Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

*peep in to see new installment*
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] :verymad: [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]ray:

[Laurel]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Tappin Nails ....

[Tonya2]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Im happy to see this start...nothin lk lookin in on the board and seein a fresh new report by one of my favorite "authors" plz dont do a Vi and make us WAIT... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Ya'll must not have heard me the first time I said it in Jamaicaholics, so I'll yell it out here: I HAVE STREP THROAT!

Ya heard?

Believe me, I'm trying to get better, but my energy has been really drained for the past few days. Strep on top of being heartbroken by missing my JA so much. I'm doing the best I can. I have a marketing plan to do, a midterm to study for, and some finance problems to finish, but I'll try to catch up on the report this weekend.

[rudemonk]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

smashing bricks...

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

It’s funny how once we all got into the van and settled in for the 2 hour ride to Ochi, it all felt so familiar. Even though we hadn’t seen each other since the Memphis Bashment which was months ago (and actually, that was my and Lil Sis’ first time meeting all the ladies face to face), we all fell into the poetry of being girlfriends. The girlfriend poem is a lovely poem. I hope each and every sista reading this gets to speak a few lines from it one day. Our poem was a never ending one. It could be started, summarized, or filled in by any one of us at any given time.

We spoke as if we’d been given scripts to memorize and recite. There was never awkward silence, only reflective, loving silence. We all laughed on cue and gave the girlfriend hi-5 hand slap when it was called for. Terri McMillan couldn’t have written us better and Annie Lee couldn’t have painted us better. Our magic was such that only Jah could paint and script.

On the ride down, we talked about everything and nothing. Vi had been in MoBay for 4 days already, so she filled us in on the daily drama which we have since named ‘The Days of Vi’s Life’. When Vi says there are things that happen to her that you wouldn’t believe, please believe it. This woman is a walking crazy-magnet. I’ll leave it to her to tell the story of the Rasta cab driver, but that had us laughing for at least an hour and a half.

In between the conversation, I tried to look out the window, seeing if I recognized any familiar sites from the last trip. The most beautiful site, of course, was my church. You know the one; the big, old church with the beautiful patina that sits on the side of the road on the way to Ochi. I believe my mother told me there are vendors inside the church selling crafts. Being that I was somewhat new to snapping photos with the digital camera, I didn’t get to photograph my beautiful church this time, but there will be other opportunities.

After a while, about ¾ of the way into the ride, the Red Stripes and gut-busting laughter got to be too much for my bladder. We stopped at a place right by the sea to make a pit stop and get some food. I was starving. Right on the counter, there was a glass case that kept all the food warm. The first thing I saw was a fish with the head still on it. The hair on my arms stood up. Not because I was grossed out, but because I realized I would be having my first authentic JA meal! We were a long way from the all-inclusive. I began to feel less like a tourist and more like someone returning home after being away for a long time. I ordered my food, cod fish filet patties, and went out the back. I was and still am amazed at how close these little restaurants and bars are to the sea. There it was, the ocean, not even 12 feet from the back door. I couldn’t imagine the joy in working at a place like that, having the ocean as your view. I would trade that for a gray cubicle any day.

As night fell on the island, we approached Ochi. I had forgotten how quickly the sun sets here. Driving up to A7, Vi’s GFT trip report began to replay in my mind. I remembered the description she gave of Sky Castles and how high it sits on the hill. I didn’t think Mr. M’s van would make it up and then I wondered how we would ever make it back down. Once I got to the room and saw the view from one of the 3 balconies, I thought I might never want to come down. Breathtaking isn’t the word for it. I stood on top of the world and looked down at creation, again coming to understand why I must do everything in my power to move to JA. I inhaled, I exhaled, I gave thanks. Selah, Hotep, Amen.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


On the way to Ochi.


From the balcony at A7 at night.

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

The Symphony of the Tree Frogs was more of an engaging rhapsody than a lullaby. I didn’t get much sleep Monday night. The excitement of being back home, JA’s nighttime soundtrack, the blasting air conditioner, and Sky Castles’ lumpy pillows kept me up. I may have slept 30 minutes here 15 minutes there, but none of it was consistent. I remember the sun began to rise, making the room brighter. Just around that time, I fell into another short nap. Next thing I remember is Auntie M giving us the ‘Rise and Shine’ and calling for us to meet her on the balcony for a special surprise.


Lil Sis and the view.

Napi and the view.

This was our special surprise. The view at night was indescribable. The view in the morning was… Praise Jah!

After basking in the beauty of our circumstance, we got dressed and headed out. My first walk down Sky Castles’ hill was an adventure in itself. Imagine scaling down a mountain in flip flops, being careful to dodge the potholes, but also trying to see every exotic flower, tree, bush, and lizard on the way down. Vi’s tuck and roll technique was beginning to sound like a do-able plan.

Our journey began at Fisherman’s Beach, where we met a variety of characters. But before we could cross the street, we hear, “Marilyn, Marilyn!” What the?! A guy rushes over to hug Ms. M and to welcome her back home. ‘Aw, how sweet,’ I thought to myself. ‘I guess Auntie M has her own little family down here in Ochi.’ (Little did I know how big her ‘little Ochi family’ was.) Fisherman’s Beach for Auntie M is the equivalent of Cheer’s bar for Norm. As we walked down the beach, everyone hollered out a, “Hey, Marilyn,” or a, “Welcome home.” She casually waved and hollered back as if this was the norm for her – as if she’d just been here last week. I guess it is her norm and what I have come to know is that once you fall in love with JA, your spirit never leaves. So even in her physical absence, her spirit has been roaming Sky Castles, Fisherman’s Beach, and the streets of Ochi since last summer.








Again, I was excited about having an authentic Jamaican meal, and because it was breakfast time, I was expecting breakfast food. Now, I wasn’t quite sure what breakfast food was in JA, but I’m thinking something sweet. Maybe some fruit, bread, my favorite – fried plantains! No fried plantains for Napi. But I did enjoy the callaloo, salt fish, and fried dumplings which I shared with my ducks. They may as well be a part of the family, too.

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

After breakfast, we went to see the catch of the day. I was kind of nervous with so many animals around – dogs, ducks, and roosters roaming free. Then there were fisherman walking around swinging octopus and barracuda. I saw the biggest crab and lobster I’ve ever seen in life. Patrick showed me how the fishermen catch them in the cages. Then Lester showed us a one-eyed rooster, the victim of a cock fight.


The biggest crab I've ever seen in life. Red Lobster wishes they could compete.


Patrick's boat being pulled to the beach.


This man snuck up behind me with squid and scared me half to death.


Caged lobster.


Patrick showing me how the barracuda swim in the water.


I think Patrick said these are called Princess Fish. (I could be wrong.) But they looked like they had little sequence all over them - like they were dressed in ballgowns.


One of the cock-fighting rooster.


Barry and Napi. He tried to tell me how to get a fishing license so I could set up shop at the beach.

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Next on the Ochi tour was a walk through downtown. We passed Marguritaville and headed for the smaller bars, stopping in each one to take in the breeze and have a drink. Every 3 ft, someone was calling out to Marilyn, “Welcome home!” We started to think of her as a movie star. Tom Cruise couldn’t have gotten more attention. People were running from up, down, and across the street just to say hi to our Ms. M, the Jamerican Diva. Every 4 ft, a man would catch sight of Vi and follow her to our next destination, sweet-talking her all the way about what they could offer her, what they could do for her… We would be trekking up the street and someone would ask, “Where’s Vi?” She would be 2 blocks behind trying to escape the clutches of some man who was pleading for, “Just one chance, Vi baby.”


Napi putting her feet up, taking in the view at the bar.


On the way up the street, Auntie M told me we were coming up on something she wanted to show me. It was a beautiful church right on the coast. There were enough windows so as not to interrupt the horizon. She said, “I have picked this out for your wedding.” It was perfect. I never imagined myself getting married in a church. I feel the Spirit outdoors more than indoors, and I believe all the earth is a church. But this church was magnificent. I said, “I can’t imagine how you couldn’t feel God’s spirit at any church in JA.” We walked up to the windows and peered inside. It was very simple: a tile floor, wooden pews, a modest pulpit. It didn’t need anything but that view to make it spectacular. Auntie M then informed me that our next destination would be the reception site. She had it all planned out.

Walking back down the street, we stopped at the market. I got to see callaloo in its pre-cooked state. We bought peppers, tomatoes, and okra.





Walking further down the street, we headed for ‘the reception cite.’ We came upon a stone wall. The sign out front read, ‘The Ruins’. I wondered what unexpected surprise could be hiding behind this stone wall. (Not until I returned to Babylon would I realize that even your imagination couldn’t create the surprises and beauty waiting in JA.) Behind the stone wall was a restaurant sitting at the foot of a waterfall! I was fighting the urge to whip out my camera and snap pictures of the falls, the koi in the pond, the trees, everything. I figured I would play it cool and eat first, then whip out the camera. The food was great. The service was great. We got to meet the owner, a handsome, older Asian gentlemen who remembered Ms. M. He stood around and talked with us for a while, then upon learning I’m a vegetarian, he took me over to the buffet and pointed out what I could and couldn’t eat. He was so nice. I got my first taste of rum punch and festival. (I was narrowing down my list of foods to get in JA. Thanks boardites!) After filling up on food, wine, rum punch, and attention from the young male waiters, we took the traditional Girlfriends picture in front of the falls and caught a cab back to A7.

[DiamondDave]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

After basking in the beauty of our circumstance

wow!! I love that line!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

cool story...more please [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[AngieB]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Yeahhhh, a trip report! Nappi, this is really good. Now I get a chance to hear what you guys did everyday and see the pictures.

Did you take a picture of your gift to me so that you can post it. I don't have a digital camera so I can't post it. Let me know...

Check your PM, gotta ask you and Lil Sis something.

[Englan Girl]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Great report so far Napi.

Quick question: Where exactly is Fishermans Beach in Ochi? Skycastles I know, as I've been there pre-JA.coms days.

Not exactly certain that I'll make it to Ochi this trip but somebody in my family might.

Cheers!

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Originally posted by NapiHead327:
[qb] Terri McMillan couldn’t have written us better and Annie Lee couldn’t have painted us better. [/qb]

I love this

Hope u feeling likkle better, Napi.

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

TeeTee, PLV, Tonya, Dave, Englan - Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Shortee, more pics on the way.

Monk, you want juicy baby? You know I got the juice for you.

Laurel, I know you're not rushing me to post my report. As of yet, I haven't seen anything resembling a trip report from you. So I'll post when you post! So sorry I missed meeting you. Next time. Thanks Lady!

Z - Haven't you left yet?! I know you have to live vicariously through my JA happiness, but I think it's time for your fix. When is your trip, woman? Yes, I'm feeling a lot better, thanks. I'll have to tell you about some... things. I'll PM you later.

Vi - Oh God, how I miss you! I'm so sick. Are you still participating in the get-back-to-Ochi plan? I do believe things are going to work out for us Vi. I asked Jah for it last night and I felt an amazing peace come over me, almost like I passed out. I think everything is going to be okay.

Auntie Angie - I miss you! No, I didn't take a picture of it. You'll have to take a pic of it and scan the pic into the computer, or have someone w/a digital camera take a pic of it. I'm not a professional by any means, but I did it from the heart so I really hope you like it. All I'm hoping for is that you maybe tack it on your fridge.

Dr. O - I miss you. Thanks for listening to me tonight. I'm working hard on the plan. Pray for me.

[Grandmother]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

My Precious Little Sister You are a Strong and Vibrant Young Woman and as we learned as children Dreams can come true. You have a great Talent and a thirst for Life and Knowledge, a Good Heart and a Kindness of Soul and there is nothing standing in the way of you Fulfiling all of your Wishes and Dreams so Keep the Faith and one day all that You and the people who Love You wish for You will come True. I have this on good Faith.

Keep working on that Plan, that is the second Step. Prayer as always is the First.

Keep Your eye on Your Prize, its out there waiting for the right time.

As always PURE ELOQUENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace and Love

Dr. O