MONTEGO BAY, St James — While work is of paramount importance for the 25 performers at the Suarez Brothers Circus, which has been entertaining thousands of patrons across Jamaica since August, enjoying the island’s beauty, hospitality, attractions, food and culture is also high on their agenda.

“I waited for three years to be in Jamaica and I am excited. I always wanted to come here because I know that my country and Jamaica have several things in common, and I just wanted to get to know what it’s like here,” said Tersit Asefa, an Ethiopia native who has been performing at the Suarez Brothers Circus for almost three years.

“I like the patois, I like the jerk chicken, which is a bit spicy, but it’s good. I am really in love with the country,” the 25-year-old juggler told the Jamaica Observer after her performance on Wednesday night at the Dump Up Beach in the resort city of Montego Bay.

Asefa, who is in the island for the first time, has already visited some tourist attractions, including the Bob Marley Museum and Dunn’s River Falls. She also plans to visit several other places of interest before the circus leaves Jamaica at the end of the year.

During her performance on Wednesday night, Asefa, who started as a gymnast before becoming a juggler, said “it takes a lot of concentration and patience, but I love my job, and I love Jamaica”, adding that she plans to vacation on the island with friends soon.

Magician Ricardo Roca, who goes by the moniker ‘Rick Magic,’ has been a part of the Saurez Brothers Circus for more than a year.

He too is performing in Jamaica for the first time and loving it.

“So far it has been great. I have been in Ocho Rios, Kingston and now in Montego Bay. I love the people, I love the beaches… everything in Jamaica. Jamaica is a great vacation spot; the people are very kind, they say ‘hi’ … they give you a warm welcome, it’s really wonderful to be here,” said the highly rated magician.

He added: Jamaica is very tropical, the food is good, especially the jerk chicken and jerk pork.”

The 34-year-old magician, who is travelling with his wife and four year-old-son, said he has been plying his trade for almost two decades, noting that his forefathers and father were magicians.

He said he plans to vacation in the island sometime next year, adding that he has already made a lot of friends in Kingston and Ocho Rios.

Administrator at the circus, Ivan Suarez, who is in Jamaica for the fifth time with the Suarez Brothers Circus, explained that apart from rehearsing and performing, members of the circus also find time to visit attractions and get to know the people of the respective countries where the shows are held.

Jamaica, he stressed, is no exception.

“They have a time for practice during the day, then they have a rest time, and then there is a free time where they go to know the cities, the people, enjoy the beach, go to the disco at nights … and all that sort of thing,” said Suarez.

The Suarez Brothers Circus started in Ocho Rios in August, then moved to Kingston, before stopping in Montego Bay earlier this month.

According to Suarez, the circus will have its last performance in Montego Bay on October 23, before moving to Lucea, Negril, Santa Cruz, and Portmore.

So far, he said, the response to the performances is excellent.

“The response has been very good. We have had a successful season in Kingston, the same happened in Ocho Rios, and the same is happening in Montego Bay, because it is a really, really, good show,” Suarez argued.

The circus will leave Jamaica in December for Trinidad & Tobago, then on to Panama and Mexico.