Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

**Lil' sis** · 03-13-2005, 02:22 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Originally posted by Soul Hunter:

The day starts in a splendidly lazy fashion. I awaken at approximately 1100, hit the shower, get dressed, and make my way out into the living room to find the house absolutely empty. Moms and Maggie have gone to church, while David and Patty have walked down to Reggae Beach. I think about Napi and Lil’ Sis and wonder if they made it this far east in Ochi. If ever I’m in Jamaica with those two beautiful ladies, there’s so much I would like to show them, and Reggae Beach is one of them. It’s slightly off the beaten path, mainly a local spot, and a good place to rest one’s head and absorb Jamaica. I am determined to make this happen if I have to fly those two to Jamaica myself!

[/QB]

Thank you for all of the wonderful compliments! Keep the story coming. I am finding myself getting so excited reading this report and seeing all of the things that I saw and experienced through your report. Thanks for turning around and going back to Yow's, the pictures are great!

**Siun** · 03-13-2005, 03:07 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Soulhunter .... your report is a treasure ... I'm just back from my first trip to Jamaica (and yes, I will post a trip report with photos as soon as I catch my breath though it will be a lite bit after this wondrous SH report! ) and so much of what you write is offering interesting insights that help to expand the thoughts I've come home with .... the perfect way to ease my missing jamaica moments today. Thank you.

**NapiHead327** · 03-13-2005, 04:07 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

quote by SH:
Napi, I now see how brave a soul you and Lil’ Sis were dear. The hill isn’t exactly climbing Everest, but it’s pretty darned steep in some places. Two tourists, who obviously thought they were up to the challenge, are laboring valiantly up the hill as I pull into the “Humming Bird” parking lot for Columbus Heights, located down the hill from Sky Castles.

Was I lyin' when I said:

quote by Napi:
FattiBB and her friend drove Vi up the mountain/hill and me and Sis decided to walk it. Climb is more like it. No, scale would be more accurate. Not only does this thing go straight up into the sky, but the winds, twists, turns, and potholes make the climb even more difficult. I swear I thought I would pass out and die after we climbed the first tier. I always seem to have delusions about exactly how in shape I am. Walking a few miles, stopping each ½ mile to drink at the bar – no problem! Scaling a mountain in wet clothes after a day of swimming – killer! I was wishing for anybody to come by and give us a ride up the hill. I was also kind of hoping nobody saw me panting and sweating like a cow, how embarrassing. I would walk a few feet and stop to catch my breath. Then walk another few feet, and stop to wipe the sweat. Then walk yet another few feet, and stop to pull my shorts out of my crotch. Thunder thighs weren’t meant to climb mountains. Kanye’s Jamaican workout plan was getting the best of me today. Again, the violins and lyrics played in my head.

and may I add:

quote by Napi:
I couldn't run up the first quarter much less the first half. By the time I got from the street to the security booth, I was doubting myself. Then, once I got to the office, I was ready to give up. When I reached the next tier, I was ready to pass out in the street, lay my head in a pothole and wait for somebody to take pitty on me and carry me the rest of the way up. Once I finally reached A7, I was delirious and seeing double. I didn't know what day it was, where I was, or what my name was. My mouth was dry and my clothes were soaked. I had the overwhelming urge to strip and lay on the floor, ask Sis to drag me to the bathroom, throw me in the shower and turn the water on.

That mountain/hill is NO JOKE. If ever we're in Ochi at the same time, I will enjoy watching you, Mr. Military, climb the stairless stairway to heaven that is Sky Castles driveway. Getting my camera ready now for the 'action shots'. Getting my asthma pump ready for the 'near-death moments'! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Now get back to postin', Soul Brotha #1.

**NapiHead327** · 03-13-2005, 04:24 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

quote by SH:
Tomorrow I’ll attempt to find the cyber café, log on to check and see if Kazz, Yardy, or Napi have taken me up on my offer to bring them something back

You brought me back everything I asked for. Remember, I asked you for sunshine and you brought me that through pics and words. From the deep corners of my soul, I thank you. Your eloquence and sincerity has (re)lit that fire in me that screams JAMAICA!

Just this morning, I was telling my sister that since our return in November, the only way I have been able to cope is at night to imagine the sounds of the ocean and the tree frogs and light incense (the same scent I took to JA in Nov.). This gets me to sleep. Every morning, before I open my eyes to the new day, I must imagine that I am waking up in my twin bed in A7 to the sound of a cruise ship's horn and Auntie M calling us onto the balcony for vegi omlets. This is the only way I can face the day in Babylon.

Through the months, those sensory images have been fading slightly. I can't neccessarily recall the details in the view from our balcony, the smell of Fisherman's Beach, the sight of the parakeets flying across our window in the morning or the bats at night... SH, your report is bringing back my memories! So, for that, it is priceless. No t-shirt or authentic JA Red Stripe or whatever material thing you could bring back could have meant so much as your words and your kindness.

Jah is love, SH, and I'm feeling the love right now. Praise Jah! Praise Him!

**tigerinatrance** · 03-13-2005, 03:18 PM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Nicely said Napi -

Having just returned on 2/8, I am still in the early stages of remembering my trip when I wake up in the morning. . . The sound of the ocean is, however,fading.

**QK13** · 03-13-2005, 04:27 PM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Excellent report SoulH.

Thanks for sharing your words and photos.

**Maylen-Jamaica** · 03-13-2005, 04:51 PM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

**NapiHead327** · 03-14-2005, 01:46 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

(Napi tapping fingers)

In search of Soul Brotha #1.

**Soul Hunter** · 03-14-2005, 01:53 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

I was delayed in posting tonight because I've been reading your PM [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Day 6 coming up in a bit...

**NapiHead327** · 03-14-2005, 02:10 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Don't blame it on me.

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

**Soul Hunter** · 03-14-2005, 02:17 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

we don’t need, no more trouble
(we don’t need no trouble),
we don’t need, no more trouble,
make love and not war, cause we don’t need no trouble

Robert Nesta Marley - No More Trouble

Day 5:

This morning I threaten to take laziness to new heights. I hit the living room at 1100 and Mom and Maggie are nowhere to be found. They’ve gone shopping for additional groceries for Mama’s party. Along the way they drop off their photographs at a one-hour spot across the street from the Ochi craft market. Maggie’s pics are amazing, with a clarity that belies the fact that they were taken with a disposable camera from a person who had never snapped a photo prior to this trip. Moms has cooked a lovely breakfast though, with ackee and saltfish, plantains and fried dumplings!

a dem ting ya mi a chat ‘bout – seen! Wid a little “Ting” fi wash it down [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I am determined to do something with myself in their absence, and so I take a quick stroll around Mom’s neighborhood. I spot another church and try to find my way around to the front to get yet another church pic for Napi, but couldn’t quite figure out how to get to it. Alas, the best I can do is a shot of the side near the street.

**Soul Hunter** · 03-14-2005, 02:56 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Along the way I spot this rather ominous warning and spend a considerable amount of time thinking about it. Ocho Rios isn’t plagued with the waves of violence that seem to flow into Kingston and Spanish Town like high tide along the shores. Yet the entire society is reeling from the effects of it. Signs like these can no longer be interpreted as silly warnings…

we kill thief over here. Me kill thief over here…

Turning to make the walk back home, I spot these two fellas hanging out.

They are both staring quite lustfully at this charming young lady who has quietly taken a position on a line nearby. It becomes pretty clear to the two mates that she’s not paying them a lick of attention and they take off. I suspect she realizes she’s been too coy and she takes off in their general direction.

This young lady, however, shuns them all and scans the horizon as if saying, “where in the world is that ocean?”

The landscape in Jamaica is beautiful and I would advise anyone going to Jamaica for the first time, to take at least one day away from those beautiful beaches and make your way into the hills and just gaze upon Jah creation. For me, trips home are always a welcome respite from the concrete jungles of urban America…

**Soul Hunter** · 03-14-2005, 03:08 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

…more pics as I continue home:

colorful, ain’t it? Mom’s neighbor and former Jamaican Ambassador to Japan

pause day 6…

Duty calls folks – hopefully this call from work won’t pull me out of town. If it doesn’t I’ll wrap up day 6 tomorrow and take you guys through day 7 of my wonderfully boring adventure [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

So, as Russell Simmons used to say…thank you all for coming out, and good night!

**popcorn1012** · 03-14-2005, 04:00 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

mi nuh like u!
mi nuh like u!
I am here showing off my country to my co workers, the pics in your posts and i started feeling tears rolling down from the corner of my eye. i just felt the tears start rolling down my cheek. mi nuh like u soul hunter u owe mi a box a kleenex
thank u so much for giving me a part of home right here at work at 2am in the morning.

how dare u mek mi a drop dilli wata a work

**kaz79** · 03-14-2005, 06:30 AM

Re: Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

Originally posted by Soul Hunter:
[qb] [/qb]

SH :love: I cant believe you have taken a pic of this building [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] This is where I will be visiting when I finally make it to Jamaica

Coming In From The Cold...an unremarkable trip report

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