Experience The `Real' Jamaica

There are many who believe the glitz and glitter of the tourist
industries and the accompanying commercialization of both the
areas around the tourist centers and the culture of Jamaica
overshadow the \'real\' Jamaica, the people and culture that exist
beyond the tourist centers, the true heart of Jamaica. This has
led to the creation of a variety of opportunities to visit the
other side of Jamaica, to see people and life beyond the often
stereotypical vision of Jamaica that most visitors see.

The Meet The People Program is one of these interesting,
non-typical experiences. It is run by the Jamaican Tourist
Board, and has more than 500 local participants. These local
volunteers come from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds,
and their interests and skills are listed in a database.
Tourists who sign up for the program provide the same types of
information, and then locals and tourists are matched up.
Amazingly, this is a free program and provides unparalleled
social and cultural exchange. Aside from social engagements,
such as family style meals in the local host\'s home, the matched
groups together explore their shared interests in Jamaica.

Country Style is a similar program, bring tourists and residents
together for more natural interaction than would happen in the
usual tourist scene. After all, spending time with someone on an
equal footing, as opposed to with someone who is paid to see to
your comfort, is a different experience all together. Based in
Mandeville, Jamaica, visits are arranged with interested and
interesting residents throughout the island.

Jamaica For Real is the creation of Oliver Foot. His family has
been in Jamaica for generations. In fact, he is the son of the
last British governor to rule Jamaica. He provides what could be
called reality tours of Jamaica. His goal is to share his love
for Jamaica, a love that includes those qualities that may not
be attractive to those who treasure Jamaica for the tropical
pleasures of the island, for the stunning array of creature
comforts and entertainment, and for its majestic beauty.

With his Jamaica For Real tours, Foot shares the special beauty
to be found in struggle, the social struggles against oppression
that resulted in the rich \'real\' culture of Jamaica. Visiting
such sites as the Borderline, once a highly charged area between
two politicized neighborhoods during the social unrest of the
1980\'s. He tours Trenchtown, an area notorious for its poverty,
one that received international attention through the reggae
music that spoke of the desperate conditions to be found there.
He shows the beauty of the countryside and its people, and
offers a vision of the beauty to be found in the ordinary life.
He presents an amazing and enlightening vision of Jamaica in a
tour that shouldn\'t be missed.

These types of experiences are a wonderful way to explore
Jamaica. Aside from the wonderful people you\'ll meet, you\'ll
gain an insight into Jamaica that few outsiders rarely acquire.
Once you have a view of the \'real\' Jamaica, the island will
never look the same again.