Greetings from LearnServe Jamaica! We arrived at the Ronald Reagan National Airport at 4 in the morning. I was so tired from packing the night before and making sure that I had everything for my trip to Jamaica. During the first hour of us arriving in Jamaica, we had a mini-tour around the city of Kingston. We were hungry for food so we went to a Jamaican restaurant named “Island Grill.” The overall rating of the food was good. After that, we stopped by Mr. Bennett’s house to pick up some room fans because of the HEAT in Jamaica is real.
We arrived at Shortwood Teachers College where we’ll stay for the next few days. We debriefed about the layout of how the rest of the trip will be before eating dinner. We talked about the ground rules and priorities of the trip. Also, we discussed the phone policy. According to our trip leaders, we don’t need our phones. They want us to be more engaged and interactive while we’re on the trip, and to experience the culture, lifestyle, and hobbies of the Jamaican people.
One goal I have for this trip is to stay focused and learn more about a culture that I don’t know much about. Before I leave Jamaica I want to learn some new words and their meanings. Another goal that I want the entire group to accomplish is to connect with each other on a personal level. Maybe we as a group can be comfortable enough to be able to get out of our comfort zones more often and maybe try new things in life that you wouldn’t see yourself doing as a human being today.
A lot of little things stood out to me today. Jamaican people drive on the opposite side of the road then we do in the US. Soccer is played all through the city. Most of the houses don’t look like the houses back home. Children weren’t dressed all the way. The suburbs of Jamaica look so beautiful. A lot of music was being played throughout the streets. They speak English here, but their accent is totally different.
This is my first time traveling outside the country. It’s kind of weird to me. The heat especially. We’re hot all the time. DC is hot, but it’s definitely hotter here. Also I’m not used to some of the natural foods that I’m not used to eating back home. But I’m starting to get used to being in a new country and not being afraid of getting outside of my comfort zone. I hope that I won’t get homesick while I’m in Jamaica. I don’t miss anything yet, but one thing I might miss soon is my room. I like having my own space sometimes.
Overall, I’m looking forward to the rest of the days.
Martiaz P., E. L. Haynes Public Charter School