THE NEGRIL, JAMAICA MINI GUIDE

My Negril, Jamaica Mini Travel Guide…. I still have sand in crevices I probably shouldn’t mention; a lingering smell of salt water and ganja infused in my clothes, skin and hair. To be honest, I didn’t quite think I had it in me to get on island time – it was practically going against my very grain. We were invited to stay and explore the newly opened, boutique hotel in Negril. Skylark has this unpretentious vibe- shoes and pants regularly optional. A few steps walk from each of the spacious rooms and you find yourself sipping from a fresh coconut beach side with some of the most turquoise waters I’ve ever seen. I discovered ackee, a fruit similar to the avocado and prepared in the same way; served with fried plantain chips, watermelon and scallions in a refreshing dip post swim. Like clockwork, every day at 1 pm, a storm would roll in giving a reprieve to the strong sun. I managed to work on my tan and spend days without any agenda; was called baby more times than I could count and became a patty aficionado – a Jamaican take on an empanada and a staple in the cuisine.

This was my first time traveling to the Caribbean; a location I had never thought of exploring since it always seemed to lack that sense of adventure I so deeply needed. Surprisingly, sometimes you need exactly the opposite of what you think. Looking back at my 5 days beach-side, it was exactly what I needed to recharge and simply be in the moment. Packing for a trip I essentially had never contemplated was a bit of a challenge. I wanted to avoid buying new pieces and use what I already owned. And so I rummaged through my giveaway pile and deep in my closet for anything I felt could be tropical. Bright colored pieces, silk headscarves that would double as turbans, florals and just about every over-sized accessory I owned. I brought necklaces that I hadn’t worn in years but had collected from my travels- giving them new life.

This simple, all black outfit went against what I imagine a tropical wardrobe to be but somehow managed to fit in naturally. With a low cut bodysuit that gave me my first side-boob experience, and high-waisted, wide leg pants that I had no problems walking in the sand and ocean in. An ombre-dyed silk headscarf, wild and loose waves and all the jewelry I could layer.