What is “One Love”?

I remember when I took my first trip to Negril last summer….

Hair a mess, smelling like rum from the night before, wearing ripped jeans and a T-Shirt ; this would sum up me and my boyfriends ride through Jamaica’s countryside to Roaring Mountains during our trip to Negril. Let’s just say I’m happy our tour guide didn’t leave us because we were 40 minutes late meeting him at the entrance of the hotel for pick-up to the excursion. (btw — he was amazing and I highly recommend using Dale Haye for your tours in Jamaica)

Riding in the car with the windows rolled down we could feel the warm and crisp Jamaican air beaming on our skin. I could also smell the sweet aroma of Jamaican beef patties, jerk chicken and hear the Caribbean music playing from the streets surrounding us.

Once we arrived to our destination, stumbling out of the car, we were greeted by our Rastafarian local tour guide who provided us with two fresh glasses of cucumber & ginger juice (which he mentioned was good for curing hangovers!) After chugging down our drinks, we hopped into our ATV and followed our tour guide on his motorcycle for a. 3-hour ride through the city of Westmoreland — population of about 600 people. It’s so astonishing to see how close Jamaicans are to each other, everyone is like family and watches over one another.

Here are a few things I learned in the mountains about the true meaning of “one love”:

• Rastafarian was originated among impoverished and socially disenfranchised Afro-Jamaican communities in Jamaica in the 1930s. Its Afrocentric ideology is a huge part of Jamaica’s culture. One of the most notable Rastafarians that we all know and love was, Bob Marley, who helped increase visibility for the movement in the 1970s through reggae music
• Most Jamaicans want to live the life of a Rastafari but most can’t become true Rastafarians because of the strict lifestyle. I was told by one of the locals that true Rasta mentality has to be embedded within your mind and within your heart. Rastas don’t eat meat, and the most notable physical traits are dreadlocks. Rastas believe that you should not put sharp metal objects to the head, hence their notably long hair.
• “Everythings’ gonna be alright” is the Rastafarian way of life. Their lifestyle is one of peace and letting things be as they are. While we were diving in and out of various River Falls throughout our journey in the mountains, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming emotions of happiness and peace. I felt connected to the plants in the forest, I could hear the birds chirp, clearly see fish swimming up streams, and taste the fresh fruit that grew in and out of the pineapple and coconut trees. I felt like a true rasta because I also live my life believing that “things are as they are, and everything really will be alright!”

Reminiscing on our day in the mountains, I felt joy and a sense of home — “Home Of All Right” — which is Jamaica’s mission, to make visitors feel at home. I’m so glad we were able to overcome our fears and venture off the resort to experience the true culture of Jamaica. Through love, we are all one.