Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Without vision and foresight we shall surely perish

I had a few things on my bucket list and although I've never loved travelling, the Panama Canal was on it so since I have a big birthday coming up off I went last week.
Well first of all the shock of seeing Panama for the first time was so great as I did not expect  to see somewhere looking like Miami beach with all the newly built condos. Everywhere I looked there was new construction - just like Bermuda in the poor areas everyone had a dish on the roof . All areas are being refurbished rich and poor, business and residential. It was obvious investment was pouring in.  Hyundai and  Kia,  the major presence on the road with Porsche and Audi the hi-end cars of choice.
I never once got a pop down feel of the country or did I feel scared at anytime day or night and the tour guides told you certain areas you need to be careful on entering just like anywhere in the world. Im sure they have their issues which i couldnt see in 3 days but trust me im going back to find out.
During the height of the tourist season they have 24 cruise ships per day we are glad to have 2 per week.
After viewing the canal (one of the reasons man feel they are God),  I heard of the student riots and after much blood shed the USA, who had come in after the French and finished building the canal, finally turned it over to the Panamanians . I got to understand that Panama started booming around 10 years ago when they started getting the US$10 million per day that the canal brings in .
The point is though that here is a little country - 3.5million people- and the Govt. is putting the money into the country and not into their pockets.You can see vision and planning - free health services which includes every tourist landing there being given free medical insurance, free  public school education , no income taxes - there is retail taxes of 7% on all purchases.There is recycling -everywhere you see the 3 bins, paper, glass, plastic. The downtown area is full so they are building huge parking lots in the sea and only foot traffic will be allowed there.
I received a pamphlet  on arrival which on reading i found out that i was entitled to 30 days free health insurance  as a tourist.....really?
JAMAICA WHEN ARE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE GOING TO RISE UP WITH VISION AND FORESIGHT AND TELL EACH RESPECTIVE GOVT ENUFF IS ENUFF!!!!!
And while we are at it have the roads to Bogue Heights been done yet so tourist can go and see where Mr Bolt and Mr Blake are from? Have we lined the streets with vendors selling roast yam yet to tell the people that's what they eat :) and have we organized tours to the training camps yet ? NO we are busy complaining that the athletes were given money and how they dressed when they went to receive same.We are busy chopping off heads and shooting and raping  and those of us who are upset say we are scared  and run off to America never thinking to make a mark in our own country.
THANKS TO YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE MARVIN HALL WHO IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY CONTRIBUTING HIS TIME AND TALENT TO MAKING OUR HOMELAND A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN.