A Jamaican Dreams of Coming Home> Shared Stories
When I initially started my informational blog, the purpose was to share knowledge necessary for expats thinking of moving to Jamaica. Over the last six months however, I have realized that many of my readers are Jamaicans who have migrated to Canada, the U.S. and even England, and are looking for answers or for information as they contemplate a move home.
Many in this group have lived away from the island for over 15 or 20 years, and are questions such as, “how do I even begin to network for a move back? ” or “how do I get a TRN number?” The questions asked and ideas shared are usually different than those from the expat population, but the questions are relevant to both Jamaicans and expatriates regardless.
My husband who is Jamaican started a blog titled “Moving Back to Jamaica” when we started our own move to the island back in late 2005. See http://francismove.blogspot.com/
He wanted to share his experiences as a Jamaican moving home after 20 years and continues to write three years later. We encountered several struggles as we moved here and made many big mistakes. At the time I wished for a rule- book that might have made our transition easier, but no such thing existed back then. It’s with this motivation that we both continue sharing with others about moving to Jamaica.
The following piece is one persons’ struggle with wanting to move back to Jamaica; she sent her letter and said it was okay to share with others: She has now been here for 9 months and is settling pretty well, despite a few struggles.
I have spent the last 17 years of my life working towards the American dream. By society’s standards, both here and there, many would say that my husband and I have achieved it. The high profile careers with six figures coming in, the large single-family house, the cars, all tied in a bow for the family of 5 (3 children).
Having now slumbered my way into dreamland, I find that I have awoken to the American nightmare many of us who took the same path that I did have come to know. I left Jamaica shortly after graduating high school. Not “in search” of anything, but because my father is American and I was moving on to higher educational opportunities which at the time (1991) were more abundant off island. I didn’t know enough about “trying to make it” in Jamaica to dream of anything that would better facilitate that.
It was quite easy being lulled into the sweet sleep of corporate American culture and the daily frantic gyrations of American life. But what started out as climbing the corporate ladder soon became no time with the kids and even less with my husband. There may be those who say that American life does not have to be like that, but with expensive childcare, no helpers or limited access to anything of that nature, long commutes to and from work as well as family and friends… soon, routine takes over and quality of life goes down the drain… that is of course, if you ever had any.
Although I have the conveniences of a 24-hour Wal-Mart, the ever current Target. The massive malls with endless shopping opportunities and the wide highways with no potholes – a grand quality of life is still wishful thinking.
On my visit to Jamaica in 2007, as I eagerly debated living in Jamaica vs. living in US with some friends, one of them commented that Jamaica was “on the cusp of greatness”. I’ll never forget those words, because I strongly agreed with them then and still do now. The individual who made the comment was later shot by a thief who was attempting to rob his sister. Thankfully, he was not killed, however it brings me to my next point, which is the paralyzing effect that crime is having on the Jamaican dream.
In effect, crime is the demon that has invaded the sweet sleep that was once Jamaica. And those who are feeling the poverty that hard life on this island inflicts find other outlets to meet their thirsty lips, hands, pockets… dream deprived sleep.
Despite the madness lurking on all corners, hillsides and gullies, I still believe that my Jamaican dream is yet to be realized. Maybe it’s just the naivety of having not lived here for 17 years. Many Jamaicans who I have shared with that I am considering a move home have asked… “are you crazy?”, “why now?”; the most positive reviews I have received seem to come from those who either have wealth enough to enjoy the higher points of life in Jamaica, or those who have placed their security in a higher power other than King Alarm.
And what is my Jamaican dream… well all the things that you spoke of in your article – better quality of life for my family, a challenging career, my own business, house in town and one on the coast… and much more. But to put it even more simply… give me a cool breeze rolling off a waterfall, a lush garden, sunrise on a beach and a nice water jelly from the man on the corner. I’ll take that over a 24 hour Wal-Mart any day! I am a Jamaican at heart and that’s where most great dreams begin. So let’s start dreaming!
« Jamaica is Crying | Home | Important Questions:As A Trailing Spouse Moving to Jamaica »
Comments
Thank you for sharing! I attempted a move back home last year and my story too is on this blog. I returned to Canada after only 4 months because my children were unhappy in my homeland and also because of the crime there (I had my own experience of the latter in the four short months I was there). However you are right, the Jamaican dream shall ever live on in the heart of a true Jamaican! Unfortunately, the Jamaica we knew as children is not the same today. It is up to us to find a way to bring it back and so make our dream a reality.
How beautifully said! When you boil it all down, the material comforts enjoyed in the First World just can’t compare to that deep seated feeling of belonging. As I tell my friends, it’s something psychic and can only vaguely be expressed in words. As someone once said, “even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat!”
Greetings,
Yes, I agree with you on several of these points. I thought about your own sharing after this story, so onward we all go.
Thanks
I enjoyed your article very much. I am also Jamaican and my Husband is an American (grew up in Haiti). I also dream of moving back home in the next year or two and I am lucky to have found someone who is not Jamaican but willing to relocate there.
) the wonderful, comfortable and culture filled life my parents gave me in Jamaica and the same wonderul life my Husband’s parents gave him growing up in Haiti. So with that said, we are now in the process of applying for my husband’s Jamaican Citizenship and hope to be back in the island by 2011 or 2012.
We both live and work here in the United States and live quite comfortably, financially. However, we are our extremley unhappy here and dont kow how much of the “American Life” we can take.
As the writer of the article above mentioned, the crime is there in Jamaica. I have experienced it in my own family. My father was shot and killed at one of our family businesses last year. Our family has been in business for over 35 years( and still operates) and i do get raised eyebrows when I tell friends that i still do intend on making the move.
The death of my father has given me a new outlook on life. I need to stop living uncouscioulsy,as if i have all the world, because whether i die tragically or peacfully in my sleep from old age, I need to live a purpose filled life and a life of qaulity, one that the USA cannot offer me. And i want to give my child ( the unborn one
God Bless!
Leave a Comment