real culture and food then there are even more places to fill your gut. The drum pan chicken salesman on Red Hills Road are grilling to late night with coal-smoked Jerk chicken, flavored with scallions and rich flavor. Jerk is the dominant flavor the island is known for and there are numerous spots with jerked chicken, pork, sausage. Port Royal’s Gloria’s has that fresh seafood and all the accoutrements including local staple fried bammy and festival to go with scrumptious dishes like brown stew fish, lobster, and curry shrimp.

As a guy, I’m a bit cautious about letting new cats cut my hair; a zeked up hairline is not what’s good in the hood. Thankfully, I found the cats at Upper Cutz off Barbican road and they hooked me with the laser sharp line and full service. Devon House, a notional landmark is home to many tourist attractions including places where you can purchase legitimate Jamaican arts and crafts and spices. Do sample the multitude of exotic ice cream flavors at iScream, don’t fall for the overpriced and underserviced ambience of Norma’s on the Terrace. I ordered a pork loin dish and they brought the homie some baked ham. Not what’s up.

If carrying around cash makes you a bit conscious don’t worry, most of Kingston is incredibly debit card/credit card friendly and it’s very rare that you have to use cash. Even in the woods and rural areas, you can add minutes to mobile phones and have a relatively easy time negotiating without cash. If you have someone from there, do what you can to experience the fern gully, and the Blue Lagoon, and the cane fields. There is much of the island to see and while the resorts are good to visit, in both Negril and Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, the real flavor of the people and the culture is, as always in the urban population centers. Happy Birthday, Jamica. Enjoy the pics.

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