For J, we were limited to two countries – Jordan and Jamaica (as we did Japan on the first cycle), so we decided to travel to the Caribbean for the first time in this trip around the alphabet. And we thoroughly enjoyed our journey!

Though Jamaica was under British rule until 1962, it’s a country rich with culture and traditions that developed through slaves that were brought to the island to work the sugar plantations in the 1700s. Jamaica has its own religion (Rastafarian) and its own music (Reggae) and a wide variety of  unique animals (streamertail hummingbird) and plants (73 types of native orchids!)

Here is the complete slide show: Jamaica Info . And here are some more interesting facts about the country:

• Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica in 1494, and over the next 150 years, the Spanish killed nearly of  peaceful Arawak people that lived on the island.
• In 1907 a large earthquake (and fire that followed) destroyed nearly all the buildings in Kingston and Port Royal.
• Jamaica is the only country in the world that has no colors in common with the flag of the United States of America.
• Jamaica has more churches per square mile than any other country in the world.
• Jamaica was the first country in the Western World to build a railroad (a mere 18 years after Great Britain

FOOD

Jamaica cuisine has a lot of influence from Africa (the former slaves) and India (the indentured servants who replaced the slaves) as well as its own unique products like Ackee. Consequently the food is spicy, rich and flavorful!

And thanks to the nearby Caribbean store we were able to find all the ingredients we needed from canned ackee to callaloo to jerk seasoning.

Breakfast

Ackee & Saltfish – Surprisingly this is the national dish of Jamaica, so we had to try it. Something completely unfamiliar to us but it wasn’t that bad. Ackee has a savory taste and the look and texture of scrambled eggs. But it really took on the taste of the the very salty salted cod.

Fried Plantains – Delicious, as always

Jamaican spiced bread – a tasty find from the Caribbean store

Coffee (though not from Blue Mountain, the countries famed coffee company.)

Dinner

Jerk Chicken – So spicy and full of flavor! There are many Jamaican jerk chicken recipes out there but we just used Jerk paste from the Caribbean store, added a little brown sugar and rum, and rubbed that on some chicken thighs. Let them marinate for a few hours and then bake them in the oven for 45 minutes or so.

Peas and Rice – Another standard in Jamaica. Taking an basic dish and making it extra tasty with coconut milk and spices. Oh, and its not green peas as you might think, BUT Small read beans, they call peas.

Callaloo  – Its like cooked spinach but with some Jamaican spice. Though, it was the least favorite for the crowd

Coco Bread –this was delicious! And worked great with breakfast as well

CULTURE

For culture we looked at the music synonymous with Jamaica – Reggae. We watched these video:   How to Make Reggae and Reggae History  . We learnd about its origins in the 60s and it’s connection to Rastafarian. And we learned that it has a slower syncopated beat with lots of drums and percussions the background keeping the same beat and lyrics about trouble and oppression.

The boys were not into writing their own lyrics this time around, nor did Andrew let us braid his hair. So we settled for listen to lots of Bob Marley for an afternoon – our favorites were “Jamming” and  “Redemption Song”!

Next up is K, and Isaac will take you all to a small island in the Pacific, before summer is over!