Since I’m discussing my @ancestry results this weekend I thought I would share some of the questions I get asked after telling people I am Jamaican 🇯🇲🇯🇲
I could not fit them all!! Some of these are from my childhood days in New Jersey in a predominantly white town.

One of the ones not listed here is “Did you ride on horseback on the beach to class?” I guess I could not totally blame them since that is what they saw on TV 📺. They imagined that I lived in small huts on a beach and barely had an education. Meanwhile I started school here I had to skip a grade so….💁🏽‍♀️

But yes these questions are “funny not funny” 😆 you don’t know how long it has taken me at times to convince people that have visited Jamaica that they do NOT speak a different language!! Now the Patois with the accent can be very strong and at times I struggle but it is not officially another language. Ask them to speak slower which will help lol 😂

The second most common question or assumption I received was that ganja, weed, marijuana was just a part of life growing up there and that we all had it in our backyards and sat around smoking it every day. NOT!! I never saw it in my home or my relatives homes. Not to say they didn’t use it but I didn’t see or it being smoked. And we are not Rastafarians. Rastafarians make up only 3% of Jamaicans.

Do I run fast? I did!! And we do! Jamaicans are known to be sprinters with the records and medals 🥇 to prove it. People say it’s maternal diet, the food, the soil, the coaching and of course genetics 🧬 play a role as well.

So what other stereotypes do you hold or have heard about Jamaicans? That we have 10 jobs? That one is true!! lol 😆

And I am related to the Marleys. Go figure!

#jamaicans #jamaicanbeauty🇯🇲 #jamaicanmemes #dunnsriverfalls #jamaica🇯🇲 #ochorios #jamaicamon

“Out of many one people”. 1 people. Jamaicans first. That’s one of the things I love about Jamaicans. We see each other all over the world 🌎 and we recognize the accent, the jokes, the food, the swagger, the drive!!

***story time 🇯🇲🇯🇲

When I bought my husband and I @ancestry kits a few years ago it was just for fun. I don’t think he ever did his. For generations both my Mother’s and Father’s family are from Kingston Jamaica 🇯🇲. Throw in some Irish, British and Chinese with African ancestry and you have got the DNA profile.

The first set of results had the typical information. West African countries in random order since the countries that are there now are not named the same as the ones then. Funny thing is a lot of Jamaicans tell me Ghana reminds them of Jamaica but I have not been yet. Even funnier is people think I’m East African-Ethiopian, Somalian..AND I get @kerrywashington only to find out she has some Jamaican ancestry!

Then the latest update came out and it said my DNA 🧬 linked me to 1 community. I clicked on the button and it went from a wide screen and zeroed in on Jamaica 🇯🇲! That likkle island in the Caribbean Sea!!
It was so cool to watch that!!!

I realized this thing had merit lol 😆
Again it didn’t tell me anything I did not already know but be careful! I have read of some interesting family revelations that have come from using these!!

Have you done any of the ancestry tests or traveled based on the results? I have been tempted to find the Irish relatives on my Grandmother’s side. Follow @jetsetlisette who is doing very interesting travel based on this!

And shout out to the Marleys who are still making great music!! 🎶

#ancestrydnaresults #ancestrytravel #ancestrydna #jamaicanice #jamaicanbeauty🇯🇲 #jamaicanheritage #marleymusic

***Save & Share!
Black History Month may be over but you can support Black-owned businesses year round across the globe 🌎!!
Seek them out during your travels!! Here are a few ways to do so…

1) Google (😏). A LOT of bloggers, including me, have curated lists of Black-owned restaurants, hotels, wineries, tour guides etc
2) Search and ask in travel Facebook groups. They are an excellent source of this information in every corner of the world!!
3) Use hashtags on Instagram and other social media networks to find what you are looking for. You may also find content creators from that area and you can ask them.
4) APPS: check out apps like @abctravelgreenbook @eatokratheapp @greenbookglobal to find recommendations and reviews of Black-owned places around the world!!

Featured businesses @jnanetamsna @shopbombchel @portenoirekx @mcclellandhouse

#supportblackownedbusinesses #blackandbeautiful #blackbusinesswomen #blackbusinessowners #blackownedwines #blackowned #blackownedrestaurants

What do you think of this list? Have you used any of these methods?

This is really cool. #3 and #4 are on our Culinary Travels group trip itinerary in November & I have been to #4 and #5 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I am doing something right! 🍷🍷🥂🥂

Who wants to sip on Pinotage & Chenin Blanc & Cab Sav & Cap Classique with me in these beautiful settings with me later this year?! The trip is more than half full & the deadline to register is April 1st!

Repost from @capetownmag
Some of my favorites in the Cape Winelands⛰️
Check out our story for some more information and tips on these wine farms!

Which one will you visit next?🍷

#stellenbosch #southafricanwines #winefarms #grouptrip #southafricatravel #visitsouthafrica

EXTRA DAY MEANS AN EXTRA POST FOR #blackhistorymonth #blackhistory365
I am excited to announce that I am moving to Detroit Michigan!!
This is a first for me. I have never lived in the Midwest. But there is so much history there and so much culture and good food to discover so I’m excited. This list is a great place to start!
Have you been to @visitdetroit ?

#visitdetroit #détroitmichigan @eatokratheapp @abctravelgreenbook @theblacktravelalliance @blacktravelsummit @blacksintourism

***Save this post for your next trip to @gotolouisville !!!

Finishing up Black History Month with awesome info from a trip to Louisville that I took last year.

During my first trip to Louisville for @nomadnessfest we had the opportunity to visit several amazing sites and have experiences that really blew my mind. I learned so much about Black history in Louisville and the South as well as Black jockeys and trainers in the Kentucky Derby.

Did you know that 13/15 jockeys in the 1st Kentucky Derby were Black?!

Make sure to visit these 5 places to have enriching experiences in Louisville!

1 🥃 @evanwilliamsbourbon experience specifically
“The Ideal Bartender Experience”
Learn about the life and legacy Tom Bullock. The first Black man in America to write a cocktail recipe book. Travel back in time to the final days of Prohibition to a secret speakeasy and sample at least 3 bourbons. The actor playing this role takes his part very seriously lol

2 🥊 @alicenterlou I had tears in my eyes as I strolled thru the Muhammad Ali center. This is one of the best if not the best memorial center I have been to. It’s 5 floors so give yourself some time to get thru it.

3 👊🏽 @roots101aam whew the vocal performances of ancestors from the past was moving and overwhelming. The artifacts here are a must see!

4 🏇 @derbymuseum #has an exhibit called
“Black heritage in racing” that traces jockeys and trainers through the history of the Derby. It’s very interesting.

5 🖼️Kentucky Center for African American Heritage
Beautiful artwork and limited series are presented here in this large space that is located in a historic part of Louisville. Once a booming area of Black businesses. You can enjoy performances and other events here as well.

Have you been to Louisville or any of these places? If not add then to your list!

#lovelouisville #louisvilleky #louisvillelove #blackhistoryfacts #blackhistoryeveryday #blackhistorybootcamp #blackhistorymatters #blacklouisville #blacktravelbloggers #blackhistorymonth2024 #blackhistorymonth✊🏾