Just my views, It may not be yours

I stumbled on this picture a few moments ago and immediately I reflected on a video I watched earlier by Anthony Bourdain – Parts unknown. This video reflected by own thoughts about my country and it enlightened my fears for the future that may not exist for our children.

At first glance the photograph looks gorgeous but then I realized that there were no craft vendors, no homes for anyone to live, no jerk chicken being prepared, no fishing boats on the coastlines…. All I can see across the island are hotels and hotels and more hotels, beautiful white sand beaches and a lush landscape. While we encourage tourists to visit our island we need to preserve it for ourselves and spend time enjoying  and help those who are trying to preserve this gem for us before it is too late. I want to grow old and retire here. i want to still be able to visit public beaches and be able to tell my grand children the names of the local  business owners and how they started out rather than telling them names of foreign nationals who seek to buy up beach front properties, put up hotels/private homes and restrict the natives from enjoying their own country.

 At the end of the video Anthony asked “ WHO OWNS PARADISE AFTER ALL?
WHO GETS TO OWN PARADISE?
WHO GETS TO USE PARADISE OR EVEN VISIT IT?
IT IS A QUESTION WORTH PAYING ATTENTION TO BEFORE THERE IS NONE LEFT AFTER ALL”....

Think on these words my fellow Jamaicans.