Have you ever done something major in your life, and then immediately thought, “what the hell did I do?!”. Yep. I did it. I sold everything I have, and moved to Jamaica!
Hey, my Sno Flakes! Come sit down and get this tea. So, let me back up just a moment. If you follow my posts, you know that one of my dreams was to sell everything and travel the country with my husband across the U.S. My heart desire, however, was to move to jamaica. Well, now that I think about it, I don’t think I ever mentioned Jamaica on this platform. But, anyone who has known me personally within the last 40 years, knows that’s all I talk about. I have been planning to move to Jamaica since I was sixteen. Life just got in the way. Wasn’t I cute?
When I was about 22, I met my first husband. I was a troubled child. Very curious, hardheaded, my mother couldn’t tell me anything. I thought I knew it all. Men were a weakness. I was an ugly child, braces and all. Grew up without a father. It is no excuse, but anytime a man told me I was beautiful, I was smitten. So I met this person, who promised me the world, and I believed him. (I will write more about him in another post). Turns out, he was of Jamaican descent, (or so he said). But he was very abusive in the long run. I was stuck with him for ten years of physical, verbal, and mental abuse. Once we divorced, I said, “I am back on track, I’m going to Jamaica”. But life…
I took three years to plan, and save money. I was a bartender at numerous spots around the state of Illinois. I was a mess, trying to deal with all the years of abuse on my own. My curious nature carried me to Alabama. That is where my life changed, and I met Freddie. I was traveling south bartending, (meeting men), and whatever other jobs I could do to get to Jamaica. I had a plan, to get to Miami, and fly from there. Then one day, out of nowhere, he walks into my bar. I won’t go into details. I speak of Freddie, how we met, and our life together in a previous post. But needless to say, I was in love at first sight. He was different. We started dating, we fell in love, and here I am 18 years later. Yea, yea, Jamaica didn’t happen.
Until now. A year and a half ago, the love of my life passed away with no warning. Freddie changed my entire world. I was never the same person after meeting him. When he passed, I was so afraid of becoming that young girl again. But I didn’t. I held on to us, to our memory. I started traveling again, but I was missing something. Him, of course, but there was a void. So, a year after his death, I planned a girl’s trip to Jamaica.
Now, when I planned this trip, it was just that. A small vacation, seven days of paradise at the RIU Resort, Montego Bay. We had the time of our life. We celebrated Kim’s birthday, went rafting, Dunns River Falls, horseback riding, night swimming. We did it all. I was so excited when we stepped off the plane, I thought I was dreaming. I mean, I am finally here. But then that last day, I was not ready to go. My heart sank, I actually got sick. When I got home, I couldn’t focus. Jamaica was on my mind.
So, what did I do? I told my family I was moving to Jamaica, next month. Then I sold everything, my house, furniture, anything not important, or that I couldn’t bring, purchased a flight, and moved to Jamaica. Was it easy? No. Did my family think I was nuts? Yes. And if I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Mind you, coming to Jamaica with no plan, was the craziest idea ever. But I felt like I have spent my entire life trying to get here! I was not going to allow any more time to pass me by. The first two weeks, I spent crazy money at a resort, the cheapest I could find, and touring the island like I was crazy. I had to pull my head together. What is my rush? I am here for a while. Then I made a reservation at an Air BnB at Sea Castle, Montego Bay. I stayed two nights before finding out they offered a monthly rate. That was what I needed. There was a pool, a private beach, a restaurant. Everything is looking up.
I bought a van from a friend. Someone I knew way before moving here. Two weeks later, the transmission went out. More money is down the drain. But you know what? I am in Jamaica! I am not going to complain.
It is now 3 months later, and I am in LOVE! I love Jamaica. I love the country, the culture, the music, the people. OMG, they are so friendly, and love to see someone enjoying their Island! The men are gorgeous too, easy on the eyes. I do have to leave, due to Immigration regulations. Americans can only stay three months at a time, per the visa stamp from arrival. If you have a business, retired, or a work permit, you can be granted an extension of up to six months. I haven’t seen my family, so I will return home for Christmas. But don’t fret. By the end of January, I will be back home. I said it, home. In Jamaica.
This was the best thing I could have ever done for myself, mentally and physically, I have never felt as good as I do now. And I lost weight naturally! That is a bonus. The air is so pure here, I haven’t had a cold, sinus infections nothing since arriving. In the states, I have back-to-back sinus problems all year. My knees, I couldn’t hardly walk. I was told I would need a knee replacement. Not here. In Jamaica, I have been perfectly fine no pain. I have jumped off cliffs, swam in waterfalls, hiked up hills and rocks. The sky is the limit for me. Did I say how much I love it here?
I have gotten settled in, started a tour company, Snow White Adventures. Things are looking up. But now, the time has come for me to go. But I will be back. But before I do, I want to leave you with this. Whatever it is in life that you dream about, just do it! Don’t wait another day. Tomorrow may not come. Tell those you care about what they mean to you. Be kind to each other.
Right now I am headed to show some other tourists around MY Island. I like the sound of that. My Island. Until my next adventure, stay blessed, stay southern sweet, and I will have your tea waiting.
All Photos Taken By Me, Snow Wilson.
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