Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

July 18 - I visit Bob Marley's Mausoleum for the second time this year. The first time I was so emotionally drained from crying, that I knew I had to return and see it again. This is the rock pillow Bob used to rest and think about songs.

The guide who showed us around.

This is a new area being built that will have a waterfall cascading down, adding more to the serenity of this place in the mountains.

Guide telling us about Bob.

Bob's "Single Bed".

Posters hanging in his bedroom.

The guide showing how Bob used the stone for a pillow.

[DiamondDave]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Thanks for taking me back......



we wondered what all that construction was about....

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Diamond Dave: The Marley section of my post is dedicated to you! You are such a fan of his and gave a wonderful report when you were there that mine pales in comparison, but thought you might enjoy more pics of that very spiritual place. And so glad you could see my home. There is a sample house there that anyone can go through to see what it will be like inside. Economical too guys and gyals!

Marilyn: thanks for all your encouragement. It was REALLY great meeting you too. I know there will be more fun times with you.

And thanks to all of you for dropping by. Stay tuned. More pics are coming. I was such a flutterby with my new digi camera.

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

One more of the rock formation at Bob Marley's Mausoleum:
That night meet up with the bashment peeps at Stoligal's party. Now this gyal knows how to throw one. Unfortunately I had eaten too much jerk pork at the meetup at the jerk center earlier, so just nibbled on her scrumptious morsels. Hats off to your chef, Stoli. See picks of the dancers at the pool party in the Bashment 2004 photos.

July 19 - This is a kick back, relax and do anything I want day because Dickey had to work, so JamLove and I spent the day together. She and I became fast friends, seeing each other around the Silver Seas and visiting when we could. But this day was the Girls Day. We walk along Main Street and I see this striking fan palm, at least I call it that for lack of the true name:

And this wonderful palm tree:

A woman comes up to us and wants to know if we want our hair braided. I begin to laugh because my hair is so thin, but she assures me that it will look nice. I say okay but just a few on the side. Well after almost 100 braids, I'm done. I opt not to have the top done, but later have someone in the craft market finish the job because it looked tacky without the whole head done. Jamlove opts for a few too, and later does her whole head in the market. It's posted that there is no braiding in the market but they do anyway. And it's cheaper than the shop the first gyal took us to. I will post the pics of the braiding in "Braids Anyone", Jamlove's thread. By the way I still have my braids and have found a woman who will do it here. She has lots of experience in braiding, which makes me feel better. I think JM has found a new hairdo! And all my friends in Ja love it. Now around here that's another story. They look at me like I'm nuts! Well, I am. Nuts for Ja and nuts for anything about it.

[BND1999]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

((JM)) nice photos... i like the one of the man in Spanish Town.. if you get the blue off his nose... i'd like to see it again..

any more of Spanish town... i love those... i'd have liked to walk around there.. but the feeling from everyone was that one drives through Spanish town.. you don't get out and walk around unless you got somewhere to go.....(reading the Observer this past weekend.. and the numbers of shootings in a two day period.. I understood why) so I yielded to those in the "know".... though I found the architecture inviting...

thanks.. jm

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

This Inspector was at Percy's while we were having breakfast and Dickey asked if he could take a picture for me and he said sure.
Then he said for me to get in the pic with him. I just have a thing about police officers because I come from a police family. Speaking of policeman, during our travels for the day Dickey sees friends of his working a radar trap. Dickey on left and his two friends. Notice the female officer with the radar gun. Nice to see progress for the female gender.
Police officer with his motorcycle:
On to Linstead Market Day. This woman was dancing around in the aisles and having a good time.
When she saw that I was taking pics, she told me to take one at her booth with her in it. She also was fascinated with the ability to see the pic right away. In fact all the Jamaican people were, and asked a lot of questions about digi cams.
Coming back from our journeys for the day, we stopped at Faith's Pen. Many vendors have booths there and what an aroma! This is Jamaican Cooking Heaven. And this is what takeout should be like in the States.
Notice the festival and bammy. Yum yum.

[Laurel]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Love the photos and your story.

The braids look great!

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

BND: who is everyone? The impression I got was that Spanish Town is like any other city. You have areas where you don't even drive through much less get out. But I find when I travel around Jamaica, the best thing to do is have someone with you that knows the area and can speak patois. And I am very lucky in knowing someone who is a Corrections Officer. Yeah he's Babylon, but he doesn't hassle the convicts. In fact when they get out, some of them try to look him up to talk to him and be his friend. He is also cautious about this, but has on occasion helped them on the outside. Dickey also would tell me when to stay in the car and when not to. The stay in the car times were few. I am not afraid to travel the island. Don't get me wrong, I am still very cautious as I am here. Crime is EVERYWHERE. Even in the small town of Sisters near where I live, population 1080, they had a purse snatch a few months ago. We as lovers of Jamaica need to make people aware of the beauty of Jamaica and caution them none the less. If they are too chicken to go to Ja, I say they shouldn't go to DC, LA, or NY for that matter. Anyway back to my trip. But thanks for enjoying my pics.

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Thanks Laurel. It is an new experience for me to have so many braids. But then Jamaica is an entirely new experience also. I feel like a new woman and some people say that I act like one too. To be able to realize your life long dream of retiring early in a wonderful place has really changed me. Some peeps say I look younger. No matter, it's waht I feel inside that counts and I guess that inner peace is showing on the outside. I hope you all can find that inner peace too and enjoy the rest of your life.

[Marilyn]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Did you just HAVE to post the barbecue grill picture?????

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

July 21 - We go to James Bond Beach, one of my favorites on the island. It's near Oracabessa. I tell the guard there I'm a senior, but he says I have to pay US price which is more. I tell him I live in Bogue Village (white lie) so he lets me in for senior price after a little more haggling. Spend a relaxing few hours there. There are some boys fishing with a hook, line and plastic coke bottles for the reel. They are fascinated with the digi cam that Dickey has, who is taking their pictures. Then one of them comes up to me in my bathing suit, mind you he's only around 9 yrs old, and points his finger at my cleavage and touches it. So I touch his chest with my finger, then he touches my arm. And we both begin to laugh. Dickey says that he is very curious about white people probably. Then the likkle bwoy wants to have a pic taken of him and me. So the other boys are on the left side and he's on on right, when he plants his head right in my boob! The likkle brat! Dickey takes the pic with his camera. Unfortunately he has real big computer hookup problems so hasn't been able to send me the pic. Hopefully I can post it later cuz it's real funny. When I go in to take a shower, I'm washing myself under the nozzle and when I turn around, I see a full length mirror on the opposite side of the enclosure, and who is looking at me from around the corner but that little brat! I put myself up against the concrete wall, look over it at him and tell him to get outta there. He says where's the camera? I say go to the men's room, he has it. They start young in Ja! Dickey also told me that Ja boys are very curious from about 8 years and more about the female body and especially white ones. If that had been another woman I'm sure she would have screamed, but JM just kept her composure although it rattled me somewhat. When we leav the beach we stop at a fruit stand nearby and get some lovely fruit.
Fruit with Ackee: Would love to have some of that Ackee right about now and that succulent pineapple.
We travel to meet up with Dickey's ham friend, Earle. He is going up into the hills out of Manchioneal to fix a relay station or whatever they call it. May be called a switching station but JM hasn't got her nomenclature down yet about ham stuff. Earle fixing the control panel:

The tower at the relay station:

This tower was way up in the boonies. In fact I didn't think Dickey was on the right road because it was like someone's poorly constructed driveway, but all of a sudden we come out at the top of the small mountain and there is a school there where some boys are playing soccer and the relay station. The three of us decide to catch some nyam so Earle tells us a good place to eat and at the restaurant, Earle is teasing the waitress incessantly. Dickey tells me he does that all the time and so does Dickey. Something about do you have a boyfriend, why don't you, would you go out with me. The poor girl is totally embarrassed. Then she starts in on them. Good for her! One of the things that fascinates me about Ja is their conservation with napkins. Now JM is a slob and they always give me a torn piece to use, so had to have a pic of this.

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

Originally posted by Marilyn:
[qb] Did you just HAVE to post the barbecue grill picture????? [/qb]

Yes Marilyn, I DO! gi yur buns and di rest a ya back to Ja fi sum a dat good nyam. Dis is jus a teaser.

[Laurel]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

You go girl!!

Good for you. I hope to do the same thing. We have started construction of a concrete structure on his property - a couple rooms at a time. I will probably have to keep working here until full retirement - but a girl can hope ....

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

July 22 - My dear departed Dad's birthday. Happy BD Dad. Your daughter is enjoyin life in the most beautiful place in the world. Off to Port Antonio area. Here are a couple of pics of the old buildings there:
Another one with good old architecture:
When we arrive there JM has to go to the bathroom bad and am happy to see public rest rooms across the stret from where we parked, so I book it over there, leaving my purse in the car with Dickey, and yeah you guessed it, they want $30J to get in. So back I go for the money, book it back quick and make it just in time. Aw relief! We go onto Long Bay. This picture is somewhere along the way.
Long Bay reminds me of the west coast of the US with it's big waves and more activity in the sea then other parts of the island.

[Jamaicamiss]

Re: Other - Around Di Island, July 2004

This was just one of the prettiest days in Jamaica. At Long Bay:
More of the beach and sea. Jah is good! HE gives us such wonderful eye candy.
Has anyone booked their trip in between looking at these pics?
More to tempt you all:
If that didn't work how about a pic of a hut right on the beach that you can rent?