Shopping Jamaica: Must-Have Souvenirs

Souvenirs

Enlarge Photo

Photo by: Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

I consider myself to be quite the black belt shopper, and my journeys around the Caribbean have presented plenty of opportunities to flex my retail muscles. I’ve snagged a pair of red cowboy boots in Cancun airport, a vibrant wood from a studio in the shadow of St. Lucia’s Pitons, and I’ve even been known to leave Montego Bay with a pound of Scotchie’s fiery jerk pork in my carryon.

But my recent Jamaican haul was one for the record books. I schlepped back two pounds of Blue Mountain coffee beans, a liter of Appleton VX rum, packs of dried pepper shrimp, a citrus candle from the venerable resort Jamaica Inn, and two water bottles from Couples Tower Isle (where they encourage guests to use them during their stay and then take them home).

But my prized finds were the hand-painted bowl by Kingstonian ceramicist Margaret McGhie and a couple of striking clay masks by one of the island’s master potters, Gene Pearson. Pearson’s work has been featured on a set of local postage stamps and can be found in the collections of Stevie Wonder and Arnold Schwarzenegger. (We chatted with him at his studio last month and the story runs in our October issue, so keep an eye on the newsstand.)

What’s the last vacation memento you bought? Tell me all about your best Caribbean souvenirs – I’ll give extra credit for photos – and share your favorite destinations and stores for stuff worth bringing back.

Tags: caribbean shopping