Jamaica

On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 06:07:36 GMT, HAL wrote:

 > so....is Jamaica safe? For a good ol' white boy who just likes to kick
 > around off the beaten track?

Most areas are safe, just some areas in downtown Kingston are off limits
(not even the police goes to the bad areas like Tivoli or Trenchtown).

 > Or should I stick with the resorts?

That would be a shame, as you would miss the "real" Jamaica. I would say
that travelling around the countryside is generelly safe, once you don't
flash around big money or expensive camera. Be careful during nighttime
though, there it's better to go in groups or use licenced Taxis.

Stay away from illegal ("Robot-") Taxi, they might be cheaper, but not
always safe.

Take care with drugs, it's illegal in Jamaica, and as a foreigner you are a
most welcome taregt for the boys in blue.

I would consider the countryside much safer than the towns and tourist
areas. Most muggings happen in and around Kingston, as well as around
Montego Bay.

Regards,

Frank<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

In article <11wibj85ezan7$.18y7q7ymglrkq.dlg@40tude.net>, Frank Hucklenbroich
says...
 >
 >Stay away from illegal ("Robot-") Taxi, they might be cheaper, but not
 >always safe.

Very true...Ive found that my life is worth more then say $40 saved by taking a
non-JUTA taxi...In my opinion, the most dangerous thing in Jamaica is motoring
in a car or taxi with a reckless driver...even with a safe driver, you at the
mercy of the all the other bad drivers. Always agree on a price BEFORE getting
in any taxi.

 >I would consider the countryside much safer than the towns and tourist
 >areas. Most muggings happen in and around Kingston, as well as around
 >Montego Bay.

I would suggest you stay away from Kingston and Montego Bay as well.
I go to Kingston every year for Carnival but Im very careful and don't stray too
far from the Corporate or New Kingston area which is quite safe.
Montego Bay is full of hustlers cause thats where the tourist money is.

I think the small tourist towns of Ocho Rios and Negril are relatively safe,
although for some people the vendors there can be annoying.

I think the off the beaten path places on the rest of the island are safe but
you always have to exercise caution and be aware that in a poor country like
Jamaica, there will always be some after your money, not by force but by some
trick or scam.

Good guide books like "The Rough Guide to Jamaica" and/or the Lonely Planet
Jamaica guide will be indespensible for traveling off the beaten path and
telling you everything you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable trip.

john<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

HAL <hsturgis.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote:

 >so....is Jamaica safe? For a good ol' white boy who just likes to kick
 >around off the beaten track? Or should I stick with the resorts? Any
 >thoughts....?

Do not think you're cool to knock around in the rough areas
of Kingston. You will pay for it. [It's like many idiots,
including a friend-of-a-friend, who think it's cool to experience
off-the-beaten-track in Johannesburg, and take the train to the
central station and set out for a walk. This guy was face down
on the sidewalk in less than 5 minutes.]

--
Ken Tough<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.






On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 14:59:30 +0100, Frank Hucklenbroich
<Hucklenbroich01.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote:

 >On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 06:07:36 GMT, HAL wrote:
 >
  >> so....is Jamaica safe? For a good ol' white boy who just likes to kick
  >> around off the beaten track?
 >
 >Most areas are safe, just some areas in downtown Kingston are off limits
 >(not even the police goes to the bad areas like Tivoli or Trenchtown).
 >
  >> Or should I stick with the resorts?
 >
 >That would be a shame, as you would miss the "real" Jamaica. I would say
 >that travelling around the countryside is generelly safe, once you don't
 >flash around big money or expensive camera. Be careful during nighttime
 >though, there it's better to go in groups or use licenced Taxis.
 >
 >Stay away from illegal ("Robot-") Taxi, they might be cheaper, but not
 >always safe.
 >
 >Take care with drugs, it's illegal in Jamaica, and as a foreigner you are a
 >most welcome taregt for the boys in blue.
 >
 >I would consider the countryside much safer than the towns and tourist
 >areas. Most muggings happen in and around Kingston, as well as around
 >Montego Bay.
 >
 >Regards,
 >
 >Frank<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

only kinda illegal mon.

be kinda discrete.

Nemesis wrote:

 >If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
 >every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >
 >On Wed, 17 Mar 2004 14:59:30 +0100, Frank Hucklenbroich
 ><Hucklenbroich01 RemoveThis @aol.com> wrote:
 >
 >
 >
  >>On Tue, 16 Mar 2004 06:07:36 GMT, HAL wrote:
  >>
  >>
  >>
   >>>so....is Jamaica safe? For a good ol' white boy who just likes to kick
   >>>around off the beaten track?
   >>>
   >>>
  >>Most areas are safe, just some areas in downtown Kingston are off limits
  >>(not even the police goes to the bad areas like Tivoli or Trenchtown).
  >>
  >>
  >>
   >>>Or should I stick with the resorts?
   >>>
   >>>
  >>That would be a shame, as you would miss the "real" Jamaica. I would say
  >>that travelling around the countryside is generelly safe, once you don't
  >>flash around big money or expensive camera. Be careful during nighttime
  >>though, there it's better to go in groups or use licenced Taxis.
  >>
  >>Stay away from illegal ("Robot-") Taxi, they might be cheaper, but not
  >>always safe.
  >>
  >>Take care with drugs, it's illegal in Jamaica, and as a foreigner you are a
  >>most welcome taregt for the boys in blue.
  >>
  >>I would consider the countryside much safer than the towns and tourist
  >>areas. Most muggings happen in and around Kingston, as well as around
  >>Montego Bay.
  >>
  >>Regards,
  >>
  >>Frank
  >>
  >>
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

In article <40646b65$1_1@news.utk.edu>, nobody says...
 >
 >only kinda illegal mon.
 >
 >be kinda discrete.
 >
 >Nemesis wrote:
 >
  >>If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
  >>every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.

Yes, be discrete. Its still illegal there because Im sure they are worried
about offending many of the tourists and they dont want to lose their business,
although they are already offending many with these ganja/drug offers. But if
it was legal,it would drive even more tourist business away plus the US
government would probably take a dim view of that an impose some sanctions or
penalties, something Jamaica doesnt need now as they are struggling
economically.

People should be understanding and shouldnt flout the law...ie, if you want to
smoke ganja, do it in private...they will fine you if they catch you smoking in
most public places, something like the law in California. Its too bad the
vendors are not more discreet in their offers, they are hurting the tourist
business...but its a dog eat dog environment and everyone is desperately trying
to make a buck.

john<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

It wasn't ganja that was being offered on every streetcorner it was
cocaine.




On 26 Mar 2004 13:04:04 -0800, Rhythmwize
<Rhythmwize_member RemoveThis @newsguy.com> wrote:

 >In article <40646b65$1_1@news.utk.edu>, nobody says...
  >>
  >>only kinda illegal mon.
  >>
  >>be kinda discrete.
  >>
  >>Nemesis wrote:
  >>
   >>>If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
   >>>every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.
 >
 >Yes, be discrete. Its still illegal there because Im sure they are worried
 >about offending many of the tourists and they dont want to lose their business,
 >although they are already offending many with these ganja/drug offers. But if
 >it was legal,it would drive even more tourist business away plus the US
 >government would probably take a dim view of that an impose some sanctions or
 >penalties, something Jamaica doesnt need now as they are struggling
 >economically.
 >
 >People should be understanding and shouldnt flout the law...ie, if you want to
 >smoke ganja, do it in private...they will fine you if they catch you smoking in
 >most public places, something like the law in California. Its too bad the
 >vendors are not more discreet in their offers, they are hurting the tourist
 >business...but its a dog eat dog environment and everyone is desperately trying
 >to make a buck.
 >
 >john<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

In article <am8960p7osmqchss04hc8sl147tf79mk8m.DeleteThis@4ax.com>, Nemesis says...
 >
 >It wasn't ganja that was being offered on every streetcorner it was
 >cocaine.

In Negril, the offers I get most frequently are for ganja and on occasion other
drugs like hash or coke. It probably has something to do with how old you are
and what you look like. If cocaine is being pushed much more often then ganja,
then perhaps that means the demand for coke is there from the tourists which is
a sad commentary. The tourists provide the demand...the Jamaicans provide the
supply. Pretty fundamental market place economics.

john<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

Risky business when it appears the possession laws there carry much
stiffer penalties than in the U.S



On 26 Mar 2004 17:06:41 -0800, Rhythmwize
<Rhythmwize_member DeleteThis @newsguy.com> wrote:

>In article <am8960p7osmqchss04hc8sl147tf79mk8m DeleteThis @4ax.com>, Nemesis says...
>>
>>It wasn't ganja that was being offered on every streetcorner it was
>>cocaine.
>
>In Negril, the offers I get most frequently are for ganja and on occasion other
>drugs like hash or coke. It probably has something to do with how old you are
>and what you look like. If cocaine is being pushed much more often then ganja,
>then perhaps that means the demand for coke is there from the tourists which is
>a sad commentary. The tourists provide the demand...the Jamaicans provide the
>supply. Pretty fundamental market place economics.
>
>john
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

And all of this is different from your average city in the U.S. exactly
how???


"Nemesis" <nem DeleteThis @sis.org> wrote in message
news:qap9605bjlmt8mas2252mjbtge7mf61t6q@4ax.com...
>
> Risky business when it appears the possession laws there carry much
> stiffer penalties than in the U.S
>
>
>
> On 26 Mar 2004 17:06:41 -0800, Rhythmwize
> <Rhythmwize_member DeleteThis @newsguy.com> wrote:
>
> >In article <am8960p7osmqchss04hc8sl147tf79mk8m DeleteThis @4ax.com>, Nemesis says...
> >>
> >>It wasn't ganja that was being offered on every streetcorner it was
> >>cocaine.
> >
> >In Negril, the offers I get most frequently are for ganja and on occasion
other
> >drugs like hash or coke. It probably has something to do with how old
you are
> >and what you look like. If cocaine is being pushed much more often then
ganja,
> >then perhaps that means the demand for coke is there from the tourists
which is
> >a sad commentary. The tourists provide the demand...the Jamaicans
provide the
> >supply. Pretty fundamental market place economics.
> >
> >john
>
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

Well in U.S cities it's not the cab drivers who are selling the stuff
and you don't go to jail in the U.S for mere possession.

It's definately less overt, after all the stuff does grow there.



On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 03:29:56 GMT, "HAL" <hsturgis DeleteThis @earthlink.net>
wrote:

>And all of this is different from your average city in the U.S. exactly
>how???
>
>
>"Nemesis" <nem DeleteThis @sis.org> wrote in message
>news:qap9605bjlmt8mas2252mjbtge7mf61t6q@4ax.com...
>>
>> Risky business when it appears the possession laws there carry much
>> stiffer penalties than in the U.S
>>
>>
>>
>> On 26 Mar 2004 17:06:41 -0800, Rhythmwize
>> <Rhythmwize_member DeleteThis @newsguy.com> wrote:
>>
>> >In article <am8960p7osmqchss04hc8sl147tf79mk8m DeleteThis @4ax.com>, Nemesis says...
>> >>
>> >>It wasn't ganja that was being offered on every streetcorner it was
>> >>cocaine.
>> >
>> >In Negril, the offers I get most frequently are for ganja and on occasion
>other
>> >drugs like hash or coke. It probably has something to do with how old
>you are
>> >and what you look like. If cocaine is being pushed much more often then
>ganja,
>> >then perhaps that means the demand for coke is there from the tourists
>which is
>> >a sad commentary. The tourists provide the demand...the Jamaicans
>provide the
>> >supply. Pretty fundamental market place economics.
>> >
>> >john
>>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

Why would people want to be getting high, when they're already in Paradise?

"Rhythmwize" <Rhythmwize_member.TakeThisOut@newsguy.com> wrote in message
news:c425s401cd3@drn.newsguy.com...
 > In article <40646b65$1_1@news.utk.edu>, nobody says...
  > >
  > >only kinda illegal mon.
  > >
  > >be kinda discrete.
  > >
  > >Nemesis wrote:
  > >
   > >>If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
   > >>every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.
 >
 > Yes, be discrete. Its still illegal there because Im sure they are
worried
 > about offending many of the tourists and they dont want to lose their
business,
 > although they are already offending many with these ganja/drug offers.
But if
 > it was legal,it would drive even more tourist business away plus the US
 > government would probably take a dim view of that an impose some sanctions
or
 > penalties, something Jamaica doesnt need now as they are struggling
 > economically.
 >
 > People should be understanding and shouldnt flout the law...ie, if you
want to
 > smoke ganja, do it in private...they will fine you if they catch you
smoking in
 > most public places, something like the law in California. Its too bad the
 > vendors are not more discreet in their offers, they are hurting the
tourist
 > business...but its a dog eat dog environment and everyone is desperately
trying
 > to make a buck.
 >
 > john
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica 

True true, that doesn't add up.



On Sat, 27 Mar 2004 21:30:47 GMT, "Skip Elliott Bowman"
<skipster.RemoveThis@teleport.com> wrote:

>Why would people want to be getting high, when they're already in Paradise?
>
>"Rhythmwize" <Rhythmwize_member.RemoveThis@newsguy.com> wrote in message
>news:c425s401cd3@drn.newsguy.com...
>> In article <40646b65$1_1@news.utk.edu>, nobody says...
>> >
>> >only kinda illegal mon.
>> >
>> >be kinda discrete.
>> >
>> >Nemesis wrote:
>> >
>> >>If drugs are illegal in Jamaica then why is every taxi driver and
>> >>every second local trying to sell them to you like it was candy.
>>
>> Yes, be discrete. Its still illegal there because Im sure they are
>worried
>> about offending many of the tourists and they dont want to lose their
>business,
>> although they are already offending many with these ganja/drug offers.
>But if
>> it was legal,it would drive even more tourist business away plus the US
>> government would probably take a dim view of that an impose some sanctions
>or
>> penalties, something Jamaica doesnt need now as they are struggling
>> economically.
>>
>> People should be understanding and shouldnt flout the law...ie, if you
>want to
>> smoke ganja, do it in private...they will fine you if they catch you
>smoking in
>> most public places, something like the law in California. Its too bad the
>> vendors are not more discreet in their offers, they are hurting the
>tourist
>> business...but its a dog eat dog environment and everyone is desperately
>trying
>> to make a buck.
>>
>> john
>>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Jamaica