Is it raining in Treasure Beach today? The news mentioned that there would be island wide rainfall and I am sure it is well needed in the area.

How is the situation in Kingston, is it save to drive tru there, if you are... " NOT LOCAL" ??

No rain in TB today. As for the situation in Kingston . . . well I was there on Monday when the word came out about Prime Minister Golding giving permission for the extradition of Dudus to go on. My friend and I were stuck in the afternoon traffic when tension was high in the city. That is, of course, when my car decided to die in the middle of a traffic jam on South Camp Road leaving downtown and heading uptown. Needless to say, this was not a great time or place to breakdown.

But in true Jamaican style . . . we were right in front of the Jamaica Red Cross Center. We went in and asked for assistance. They first made sure we were okay and offered us water, etc. Then they gathered a few men together, we all went back to the car and they pushed the car off the road and into the parking area of the Red Cross where we knew it would be safe for the night. We all talked for a while and found out where we all were from, the mutual folks we knew, etc. etc. After some good conversation and laughter my friend and I decided to walk back to the hotel we were staying at. It was about 1 1/2 miles away but the traffic was such that we figured we'd get there quicker than driving and declined the generous offer made by one of the volunteers to take us.

One thing that impressed me was how many other pedestrians said hi as we passed them. I'm used to this in Treasure Beach but in any major city I've visted in the world folks usually don't greet you as you pass each other.

We arrived after dark and when entering the grounds of the hotel a "street man" sitting there whom we had greeted the night before (as we were walking out to go out to dinner) said, "You ladies look like you are really enjoying yourselves." We had to laugh as we were both sweating profusely, tired, and a bit stressed. But we answered saying that we were. We spoke about it with each other saying it really was true. From the moment we broke down, people went out of their way to help us and make sure we were okay. We met some very nice people, had some laughs, got some exercise and made it back to the hotel safe and sound. All on what was one of the "most tense" moments in Kingston in a while. The news the next morning reported no incidents of violence and all was continuing business as usual.

A mechanic from Treasure Beach was coming into Kingston the next day and told me just to hold on. He picked us up at the hotel, we went to the Red Cross, and thankfully, he was able to get us up and running enough to get us home safe and sound. When I asked him how much I could give him for his time, he waved me off.

So in answer to your question, I do believe it is safe especially for "not locals". I do believe that there are many more good persons in this world than bad, and I do have a great deal of faith and optimism in the future of Jamaica.

That's a wonderful story Rebecca. We need to hear them when they happen.

Thank you for telling me all that, it has come back to me now, that is how we remember Jamaica, people are friendly, and they do greet each other,I miss it, and we like that a lot....thanks Rebecca, you do picture JA like it is...one love..see you in Calabash Festival

Rebecca, nice to see you had a pleasant experience despite the problems both politically and with your car.
In my experience even during times of political conflict I have never had a problem in Jamaica. Was it pure luck? Maybe?
Granted, I have not been to Kingston but I have heard tale of incidents there by friends there in Jamaica..even they try not to go to Kingston and I am not naive enough to think they are being overly cautious.But that doesn't necessarily mean that the whole country is unsafe or even for that matter perhaps parts of Kingston. (ever large city has it's 'bad' parts)
I am a firm believer that if you act like you are afraid (even if you are) and/or act like a victim you have a greater chance of becoming one. By no means am I saying you can't become one, especially in times of conflict/tension but I do think for the most part people in these sorts of situations are not out to hurt the people that have nothing to do with it. Not to say you can't get caught in the crossfire so to speak but I do not think it would be intentional. (at least I would like to believe that) : ) glad again that you two are safe and sound and could get some laughs in as well.

Rebecca
i love your post on kingston
can you recommend a hotel in kingston please

I once boarded a coaster bus from Half Way Tree - Kingston headed to Port Antonio. Just before Stony Hill, the bus was hijacked by three gunmen. They drove the bus into the bush and robbed everybody, including the kids on the bus !! I was the only tourist on the bus. Fortunately, no was killed nor injured. When we arrived at the Stony Hil police station I telephoned the guesthouse in Port Antonio where I planned to stay. The night staff there said that if I could get there they would pooled what money they had and loan it to me. A man at the police station offered to drive me to Port Antonio free of charge (which I accepted). The bus driver made sure that I was alright, and offered me a ride to the nearest bank, but as luck whould have it, it was Ash Wendesday and the bank was closed. So I got the free ride to Porty, accepted the loan from the staff, and repaid them the next day when the bank opened. I also got the address of driver that gave me the free ride, and when I returned to the U.S. I wire him three times what the regular taxi fare would be. All this to say that, there was many more GOOD, KIND, DECENT, Jamaicans that offed to help me, then there was the bad robbers. Which renewed my believe, that there is always many more GOOD people then BAD, and that most Jamaicans are GOOD, KIND people also !!!!
After this terrible incident, I continued on with my travels around the island, still using only the coaster bus, mini bus and route taxis without incident. I had another WONDERFUL time in Jamaica !!!!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

There are several good places to stay in Kingston. It depends on your price range and the location you had in mind as to what I would recommend.

The Indies Hotel is very basic, inexpensive and within walking distance of restaurants and bars. The Hilton, Pegasus, Courtleigh, Spanish Court and several others are all located directly in the business district (kinda the Manhattan of Kingston). All good places to stay ranging from $150 - $250 US per night.

I've heard Christar Villas located right off of Hope Rd., near the Bob Marley Museum is very nice.

The Terra Nova is a lovely 'old world' type hotel located near the Canadian Embassy.

If you Google hotels, Kingston, Jamaica you will get lots of suggestions.

Have fun!