50 Best Things About Jamaica

Today is the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence and in Jamaica House the celebrations have spilled over from last night where the excitement when Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake took gold and silver in the 100m sprint was unbelievable.

This morning we saw a flag raising ceremony with speeches from the High Commissioner and Jamaican Ministers plus performances from dancers, singers, actors and poets. In order to celebrate the 50th Jubilee in style I decided to tootle around Jamaica House and ask the people what they think are the 50 best things about Jamaica.

You may have your own ideas so feel free to post a comment and let me know your thoughts. This is what the guys came up with today:

1. Sun. A lot of people said this.
2. Street raves. Apparently this happens a lot and they're awesome.
3. Hospitality. Plenty of people said that the Jamaicans make you feel welcome as soon as you get there.
4. Rum.
5. The sea. It's calmness.
6. Beaches. Again, a lot of people said this.
7. Intermingling. One lady said you feel like you know everyone even though you don't.
8. Yams.
9. Bob Marley. Needs no explanation.
10. Athletics. The Jamaicans currently have the fastest man and the fastest woman on Earth. Enough said.
11. Blue Mountain Coffee. Apparently it's yum.
12. Blue Mountain itself. Apparently it's beautiful.
13. Aluminium. Jamaica's metal.
14. Mangoes.
15. Shaggy.
16. Dunns River. One child told me there's lots of water and she likes splashing in it.
17. Crab. Yummy.
18. Redhills. The Hollywood of Jamaica.
19. The fact that rural Jamaicans read the newspapers and sometimes know more about Britain than British people do.
20. Freedom.
21. Relaxation.
22. Snapper fish.
23. Cricket.
24. Newcastle. Named after the one in England it's so high up it's foggy and cool and you can grow apples there.
25. Breadfruit. Discovered by Christopher Columbus, it's a versatile fruit you can eat like bread.
26. Sweet potatoes.
27. Churches. Jamaica has the most churches per square mile than any other country in the world. Fact.
28. Time. It has no meaning. There's no such thing as 'being late', just Jamaica time.
29. Unity. There are all colours and races in Jamaica, such as many Chinese people who have lived there for over a hundred years.
30. Dancehall music.
31. The women. A few of the young men insisted on this one.
32. Health. Maybe it's the sun or the food but lots of people said they felt healthy when they are in Jamaica. 
33. German Town. I think this is my favourite. This is a rural town made up of Germans who originally were shipwrecked on Jamaica and ended up staying there. They are blonde blue-eyed Ayrean looking people with thick Jamaican accents. Apparently they don't watch TV and are some of the most Jamaican people on the island.
34. Ackee and Saltfish. The traditional dish.
35. Self confidence. Plenty of it.
36. Stress free.
37. Independence. Hard earned. 
38. Dub music.
39. Education. One lady told me there is a concentration on the 'three Rs' - writing, arithmetic and religion. Yes I know they don't all begin with R but go with us on this one.
40. Red Stripe.
41. Dancing.
42. Pumpkins. They can be made to make pumpkin soup. Yum.
43. Cool breezes.
44. Netball.
45. Alicia Keys. Her dad is Jamaican.
46. Seven Miles Beach. Pirates used to haunt this seven-mile stretch of golden sand beach.
47. Colour.
48. Acceptance. Plenty of people told me that the people of Jamaica don't judge, they just accept.
49. Usain Bolt. OK so this one kind of goes without saying.
50. Jerk Chicken. I nearly forgot this but how could I? It's all I've eaten for the last few days!