No Problem Mon!

Ughhh. Finally home. Now, why is it that in Jamaica there's "No Problem Mon" and as soon as we start to travel home it's just one right after another? Here is the answer quite simply, "Time is money" and in Jamaica there is a whole lot of time and not much money. In the US there is NO time and way too much money. I can't help but see my child thru the window of the shuttle bus. She's there in the market as we pass by.

There is nothing like a trip to a 3rd world country to make you appreciate everything you have and thank God. As our toddler danced on the beach to the tune of a local musician without a care and turned up his nose to the foods he didn't  like on the giant buffet of plenty, I couldn't help but think of the men and women who, daily, served us. They took away plates with food fit to eat that we simply didn't care to for. What they must think of us! All the while they're saying, "No Problem Mon!" and catering to our every WANT.

One woman said, "Here in Jamaica we are trained to say, 'NO PROBLEM', but there are big problems. $230 per month and the rent is $125"

So, why do we feel we have the right to complain? It's just our way. I know that this feeling of guilt will fade and I'll be back to the swing of the greedy and wasteful American life I'm used to living, but let me take pause and think just for a moment what it must be like to be her. Or this man singing such a sweet song to my child. He's dancing. "Ma Mon" he yells and holds up his hand for a fist bump.

"Don't worry about a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right. 
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" 

Rise up this mornin', 
Smiled with the risin' sun, 
Three little birds 
Pitch by my doorstep 
Singin' sweet songs 
Of melodies pure and true, 
Sayin', ("This is my message to you-ou-ou:") 

Singin': "Don't worry 'bout a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right." 
Singin': "Don't worry (don't worry) 'bout a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!" 

Rise up this mornin', 
Smiled with the risin' sun, 
Three little birds 
Pitch by my doorstep 
Singin' sweet songs 
Of melodies pure and true, 
Sayin', "This is my message to you-ou-ou:" 

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh! 
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!" 
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing" - I won't worry! 
"'Cause every little thing gonna be all right." 

Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right" - I won't worry! 
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right." 
Singin': "Don't worry about a thing, oh no! 
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right!


-Bob Marley