Jamaica... I'm speechless

I'm quite desperate here. This island could be a paradise: green hills, turquoise water, long white beaches and spectacular cliffs. BUT. A big BUT. I feel extremely uncomfortable here, never been harassed so much in my life. Hate is a strong word but yes, I hate these people. I'm afraid that I start a massacre every time I have to leave my bungalow and annoyment is gonna be my permanent facial expression. What the f*** is wrong with these people??? Yes, I am a woman and yes, I might walk alone on a street. Does that mean you have to comment (hey sexy baby, hey blondie, come here honey, wanna some jamaican wood???), propose or even run after me? The supermarket is about 100 m from my hotel, I saw 7 men on the way and yea, you can do the math how many macho bullshit comments I got? Don't forget I had to walk back the same way...

Today I went for lunch into a bit too expensive place which is known to be the hang out place for expats and locals usually don't go there or if they do, they leave the customers in peace. Well, don't forget they serve food so they also have a cook! A jamaican man! So, if I want to smoke weed, hang out, have a party, need a cheap place to stay (his house) or whatever, whenever, where ever, I know to whom to turn to. ARGH!!! And I had to be polite as I did not want him to spit on my food. Yea in other countries the best is just to ignore the testosterone filled idiots but hell no, in this country it just makes things worse. It is just fantastic to hear insults as long as you are in hearing distance just because you didn't react to “hello blondie, looking for jamaican wood?”

Walking with an ipod is also not an option, it's just a reason for them to come and rob you. Nice place, ay?

So, I also went to a beach. But only once. It took a few seconds for a dude to spot me but I thought he's too old to want to warm my bed. Nope, that's not what he wanted, he wanted just my money. And that's what happens every time you make the mistake of speaking to a local who first seems to be nice. At the end they just want to empty your pockets.

It's also really expensive here. Luckily it's off season so I got a quite good accommodation for under 50 dollar / night. Then I just imagine what I would have paid for the same quality in Asia. And it almost makes me weep. Yep, good that I came here, now I know to avoid Caribbean and in the future I'll book flights only to Asia. I'd even rather go to Pattaya than back here. But luckily that's a choice I don't have to make.

People who know me also know that I do have quite a thick skin and I can handle lot's of garbage. But this shit actually made me to move from a cute rustic bungalow on the hills to a resort on the coast line. Just because I want to keep my blood pressure in the green area. So I hang out at the pool (ME!!!!!), watch movies in a hammock, do yoga in the porch and eat instant noodles. But that's mainly coz I'm out of money... And YEAH, my room has cable tv!!! Didn't know cable tv could make me happy but yes, it for sure brought a huge smile to my face!

But something good, one of the reasons to come here was the possibility to finally to do the open water diver certification. I contacted Dream Team Divers in beforehand and started the course immediately when I got here (which is Negril a.ka Hell btw). I've done all the theory already, pool sessions and the first dives. Tomorrow is my last dive :´(

This diving business has been the highlight of the week, so much fun! Jamaica might not be the ultimate diving destination but there are loads of corals and we saw a lobster and some cool fish today. And coz it's off season I'm the only student so it's only me & my instructor(s). And the price is for sure right! If all goes as planned I get my certification tomorrow and can start planning diving holidays in Sipadan & Togeans :) But what the f*** am I supposed to do on Tuesday??? There's a shot down Cessna which was used by drug smugglers somewhere in the ocean nearby. Might have to see if some shop is gonna do a diving trip over there...

So, I could have went to Seattle for climbing or to Sacramento/Auburn to hang out with Devin & family but I decided to spend a week in this “paradise”. Was it worth it? I have to say yes, but only coz now I can go to Asia and don't have to spend any time in the pool doing funny exercises but can directly dive into the ocean!

But I can't wait it to be Wednesday, I'm flying to Boston for one day and then to Iceland!!! See you soon ladies!