More

Government has $250 million to lend Sweet deal for bee farmers in Hanover Food production important to Guyana's future, says Jagdeo UNWTO to host second annual ministers' summit Administering a healthy dose of J'can hospitality

Dr Pearnel Bell

Dr Pearnel Bell...
Administering a healthy dose of J'can hospitality

Meet Dr Pearnel Bell, a psychologist with a practice on Sunset Boulevard and 30 Jarrett Street in Montego Bay.

Dr Bell and her husband, Leroy, have been involved in the Meet the People (MTP) programme for the last four years.

Being in the Jamaica Tourist Board's MTP programme, she said, has been a rewarding 'ride'. So far, they have entertained persons from Italy, Ireland, North America and as far away as Australia.

cultural difference

Remarking on the diversity of people she meets, she exclaimed that there is even a cultural difference between people from Mississippi and people from New York.

"It's a wonderful programme where we get to meet people from different cultural backgrounds. This rich cultural mix of diverse people is like owning a different part of the world … When visitors are entertained within the programme, they feel like they are getting the real taste of Jamaica, and many have expressed that the encounter was the highlight of their visit," she said.

A mother of two grown children, Jodaine and Todge, Pearnel recounted many memorable moments as an MTP ambassador. Chief among these was when a couple from Ireland who shared her interests, psychology, art, music and poetry were treated to a reading from some of her poems, now in book form.

preparation for future visits

Bell said that she loves people and has never thought to use the word 'hate' when describing anyone. She loves to entertain and compare notes with her guests, as this gives her an insight into others' culture and points of view. She also feels that the shared experience is a preparation for future visits to those other countries overseas, from which the visitors come.

For her, entertaining is not only confined to her Ironshore residence in Montego Bay. She recounts fondly taking a visitor, Anna, an architect, to a popular beachside restaurant to meet with her nephew, also an architect. They had a wonderful time, exchanging gifts, learning the cultural dictates and comparing notes. Today, the two still correspond.

"It's memorable moments like these with each and every guest that make the difference." she said.