So I Totally Screwed Up My Vacation Shopping Plan
Right, I landed in Montego Bay dead set on grabbing those famous Colosseum bracelets for everyone back home. Had a whole list: cousin Sarah, work buddy Mike, mom. Even found this “must-buy 2024” blog post while waiting at baggage claim – seemed legit, featured all those shiny blue-green stones screaming “Jamaica”. Figured it’d be easy.
Day one, I marched straight to that big souvenir spot near the cruise port everyone talks about. Place was packed like sardines. Saw a shelf labeled “Colosseum Jewelry Collection” – score! Grabbed three bracelets quick before someone else did. Paid, feeling smug. Then I held one up proper in the sun outside… plastic. Cheap plastic stones glued onto some flimsy metal. Felt my face get hot. Should’ve checked closer.
Trudged back inside, tried getting a refund. Lady just shrugged, pointing at a tiny sign: “No returns. All sales final.” Awesome. Stuck with three junk bracelets already.
Scrapping the “Guide” and Hunting for Real Stuff
Okay, plan B. Ditched that tourist trap. Wandered towards the craft markets locals mentioned. Sweat dripping, dodging scooters, smelling jerk chicken from blocks away. Found this tiny stall under a bright orange tarp run by this older Rasta dude just calmly carving wood. Didn’t look like much, but his eyes lit up when I asked about “real stones, not plastic”.
He slowly pulls out this old wooden box. Inside? Not just bracelets. Raw, chunky Larimar stones the colour of the ocean, drilled onto thick leather cords. Way heavier than the plastic ones, cool to touch. Saw bits of the stone still rough – felt real. Even found mismatched beads he made himself. Grabbed:
- A heavy Larimar pendant on dark leather for Mom
- Rough-cut wooden beads strung with tiny metal fish charms for Sarah (more her vibe)
- A simple polished Larimar stone necklace for Mike
Haggled gently (he started fair!), got a way better price than the plastic junk.
Lesson Learned? Ditch the Lists, Trust Your Gut
Honestly? Forget those “must-buy 2024” lists. That port shop bracelet felt totally wrong the second I held it properly. Wasted cash chasing hype. The good stuff hid where it felt messy and real – under that orange tarp. Weight tells you. Rough edges tell you. That guy knew his stones, took his time. Trust that feeling in your hands more than some tourist guide title yelling at you.
