women traveling in jamaica

**geocox** · 08-22-2002, 06:12 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Jamaican71, YES!!!! Wile I lived in Oklahoma City I was in a year long relationship with a Baptist Ministers Daughter. We faced constant ridicule and hatful conversations. We were hated by the Whites and Blacks!!! This was when the south was KKK big time!! I AM Colorblind! G

**jude** · 08-22-2002, 07:03 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

And I see familiar names of folks that have been talking here for years...thank you for letting me join in, as I infrequently do...

As I begin packing for my 12th trip in 5 yrs...to north coast/Runaway Bay, I also ponder how good the island's people make ME FEEL as well as how good "FRIENDS" we all have become. I travel alone and stay at a small cottage...I typically do not stay alone. I have cried tears of crushing sorrow and also joy.

Remember that definition of friendship is whatever you choose it to be. Whatever choices one makes in life are the ones that allow us to be comfortable in our skin. As my fellow JA say, Life is too short...

I thank God for wisdom to not be stupid. I thank each of you for expanding your horizons a bit more to allow more potential for happiness in your lives. GO FOR IT!! If hurt comes to your heart, at least you gave something of yourself.

**SvonThun** · 08-23-2002, 01:20 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Well Folks, I posted on this thread (& others) right before my 1st solo trip to Negril last week. I am now back (& almost recovered) & have to say that I had a blast & experienced no problems! Thank you all so much for your advice, I really was a bit apprehensive & did have my share of unwanted male attention, but didn't have any problems with a smile & a quick shake of the head (meaning NO!).

I ran into a friend that is a cab driver right away & went out with him a couple of nights - he knew I wasn't looking for love. I also met a couple of men at my resort (Fun Holiday) that I headed out to see the music with (after being very clear with them that there was to be no foolishness!) & again, had no problems.

I was delighted by the respect I received, even if I did have to repeat myself a few times, I never had to get angry with anyone.

Ladies, carry yourself tall & proud as you stroll around & smile (alot) & say 'No Thanks' (alot), be firm & stand tall if you have to repeat yourself, but definately keep walking.

I also got a lot of the question "Are you here alone?" - to which I always responded "I have friends here."

So happy that this thread has been so active while I was away, have been really enjoying everyone's responses & perspectives.

Respect to all,
Sharon

**Ja2ndhome2** · 08-23-2002, 02:09 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

There is nothing wrong with traveling alone to Jamaica. I am glad I was naive when I went the first time because all the other times, I got smarter. When traveling anywhere in the world, for that matter, one should always take precautions. I will be traveling alone in September and I look forward to the adventure. And besides, none of my friends are not available to travel with me!! I love being alone, meeting people, eating out and all that stuff. These several days in Jamaica are my time, my time to do what I want to do! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**dardar** · 08-23-2002, 02:23 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Marilyn, can I just say I love ya girl. H*** yea their jealous. I know people say the same thing about me as well but I don't care. I also just returned from Ocho Rios on the 15th and it was my 7th trip in 3 yrs. but this trip I realized that the man I am involved with has been spoiled by me and I recently learned that he had lied to me about his age the whole entire relationship. His age doesn't really bother me but the lieing does. So, I decided to stop doing all the sweet things I have been doing over the years and see what type of result I'll get. I do still care for him very much, but I can move on. I love Jamaica and I'll never stop visiting a place that is like heaven to me on earth.
Darcy

**binghi** · 08-23-2002, 06:53 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Men lie. Men on a tropical island with tons of women looking for adventure lie more. Those who deal with different women in and out on a weekly basis lie even more. Don't be played.

**Marilyn** · 08-23-2002, 10:32 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Kudo's Sharon, you got it PERFECT. Dardar, girl, we gotta talk. e-mail me. Sharon we need to have your trip report though.

**SvonThun** · 08-23-2002, 11:58 AM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Aw shucks Marilyn....I knew that I'd be hearing the old "Where's your trip report!"....I have to tell ya, my report would be real good bedtime reading for those suffering from insomnia....so boring compared to all of your adventures!

Over the next week, I will try to write something up...have to do it soon since I didn't take any notes & you know how the memory fades...

Sharon

**Motown** · 08-23-2002, 12:25 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

SvT you're back! Glad to hear you handled the attention with grace...it can be done. Can't wait to hear all about your visit.
Also, I was just curious, again. What is it that co-workers or 'friends' find amusing about women traveling to JA? My MOM was a bit worried when she heard I was taking Nick...her only experience with JA was on a cruise ship stop. But even she admitted that she really hadn't seen enough of the island or the people to really have any opinion. Eventually even she got excited for Nick and I...Mom loves Jamaican accents and reggae...she's not a typical grandma...I know.
Coworkers ALL announced they were jealous. Even those who had never been...they were simply jealous that I had time off...and weren't ashamed or shy about telling me! One doc I work with...he's sort of a mentor/dad type...did ask me 'why jamaica?'...I think it was the crime thing he was referring to though. Our administrator on the other hand...followed me out to my car one day asking me if he could tag along!
(Seems him and his wife used to go to Negril a lot before they got old!)
Anyway, my point is that everyone was funny-jealous, curious and had an opinion...but no one ever questioned my motives or sanity for going. They were all sweet and questioned me mercilessly on ways they could maybe accompany me. (THIS would be how Gregory ended up going....)
I think maybe the sniping old biddies where some of you ladies work at are the ones who need to get off of the 'Stella Thing'. (If this is, in fact, the reasoning behind the snickering.) I have yet to read a trip report where any of us ladies had any illusions about the men or where any of us ran down there to support some gigalo? The only relationships seem to be between men and women who are both employed, have known each other for years and also happen to live in different countries. Most of us just flirt shamelessly and have fun like we would on any other vacation. What is the big joke about single women traveling to Jamaica in some people's eyes? I don't get it?
Respect,
S.
(Now ya all got me wonderin' what them nurses all said behind my back AFTER I left!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] )

**accompong98** · 08-23-2002, 12:51 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Suzzette,

You make a very important point there when you make the distinction between people who meet and "hang out" with employed Jamaicans and those that already have a life rather than bottom feeders and blood suckers who feed off of tourists. (my words [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] )

I disagree with the characterization that all Jamaican Men (and women) are only looking for a free ride in this world. I know and have known many Jamaicans who are productive citizens and treat others as fellow humans and not someone to "leech" off of.

I think this thread shows the good and the bad. Good news doesn't travel near as far as Bad News, however. The "keep your ears and eyes wide open" is always a good policy.

**stargirl911** · 08-23-2002, 12:54 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Accompong98:

I couldn't agree with you more!! Thanks

**Marilyn** · 08-23-2002, 01:34 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Well Suzette
I think the movie, and we all know which one I mean, did leave people with the impression that that is why we women go....alone...in groups..etc. Heck I even considered naming Girlfriend Tours the Stella Tour and just getting it over with and capitalize off the free publicity. It didn't make it any better that after my first trip I did get caught up in a "Stellaesk" type relationship. Gee I feel like the lady in SUnset Boulevard ("I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille).
Now the real pity would be if you went to Jamaica and not even a Gigolo would flirt with you and try to pick you up. Then Houston, we would have a problem.

**AngieB** · 08-23-2002, 01:58 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Marilyn, Stella Tours, I don't think so

Over the past few weeks this thread has continued to be interesting. I think this is a subject that could be spoken about for years and the view depends on the place that one lives and the sucess of their trip. Life should be lived and explored and as you live,you should become wiser. My advice to the single woman travelling is to be cautious. So what if he blows air up your ****,did you enjoy your trip? Even if the pleasure is for a day, moment, week, year, whatever, enjoy it, and on those cold winter days when you find yourself sitting in front of that fire alone, bring those memories out of the drawer and smile and say "damn, I threw caution to the wind and had a ball" My motto: LIVE DELIBERTLY

**Tiger Eye** · 08-23-2002, 02:10 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

svt,

my trips to jamaica have become adventure-free and my trip reports are a quiet reflection of these trips i use to de-stress!!! i would love to read your report, even if you did go to bed early or read under a palm tree all day. i should be in jamaica RIGHT NOW (this is my week) and i couldnt go so reading your report would be a relaxing treat.

i love the variation of women's comments, opinions, and experiences on this thread...as i said in an earlier post, this is not a one-dimensional topic so i could even see it branching off into MANY directions from here...

**AngieB** · 08-23-2002, 02:23 PM

Re: women traveling in jamaica

Here is a poem that I found many years ago that I read from time to time. I hope someone finds it interesting:

After A While

After a while you learn
The subtle difference between
Holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
That kisses aren't contracts and
Presents aren't promises
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes ahead
With the grace of a woman
Not the grief of a child
And you learn
To build all your roads on today
Because tomorrow's ground is
Too uncertain for plans
And futures have a way
Of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
That even sunshine burns if you get too much
So you plant your own garden
And decorate your own soul
Instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
And you laern that you really can endure
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn
With every goodbye you learn.

women traveling in jamaica

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