Blog Assignment #2

When searching for a visual representation of Jamaica, I did the simplest thing I could have probably done. I simply typed in "Jamaica" into my google search bar. Immediately my screen was bombarded with images of lush green islands, beautiful sparkling waters, exotic fish, and many elaborate resorts and vacations spots on the island. I am extremely hesitant to classify any of these images as a representation of the people, culture, and government of Jamaica as a whole, but I choose to use these popular images of the island as my representation. To someone such as myself who has no cultural immersion outside of the United States these images make the people of Jamaica seem lucky. I instantly assume a population of relaxed and problem free people. With so many beautiful works of God right there in your backyard how could living on this island be anything short of another day in paradise? These images represent relaxation. I imagine a culture with little to no problems where time passes slow and the people enjoy each and every second of the day. A government that faces little to no problems and has everything "figured out". Will this be true? Hopefully my visit will support many of these representations and help to uncover the areas in which these beautiful representations fall short.

My ideas and preconceptions of Jamaica seem pretty standard. The first thing that comes to my mind is the climate and scenery of Jamaica. Like the pictures discussed in my visual representation, when I close my eyes I think of sunny beaches with sparkling water. Tropical smells and a perfect climate. These are the preconceptions you get from postcards. The ones that find the optimal images to portray a nearly perfect paradise. I realize that Jamaica, like any country, or even city or town, has its less than perfect aspects. However, when I choose to think about Jamaica the beauty alone is portrayed. My ideas of the perfect climate have most likely evolved from being absolutely disgusted by cold snowy winters. I hate cold weather, plain and simple. That's the main reason why I find it so easy to develop such preconceptions based upon weather, beaches, and other aspects of the island. I'm from an extremely small town that to me is the slowest place on earth. Can Jamaica possibly be any slower? 

Finally I would like to address my expectations, assumptions, and fears. My biggest fear is not that of leaving the country, traveling to a new strange land to meet people who are culturally different from me. No, my biggest fear is that my experience will prove to be too overwhelming. That the shock of a new culture, new ideas, new people and places will be too much for me to comprehend and handle in only a week. I feel that I am truly taking part in a one of a kind experience with this trip, and it terrifies me to think that I could fall short in reaching the feeling that I, as an individual and as a group, didn't make the difference I hope to make. I expect the people of Jamaica to be extremely welcoming and more than eager to greet us and treat us as guest in their town and easily assume that this will be one of the most rewarding and beneficial weeks of my life to date. Only time will tell.....