Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

[BND1999]

Christmas morning, and we are waiting in Treasure Beach for Soloman to come.. Dan is really excited now.. He wants to see a familiar face.. and get to some old friends in Negril. I am more than ready...packed the night before.. and I Head to the beach, soaking in the sights, smell, and solitude. I am a bit reluctant to go to Negril.

Dan comes and gets me.. "Sala is here!"
I am surprised and thrilled to see that Sienna is with him. We all know how busy and tired she usually is.. and I never truly expected to see her.. I feel graced. She has had two days off!!!
We exchange hugs, and she and I immediately take off to see the beach and sit on the towel and chat like two old school girls.. We talk of life for both of us, the board , its members, .. she gets the shade of the tree while I let the sun take me in her arms.. caressing me.

Dan and Bruce are ready.. they want to mosey on.. just in time as the wave comes up and over my towel. I am happy to move on, yet sad to leave TB.. and this new found treasure.. a place that feels so peaceful, so comforting. How will I feel to be back in Negril? no choice.. We promised Dan to go.. and it's time.

The ride is lovely..though I take in less than normal as Sienna and I talk non-stop. I keep wondering if Bruce, Sala and Dan feel left out , or just wish us to be quiet for a little while, but we are both talkers [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Back to the border again and the bammy ladies.. Dan and I are not anxious to get out as last year we felt suffocated by 42 trays of fish in our face.. but the rest go.. Sala notes that Bruce is total roots.. he waltzes in, totally comfortable, talking to all the vendors and buying up fish and bammy. He bought enough to bring to Negril.

Mosey on again.. past belmont, Sav, sheffield.. you know the drill.I will not bore you all. we land at our place in Negril.. Beach club Condos. At first look we hesitate because from the parking lot it looks weird.. but once inside we see we have a really nice space.. very open with not one but two verandas, ground floor to the beach..

I dont think we were there 8 seconds and I notice Dan is gone.. up the beach to find old friends and to make calls on our new digicell.. We are all smiling .. happy.. but I am overwhelmed by hotels.. people.. tourists..

I know Negril is a favorite of so many.. and I understand why.. it's a place we have many friends.. its familiar .. and I love the expansiveness of the beach.. but it also is not a place I could stay endlessly.. I start to feel crowded the first day.. too many people.. too much of the in your face stuff.. not the same serenity that I left behind..but so many options too.. A real mixed bag..

Suffice it to say when in Negril. its meeting friends.. some old.. some new.. eating. sleeping , sunning..

I did meet two internet aqaintances, one from this board -hitmiwitmusik (laurie) and a gal who turned me on to our drummer friends. Jagypsy (Francesca).. I also walked down the beach and found Queenb's Alberto... He hugged me up good once I mentioned her name.. swirling me round and round.. I think he's crazy for her!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]



Our friend Prento who we buy Nyabingi drums from

Dan soon meets up with his friend from home.. who is also into the rasta way of life.. and they hook up with some rasta freinds and find their own adventures into the hills above Negril and to Cascade.. as dan says 4 route cabs away..

Funny thing my very best day out with Soloman.. I felt bad Dan was not with us.. but it simultaneously turned out to be one of his very best days out in the bush as well.. karma..



NOW ON TO THE DAY WITH SOLOMAN..

[BND1999]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

I am getting restless in Negril.. Dan has journeyed with new rasta friends and has gone on one outing with Soloman back to Little Bay.. Bruce and I chat what to do..

I have this great plastic map of JA that I use a permanent marker on to circle places when people talk.. Jerusalem Mountain outside Negril is circled... I show it to Soloman and I think he looks at me funny.. He's never taken anyone there..

Bruce asks if we can hug the coast on the way.. sure no problem.. Halfmoon beach, green island.. and now Sala stops to ask directions as we turn inland.. new territory.. my heart starts to skip.. I love new ground... As we go further and further inland I feel excited.. like maybe we will get lost.. and that for certain I am far away now from the tourists and the bustle of Negril. I feel truly happy..

As we get to each turn I look.. since this is new for Sala too.. we are not quite sure which roads to take.. I peer to make sure our choice of roads heads deeper... we stop a few times.. take some photos.. I can see water in the distance still. I love the roads.. the houses dotted in the greenery..







tin roofs as we go deeper



Bruce and Sala relax while I go nuts with my barefeet and camera

HEY>> got to take a short break.. will write the rest later.. so come back.... lots more photos.and stories about this day...or go read my part 1 on TB.. soon come [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Nanook]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

clap clap!

Nina, what can I say? W A N T M O R E !!!!

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[queenb]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

**kin teet** [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[mountaingal]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Nina, I can't TELL you how much those pictures are making me homesick. Sitting here crying my eyes out...i gotta do something about this, my god... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[Guest]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Now that's what I'm talking about !! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

This is the Jamaica that I love ! Keep the pictures from the bush coming !!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[wildting]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Originally posted by Jamaica dreamin:
[qb]Now that's what I'm talking about !! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

This is the Jamaica that I love ! Keep the pictures from the bush coming !!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [/qb]

I feel the same way!

[ohliz]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Great so far. I get antsy in Negril after a few days, need to get out and do something, preferably something new...I totally understand.

[BND1999]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Ok..now let me tell you at this point in the day I am so happy.. Sala keeps looking at me grinning ear to ear.. I kept telling him "this is why I come to Jamaica" I think he's delighted but surprised.. No one asks him to drive them into the bush... but I am urging him at each and every turn.. I love this, I love that, look at that tiny road to the side.. I am so happy.. so glad to be out of Negril...this is feeling so good..

Soloman begins to tell us that he has some family in this area that he has not seen in years and years.. family that has never left.. both on his grandmothers and grandfathers side.. he looks intrigued too.. He almost looks as happy as us.. in fact I think he is just as happy.. we are just three happy campers!!!

Off we go, looking at the incredible views as we climb and down small roads.. he stops to ask a few people some questions.. and finally he makes a turn onto a secondary road... Now I am getting goose bumps.. I keep telling him and Bruce how happy I am.. that this is such a fine moment.. I want it to last forever..

we meet this young guy and he leads us to park our car at his house.. he and sala seem somewhat familiar.. I still can't remember if they actually had met before or that Sala said he had family from here.. I see a road ahead.. love the people walking by.. a woman with a basket.. there is a road through the cane fields.. I am jumping out of the car.. stop!! I need to get out.. need to go that way.. I tell Bruce and Sala I am off to take a few photos.. I am propelled in that direction







cane road draws me in



sugar cane

[BND1999]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Hesitantly, I go back to see what Sala and Bruce are up to.. I tell them I need to stay .. need to walk in further.. they are both totally game and this young fellow agrees to lead us.. he has gardens way back in the bush and he tells us there is a natural spring..

We all start walking down the road.. I am always a few steps behind with the camera.. sighing with exultation.. literally.. The sun is beating down on me.. my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.. This is my best day in Jamaica ever!! I am so happy to be here.. no cars, no other people but us.. green everywhere so dense.. WOW!!!!

G2.. I think of you as Sala shows us each and every plant, tree, herb.. he knows them all.. I see every and anything I ever wondered about.. and some I never heard of.. Its incredible what is growing back here.. you could live forever..

My body is still tingling with the energy I am feeling flowing through me.. I swear I never felt more alive, more happy, more at peace.. I am holding on to each second so intensely... we walk and walk see a man carrying water.. the spring must be near



our guide.. here I am finally!!



man with water.. I love this photo

Hey is anyone reading with me? lol

[breggae]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Thanks for the great report and pictures! This is definitely a great "hold me over" until February!! Keep it coming! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[queenb]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Right here with you, Nina and enjoying every word! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Kantinue.

[BND1999]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

We continue our walk and we veer off onto tiny dirt paths.. I am just euphoric.. we see the spring.. everyone goes to get a drink.. I give bruce the camera and set off to splash myself and drink.. the water is so fresh..



We do not go any further down the road.. but are looking at all the vegetation.. Sala still rattling off the names.. the fellow tells us he will show us his gardens..

We see a rasta man hard at work.. unearting rocks for his garden.. there is so much work to do.. unbelievable how the steepest grade gets planted..

down and through tall brush.. vegetation.. the earth even in this intense heat is moist.. some places muddy.. again.. all I can think is if I died now.. I am so happy... We are at his gardens.. all kinds of things.. vegetables and the like.. as you would imagine..





handing us a cucumber

after another half hour.. its time to say our goodbyes.. go find the car and continue up and over the mountain.... I am so fulfilled..I dont; really want to move on but the day needs to continue

Soloman heads down a road and says I have family here.. really?? he goes a little further and see this older lady on the side.. He says she I beleive is my grandmothers sister.. or is it great grandmothers sister.. he stops the car and she looks at us strangely.. he walks up to her to tell her the connection.. Oh my gosh how she grabs him.. smiles so intensely.. for an old lady she moves quickly.. they both look so happy.. its been years and years and years





they exchange information.. we slip her a few J.. man what a thing to witness.. him connecting with family like that in the middle of no where..

he proceeds to tell us he has more family up in these hills.. and we continue.. about 5 miles maybe along. maybe more he passes another house.. this his says is where his great grandfathers sisters live...are you kidding??

He stops.. pops out to explain and sure enough he is in the arms of another great aunt!!! could you believe this??



ok I am taking a break till I get some readers.. hahahah [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[BND1999]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Ok good queenb.. your with me.. I didnt' see you read my first thread so I wasn't sure you were on board this weekend

need my cronies.. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[breggae]

Re: Best Day Ever With Soloman..and Negril

Nina, I'm right here too......KEEP IT COMING!! MORE, MORE, MORE, PLEASE! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]