Jamaica—One Love
Doctor’s Cave Beach, Jamaica, 12/15/25
Bob Marley said it best: One Love, One Heart, Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright.
No truer words could describe my feeling towards this incredible country—especially a month and a half after being hit by the strongest hurricane ever in history. As a frequent traveler and passionate admirer of this beautiful country, nothing could have prepared me for the roller coaster I experienced these past couple months.
Jamaica: Where Every Vibe Feels Like Home
Jamaica isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling, it’s a culture, it’s a vibe. From the moment your feet touch the island, you’re wrapped in warm breezes, rhythmic music, and a culture that moves to its own soulful beat. Although I’ve never had the true pleasure of vacationing here since I often go for work, I’ve always said that nothing says vacation to me more than a swim-up bar or beach with a cocktail in my hand while listening to reggae music in the background. That is vacation. That is Jamaica.
The Island’s Natural Beauty
Although Jamaica has some of the most breathtaking beaches, the island’s landscape is a masterpiece of natural hidden gems. While powdery white- or gold-sand beaches line the coasts with sparkling turquoise waters, you have the emerald green mountains rise dramatically inland. The Blue Mountains are famous for producing some of the world’s best coffee, while natural surprises such as Blue Hole and Dunns River Falls invite visitors to climb, swim, jump, and reconnect with nature in the most refreshing way possible.
A Culture That Changes You
When I say Jamaica is what vacation means to me, it’s not just the beaches or the reggae music. It’s the language, the laughter, and the deep sense of community—something I didn’t know was as strong as it was until after Hurricane Melissa. It’s the chill vibes and calm attitude that remind me to slow down and savor the moment.
I’ve only ever been to Jamaica for work, but it has left a lasting impression. Our driver, Kevin—who’s worked with my company for 20 years—quickly rose to the top of my favorites list. He has this energy that makes you feel like everything will be alright. I didn’t realize how “LA” I was until I met Kevin—constantly asking about pickup times, deadlines, and schedules. He’d just smile and say, “Don’t worry, mon, I got you.” I’d reply, “I know you got me, but what time do you have me? I need to do XYZ…” And he’d calmly repeat, “Don’t worry about that. It’s going to be alright.”
That was the moment I realized I was on island time—and none of the things that stressed me out mattered anymore. Rain during the commute? Don’t worry. Running 10 minutes late? Don’t worry. Eventually, I started to embrace their way of thinking.
Even now, when life feels overwhelming, I ask myself: What would Kevin say? Throughout my life—whether it’s at home, work, relationships, setbacks—my colleague and I often remind each other, “It’ll be okay—Kevin would say that.”
I even sat through my first eight-hour flight delay on the way to Jamaica this past September, receiving constant upsetting news without an ounce of stress or frustration… just laughter. No one on the flight was upset either… I couldn’t believe it. Jamaica just does something to you—it changes your attitude and your outlook. I can’t explain it.
Flavor in Every Bite
Jamaican cuisine is bold, flavorful, and unforgettable. From flaky patties to my favorite—Scotchies jerk pork and chicken—there’s no shortage of dishes that will have you salivating the moment you arrive. Pair that with a sip of Jamaican Red Stripe or a piña colada made with Appleton Estate Rum, and the island greets you with flavor and feel good times.
The Jamaican Spirit
What truly sets Jamaica apart is its people—their warmth, resilience, and pride in their heritage. Visitors aren’t just guests; they’re family. Every time you return, you’re always welcomed home. It’s no wonder Jamaica has such a high number of repeat visitors.
Knocked Down, Never Knocked Out
On October 28, 2025, Jamaica was devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa. Homes were destroyed, the island lost power, hotels shut down, and landmarks were damaged. Everything I loved about Jamaica felt shattered.
I wasn’t just heartbroken over the resorts—I grieved for the spirit of Jamaica, wondering if it could ever be the same. Were our friends safe? Did they have food, shelter, or electricity? Without electricity, I couldn’t get a hold of our friends to check in and see if they were okay. So, we had to rely on hopes and prayers. I felt helpless for an island that had given me so much.
Let’s Get Together, It’ll Be Alright
I’m grateful for my relationship with the Jamaica Tourist Board. Just days after Melissa hit, we jumped on a call for updates. We laughed, cried, and comforted each other in ways I didn’t know I needed. They told us they aimed to reopen by December 15 of 2025! I thought, No way—that’s impossible. You just had the strongest hurricane ever on record hit a couple weeks ago. I saw the video with the airport flooded, received daily reports of hotel closures and extensions of closures, and roads damaged. But they invited us to visit on December 15 to “Come See for Ourselves”—which is coincidentally their marketing tagline that we used prior to Hurricane Melissa. The goal was for us to see for ourselves so we could feel confident in offering travel to our guests there again.
My colleague and I returned with heavy hearts, very somber, bracing for devastation. We barely spoke to each other on the way out. We didn’t want to say out loud what we were expecting to walk into. We expected to walk into a war zone. But what we found was nothing short of miraculous.
How the Spirit of Jamaica Saved Them
We visited Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Trelawny. The hotels that reopened looked as good as before—some even better. Roads were cleaner, beaches had more sand, and attractions retained their natural beauty.
Yes, some hotels remain closed, and certain areas will take time to recover. But the tourist regions? You’d never know a hurricane hit.
What moved me most was the spirit of the people. It didn’t break—it grew stronger. Everywhere we went, workers shared stories of loss, yet they were grateful to be alive and proud to welcome visitors back with a smile. Resorts housed displaced staff, built homes, and funded supplies. The sense of community and resilience was overwhelming.
Since October 29, Jamaicans have worked tirelessly to restore tourism—often prioritizing that over their own homes. They’re not bitter, not broken, not asking for handouts or pity. They’re simply grateful.
I never expected to see what I did. And I can say with confidence: if you book a trip to Jamaica today, you’ll have the time of your life. The best way to give back is to go back.
And I promise you this—the Jamaica you visit a year from now will be stronger than ever. Not even the most powerful hurricane in history could break them. They are proud. They are unstoppable.
Jamaica—you are my one love.
✈️💘 I Can Plan an International Trip Before He Can Plan a Date
Let’s talk about something I’ve recently discovered about myself:
I can plan a 14-day international itinerary — complete with flights, hotels, cruise, activities, restaurant reservations, currency tips, and a color-coded Google map — faster than a man can decide what time he’s free on Friday.
And honestly? That says a lot.
Here’s the thing: When I want to go somewhere, I book the flight.
When I want to see something, I do the research and build an itinerary.
When I want a vibe, I make it happen.
Meanwhile, he’s still “figuring out his schedule.”
His schedule = absolutely nothing but vibes and vague commitments he made to himself in the shower.
✈️ There’s a special skill in being a woman who travels
Women who travel solo, often, or even with their girlfriends all have the same superpower: we make things happen.
Quickly. Efficiently. Effortlessly.
Need flights? Done.
Need hotels? Booked.
Need a full list of activities, hotspots, rooftop bars, hidden gems, and cute photo spots?
Already saved to a folder.
Meanwhile, the guy you’re texting is still typing, deleting, and retyping:
“What do you wanna do?” Or, my favorite: “WYD?”
💬
Here’s why we can plan trips so fast:
1. We’re used to taking care of ourselves.
We don’t wait for someone to make our lives fun or memorable — we just go.
2. We know what we like.
Food, views, vibes, hotels… we have standards, and we’re not shy about them.
3. We’ve learned not to rely on men for planning.
Because let’s be honest:
If I left my weekend up to him, I’d end up making plans my friends instead because he waited too long to decide what he wants to do or I get a last-minute request to come over and watch a movie that we’ve already seen.
4. We have main-character energy.
We’re not waiting around for someone to choose us — we’re choosing experiences.
✈️ Planning a date shouldn’t be harder than booking a flight
A date is literally:
Pick a day
Pick a time
Pick a place
ONE place.
Not five hotels, two airports, three train stations, and a ferry.
And still…
Men act like this is the most complicated decision of their lives.
If I can cross a border, navigate a foreign subway system, and order food in a different language, he can… bare minimum… choose a restaurant.
But somehow? No.
💘 So what does this mean?
It means I’m done over-investing in under-planned men.
If I can plan a whole international trip in 24 hours, I’m not accepting:
“Let’s just see what happens”
“I’ll let you know later”
“What do you wanna do?”
“I’m bad at planning”
“WYD”
You’re not bad at planning.
You’re bad at effort.
And effort is the bare minimum.
✨ Final thought
If a man wants to see you, he’ll plan.
If he wants to date you, he’ll make it clear.
If he wants your time, he’ll value it.
Until then?
I have flights to catch. ✈️
And I promise you:
I will always book a plane ticket faster than I will wait on someone’s bare-minimum energy.