Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

[Marilyn]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Napi
At the airport leaving I was behind this brother and got a whiff of him, and I almost put my nose into the back of his neck trying to inhale that last wonderful Jamaican man fragrance. What is it about these men??????????

[DiamondDave]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

this is just too perfect.... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]



"Next Stop....Tranquility...."

[sammy]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

finally caught up
ohhhh what a wonderful report!!

love the photos from the party...and the ones of you guys at nine mile

keep it coming napi

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Auntie M, it makes me think of what Hubbyboo said about giving the ingredients to make Babyboo. They really should bottle JAman pheremones and sell it as an additive to cologne.

Dave, I thought you might like that one. I am still on the road to Point of View, hoping to reach Tranquility not long after.

Sammy, thanks for being patient with me. Juggling school work and trip reports is a work out (not as much of a work out as climbing that hill/mountain at Skycastles). Also, I was so busy reading Ms. M's report, I couldn't finish my own. I should have the final installment posted today (fingers crossed).

[MsKat]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

keeping me fingers crossed too!!

Good report sis, keep up the pics and the travel guide -- loving every min of it.

Respect,
Kat

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Sunday, my last day, was beautiful and personal. I had so many personal experiences and affirmations on that day that I feel that sharing the details w/anyone but God would be wrong. To summarize, I spent the day in the hills, although the people I was with called it the bush (is there a difference between the hills and the bush?).

That night, we went to the river party. I was unprepared, to say the least, wearing a mini skirt and t-shirt. I warmed my butt on the hood of a friend’s car and warmed my insides with the fish tea friend bought for me. (Z, aren’t you proud, I finally got some fish tea!) I enjoyed the river party for a while. I met a JA guy (let’s call him John) who could speak the Queen’s English at the drop of a hat, but this guy had never been to England. His fiancé, whom I also met, was British. This time, when she boarded the plane back to England, she wasn’t going alone. She was taking him with her.

I saw so many positive examples of international, interracial, intercultural relationships on this trip. Jamaicaboo, Babyboo, and Hubbyboo; John and his British fiancé, and others who shall remain nameless gave me a different view on the saying, ‘There’s somebody for everybody.’ I never believed that statement before, but now I think that maybe there is, you just have to travel thousands of miles to find that somebody. It was good to be surrounded by genuine love and faith. All these couples had faith that despite the distance, they would one day be together. That’s beautiful.

I stayed at the party for a while, but soon I was ready to go back to A7. Really, the whole week tired me out. It wasn’t so much the physical activity as it was all the thinking and contemplating that I did. My brain was tired. If it were a perfect world, I would have spent the next week (still in JA) fasting and doing some deep meditation. I felt like so many questions had been answered, but the answers to those questions left so many other questions unanswered. I went back to Skycastles and found peace for the night.

The next morning was somber. We rose early, packed quickly, and left quietly. The ride from Ochi to MoBay was up and down. We tried to break the silence by talking about the events of the previous night. There were some laughs had. But there was also great effort put into holding back the tears.

We stopped at a place to get something to eat. I had my last plate of callaloo and saltfish. I ordered some fried dumplings to go. I saved the bottle cap from my Ting.

I didn’t cry until Tuesday morning. I woke up disoriented, thinking, ‘Where the hell am I?’ I was expecting the sea breeze and the surroundings of my bedroom at A7. When I finally realized where I was, I cried for a good 20 minutes. I felt a lump in my chest (different from the lump in my throat caused by the Strep I’d picked up on the plane) that sat like a bowling ball on my heart. I still carry that lump, although now it doesn’t seem so heavy. Just recently, probably last weekend, I had a day without any crying. Seeing how homesick I was, my mother surprised me one day with 3 plantains. (Thanks 777, King Dajah, Miss B for the cooking instructions.) My mother is wonderful in so many ways.

On this trip, I learned many things. I learned that you can drink the water in JA without getting sick. I learned there are crabs and lobster bigger than basketballs. I learned Lil Sis knows how to just relax. I learned Vi is a master impressionist. Saturday Night Live should give her a call. I learned that we must make more of an effort to break down the walls between Black American women and Black JA women, that once we get to talking, we find out we really like each other. I learned that love can cross racial, cultural, national borders and become something beautiful. I learned that families, friendships and girlfriends can cross racial, cultural, national borders and become something beautiful (WandaBe, thanks for all your encouragement and kind words). I learned Girlfriends cherish their personal space and their time together. I learned God has more in store for me. I learned friendship means eating off each other’s plate. I learned talent is always recognized and envied, but not always appreciated and respected. I learned Martha Stewart ain’t got nothin’ on Auntie M’s sincere southern hospitality. I learned I can go a week without watching or reading the news. I learned that Jah Cure sings to my heart. I learned to listen for God; He will speak to you when it’s time. I learned it’s okay to look for signs and symbols. I learned it’s okay to be happy, that I should never feel guilty for laughing, and that my smile can create a thousand sunrises in someone else’s world.

I hope everyone enjoyed my journey. I would like to thank you all for respecting my report by not bringing the ‘drama’ into my little world. There are some details of this trip that I left out for the sake of avoiding the ‘drama’, however I would like to say that nothing in my report in Marilyn’s report, and nothing that will be in Vi’s report (soon come) is fictitious or exaggerated. All the events were true, and nothing was ever written in the spirit of malice or disrespect. I personally wrote my report because I would like to share my experience. I know there are others on the board who can identify with my experience. I also know there are some who could care less what I say or do, and that’s great. I learned at an early age, that everyone isn’t going to like you, and believe me I’m completely good with that. I will continue to write from my heart as a method of therapy and spiritual release. You don’t have to agree with what I say, but I pray my point of view is respected.

Auntie M, Vi, Lil Sis, can’t wait to meet you all next time at our castle in the sky!

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Pics I missed:


Steamed snapper, veggis, and rice and peas.


Curry conch, slaw, and rice and peas.


This kitty didn't want his picture taken.


One last shot before we go...

[Rosalyn]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

BRAVO, BRAVO!!! I have really enjoyed your reports and pictures.

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

(((((napi)))))

Thank you fe finally finishing the report *cuteye*

Napi said:

I warmed my butt on the hood of a friend’s car and warmed my insides with the fish tea friend bought for me. (Z, aren’t you proud, I finally got some fish tea!)

So, did ya like it?

[BlessedLadyOfZion]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Originally posted by NapiHead327:
[qb] Pics I missed:


Steamed snapper, veggis, and rice and peas.
[/qb]

Oh my
YYUMMMM!!

[Marilyn]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Nappi

What a beautiful report. YOu tell it like it is sister. Really.

I enjoyed being there with you and Vi and lil Sis so much. I enjoyed the glances from admirers that bounced off you guys and all the attention and buzz you caused in Ochii.

Tell me baby, now that it is over, what do you think of Ochii now?

Soon come. Next time.

[Laurel]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

I saw so many positive examples of international, interracial, intercultural relationships on this trip. Jamaicaboo, Babyboo, and Hubbyboo; John and his British fiancé, and others who shall remain nameless gave me a different view on the saying, ‘There’s somebody for everybody.’ I never believed that statement before, but now I think that maybe there is, you just have to travel thousands of miles to find that somebody. It was good to be surrounded by genuine love and faith. All these couples had faith that despite the distance, they would one day be together. That’s beautiful.

I learned that love can cross racial, cultural, national borders and become something beautiful. I learned that families, friendships and girlfriends can cross racial, cultural, national borders and become something beautiful (WandaBe, thanks for all your encouragement and kind words). I learned Girlfriends cherish their personal space and their time together. I learned God has more in store for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~

Good For You!! More priceless 'Treasures' discovered!

[bcw5]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Great report Napi!

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

Z, the fish tea wasn't bad. It was different, but I could get used to it. I also tried coconut water, coconut jelly, Rastaman pudding, coconut biscuit and things I can't even remember off the top of my head right now. Couldn't get w/the coconut water and jelly. People kept telling me, "It's an acquired taste." I kept asking, "Are you supposed to put a SweetnLow in it?"

Auntie M, I have decided to buy the cute yellow house on the hill across the street from the abandoned hotel. I already have the furniture picked out.

[NapiHead327]

Re: Ochi - My Home Sweet Home

More pics I missed:


A self portrait.


Me in the water. Can you see Skycastles in the background?


Another self-portrait.


Raheem on the beach.


Lil Sis in the water.


Lil Sis floating.