Ashley's blog updates!

[Batty_gyal]

Sounds good!

And thanks Eco!

[Batty_gyal]

Sounds good!

And thanks Eco!

[Batty_gyal]

Well update time...... the shop is open and slowly picking up. I am loving life. It feels like it was a lifetime ago that I even lived in Canada and had the life I had before. So much has changed and so much doesn't matter anymore...and I guess going with that, I've changed. Let me first say every single day I realize how different life is here than I expected. Its starting to feel normal...and maybe that changes alot of my perspective. Jamaica is such a normal country...it really is...once you get used to a few cultural differences, and that its island life...it doesn't feel strange at all.

We've got to know all the business owners on our street...and it kinda feels like a family. We all support and promote each other and often spend hours hanging out in each others shops after hours. I've gotten to know their families and employees and often employee's families. It's opened a gateway for us to get to know alot of the people in Ochi behind the tourism scene. It's nice. I've made some good girlfriends...actually am going to go down soon to Clarendon with a girlfriend of mine here to spend a few days with her family. A mini vacation with just us girls. It will be neat to see that side of the island.

Once you get to see the world behind the clubs, music and party scene, dancers, street hustlers and tourism....you see the real Jamaica that so many people miss...and its a country I'm loving to live in. You find so many good folks who want nothing from you...and you soon learn while Jamaica has alot of poverty....its not as poor as people expect. I mean it is...and it isn't. People have a different way of life and when you take out big house mortgages and fancy brand name clothes and all the crap we think we need that we waste money on...you can get by and have a good life just fine. There is alot of poor people...but many rich to.I guess Tinks is the only person whose really explained it proper...you know what I'm getting at girl. Its a different country...and island life cannot be compared to say life in Canada.

Lately its been alot of fun. Our friends have been hanging at the shop after hours...and we've had mini soca and dancehall parties..or just chilling and singing. If you pass a shop and hear a choir of voices singing a old reggae tune very offkey...its probably us LOL!! Its been good to have good friends and some fun...taken some of the stress off of getting this shop up and going. No easy feat. People who think starting businesses in Jamaica is easy. ...LOL myself included before I actually did it....they are in for a big shock...just like I was. Its hard...and this country has more red tape than abroad. Its not just a ..do it as you wish because its Jamaica and anything goes type of deal.I am finally content. I have my shop which is still struggling to take off...but progress everyday. We have regulars now and see progress everyday. It should continue to do very well.

I have my family...my good friends I've made since the move..some solid real people with lives beyond the club...and I've settled. I cannot express the relief I have to reach this stage. It's been a hard little journey...but so rewarding at the end. So today...I can proudly say I'm a business owner...a happy wife and mother...and a settled member of the community here. Its been hard work, plenty of arguments with my husband, plenty of stress dealing with red tape...to much money...but we did it and I'm proud.

[ECO]

Congrats on everything coming together for you folks.

Do the cruise ships really bring a big surge of business?

[damswell]

Good to hear things seem to be working out for you. Jamaica is a complex country that one cannot fully understand in a few months.
Nice to hear your updates but the little subtle digs are unnecessary. Just do your thing and no need to justify so much your being there and doing what your doing.

[Batty_gyal]

Niina...sometimes you need to stop trying to read between the lines. For once...there is nothing there and long time now I've left the bullshit behind me. You have your life...I have mine. I don't know you...you don't know me. I have some great real life friends on here...and because of them I still come on this forum. I don't write things for you...or your crew. We have nothing to do with each other..and have our own lives.

Many people outside you have thought about making a life here...or starting a business. My blog updates are my blog...my experiences and feelings.

I've put up with this pure foolishness for to long. So I'm asking you as a grown women to stop trying to stir the pot. I have no tolerance anymore...I have the people I care about on facebook...if this is going to bring up pure stupid fuckery again...I will relocate to facebook and stop updating on this forum. It would be nice however if you'd respect the peaceful atmosphere Eco and others have worked hard to maintain.

Niina...stop please ok. No subtle digs...merely my feelings as a young person making a big change. This is not a competition....you can have your life in Jamaica and your views on Jamaica...and I will have mine. If you disagree...or have problems with it then the simple solution is to stop reading MY updates and focus on a new hobby. A better solution is stop thinking everything I do must have some subtle dig at you.

Again...these are my experiences...my views...my advice to those thinking of making a life and a business here based on MY VIEWS...MY EXPERIENCES.....and yes I am aware you and yours have plans here....but can I say anything without it having to be directed at you.

Its time for a big all around grow up session....no disrespect Niina but I think we both know that this bullshit has gone on far to long..especially since what do you have against me...other than Kristi being your friend. We don't even know each other. So please girl...if you read my updates and have nice things to say...then cool...contribute to the thread. But if your looking for drama...stay away because Jamaica is big enough for everyone...and I have my life....you have yours and I have no desire to know your life or be your friend...so therefore other than the time I'm wasting writing this post...I have no time to waste worrying about you guys and your lives. I have a little one to raise...a business to run and a husband to spend time with...online and people I don't know..rate pretty low these days on my priority list. The real friends off these forums can be kept in touch with other ways!

So lets reestablish a level of respect shall we. You stop reading between the lines.....I'm not writing digs to you. And we all co-exist peacefully because honestly when you all do move here...we need to move in our own circles and have our own lives. I highly doubt any of us want drama hanging in the air. Or tension if we end up at the same place or pass in the street...or discover we have a mutual friend. So best solution...lets stop this pure foolishness now once and for all. We don't have to like each other...know each other...or be friends...frankly I don't want to be...but lets be respectful adults to each other. I wish you well in your life...but please leave mine alone.

So peace alright....if you want to hate me in private or backchat me in private....have at it...but no more drama in the forums...or real life alright.

[Batty_gyal]

And in response to Eco...the cruise ships don't bring much business to Ochi these days. Most our business is local. Alot of school kids, and families and pretty much everyone actually LOL...the tourists probably make up about twenty five percent of our profit. As for other shops...tourists they depend on and its getting harder for them as the big plaza's pay the cruise ships to scare people into only shopping at duty free....so most shops have noticed a big change. Tourists clutch their purses and half run to the duty free plaza's....not a good time in this area!

[ECO]

I'm glad you explained that. I always assumed the locals stayed in the real Ochi and left the tourist area with their high prices to the people on the boats. I'm not saying the locals don't have money, just that anyone that knows they can pay 1/3 of the tourist price by walking a few blocks would do so. I guess since you are selling something that others don't offer everyone has to walk to your shop......lol keeping Jamaica in shape.

[Batty_gyal]

Well we also offer good prices that local's can afford....I deal in honest business...so people are willing to walk to us!

[Batty_gyal]

Ummm Eco....I guess my blog updates cause drama. Apparently alot if people think that I'm so petty as to write them to make subtle digs at Kristi, Damswell and their friend group. This is not the case...but apparently me writing them cannot be handled in an adult manner...and for the informative purpose they were intended. As such....unless this can be moved to a private area....I will not be updating anymore. I cannot be bother with useless drama..and have fed into it to long...I will not deal with it anymore...not even one bit of it. I would like to update you and a few others..but privately if it can be moved. Otherwise I will just update you on facebook!

Thanks