Car glass break in..what an experience

Talk about a real Jamaican experience. A few days ago two friends* from another part of the island came into Kingston on business and I thought I would take the opportunity to share the hype of one popular New Kingston sports bar with them. There is no sea and sand but there is socializing....right? *Please note that there are still many that would not venture into St. Andrew/Kingston unless it's life and death and if so night must never catch them anywhere near there.

We parked our seperate cars in the parking lot provided for CUSTOMERS ONLY and walked to the really vibezy place. Apart from the really loud music, that was suppose to build the vibes, we had a fairly good hour and a half, paid the bill and went back to the parking lot. So far, how nice...right?

Well this is where the Jamaican experience really begins. We returned to my friends car first, parked near the security gate, only to find that a window had been broken, car searched, and a cell phone and digital camera stolen. The events thereafter took about two hour before my friends were able to start their journey back to the north coast. But here is a summary of the events.

The security guards on duty at the estimated time of the incident never saw or heard a thing. I should add that these guards wear only a white shirt and a black pants, no badge, no ID, no nothing. They did not even want to tell me what company they worked for, no not until the police came then they were ever so deligent.

These guards were quick to point out the a small gate along the fence that seperates one parking lot for an old cinema is never locked. I guess because a car could go through that gate it being open was a non issue.

The police responded qiuckly to the scene but said this was a regular thing, they get a call like this almost every day. Okay then! They did not even bother to look around the area because I guess they were sure the items were long gone.

Other patrons returning to their cars stopped and enquired on the purpose on the police....feedback...Yuh caan leave dem things there in the car, tek them with you or put dem in the trunk. Kingstonian don't speak straight patios.

We drove down to the station to make a formal report and found that the station was actively accommodating the payment and paperwork process of 50 car towed away that evening. We had front row seats to watch the different individuals come in and pay their JA$5000.00 to get back their car. Jamaican do not like giving their money to the system. By the way, this was pay Friday.

Unfortunately we had front seats to other events as well. This well dressed "white collar" lady was brought in to be booked....what for we wondered but we never really found out. Duty officers walked by us with their M16, so we asked "Is that on safety?" The reply was NO. But it was when we heard sirenes roaring and our reporting officer said they are responding to a shout out on Waltham Park road that we asked if we finished and can we go.

At this point I can safely rule it out that I will be entertaining these friends in Kingston again and when they next come in for business I don't know how paranoid they may be but I would not wrong them.

The Jamaican Experience

Visitors to Jamaica keep coming year after year in the millions to enjoy the great Jamaican experience. Many don't only come once but over and over again, some just cannot get enough. Enough of what some may ask but the fact it, they just can't get enough.

My choosen career had me trying to answer, as honestly as possible, the many questions from visitors about the island...the attractions, the entertainment, the food, the rum, the coffee and OTHER recreational MATTERS. I had to be honest because for many the questions were not asked for asking sake but my answers would determine whether or not they would spend their money to experience it. WHAT A RESPONSIBILITY. So approximately six years ago I started working on gaining the knowledge so I could give my honest opinion.

I chose to start with attractions because, apart from one OTHER matter, it was the least experience I had. I'll share them with you.

My First Blog!

As I mentioned in my profile, every day I should learn something new and today I did. I blogged. With a little added time on my hand I thought it would do me good to face my fear of the unknown, sorry, my unknown, THE WEB. Thanks to D Humes I think I am one step ahead of those I left behind.