Hellshire Beach near Kingston, Jamaica

People are afraid of Jamaica, that is clear. I have always wondered why. While there is undoubtedly crime here, being here there is no sense that it is more frequent or worse than elsewhere. There is more than enough to make up for it in natural beauty, friendliness of the people, music, creativity, and comfort.

We spent today at Hellshire Beach, out past the causeway on the other side of Portmore. I always take a camera because I never know what will present itself. Today was a day for food, beautiful children, and the always present vendors.

We started the day, as usual, with fresh fried fish, lobster, and festival (a fried, slightly sweet bread in stick form). The fish here are always fresh. The boats come right up to the shore where the fish are scaled and sold directly to the restaurants. The ambiance is a little chaotic, with people coming and going all the time. We sat and watched the people, ate our fish and lobster with escovitch-style hot pepper/onion sauce with vinegar.

Then we went outside to watch what was happening. The beach was very full. There were lots of families in the water, and lots of kids around. Some of them saw me taking pictures and wanted theirs taken. Somehow they wanted to be part of the scene that I was recording. Nobody wanted me to send them a picture or do anything more than show them theirs.



Lots of kids were riding the horses led around by their owners. Every single one of them was happy and smiling. The children in Jamaica are beautiful!



While this was going on a majorly huge speaker system was pounding out music with an impressive bass, earthquake style. Eight 2 foot bass speakers are intentionally pointed at the ground. The ground really shook! The DJ played topical music, anything from reggae to pop to love songs. It was LOUD!

The vendors were out all day long: nuts, "peppa swimps" (pepper shrimps), peanut brittle, ganja, oysters, cotton candy, and more. These guys are always here, day in and day out. Many of them I recognize from being here so many times for fish, sun, and music. My favorites are the bamboo bank guy and the oyster guy. They wander the beach, trying out their lines on everyone, especially tourists. You just sit still and they com to you. The oyster man pulls up, starts shucking while you slurp. He doesn't quit until you say so.

So I have a theory:

• if visitors to Jamaica came to Hellshire and listened to the music and watched the children and families
• if they came and watched the vendors do their business and had a meal
• if they enjoyed the sun

then, maybe they could begin to understand what a lovely place this is. They could enjoy the creativity and joy in the people. They could have the sun and the sand and understand a new point of view. I don't have a problem here. Others should be able to relax and enjoy it, too.