Visa process:
– This process was pretty strenuous. Unlike most visa applications where I submit an application, present myself at the embassy and then get the visa, this process started out easy but ended up with more complications than I had imagined. The consulate in Boston has a great team but found it hard to deal with a passport from my country. Long story short, I was able to get the visa with the help of my attorney.
Overall:
– Jamaica has my heart! It’s one of my favorite islands. Kingston in particular is such a cultural melting pot. Being able to learn about the histories of the people from slavery to colonization was eye opening. I was in Ghana in March (see posts here, here and here) where I got to tour the slave dungeons and see where the slaves left the continent. Cut to being in Jamaica, one of the destinations where slaves were brought to work as forced labor. This experience allowed me to really grasp the history of the slaves as they left the continent to their final destinations in Cuba, the Caribbean, Brazil and the United States. This trip brought to life a lot of what I had learnt from history classes to documentaries to my tour at Cape Coast.
Would I go back?
– Absolutely! The people, the history, the location! Kingston is beautiful offering a beach vibes in a bustling city.
-I would go back especially around carnival time! The fêtes, the jouvé, the food … the costumes, all make a trip back to Kingston a must!
Recommendations:
– I would start planning for a trip to Kingston at least 5 months before going especially if you want to attend carnival.
– I recommend pairing up with a local if you can and get as many recommendations of places to eat and things to do in places that aren’t so touristy. Check out my Kingston guide (here).
– I would also rent a car. We rented vans while we were there. We used these to take us to Blue mountain, Ocho Rio and the Bob Marley museum.
