Jamaica...My Heart...Trip Report

[cinnni]

PART 1

Sunday April 11th, 2004

We leave Easter Sunday for Chicago from Michigan at 5:30pm. We live 5 hrs from there but it was $200 cheaper to fly from there than it was out of Detroit. Also, one of my friends that is going along just moved back home but still has her apartment until the end of the month. We will be staying there for the night. I can’t believe it. Finally, Jamaica “soon come”!

Monday April 12th, 2004

We are up by 5:00am to get ready to leave. We pack up the car and finally we are on our way!!! Arrive at the airport right on time. The flight even leaves 10 minutes early! Fabulous! All the sooner for us to get there! We arrive in Mobay (had to go thru the tunnel thing) only to find out they have taken the Digicel kiosk out of the airport so there is no place to buy phone minutes. Now I can’t call Junior’s driver to tell him we are here. I asked the airport personnel to call him for us and they said they couldn’t because it was a cell phone number. I asked for a pay phone and no one could direct us to one. They said there just wasn’t one. Now I feel terrible because I don't even know for sure if he came or not. If the driver was there, I had no way of knowing so we head out the door and find ourselves a different driver.

Mr. Chin is now our driver and he does a good job with only one near miss on the way to Ochi. The girls and I are in awe. We are finally in Jamaica! We arrived safely and checked in. I have to tell you.

We totally and utterly loved our apartment!!! It is sooo wonderful with a full-sized kitchen, dining area, and living room downstairs. Two balconies! One balcony overlooking the pool from the dining room area and another balcony overlooking the sea from the living room area! Upstairs are the 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. One of the bathrooms is in the room with the queen-sized bed and a window that opens to look over the pool. The other bedroom has 2 twin beds with a very small balcony. Also, there is a loft (very scary steep flight of stairs up to it) with a twin bed. So, after looking the place over we venture off to the grocery store to get the alcohol. We decided to stay in tonight and rest up for our adventures.

It was Easter Monday when we arrived so not a whole lot was open and there was a lot of partying going on. We got what we needed and headed back to our apartment. I still cannot believe I am finally here again. Sitting on the balcony overlooking the sea. I feel like crying from the sheer joy of it. Just because I am finally here!

After a while we decide to unpack our clothes and make this place homier. We made macaroni and cheese for dinner (yes, we are odd and we ate this a lot). We just talked a lot and sat in amazement that we were finally here. It seemed like it took forever for this day to come!

This would be our earliest night. We actually turned in before 3am.

Tuesday April 13th, 2004

We woke up bright and early ready for whatever the day brings. A first thing first as the beach is calling our names! We all put our bathing suits on and are getting our stuff together then find our one friend putting baby oil on. Of course, I immediately freaked out. Shaza is thinking because she is a brown girl (Pakistani) she will not burn. Now mind you as this girl’s skin rarely sees the light of day.

She is here to “find herself” and have some fun. Now you wonder how old she is. She is turning 30 in June and for the most part of her life has followed most of what she is “supposed” to do and not what she wants to do. In terms of most things she is naïve (need to say here she is a quick learner) obviously even in the sunning department. I asked her if she intended to get sun poisoning or if she just enjoys pain or what?

After Jessi and Amy confirm the absurdity of wearing baby oil in the hot Jamaican sun when you have NO color other that the little you were born with, we make her wash it off with soap and water and put SPF 35 on.

Ok, now we are ready. We headed out the back gate to walk down to the beach. Now at Fisherman’s Point, you have to go out and walk along the sidewalk to get to the entrance of the beach. It’s not like you can just walk out your door and you are there. But we were fine with that. Some man decides it is his job to walk us to the beach even though we tell him we are all set. Well, if he wants to walk I suppose that’s his business but we did tell him no thanks. He wanted to get us chairs for “Free” but gain, “No thanks. We are all set.” Whatever. We get into the beach and take “our spot”. That is where we always end up laying when we go.

While we are lying there a man walks by and wants to know if we want to do any water sports. After assuring him we are all set, (our favorite phrase for the week), he chats for a few minutes with us. He is talking about us laying out here tanning and gives us numbers in terms of skin color. Jessi is a “one” (fair skinned with strawberry blonde hair), Shaza is a “two” (brown girl with brown hair), I am “three” (golden skin with well, blonde, brown and slightly white-streaked hair remember I said I goofed with my highlighting before I left) and then there was Amy a “four” (dark tanned skin and blonde hair). He was a “five” he said. Shaza was not thrilled to only be a “two” when she is supposed to be a brown girl and here are these two normally very white girls with a better number than her DWL! We of course find it terribly funny. Actually, we ended up finding pretty much every single thing pretty funny the entire trip.

After we’re done frying our skin for a while we headed back to our room. After we get back from the beach we head to town to get some more food and alcohol and just to check it out. We ended up eating at Coconuts Bar and Cafe. Not bad and our waitress Kay was very nice and funny! I think we amused her.

When we get back from lunch, Amy wants to get the braids so we go out to Carmen by the pool and Amy chooses the style she wants. After a while, Jessi decided to get the headband style braids as well. When the girls were both done we headed upstairs.

Jessi said she had a bad headache and wanted to lie down for a little while. So the three of us are sitting at the table talking and Amy and Shaza tell me they don’t really even know how to flirt. They say that they are just not good at it. Well, we can’t have that can we? So I say come on girls, let’s go for a walk. So off we go. We met up with Ernest the houseman and he walked with us down the road. Ernest is a nice man and I am just talking and chatting away with him. Then we reach the end of the road and there are 3 policemen standing there. Ernest stops and tells them to make sure they take care of us because we are “his girls”.

I think what better time than the present to show them all you have to do is be yourself. If you are happy and at ease with yourself it just comes as there is thing really special to it. Eye contact while talking is important. Leaning in and listening to what they are saying is important etc etc. After a likkle while, I felt confident they understood. Both girls were like, “Cindy...you go girl!” Funny, flirting is not really something I thought about doing; it’s just there when you want it to be.

After we get back and Jessi gets up we get ready to go to Lil’ (Little) Pub.

Now, I need to give credit here where credit it due. Marilyn was right on target with “THE” places to be on each night. Everyone here was great with all the of the advice and I took every last word to heart and we used it often!

After we’re ready to go we catch a taxi to the club, grab our drinks on the way to our table from the bar and head over to look for a seat. We ended up sitting way over on the right side of the stage. Over by where they have those likkle outhouses looking things. Hmm...quite the strong aroma over here. So we are sitting enjoying the show and guess
who we see???????????????? Yep, Lady Shabba!

As soon as they said her name, I said, “That’s the woman Marilyn, Classy, and Ochee were talking about!” Oh my...you did say she couldn’t sing a lick and you were so right. I managed to get a picture of her. However, because of where we are sitting and because of what you gyals had said, I am trying to sneak a picture so it is not a really good one.

So, anyway, Jessi is an awesome singer and she gets up on stage and the first song she sings is Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All”. Now the thing is when she starts singing people are listening (but ya know with that oh...”another singer”) but then all of a sudden they realize “she rocks!” So then the whole bar is watching and listening and is like, “Wow! She can really sing! Go girl!”


Lady Shabba attempted to sing a couple more times. Good Lord what a sight, but entertaining to say the least. Jessi sings one more song “Bette Davis Eyes” and of course it is outstanding! This is proven even more when a couple of different days in the week two different people came up to her, remember her from that night, and told her how good she was!

After going to the bar several more times to get drinks and sitting in that cloud of smoke (I know, I’m a wuss), I am not feeling anyyyyyyyyy pain at all. Towards the end of the night I am making friends and conversation with Marlin the bartender (what a cutie) and this fine man who had been sitting up over the bar. He is now behind the bar with Marlin.

I can never sit still or stand still while music is playing so the whole time I am dancing while chatting. He says his name is Paul (then says “Pablo”). Either way a fine, fine man! So while we are chatting he says come here. I take a couple steps over to him and he starts whining “Weeeeeeee!” I soon find out there is a lot of that here!

While he (we) are whining, I hear the girls asking each other where the camera is. I just keep dancing. Again I hear “Where’s the camera?” I raise my arm, waving it in the air. “Heyyyy!” I knew I was holding on to this camera for a reason all night! After getting a group picture of Pablo and Marlin with us we are on our way. We were the last to leave. We take the taxi home and my wonderful friends tuck me into bed.

Wednesday April 14th, 2004

Today is going to be another great day! This is the afternoon we are going on our tour with Marshall and I have really, really been looking forward to this! After waking up and getting something to eat (I think we ate, not even sure anymore) we headed down to the beach to our same spot and got our towels all situated. I just lay there and took in all the sights and sounds. We were trying to figure out a way to sneak onto the cruise ship to take a look around since 3 of us have never been on one. Of course none of us are about to move from our spots on the beach DWL!

After lying out for a while longer we headed back to the room to get ready to go out on our tour with Marshall. I am just sooooo excited. I have been dying to go and see some of the country! I had already called and talked to him on Tuesday evening to set up our time of 2 p.m. He was right on time but poor Marshall had to wait for us...sorry baby. We all pile into his immaculately clean van. I sat up front with him and the girls sat in the middle seat. We’re off!

We immediately fall in love with Marshall. What a great person and soooo sooo cute and loveable! He is so funny and made us all feel immediately at ease. Dancing and singing and talking all the while educating us on our beloved Jamaica!

[accompong98]

Re: Jamaica...My Heart...Trip Report

PART 2

He took us through Harristown, Fern Gully, Colgate, Beechertown, Hindstown, and up to Murphy Hill!

Yes we remember them all because he tested us on them. Told me specifically I needed to know where I’d been because Marilyn will want to know. We learned about Bauxite mining and that it is the second largest industry in Jamaica next to tourism. We learned about how Fern Gully floods in June and November and then they have to use this very narrow road, which he drove us on, during that time because Fern Gully is closed. He had lots of information but you get the drift.

Anyway..... The views were simply stunning. At one point there was a picture I wanted to take and Marshall said to let him because he was on that side of the car. Well, he decided to get out instead. So here we are on the side of this “ittty, bitty” road with this 8-inch half-crumbled wall and instead of standing on the road between the wall and the van the man gets on the wall and it is a straight down cliff there. I freaked right the heck out! I was yelling at him to get down from there right this minute!

He steps down I told him not to ever do that again. He just climbs back on the wall and says, “What theesssssssssssss??” I thought I was going to vomit right then! There was a man walking on the side of the road who also found this highly amusing. I so DID NOT find this funny! I guess you just can’t take the ‘Mother’ out no matter where you go. However the view was just stunning!

Onward and upward we go toward Murphy Hill. Along the way we passed a beautiful church. We got out and walked up to the church and Marshall took our picture there. It is so beautiful. We keep driving along and Marshall is pointing out some things to us.

He points to a bush in someone’s yard and says it is a peppermint bush. He stops the car and gets out and we’re like. “Isn’t that someone’s yard?” He hollers out “Ello!” as he walks into the yard and picks a couple of branches off and brings them back to us. I wanted to bring them home. Next we drove by a field of ‘pickneys’ playing ball and I got a wonderful picture of them!

Oh my Lawd! Am I really here in this place seeing this land being around these wonderful people? I am tearing up just thinking about it while we are driving. I just cannot get enough. I will never get enough.
When we reach the top Marshall stops the van on the road before continuing to the building. OMG it is breathtaking. What an amazing, amazing view. It is more gorgeous than I could have ever imagined.

For a moment I let the end of my trip in and wonder how I will ever be able to leave here. How am I going to survive the despair? Okay, enough thinking about the end. We still have the rest of Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday here. We drive up to the building and the sweetest man is there. His name is Byron and he manages the place. He gets Shaza, Jessi and Marshall a rum punch and Amy and I drink
sodas. Oh on the way driving I had asked Marshall if they had snacks somewhere because I was absolutely starving. He says, “Yeh mon...we’ll get you a snack”. So after we get our drinks I asked Byron if he has any chips or anything. He says the only thing he has are
these airplane-sized bags of peanuts. There are 2 bags of the sweet honey roasted ones. So I open one up and give one to the other 2 girls to share and I pour some in my hand and hand the bag to Marshall. He pours some into his hand then goes to hand the bag to Jess who drops it and they spill all over the floor. DWL...you should have seen his face! He looks at me like OMG what did I just do. I had said a billion times how hungry I was. Well, luckily there were those 2 other reserve bags of peanuts with raisins in them. Now I am definitely not a big fan of raisins but they looked to me like a gourmet feast by now. That bag did NOT hit the floor!

Byron was so sweet. He was showing us pictures of his wife who has passed on from cancer and then of his sons. I believe he said he has 5 of them. He gave us his card and asked us to send him a picture. I plan to do just that. After hugs and good-byes we head back to the van for our trip down.

We get in the van in the same seats as before. Marshall has the Reggae cranked and it’s awesome. Apparently at some point I am dancing like crazy in my seat because I look over and Marshall is staring at me with a big smile and says, “Go Girl!” I turned slightly pink but got over it quickly. I was much too happy to worry about such things.

[accompong98]

Re: Jamaica...My Heart...Trip Report

PART 3

As we are headed back down, we wave and say, “ello” to everyone we pass! This is such a great country. Everyone is so friendly. We make it safely back down and bless his heart he takes us to watch the basketball game!

Heaven...we’re in heaven! We get out and head to the court. I made myself right at home and sat my behind right down on the seat to watch.
It was so much fun. The players were all yelling stuff at each other but I have no idea what they were saying. I loved listening to them and was really getting into the game. All too soon it is time to leave. We are starving and need to eat dinner, get showered and ready to go out tonight. Marshall drops us off and I am sad to see him go. I’ve had such a fabulous day hanging out with him! We get inside and eat our dinner and start yet another lengthy process of getting ready to go out. Now seeing as how we are only going to Beach Night you would think it would be a fairly quick process…but no that would be way too easy.

We all wore swimsuits except for Shaza who wore a skirt and shirt. When they asked to see her swimsuit she just showed them her bra strap and they let her in. We sat at a table that was on the beach under the thatched canopy seating area and enjoyed our conversation and drinks watching and observing everything. At one point the Beyonce song “Crazy in Love” with the “Uh Oh uh oh“ in it, comes on. When that part comes on, I stood up by the table and did her move, ya know that butt-shaking thing that she does during the video then sat back down. Some guy comes up to me and tells me, “That was very good! You dance just like a black ooman.” I told the girls my daughter (she’s 16) would be so proud. She worked hard with me to get that move down! DWL.

At some point another guy comes up and starts talking to me. I am talking to him for a few minutes and he pulls up a chair and plops himself down right next to me. He isn't bothering me so I didn't mind. He hung out with us on and off for most of the night. He told me his name was Richard and I told him my name. I told him my name several more times and he just couldn’t seem to remember it. He had told me he wanted to be friends (told him I wasn’t hooking up with him, I am happily married) and I told him friends remember each other’s names. I said to him I have told you my name like 15 times and if you can't even remember a simple name like Cindy he needed to get up and move on out.

I got up to go to the bathroom and when I came back the girls had actually gotten him to remember it by mixing it with a nickname. Cindy Cinderson. It actually worked. He remembered it for the rest of the night and after a while even dropped the Cinderson part. Must be something to do with the nicknames there! DWL! Even ran into him the next day while we were walking and he remembered it then too and he made a point to holler out, “Ello Cindy”! Whatever works I suppose.

I’d been dancing in my chair (occasionally out of it) at our table since we sat down. I am dying to get up and dance and have been ready for a while but the girls are just not feeling it yet. This is the only night I have a problem dancing by myself. Finallllllyyyyyy, they say they are ready.

This is where Shaza cuts loose! Oh boy. For someone who never really had too much male interaction other than co-workers and family she really caught on quickly. We danced all night long. No pressure to dance with anyone in particular. Shaza met a guy she enjoyed dancing with and was having a good time.

For some odd reason we seemed to always be hanging out in the hallway by the bathrooms when we were just chatting or resting. Later on I had been dancing with Richard and said I needed to use the restroom. Some girl in there touches my arms and asks if my husband and I can walk her up to the front to leave. I told her my husband was in Michigan. She opens the door and points out to Richard. I said, “Girl that is not my husband, I am just dancing with him. If you want him, have at it!” She says I don’t want him I just want you to walk me to the front. I said ok, lets go. I walk out of the bathroom where Richard is waiting and tell him we need to walk her up to the front. He grabs my hand, I grabbed hers and he leads us back to the front.

After weaving ourselves through all the people we reach the front and she goes on her way. Richard thinks he’s being smooth as he keeps walking towards the door after she is gone while holding my hand. I turned around and walked back towards the bathroom and tell him nice try buddy but it’s not happening.

Later on after I had been dancing for a while I went back to “our hangout” by the bathrooms to find my girls and who should be standing there but our new friend Marshall! I was so excited to see him and gave him a big hug and told him so. He was very concerned we were going to go somewhere with Richard and Shaza’s dance partner(Chris). We of course told him that absolutely was not happening. But I appreciated his concern. He made damn sure he walked out with us when we were leaving and that we left the guys at the gate. Not that they were ever going to go any farther with us. I loved walking out the back door of Margaritaville and basically being right across the street from the gate to our Hotel. The night security guard Charles always seemed to know when we were coming and kept a watch out for us.

We head on to our hotel under Marshall’s watchful eye. After we get into our room and open up the verandah doors we talk about getting something to eat. Amy makes us yet more macaroni and cheese (again I know, I know) I went out onto the verandah and just stood there looking out at the water, looking at the lights reflecting on it. I breathed in so deeply I felt as if I was going to suck all the air right out. I was trying to absorb every last scent and sight of this place. I listen to the tree frogs. Yes, believe it or not you can still hear them even with Margaritaville basically next door. I tune out everything except for what I want to see, smell and hear. I am filled with emotion yet again. I miss my family terribly and at the same time I cannot stand the thought of leaving here. How can any one place capture a person’s soul so deeply? After my alone time I head back inside to eat what again looks like a feast after drinking all night. After we rehashed our day we decided it's been a very long day and we need at least a little sleep for the next day. If I remember correctly we turned in around 5am. Sleep comes quickly.

Thursday April 15, 2004

Today we woke up to an overcast sky. As I do every morning, I head downstairs and head straight for the verandah that overlooks the water. I take my deep cleansing breaths and watch the morning rituals. The cleaning of the beach and the boats getting ready for their day. This is the only day there isn’t a cruise ship in port. We later found out they had turned away 3 of them because the weather was too bad. I went over to the other verandah and watched the guy there clean the pool. I never did get his name but I watched him working every morning from our apartment.

We ate some breakfast (this might be the day we made pancakes and bacon) and waited for the water to warm for our showers. For the first two days we were there we all took cool to freezing showers. On the third day we were there I noticed a switch on the kitchen wall that said HOT WATER. OMG! Wish I had noticed that earlier in the week. So anyway we turned on the water and waited for the water to warm then all got cleaned up. We had decided we’d better get to purchasing some souvenirs.

I’m not sure what time we actually left the apartment but I think mid afternoon. Now I knew there really wouldn’t be much bargaining in Ochi and we were prepared for that. I wasn’t purchasing a whole lot anyway. Just a couple of t-shirts and the simple black bracelet that has the Jamaican colored beads in it. At one shop I had seen this sterling silver charm for my necklace that says “Jamaica. No problem”. I wanted it but for some reason didn’t buy it. I wanted it around my neck so whenever I was feeling down or rushed I could reach up and touch it to remind me. To bring back the memories and remember…”no problem”.

Well, I didn’t buy it that day for some stupid reason but continued to be ticked off about it for the next two days. I did end up buying it on Saturday and I had to actually go hunt it down. It now hangs on my necklace with my other things that mean the most to me; ‘My Best Mom’ charm, my ‘Best Friend’ charm, my Gold Cross. I wear this necklace everyday and very rarely take it off. I was like a kid in a candy store when I actually went back and got it. Ok, anyway I don’t think we really did very much during the day besides shopping but that in itself is an all day thing I guess with 4 women. I’m sure we also went to the grocery store as we pretty much went almost every day while we were there.

After we were spent out on shopping we headed back to the room to rest our weary feet and chill out for a while. Ate some dinner and then figured we’d better get started on our getting ready to go out. Tonight we were going to ‘Amnesia’. Marshall was picking us up at 10pm and it takes us at least 2 hours to get ready. After trying on countless clothes, Shaza and I straightening our hair and makeup applications (I was like Classy, “Here..Cindy can you put that eye shadow on for me? Where’s your lipstick? Help me fix my hair” now, finally we were ready to go.

Marshall called from the front gate. He, of course, was right on time again. I love that man! We get into his van and we’re off! Marshall got a great parking spot. Not to far to have to walk at the end of the night.

I think we got there a little earlier than most people did but it quickly filled right up. Jessi and I get right to dancing. Amy is not feeling very well tonight. She wanted to dance so badly but is having this weird cramp in her side and nothing is taking it away. But she is a trooper and makes it through the whole night with us. She is just sitting and watching everyone. Periodically she tries to get up and dance but her body just wasn’t having any of it. After a while the place is packed and we are just having a great time.

Apparently throughout the evening, a lot of men were coming up to Marshall and talking to him and finally Jessi asked him who they were. Were they his friends? He said no they were all wanting to know if the 3 of us girls were with him (Shaza was dancing with her friend from last night) and he just kept telling all of them yes, we were ALL with him!

So we are just dancing our behinds off and the 80’s song “Celebration” comes on and Jessi and I start doing the ‘Hustle’. We are having a great time. Just the two of us doing the hustle then all of a sudden I notice my surroundings. We seemed to have cleared out some dance floor and it is just she and I with a good-sized audience watching us. Now, let me tell you how hard I had to work to pretend all these people were not purposely standing there and watching us. Shaza said it was just like in the movies when people are dancing and everyone stops to watch. She said it was impressive enough she even stopped to watch (well kind of) DWL!

The dancing continues all night long. I only stop periodically because my feet are a little sore. See I bought these awesome HOT PINK patent leather sandals and they have this little 1-inch heel on them. I am no Classy that’s for sure because I always wear tennis shoes or sandals like flip-flops. Well I managed to work those sandals and NOT break my ankles. Finally the girls, or was it Marshall, said it was time to go. Shaza and I are not ready but it is getting late so we agree. On the way out Marshall directs us to the inside part of ‘Amnesia’. I sat down on the couch and Amy sat right next to me. Jessi and Marshall were standing right next to us and Shaza and her man were over at the bar dancing.

While I was sitting there I had taken off my shoes. When we got up to leave I was walking without them and Marshall says, “Put your shoes on” I tell him I’ll be fine. He repeats “Cindy put your shoes on” Me being stubborn and having drank a few, tell him again that it’s just a short walk out and I’ll put them on at the bottom of the stairs. He stops puts his hands on his hips and says “CINDY PUT YOUR SHOES ON” I said Fine daddy…and bend over and put my shoes on. Poor man, I was giving him a heart attack worrying him about me stepping on broken glass. Obstinate Cindy being a pain in the butt.

So we get back down to the van with shoes on and he drives us back to the hotel. Shaza’s friend rode back with us. After we say our good-byes we head up to the room. We headed to bed right away. Jessi and I stayed up on our balcony talking and hoping to see the sunrise. We didn’t get to see it but had a very nice heart to heart talk.

We finally fall into bed at 6:30am.

Friday April 16th, 2004

I woke up at 9am today after only 2½ hrs of sleep. My friend that I met last year is coming to spend the day with the girls and me. I headed downstairs and flipped on the hot water switch. This is exciting, I am going to have the hottest shower and not going to worry about how long I am taking because I know the water will heat back up before they get up!

While the water is heating I go outside on the verandah and get my morning cleansing breath. These deep breaths they cleanse my body and my soul. I feel like if I breath deep enough then the sweet air will be deep enough inside of me that I will always be able to have it with me. We only have 2 full days left hard as I try not to think about that, I can’t help it. My heart is breaking thinking that soon I will have to leave this place that fills me so completely and makes me feel as only Jamaica can. I switch verandahs and go watch the pool man and gardener. Say my morning “ellos” and watch them work for a while. I looked at the clock and figured I’d better get in the shower if I want to be clean after all the sweating I was doing at Amnesia last night. After getting out of the shower, getting dressed and putting my hair up in a pony tail I take my book and go sit on the verandah that overlooks the water and read. Huntley calls and tells me he won’t be here until between 11-11:30 because the road on the way from Mobay is very bad this morning. Dang, I could have gotten 1 more hour of sleep. That’s ok though because I am enjoying my alone time out here. Periodically I stop reading to stand up and look around at all the morning activity.

The girls wake up at around 11:00. Maybe they heard my deep breaths downstairs. They wondered where Huntley was and I explain to him about the roads. I am so happy he is coming to visit us. I met him last year when I was here and we have called each other on the phone a lot and written back and forth. We have become good friends over the last 10 months and I cannot wait to see him.

When the gate calls to let me know I have a visitor here I tell him to send him on over. I went downstairs to meet him at our door and he walks up with the biggest smile. He looks great! Poor baby has worked all night long then traveled 3 hours to come and see me. I brought him upstairs to introduce him to the girls. After introductions he and I went out on the verandah to sit and get reacquainted. After a while the girls decide they are going to make some grilled cheese because they are starving and cannot wait any longer to eat. They came out to ask if we wanted one and I said no and Huntley says, “What is that?” So I am telling him what one is and he makes this weird face that amuses me to no end. I ask Shaza just to go ahead and make him one, I’m sure he’ll eat it since he’s worked all night and just traveled 3 hrs to get here.

After our exciting first with him we decided to head down to the beach. The beach is something he never does and doesn’t like because of the saltwater and he doesn’t know how to swim. But he wants to go with us because he knows we all love the beach. After we all get changed into our swimsuits we head down. He walked without any shoes all the way on that hot, hot sidewalk. I kept asking him if it was burning his feet and he insisted it wasn’t. We of course head right for our same spot. We like this spot because it is close to the shade. Jessi cannot lie in the sun the whole time with her fair skin.

After lying out our towels and getting all situated Huntley and I think it was Jessi and I walk into the water. We walked out to the buoy line and I dove in right away to get cooled down and my hair back out of my face. Even though I don’t care for the salt water running into my mouth I love having the water surround and engulf me. The salt water seems to take away all my aches and pains. Knowing that I am standing in these beautiful glorious waters more than makes up for a little salty water.

After being out in the water for a while we headed back up to the girls and our towels. Huntley had spread his out in the shaded area while the rest of us lay in the hot sun. He falls asleep quickly and sleeps for most of the time we are there. After a while the cell rings and it is Libby calling saying to say she will be in Ochi that day and would like to pick up the school supplies.

I had called her on Tuesday letting her know we were there and just to call us when she got into Ochi. So, after arranging a time for her to come to our hotel, we decided we’d better head back to the room and get cleaned up because we had to go to the cambio before it closed. We did notice that with Huntley walking along with, us not a single vendor along the walk asked us for anything.

Get back inside and we all go upstairs to change. Huntley is in the bathroom for what seems like ever so I knocked on the door to make sure that everything is ok. He opens it up and says he is just washing up. DWL he took longer getting ready than any of us girls. I even washed and conditioned my hair to get the saltwater out and was still done before him.

We walked to town to get money then walked back to our room to wait for Libby to come. The girls decided they wanted to take their braids out. So Amy took out all of Jessi’s, which didn’t take long at all. When it came time to get Amy’s out all 3 of us girls went to work on her. I told Huntley he could watch the TV if he could figure out how to get it to come on. I had tried earlier in the week to turn it on to try and find some music (the one thing Fisherman’s Point did not have in the room) and couldn’t figure it out. He had it on in less than a minute.

I looked over at one point and he looked so dang cute sitting on the couch remote in hand, ‘chillin’, drinking one of my Mt. Dews. We continued working on Amy’s braids, massaging her head as we went along. The phone rings and it is Libby. She is here. I am excited to meet her even if only for a short visit. The doorbell rings and I run down the stairs to let her in. Bonus for us, we get to meet George too!
What a handsome young man. After talking with her for a short bit we get a picture of her with the school supplies.

After packing up all the supplies they had to go. Libby said she didn’t have very long this day. But I really enjoyed meeting her and George. What a great lady! We found out later that we had missed a few things that were tucked in goofy places in Shaza’s suitcase so I think the girls asked Marshall to do something with them.

We are all sitting around the living room watching TV. Can’t even remember what we were watching but it was a very comfortable easy atmosphere. It is getting later and Huntley has to get going. He has to take a taxi up to the hills where his Mama lives and then head back tomorrow for work. He goes upstairs to gather his belongings and after some pictures I walked him up to the gate. After a few tears and hugs we say good-bye until next year. The day has gone so quickly. I spend a moment outside to wipe my face and get presentable and go back inside.

We grabbed something to eat and start the lengthy process to go out yet again. I had told the girls that Marilyn had said ‘Jus Cheers’ was the club for the night but asked them what they wanted to do. We opted to go to Margaritaville because it was closer and easier. No rides to set up so we just walked up to Margaritaville. Well we found out THAT was a huge mistake. Paid our $10 to get in and knew immediately we had screwed up. Shaza went up to the bar to get our drinks from the beautiful man working up there. Shaza has learned the art of flirting oh so quickly and wastes no time.

After our one drink I am falling asleep. I had only had 2.5 hrs of sleep and this was way too boring. We needed action. At that point I remind them that Jus Cheers is supposed to be the place to be tonight and we should go there. We head out and pass by Romeo, the driver that took us to Lil pub that first night. Shaza asks his price. She doesn’t like it and says no thanks and we walk away. We talk about calling Marshall but Jessi thought he was only a tour driver and wouldn’t want to take us to Jus Cheers. I was almost positive he was both but we didn’t call him. Next trip Marshall will be our driver for everything. We went back to our hotel and after some hoopla we get a driver. His name is Higgins and Charles (hotel security) tells him he’d better bring us back safe in one piece or he’ll have him to answer too. Hmmm.. that comment made me a tad nervous. Does he usually NOT bring the guests back in one piece?

We get in and we’re off. After a short ride we are there and I look and can see all of our eyes buggin’ out of our heads. Parking was interesting to say the least. I’ve never been anywhere where it was so tight driving through everyone had to reach out and fold their side mirrors in. Higgins finds a spot; we memorize where he is at and Jessi remembers his license number so we don’t forget. We walk up to the bar. I am just taking everything in. Watching everyone as we are walking. Feeling like an outsider almost, like we are not supposed to be here. We walked up to the bar and wait for our turn at drinks. After getting our drinks we walked out to the dance floor and talked and watched everyone.

Soaking everything all in, the dancing, the people, listening to the music. Before you know it our drinks are gone and it’s time for another. Jessi and Amy go up to the bar to get them and soon Shaza and I have company. I don’t turn around. I just dance. Where are the girls and our drinks? I’m getting thirsty here! I see them at the bar still waiting. Shaza soon finds out she is dancing with a baby and freaks out. OMG I am basically dancing with one of my students! She tells him she is old enough to be his mamma. Oh boy the look on his face. We headed over to the bar where the girls are. They are sitting front and center. Great seats girls! There are 4 guys dancing there and they are sooooooo great!

By now all my earlier thoughts have vanished. I no longer feel like I do not belong but that I am more at home here than any place we’ve danced yet this week. The dancing, the people, the whole atmosphere. I cannot believe we almost missed this wonderful experience. Marilyn described it wonderfully to me. She said that the locals don’t look at you like you don’t belong at Jus Cheers. They look at you like if you are cool enough to find this place then you are cool enough to be here. I loved that and felt that it was true.

After we get our drinks from the girls we stood by them watching the guys do the most awesome dance moves. We could have stayed there all night just watching them and actually did just watch them for over an hour. I love how they incorporate everyday activities into their dances. I love it here! There is a man standing next to us leans over and asks me if I wanted to dance. I told him no thanks, right now. I just want to feel the music, absorb everything I can and just dance while I’m standing there watching, learning. I have to say this is the night I really feel it. Ya know the “it” where it all comes together. We go back out to the bar and we happen to look over to the left side of the bar and who should we sitting there but Lady Shabba. She’s dancing up by the bar by herself, seems to be the norm for her. At one point she walks over by us and bends over right next to our chair. Apparently she had set a bag on the floor next to us and came to retrieve it. This woman sure is something.

Ok…enough of her now. Shaza decides she wants to go for a walk and mingle in people and asks me to go with her. So we head out for a walk. We plant ourselves in the dance floor again and start groovin. The baby comes up and wants to dance with her and she tells him to go home..his mamma is callin’ him. He is a very sweet boy but just that, a boy. Someone comes up behind me again and starts dancing. Again I don’t turn around, as he seems to be a pretty good dancer and that is all I am doing.

A little while later the guy that had asked me to dance comes out and wants to dance again. I asked him if he was over 18 and he said yes. I told him I would need to see some ID. He actually whips out his driver’s license and shows it to me. I tap Shaza on the shoulder and tell her he is over 18, in fact he is 31 so she should dance with him. She didn’t dance with him.

Shazie and I go back to the girls and finally they are playing some awesome music. I have now become totally at ease and am so relaxed and ready to dance! I start my thing and Jessi and Shazie start dancing with me too. Before you know it, men of all ages and sizes surround us. I just keep dancing and dancing and dancing. I wondered where I got all this energy on so little sleep when I just felt like falling asleep not all that long ago. I feel like I am on the top of the world! There is this beautiful man talking to me, dancing with me and I just danced like there was no tomorrow. I can’t believe my legs never hurt with all of the dancing I did.

All too soon it is time to go. It is now after 3:30 and our taxi driver has come looking for us. Again after hugs goodbye and thanks for dancing we are off. Shazie and I laugh hysterically all the way back. Poor Higgins just sitting there taking it all in most likely thinking crazy American women! I have had THE best time at Jus Cheers and it is by far my favorite place to go. I loved all the other places too but this one, it got to me! We get back to our room and I go out on the verandah for my soul cleansing. After we sit at the table for a while eating and chatting we finally head up to bed. It’s now about 4:30 am. Again, sleep comes quickly. I don't have any picture from Jus Cheers because it just didn't seem right.

Saturday April 17th, 2004

9:00 am. Woke up today with an enormous sense of dread. My heart is aching. I cannot believe this is our last full day here. I feel as if the life is being sucked right out of me. We just got here, how could it possibly be time to leave already??? How long before I am able to come back? Can’t we stay just a little longer? I am not ready, not now.

Amy wakes up and we wonder if we had told Marshall that we wanted to go to Dunn’s River at 10am. We decide I’d better call and find out since it is a little after 9 now. I called him (woke him up …sorry Marshall) and he said no we hadn’t actually set up at time. Must just have been what we had thought about doing. So we set up a time of 2pm for the falls.

My morning ritual of going to the verandahs awaits me. I go downstairs and head out to get my much-needed cleansing breaths. I breathe even deeper than usual if that is possible. I need to make sure I get every last ounce of her imbedded into my senses. I keep staring at everything, breathing deeply. I wonder would it be easier if I just never returned, then I wouldn’t have to face this again. But as we all know that will never ever happen.

After that we go upstairs to wake up the girls because we need to go finish up our shopping. Jessi didn’t want to go so she stayed behind to read and just chill out. Later on she came up to where we were shopping to the cambio there to find she couldn’t change traveler’s checks into US cash. She had come to Jamaica prepared with an umbrella (the only day one was needed) so she took our bags back to the hotel with her. Thanks Jess, less for us to have to carry around!

We are shopping and finishing up our last minute souvenir gifts when I remind the girls I HAVE to go back and find that silver charm that I wanted for my necklace. They actually remember what store it is in and lead me right to it. I purchase it and we head home.

Waltz in the door at 1:45 and Jessi is slightly panicked wondering where we were because Marshall is picking us up in 15 minutes to go to the falls. We changed into our suits and are ready when he calls. Right on time again I might add! Get to the falls and pay our admission fee. Marshall is carrying our towels and taking pictures for us. We had brought a water camera for this purpose thinking we would be taking pictures in the water. Had I known, I probably would have brought my better camera so he could have taken zoomed in pictures. On second thought better to be farther away when I am in my swimsuit. DWL

On the way to the part where we are to start there is this dog that leads us all the way there. It was the cutest thing. She would walk for a little bit, stop, turn her head and wait for us to catch up. Then she’d start walking again. She did this all the way. I wish I had a treat to give her for a tip. She did a great job.

Marshall took our picture in the banyan tree on the way also. Actually I am going to frame that one and the other one of Amy and I because in all of our 24 years of friendship we do not have any framed photos of just the two of us and I love it. So finally the climb starts. Amy is in front, then me, Jessi, and Shaza. Behind Shaza is a little girl about 6 or 7yrs old I’d say. Well turns out the little girl ends up walking most of the way with us. Her mom was having a hard time climbing and maneuvering the rocks. She is always there but lagging behind us. Somehow at some point the little girl ends up between Amy and I. We asked her if she was having fun. She said she was. Poor thing was shivering like crazy. I asked her if she wanted to go back and stand with her mamma. She looks back and shakes her head and says nope. Alrighty then! She walks with us for a bit then we decide we should have her go back between her mom and Shaza just in case. After a while mom and daughter go up onto the side and now Shaza has the little girls grandma on her other side so she has to help her a lot. So we finally make it back up and I stopped at the top to rinse my hair back out of my eyes.

When we get out of the falls our puppy friend is waiting. She gets up and leads us part way out then goes on her way. That was the coolest dog. We walk out and on the way I asked Marshall if his seats were vinyl or cloth. He says “Why? Are you wet?” I just looked at him for a minute and asked him if he remembered where we were. DWL! He was like Oh, yeah. He has some plastic in his van and we line our seats. I had to take a couple more pictures on the way back to the hotel. As soon as Marshall sees me pointing the camera he pulls off and stops without a word from me. It’s great. I just figured I’d be talking pictures on the fly.

We arrive back at our hotel and thank Marshall yet again for another great time. We grabbed something to eat and then Amy and I head upstairs to start packing. I have been dreading this moment all day. Makes leaving seem all the more real. Shaza says she doesn’t want to pack yet. I thought better to just get it done and out of the way then I won’t have to think of it later in the night. So we are packing and I must say, this SUCKS! I hate this with a passion! I put away everything that I am not going to need for going out tonight and for the morning. Jessi came upstairs in the middle of my packing and starts on her own. We keep on packing, the three of us without barely saying a word. I have tears streaming down my face as I knew I would when this time got here. Did I say this sucks?! I went downstairs to gather up some stuff from there and I find Shaza just sitting in the chair staring out the verandah doors. I looked at her and said “It’s not so easy is it?” I had warned her it was not going to be easy to leave. That it is heartbreaking. I don’t think she truly understood until that moment.

She finally comes upstairs and gets started on her own packing. Now this is not a light task for her. She literally brought pretty much her whole bathroom with her. She actually gets done in a pretty decent time, which was very impressive. I think she just wanted to hurry and be done with it as well. It is time to get ready for our last night out. We all need showers and of course we have the whole getting ready process. I opt for shorts and flip-flops tonight as I plan on doing some serious dancing and need the comfort. Finally we are all ready to go.

Over at Margaritaville, It’s some sort of ladies night so we don’t have to pay to get in. “Woohoo!” because we had wasted the $10 last night before Jus Cheers so we’re glad its free entry tonight.

There were not a whole lot of people here yet but we had a feeling it would warm up so we’re ok with that. We started out sitting at a table then decided to go over to Jose’s to say hello to a friend we met the first night at Lil’ Pub. He is a sweetheart and after visiting for a bit and taking a picture, we head back to M’ville.

When we got back our table was taken but we noticed that the stage was pretty much empty so we decided to go up there instead. Someone went up to the bar to get our drinks. Shaza again I think as she is still working that flirt thing she has seemed to master in such a short time.

I stood up and started dancing. No sense in wasting any time. It was a little hard to get into it at first because we were all so sad. Then I was like, forget it! This is my last night and I intend to enjoy it. So I am dancing and at the bottom of the steps just in front of the stage I see three guys dancing and just doing their thing. I started watching them and then doing what they were doing. One of the girls looks up at me and asks me if I am copying them. I said yep, I sure am and having a great time doing it. I believe the girls got up and joined me also.

Shaza is just sitting there looking all depressed and I told her there was no sense in just sitting her wasting your night. We have to leave tomorrow no matter what so she might as well enjoy her last night. 5 minutes later she is up and dancing.

After a while these other two guys come up on stage. They are doing dance moves that looked like so much fun and I decided I needed to learn how to do those too. So I stand up behind them and start copying what they are doing. This is great. I’m having a blast. Jessi stands up and joins me. They know we are behind them dancing and start doing this funky dance they know we won’t possibly be able to do. Funny guys. They end up dancing with us the whole night. We have overtaken the stage. At one point a couple of other women came up and sat on the very end of the bench. They stayed up there and danced for a little bit but I think they ended up moving. Not really sure honestly. I know the guys were dancing with them at one point then moved back over to us and those ladies were sitting back down. Must be we were more fun LOL!

We had such a great time with them. No pressure for anything, it was all about the dance. Shaza was dancing with a guy named Owen periodically on stage also. He was nice enough but I was not feelin’ him at all. He periodically danced with the rest of us though. I had the best time dancing with these guys. It turned out one of them is actually a dance instructor so that was awesome! They showed us how to do all sorts of moves. Now if I’ll actually remember them the next time that is the question, but I sure remembered them then! I feel so wonderful when I am dancing, so free just relaxing and having a great time. Nothing else is on my mind at all.

By the end of the night Christopher had came up to me and told me I fit right in. That I am dancing like a Jamaican fi sure. That was the best thing he could have said to me and I gave him a big hug. All of a sudden someone says it is time to go. What?? No not yet it is too soon. It is only 3:30. We have plenty of time. I don’t want it to be over because that means we are leaving soon. We have to get up early to go to the airport. Shaza and I opt for just getting no sleep but we know we can’t do that because Jessi will be driving home from Chicago (5 hrs) after our long day in the airports and she’ll need some sort of sleep. After a round of big bear hugs and thanking them for a great time and the dance lessons we head for home.

We got home and made some popcorn and sat and talked about our night and our week. None of us can believe it is over. By the time we went to bed it was close to 4:30. Sleep does not come as quickly this time.

Sunday April 18th, 2004

We woke up at 7:30 am, an hour before Marshall was due to pick us up. Did our last minute packing and ate some breakfast. After packing and eating I went out on the verandah for the last time this trip. My heart is heavy and it feels like my chest is caving in. I can’t seem to breathe deep enough to get my final scents in. I am very happy I am going to see my family so why can’t I be less sad? I can feel the tears on the brim of my eyes and quickly blink to keep them from falling.

The phone rings. It is Marshall of course right on time again. Funny how a few days ago I was happy that he is always on time. This time I’m not so happy about it. Left right on time at 8:30am. Charles the security guard was with him when they knocked on the door. Charles had told us Friday night that he wasn’t working Saturday night so we probably wouldn’t see him. Then he remembered he worked Sunday morning so we were happy we’d get to see him before we left. There is not a lot of conversation today, unlike the other days. I had asked Marshall at one point why he was so quiet and he said he was just concentrating on driving. Terrible traffic and crazy drivers anyway. I need him to talk today. About everything, about anything to keep my mind off where we are going.

I am sitting in the middle seat in the van by the door taking pictures of everything as we drive by. Silent tears running down my face as I snapped away. Now normally when I am in a car I fall asleep whether or not I am tired, especially if no one is talking. Today I do not. I must stay awake and get every last view in before I leave. I am afraid that if I close my eyes I will miss something important. We passed by some hotel and there had been an accident. A van was overturned on its side and I prayed that no one was hurt. Then I think, “Keep quiet Marshall if it keep us from that”

I had asked Marshall to burn some CDs for me and he had brought them to me today. So we are listening to them all the way to the airport. They are great CDs and I love them! At least I know I’ll have some good music to listen to when I get home. I am going to have him do some more for me next time also. The rest of the drive is uneventful and we arrive at the airport all too soon. After unloading and taking a picture we head on into the airport to get in line. After a fairly quick check in , we headed up to the smoking lounge for a last cigarette until Charlotte. Stopped at the Duty Free shop and bought my husband a carton of cigarettes for $18(cost $37 here at home) and head for the gate. We all sat by each other on this leg of the trip. We have an uneventful flight to Charlotte. Tried sleeping some.

Deplaned and headed for our luggage. The luggage conveyor belt was broken, and it took us forever to get our luggage so we could recheck it. After the luggage finally came rechecking was a breeze. Head up to our gate to find out our flight is being delayed 1.5hrs due to extremely high winds in Chicago. They say we have a little time but want us to be back soon because the pilot wants us to board in case we are cleared for an earlier takeoff. We all make calls home to warn of the delay so they don’t worry. So we head to the hub of the airport to get some food and have a cigarette. We took our food back to the gate, ate it then waited to board.

We got on the plane, grabbed our pillows and blankets and settled in. None of us are sitting with each other this leg but that’s ok. We’ve all secured a window seat that we all know is much better for sleeping.
I have no idea what time the plane actually took off because I fell asleep beforehand. Woke up a few times because of all the turbulence.

After landing we went to get our luggage. While I was there my friend Huntley called to make sure we had made it safely. What a sweetheart! I told him we had but I couldn’t really talk right now because we are trying to grab our stuff and head out. It is getting late and we still have a 5-hour drive home. After retrieving our entire luggage we headed out to get the van. Amy and Shaza went to get it while Jessi and I stayed with the suitcases. Loaded up and we’re on our way. Stopped at a McDonalds on the way because we are all starving now. Nothing heals the heart like food right? After eating I fell asleep pretty quickly. Shaza had slept all the way to the Airport in Marshall’s van. Then on both flights and was on her second wind. She sat in the front with Jessi to keep her awake and before I know it they wake me up.

“Cinnnniiiii we’re home! Time to get up!” Open my eyes and we are in my driveway. It is now 5am. They help me unload everything into my house and my roommates for the past week are gone. My trip is officially over. After a long 20-½ hours it’s over.

I go to the bathroom, change into my jammies, give the kids a kiss, and crawl into bed and snuggle up next to my husband. He kisses me, says I love you then snuggles into me and we sleep.

The End.

Epilogue:

Being Back in the real world really stinks. Amy is a single mom of three and does day care so the day after we got home she was back to having 5 little ones under 3.(her kids are in school all day) She had a great time and although not coming back with us next year, she is the year after. She said she cannot afford every year but will join us every other. However she has given explicit instructions that we are to call her every single night and report ALL details to her DWL. She isn't much of a computer user but I'll get all her thoughts and perceptions from her and post them soon.

Jessi moved back to Michigan 2 days before we left for Jamaica after living on her own in Chicago for the last 6years(I think it was 6). She is going to go back to school to be a Nurse and is going to be staying with family here(yeah for me...I've missed her) She is currently on vacation yet again with her Mom, Grandma and family friend in Charleston, NC and due home Saturday afternoon. I've been reading this to her every night as well. She actually went to the library there though to log on and read everything too. I will tell her to sign up and post her own thoughts when she gets home.

Shaza as we know from the report is a schoolteacher and went back to work the Wednesday after we got back. She teaches English and also had to put the whole yearbook together so she was pushing her deadline. It was due a few days after we returned.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed it!