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Re: MoBay is Heavenly
MoBay is Heavenly
Part II:
So, all through dinner, we watched the clock and wondered what adventure awaited us. This was truly an adventure; taking a speedboat up the coast and going into the city with a Jamaican Brotha we just met. Scary, but so EXCITING!!! I’m 25, but honestly I felt like at that moment I was growing up. I was becoming a big girl, doing big girl things in a big way. I’ve always been one to follow my gut instinct and that instinct was telling me to go. I try to never pass up any opportunity and sometimes that gets me in trouble, but I’m willing to take my chances.
We finished dinner (and again, I say Breezes has the best food ever!), hurried to the room and changed clothes. ‘Casual Clubbing’ was the attire. La-dee-da! For me, that meant camouflage skirt, black tank top and platform sandals. In my little backpack purse, I packed a razor for safety. Not a box cutter, not a street-brawl blade, but a lady Bic. Stupid, right? But it was the only ‘weapon’ we had. We couldn’t get a real blade through airport security. We contemplated taking a steak knife from the hotel restaurant, but were too chicken to steal. Honestly, we were sure we wouldn’t need any kind of protection. Must I say it again, for some reason, we trusted Miguel. But my Daddy taught us to always be prepared. He sent me to college with a switchblade. And while I didn’t have my trusty switch, I would rely on my Macgeyver skills and fashion my lady Bic into a deadly weapon if I had to. Two little Midwestern Black girls in Jamaica armed with a lady Bic, $10 and a tampon.
On the way to the pier, some grubby looking guys approached us. “We won’t hurt you, come back to our place. Let us show you all about real Jamaica. We won’t hurt you.” Meanwhile, his hand is moving down my back onto my butt. I had to pull a Sista move.
“Brotha, you don’t know me like that. I think you’d better keep your hands to yourself – BROTHA!”
I grabbed my sister by the arm and we headed down the pier. They followed us. But not to worry. Before I knew it, there was Miguel, a knight in shining speedboat, to the rescue! Really, he pulled that speedboat up to the pier just in the nick of time. We were running out of pier, close to the edge. Our only escape would have been jumping in the water and swimming for Cuba. But thanks to Miguel, well… Just like when we first met earlier that evening, he reached his hand out for us and said, “Ladies…” He may as well have said, “Your chariot awaits.” More cool points for Miguel. We boarded the boat and off we went. My sister asked Miguel if he knew those guys. He explained that they were not good guys, that they hang around the beach everyday looking for girls to take home. Me and lil’ sis both agreed that from now on, we would ask Miguel who was good and who was not to be dealt with in MoBay.
Miguel revved up the boat and we jumped some waves. That was fun. I asked where the seatbelts where. He laughed. He took us to the Dead End again. We waved at people, they waved back. We couldn’t believe it was almost 11 p.m. on a Sunday night and people were still down there swimming. We thought, “it would be fun to live in Jamaica.” Usually on Sundays at 11 p.m. at home, I’m getting ready for work and school the next day, making my way to the shower and then to bed. Yep, it would be cool living in Jamaica.
We went up the coast and Miguel pointed out places of interest. He gave us the grand tour. We stopped at Pier 1, went upstairs and listened to the music. People watched. We got bored with that and Miguel suggested we hit another spot. A local bar not far from the craft market. While we were walking the streets, we noticed so many interesting things about Jamaica. Miguel pointed out a blue crab walking up the street. He said people come out at night, catch the crabs, take them home and cook them for dinner. Wow. Free crab! I told Miguel that back home we pay at least $15 US for crab legs. “That’s crazy,” he said. “Crazy, Mon.”
We got to the bar and it wasn’t too crowded. Miguel got himself a Heineken. He offered to buy us drinks, but we respectfully said, “No thanks.” We figured we should stay sober just in case something went down, however, the owner was celebrating his birthday and he insisted we have some wine. Now, you know I can’t refuse wine. I had a cup. My sis did not. We stayed and talked for a while and Miguel said his friends would be joining us soon and we’d go to Marguritaville. We met his friends and couldn’t guess what they had in common. Don’t get me wrong, they were nice, but so – different. They picked us up in a van w/dark tinted windows. Again those warning flags went up briefly. But we were w/Miguel so we’d be okay, right? Just in case, I made mention that I was strapped and that I wasn’t a punk. “I’m not scared to fight a boy, just so ya’ll know.” I think they got the point.
First, we went to the casino place across the street from Marguritaville. Wow, it’s just like some of the gambling boats here on the Mississippi River. Loud and bright! We saw the ice room and walked around a bit. And who do we run into – Big John. Small world. Miguel was a cool guy. When other guys approached us, he gave us our space, but when we began to get uncomfortable or gave the verbal or nonverbal symbol that we needed to be rescued, he would step up to the plate. That ‘rescue me’ symbol came quick when I saw Big John. After Miguel whisked me away, he told me the story of Big John being a chi-chi man. Apparently, he was discovered having ‘relations’ w/some other guys. He was beat up and run out of town. Big John had told us he had been living in Detroit for a while. That’s a long way from MoBay.
Me, Miguel, and lil’ sis watched the talented singer. We sang along to her Tina Turner tunes and danced a bit. Then we all decided to go over to Marguritaville. Needless to say, we didn’t stay long. It was a Sunday night in MoBay and the tourist hangouts were d-e-a-d! It was time to get back to the resort for some more shuteye. I love my sleep, but I didn’t want to sleep my vacation away. There’s a fine line between resting up and being lazy. I tried to stay on the right side of that line. We’d had a full and exciting day. It was almost surreal. First we’re flying over Cuba, then we’re landing in Jamaica, then we’re walking along the beach when out of nowhere a guy comes along on his speedboat and takes us on an adventure within an adventure. Whew! I deserved some sleep. And I couldn’t wait for the adventures that the next day would present.
That night, I said my prayers. I thanked the Creator for keeping us safe, for bringing us adventure, for trees, water (although I still hadn’t seen any fish), flowers, and Black skin. I thanked him for allowing me to share this experience with my sister; she is the one true love of my life. And I prayed that He continue to bring new opportunities into my path, and always keep my third eye open to new friendships, experiences, and life lessons. Selah.
More on the way. I'm writing, I'm cramping, I'm starving. Be back after a snack and a nap!
And thanks for all the feedback. I'm lovin' it.
MoBay is Heavenly
Part II:
So, all through dinner, we watched the clock and wondered what adventure awaited us. This was truly an adventure; taking a speedboat up the coast and going into the city with a Jamaican Brotha we just met. Scary, but so EXCITING!!! I’m 25, but honestly I felt like at that moment I was growing up. I was becoming a big girl, doing big girl things in a big way. I’ve always been one to follow my gut instinct and that instinct was telling me to go. I try to never pass up any opportunity and sometimes that gets me in trouble, but I’m willing to take my chances.
We finished dinner (and again, I say Breezes has the best food ever!), hurried to the room and changed clothes. ‘Casual Clubbing’ was the attire. La-dee-da! For me, that meant camouflage skirt, black tank top and platform sandals. In my little backpack purse, I packed a razor for safety. Not a box cutter, not a street-brawl blade, but a lady Bic. Stupid, right? But it was the only ‘weapon’ we had. We couldn’t get a real blade through airport security. We contemplated taking a steak knife from the hotel restaurant, but were too chicken to steal. Honestly, we were sure we wouldn’t need any kind of protection. Must I say it again, for some reason, we trusted Miguel. But my Daddy taught us to always be prepared. He sent me to college with a switchblade. And while I didn’t have my trusty switch, I would rely on my Macgeyver skills and fashion my lady Bic into a deadly weapon if I had to. Two little Midwestern Black girls in Jamaica armed with a lady Bic, $10 and a tampon.
On the way to the pier, some grubby looking guys approached us. “We won’t hurt you, come back to our place. Let us show you all about real Jamaica. We won’t hurt you.” Meanwhile, his hand is moving down my back onto my butt. I had to pull a Sista move.
“Brotha, you don’t know me like that. I think you’d better keep your hands to yourself – BROTHA!”
I grabbed my sister by the arm and we headed down the pier. They followed us. But not to worry. Before I knew it, there was Miguel, a knight in shining speedboat, to the rescue! Really, he pulled that speedboat up to the pier just in the nick of time. We were running out of pier, close to the edge. Our only escape would have been jumping in the water and swimming for Cuba. But thanks to Miguel, well… Just like when we first met earlier that evening, he reached his hand out for us and said, “Ladies…” He may as well have said, “Your chariot awaits.” More cool points for Miguel. We boarded the boat and off we went. My sister asked Miguel if he knew those guys. He explained that they were not good guys, that they hang around the beach everyday looking for girls to take home. Me and lil’ sis both agreed that from now on, we would ask Miguel who was good and who was not to be dealt with in MoBay.
Miguel revved up the boat and we jumped some waves. That was fun. I asked where the seatbelts where. He laughed. He took us to the Dead End again. We waved at people, they waved back. We couldn’t believe it was almost 11 p.m. on a Sunday night and people were still down there swimming. We thought, “it would be fun to live in Jamaica.” Usually on Sundays at 11 p.m. at home, I’m getting ready for work and school the next day, making my way to the shower and then to bed. Yep, it would be cool living in Jamaica.
We went up the coast and Miguel pointed out places of interest. He gave us the grand tour. We stopped at Pier 1, went upstairs and listened to the music. People watched. We got bored with that and Miguel suggested we hit another spot. A local bar not far from the craft market. While we were walking the streets, we noticed so many interesting things about Jamaica. Miguel pointed out a blue crab walking up the street. He said people come out at night, catch the crabs, take them home and cook them for dinner. Wow. Free crab! I told Miguel that back home we pay at least $15 US for crab legs. “That’s crazy,” he said. “Crazy, Mon.”
We got to the bar and it wasn’t too crowded. Miguel got himself a Heineken. He offered to buy us drinks, but we respectfully said, “No thanks.” We figured we should stay sober just in case something went down, however, the owner was celebrating his birthday and he insisted we have some wine. Now, you know I can’t refuse wine. I had a cup. My sis did not. We stayed and talked for a while and Miguel said his friends would be joining us soon and we’d go to Marguritaville. We met his friends and couldn’t guess what they had in common. Don’t get me wrong, they were nice, but so – different. They picked us up in a van w/dark tinted windows. Again those warning flags went up briefly. But we were w/Miguel so we’d be okay, right? Just in case, I made mention that I was strapped and that I wasn’t a punk. “I’m not scared to fight a boy, just so ya’ll know.” I think they got the point.
First, we went to the casino place across the street from Marguritaville. Wow, it’s just like some of the gambling boats here on the Mississippi River. Loud and bright! We saw the ice room and walked around a bit. And who do we run into – Big John. Small world. Miguel was a cool guy. When other guys approached us, he gave us our space, but when we began to get uncomfortable or gave the verbal or nonverbal symbol that we needed to be rescued, he would step up to the plate. That ‘rescue me’ symbol came quick when I saw Big John. After Miguel whisked me away, he told me the story of Big John being a chi-chi man. Apparently, he was discovered having ‘relations’ w/some other guys. He was beat up and run out of town. Big John had told us he had been living in Detroit for a while. That’s a long way from MoBay.
Me, Miguel, and lil’ sis watched the talented singer. We sang along to her Tina Turner tunes and danced a bit. Then we all decided to go over to Marguritaville. Needless to say, we didn’t stay long. It was a Sunday night in MoBay and the tourist hangouts were d-e-a-d! It was time to get back to the resort for some more shuteye. I love my sleep, but I didn’t want to sleep my vacation away. There’s a fine line between resting up and being lazy. I tried to stay on the right side of that line. We’d had a full and exciting day. It was almost surreal. First we’re flying over Cuba, then we’re landing in Jamaica, then we’re walking along the beach when out of nowhere a guy comes along on his speedboat and takes us on an adventure within an adventure. Whew! I deserved some sleep. And I couldn’t wait for the adventures that the next day would present.
That night, I said my prayers. I thanked the Creator for keeping us safe, for bringing us adventure, for trees, water (although I still hadn’t seen any fish), flowers, and Black skin. I thanked him for allowing me to share this experience with my sister; she is the one true love of my life. And I prayed that He continue to bring new opportunities into my path, and always keep my third eye open to new friendships, experiences, and life lessons. Selah.
More on the way. I'm writing, I'm cramping, I'm starving. Be back after a snack and a nap!
And thanks for all the feedback. I'm lovin' it.
.... kissteet har Ochi again..sigh. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] 
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