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Thursday, February 7, 2013

Bob Marley's Birthday




As you may know Nesta Robert Marley, known to many as "Bob Marley," was born February 6, 1945, passed away on May 11, 1981.  His birthday was Yesterday.  People of all nationalities, color and creed celebrate his birthday as he was a multicultural entertainer.

In July of 1977, Bob Marley was diagnosed with some type of malignant melanoma under the nail of one of his toes.  It is said that this lesion was caused by an injury during a football match, however that is said to be an urban legend and in actuality was a symptom of his already existing cancer.

Even through his deteriorating health, Bob Marley continued to perform and held his final concert on September 23, 1980, at the Stanley Theater (Now called The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts), in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Shortly after, Bob Marley's health condition deteriorated even more and he became quite ill.  The cancer had spread throughout his body and the rest of the tour was cancelled.

While flying home from Germany to Jamaica, Bob Marley's vital functions deteriorated and after landing in Miami, Florida, he was taken to Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, now the University of Miami Hospital, where he died on May 11, 1981.


L-R: Brent Murphy, General Manager for ITC, Regional Distributors for Land Rover; Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer for Sandals Resorts International and ATL Automotive; Mauro Frateschi, JLR Sales and Marketing Manager, Latin America and Caribbean for ITC; and Steve Rapley, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for ITC

SANDALS RESORTS CELEBRATES BOB MARLEY’S BIRTHDAY WITH RENOVATION OF REGGAE LEGEND’S RIDE
~ Music Legend’s Famous Land Rover Receives Refurbishment ~



"In honor of legendary musician Bob Marley’s birthday, February 6, 2013, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) is proud to announce its involvement in renovating Marley’s famous Land Rover, one of the world’s most iconic vehicles. Formally stationed at Marley’s home-turned-museum, the broken-down 1877 Series III Land Rover Defender has been handed over to ATL Automotive in Montego Bay,Sandals Resorts’ Jamaica-based sister company. Expert Land Rover Master Technicians at ATL Automotive are fully restoring the vehicle to perfectly match its original condition.

“It is a tremendous honor to help return such an extraordinary automobile to its former glory. This project has been a long time in the planning and we can’t wait to play our part in history,” said Adam Stewart, Chief Executive Officer for Sandals Resorts International and ATL Automotive. “There are few people in the world who Bob Marley hasn’t inspired through his music at some point, so it is only right that we ensure his legacy continues to inspire for many years to come.”

Marley was regularly seen driving his Land Rover around the streets of Kingston, the city that inspired such hits as ‘No Woman, No Cry’, ‘Three Little Birds’ and ‘I Shot the Sheriff’. This celebrated Land Rover was used to transport Marley’s famous band, The Wailers, and their equipment to gigs throughout Jamaica.

Once the renovation project is completed, the famed Land Rover will return to the public eye at The Bob Marley Museum, Kingston in Jamaica.  A time-lapse preview video of the restoration project can be seen on Sandals Resorts' YouTube page."  Sandals Resorts Youtube Restoration Video 

-Sandals

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Volkswagen's "Get In Get Happy" 2013 Super Bowl Commercial



Have you had an opportunity to see the Volkswagen "Get In Get Happy" 2013 Super Bowl  Commercial?  If you haven't take a look:

Volkswagen's "Get In Get Happy" 2013 Super Bowl Commercial

My thoughts..... initially I just smiled, rolled my eyes and shook my head..... thinking..... eehhhhh silly. Then I heard about all of the comments about it being racist.  I didn't agree with it so again....another rolling of the eyes and a shaking of my head.  I was just thinking..... "Geee folks....stop being overly sensitive!"  This however is coming from someone with mixed heritage.

This week I was watching the Wendy Williams Show and she asked the audience if there was anyone Jamaican and I believe there were 2 people.  She then asked them specifically to clap if they thought the commercial was racist.  There was total silence.  She then asked the entire audience to clap if anyone thought it was racist and again total silence.

Then Wendy said something that SPARKED some thought...... she said that she, as a black woman, didn't like when blacks were imitated by non blacks and that would seem racist to her.  You know what.......I have to agree with that.  I think MOST of the time that I've seen the black portrayals done it has been a low income, very  uneducated, ghetto portrayal of blacks and this is why this has been an issue.  NOW, let me speak about my caucasian side as well.  Most of the time that I've seen a non caucasian try and portray a white person, it usually goes into a low income, trailer park environment, where there is brothers and sisters or cousins having relations with each other.  So who do we blame for this racial nonsense?  Ourselves!!!!  We are putting this into the universe so we can only blame ourselves.

So back to the "Get in Get Happy" Super Bowl commercial.  I don't see any portrayal of a social class of any sort, so this to me, is pure entertainment for anyone/everyone to enjoy!  Additionally, since the commercial has surfaced, the Jamaican Tourist Board has endorsed the commercial and they have indicated:

"Jamaica Tourist Board Officials View VW’s Commercial As A Compliment To The Destination The UN Ranks As Having The World's Happiest People" 

I have to agree wholeheartedly!  

Today I came across a spoof video of the VW Super Bowl Ad, in which a fellow Jamaican, which I met recently, is portraying a Jamaican German.... or as indicated a Germaican.  LOL!  Take a look at the video: 



So COME ON PEOPLE...... let's "COME ON GET HAPPY!"  

Enjoy!  

If you have any question, please feel free to contact us:

Marr Travel
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