15 Hilarious Images From President Obama’s Visit to Jamaica
Last Wednesday President Obama made a historic visit to Jamaica. He’s the second US President (after Reagan) to visit the nation in an official capacity. In the days leading up to his arrival, social media was awash with stories of hurried improvements to the areas that he would be visiting. Street vendors were displaced, damaged roads received fresh coats of asphalt, and various parts of Kingston were treated to a facelift in anticipation of the big man’s arrival.
Many of us Jamaicans questioned why we were undeserving of such respect. I joked that I hoped he would visit my neighbourhood next time so that we can get some long overdue repairs to our roads. During his trip, President Obama remarked that he’d like to return with his family. I assume that he’ll want to visit the tourist capital, Montego Bay, on his next visit. So those of us from the second city can only hope that we will get some new roads at that time.
There’s a Jamaican expression that says, Tek kin teet kibba hart bun. That translates to Use laughter to cover a heart burn. When you’re in a bad situation, you can laugh away the pain, or at least use laughter to mask it for a while. Jamaica is facing serious problems right now. Our debt load stands at 140% of our GDP. We essentially belong to the IMF, and that does not bode well for our future. Our politics remains tribal and divisive. Our head of state has repeatedly failed to articulate a vision for the country’s improvement. Over the past decade we have consistently had one of the highest murder rates in the world, usually in the top 5, as far as I can recall. Corruption rates are high, and no one trusts the police.
But in the midst of all this, we still find time to laugh. I laughed heartily at many of the images circulating on social media surrounding President Obama’s visit. Here are my favourites:
1. An ode to the miraculous pace at which roads were fixed so the President would not drive over any potholes.
2. We thought Kingston would turn into Dubai by the time preparations were done.
3. Street vendors had to be removed to give the appearance of a clean and orderly city.
4. Once on the Rock, Pres Obama opted to do a portion of his travels by helicopter, thus negating the need to spend at least some of the 100 million that was reportedly used for the cleanup.
5. And in exchange for our hospitality, could you grant some more visas?
6. Jamaicans need to drive on all these new roads now, lest they vanish just as quickly as they appeared.
7. A nod to Dudus, one of Jamaica’s most notorious druglords. He lived in Tivioli, and was affectionately called ‘Presi’, short for President.
8. I think this is the sort of request Joe Biden would have made, not Clinton.
9. A tongue-in-cheek reference to our Prime Minister’s inability to rehabilitate our ailing healthcare system.
10. Michelle would NEVER let this happen. I’m sure she knows to never let another woman cook stew peas for her husband.
11. But it’s still funny to think about. 
12. If you think our Prime Minister would NOT be beside POTUS in the pics, then you don’t know our Prime Minister.
13. RastaBama. We can’t seem to escape those stereotypes, eh?
14. The requisite attempt at speaking patois. He’s at least a notch above Cool Runnings.
15. When Barack met Bolt. I love that doing the to di werl’ pose was POTUS’ idea.
Bonus: A picture perfect farewell.
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