My earliest memories of life in Jamaica are wrapped in the warmth of my parents, and their friends by extension. I remember hiking Blue Mountain with my father and his photography club, and walking the Palisadoes Strip with my parents and their close group of friends. I fondly look back at pictures of vacations with my parents in Ocho Rios and relive the feeling of waking up at sunrise to walk down to the beach, the smell of sand and sea awakening my senses.

Moments like these are those you cherish as an expat of an island. The feeling of true relaxation is harder to come by in faster pace widespread cities like Toronto. There's a certain willingness to leave all your problems behind for a moment when you're in a space that is atmospherically built for relaxation. The Jamaican predilection for leisure may be tied to our physical closeness to each other and proximity to the island's natural wonders.

Outdoor events are a big part of Jamaican culture, from beach parties to stage shows and corporate events to patio brunches. 

But it's not all beach days and raft rides on the river. We make memories and build bonds often without occasion, the only ingredient necessary is our friends. That is the essence of par!