Jamaica solo was certainly an experience. Here is a quick fire peek into my experience there.
Food I ate the most often: Mangoes and Papaya / Ackee and Saltfish.
Questions I got asked the most:
1. Where are you from – Africa? 2. You have kids? ( Not sure why people wanted to know if I have kids).
Thing I noticed: Men are 99% more likely to start conversations. But the conversations I had with women were the most interesting. ( Apart from the taxi drivers who were all men)./ Also if you don’t want to talk, you can tell them and they politely leave you be. No rudeness or drama. They just give you a “respect – have a beautiful day”, and that’s it. No sense of dread or fear or anything at all
because they are pretty respectful.
Music I heard played the most often: Modern reggae/dancehall, older reggae, 90’s RnB (My favourite).
Most disappointing thing:
A fellow traveller I met one evening telling me she had to leave the European travel buddies she’d met because they made derogatory racial remarks about locals in her presence, and “joked” that her braids probably smelled bad.
Most surprising things: How open and direct the locals are / also the fact that I liked Kingston. Expected to like Portland but didn’t expect to like Kingston.
Thing I think is a shame: Just staying in a resort and not seeing more of the island and local life. There is just so much more to a country than a resort.
Most beautiful thing: The fact that the country is blessed with amazing food of all types that grows all over. Jackfruit/
Avocado/ Pineapples / Lime/ corn/
Coffee …I could go on…..
Favourite new food: Ginep ( similar to grapes) and they are in season so all over the trees.
Unexpected thing: I hardly wore any of the stuff I took. Flip flops, trousers and a top. No make up, hair up or wrapped the entire time. Too hot for any of that.
Proud of myself for: cycling in Jamaica for an afternoon on a dodgy bike when I’d only just learnt to ride (don’t ask).
Most admirable thing: It’s not a cheap island and to travel to three places on a shoestring budget was a little tough. Many of the locals found it difficult to afford the things we took for granted like a Coke. One kid told me that if he had that, he probably would sacrifice something else. Or it may be a once a month thing. I avoided walking around with a Coke or fruit juice in public at times. But they are hard working people and get by very resourcefully. They also endure tough conditions with resilience, humour and try and enjoy life.
Most convenient /common form of transport: Route taxis which go up and down particular routes and take as many as they can fill the cab with for about a dollar. They could easily fit 7/8 in a cab made for 5. You soon got used to it.
Most memorable experience: Going on a afternoon / evening river raft trip solo. The raft was made of bamboo and I was initially concerned I might fall into the river but it was actually the most serene and beautiful experience going past the greenery of lush Portland. It is a lovely time out for a solo traveller and also a romantic experience for a couple. I suggest late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch sunset. Find a provider or ask a local, haggle but be fair, and go!
Most difficult thing: understanding Patoi…slow wasn’t too bad but fast was impossible for me. I still want to learn though.
Favourite region: Portland parish. It is on the other side of the island to the better known Negril and Montego Bay resort areas but it is a) rawer and has more of a local feel b) is so green and lush c) more affordable d) you can find little beach coves as well as more well known places like the turquoise beauty – the blue lagoon.
A very interesting island indeed….(These experiences are probably different for different people. Mine being a solo female traveller on a tight budget will have affected one or two of these comments I’m sure 
