Posted by
Objection to Objectivity on Thursday, February 05, 2009 12:12:06 PM
As the plane touched down and I wearily strode into the bright sunlight of the early-afternoon, I was greeted by a coupon for a free drink at Margaritaville, bright smiling faces, and various porters looking for work. Ahhhh, I had entered Jamaica.
But as my stay lengthened, I came to some disturbing observances about the country I have read and watched so much about. I observed extreme poverty and disgusting income inequality. I saw the effects of stagflation. I saw an economy that relies almost exclusively on tourism and agriculture to stay afloat. I saw a society that has been coarsened and weakened by a lack of eductational opportunities. I also saw a culture that was full of potential, yet stuck in so many ways to decades long passed.
What did it all mean? I don't know now, but I will post my favorite stories and memories from this trip, and perhaps that will lead to some sort of answer.