International Partnership for Service Learning in Jamaica

There is too much to possibly copy and paste onto this website, so read all about it here.

Quick Tips:

So here's some safety tips:

• Don't go places you aren't familiar with, unless with a local.
• Don't carry around expensive cameras, phones, or a lot of money.
• Know who to contact in case your credit card is stolen, and keep important phone numbers written down in case your phone is stolen (one happened to my roommate and the other happened to me).

See the "More Important Advice" entry for more tips.

Best Way To Get Around:

• Don't rent a car. They drive on the other side of the road, and people drive crazy.
• City busses are J (US.50). There are no schedules, though, so find out what bus you need and be prepared to wait.
• Route taxis follow the bus line and will drop you off at a bus stop. They run around J to J.
• Go to Halfway Tree to catch a minibus that will take you to the areas surrounding Kingston.
• Go downtown (but be careful) to catch a minibus that will take you across the island. It's only about J, but they PACK these things way beyond capacity, so be prepared for a hot, tight ride.

The best combination is what I did -- Went to my classes and learned all about Jamaica's history and sociology, went to Trenchtown and saw what I learned about, and went to the Bob Marley museum and watched the documentary, hearing Bob sing about it all. You will definitely see tourists at the museum, although there's always a few Rastas hanging around as well.

You can lay out on a big wooden bench in the shade, sunbathe on the sand, or go in the water. Don't expect waves to ride, though, as the water is pretty calm. Although the shop keepers will do their best to watch your bags if you leave them on the bench, it's best for someone to stay behind with valuables while others are in the water. (A friend's phone was stolen there).

Be sure to get some fish (although you will get ripped off as a tourist). Get a bamboo cup from Bamboo Bobby. They're really neat and really cheap, and he'll carve it right there. People will also approach you trying to sell CDs, bracelets, flip-flops, and ganja. Also, bring your dominoes, because there are plenty of tables in the restaurants to play. (And when I say restaurant, I mean stick hut).

There are gift shops and a nice big yard perfect for dates. This is a likely place to see tourists, although locals swarm the ice cream shop as well.

There's little gazebos available perfect for picnics. There's also a path through the woods that I highly recommend. After being in Kingston (which never sleeps) for a month or so, I just kept walking down this path until I could no longer hear anything but a bird chirping and the sound of water in the distance. BRING WARM CLOTHES AND BLANKETS!!!!! Jamaica is hot, but it gets very cold up on the mountain at night, and the fog will soak you.

Here's some tips for looking slightly less like a bumbling tourist:

• Exchange rate is 60:1. This means J$300 = US$5. Know this so you don't get ripped-off.
• Board city buses at the back.
• Look both ways before crossing the street. They drive on the other side of the road.
• Pay with credit card at the front of grocery stores.
• Women, you WILL be "pssstd" at. Try not to be offended, as it is a compliment. Simply say hello or nod as you keep on walking. If they continue to hassle you for your phone number, tell them you have a Jamaican boyfriend (ones back home "will never find out") or you don't have a phone. You could also take their number and not give out yours. Don't give a fake number, because they will call it while you are still standing there to test it!
• Once you find a good cab driver, get his number and use him the whole time. He can give you suggestions for places that are safe to go.
• Have some profound words prepared. People will ask you "What's it like in the US?" and "What did you expect coming to Jamaica?" These seem like easy enough questions, but when put on the spot, the mind can go blank. People are also very knowledgeable on American news and pop culture, so freshen up on that before you go.
• Know a little patois. I'm not saying you should necessarily try to SPEAK it, but being able to understand a little will be helpful. There's a lot more to the language than, "Ya, Mon." I'm sure there are websites dedicated to patois, and I have a list of phrases on my online journal link.