Under Where?

For this post, my first since returning from my first trip to the states, I give you important advice concerning your underwear. This applies mostly to females, but males could learn a thing or two as well. When deciding how many pairs of underwear to pack for your PCJ experience you should go for as many as possible. In fact, bring some good pairs still in packages, you'll enjoy their newness months from now. In Jamaica, panties are a serious issue, one which people didn't inform us on when we arrived, but left us out to dry. NEVER wash your underwear in the washing machine. Jamaicans find this repulsive, and will scrub their washers with clorox for days after you do it. Underwear are always hand washed, preferably in the bathroom in the sink, daily. Perhaps you are thinking, why? There is a belief, especially among older people, that if you don't wash out your underwear daily you are filthy, akin to skanky. Back in the day women only had a few pairs so they washed them every evening, hence the idea that if you they don't see you hanging out your drawers every night, you are wearing dirty underwear, considered disgusting. Next in your packing you want to consider the effect of all this handwashing on your underpants. They wear out pretty quickly, especially the pretty silky ones. I recommend cotton underwear for daily use, it lasts longer and can withstand schoolchildren trauma, such as spilled bag juice that seeps thorough your skirt onto your panties, leaving a purple grape stain that must be scrubbed. Next consider what your laundry will look like to your neighbors, who will definitely nose their way into every bit of your business. I have a system for hanging laundry where all my underwear are hung under the tree end of my clothesline, which covers them slightly from prying eyes, except from the lady behind me. So remember how many people will be looking at your underwear as you buy them. Finally we come to the quality of Jamaican products yet again. If you are forced to buy underwear, bras, or anything of that nature in Jamaica, it will not last long, if at all. I find that these items tend to disintigrate upon contact with laundry soap and can only be counted on for 5 wearings. Thats why they only cost J$50 (less than US$1.00). This brings back the idea of bringing unopened bags of underwear, so that you can open them 6 months in and have a panty party.