Oct 31 1982

Jamaica was at first, just what I knew it would be: Hot, humid and sunny with showers off and on. Island paradise… actually on the surface it was all I knew it would be. I was anxious about what the below-the-surface look would reveal.

My first peek as an eye opener. What it revealed was an obsession with the U.S. currency. The person to approach me first was a lanky Jamaican with an enormous hat on his head. (rostahfarian) He was offering 2:1 for U.S. dollars. Another volunteer was offered 3:1. Our trainers, after giving us a talk on black market tactics and cautions proceeded to offer us 2:1. U.S. currency is very precious to Jamaicans who wish to travel or purchase goods in the U.S.