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

[Laurel]

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

Vi took FOREVER to type up her story - [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

and I am still waiting for the off-line version! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Vi]

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

Laurel...that wasn't it... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] lol...don't want to mash up Soul Hunter's post...Kazz...check u pm... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[kaz79]

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

Originally posted by Vi:
[qb] Kazz...check u pm... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

Got it [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Laurel]

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

Originally posted by Vi:
[qb] Laurel...that wasn't it... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] lol...don't want to mash up Soul Hunter's post...Kazz...check u pm... [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

OK - I will quite mashin as well ... but pm me what is it was -

[BND1999]

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

This is a good sign... so many replies and the guy barely landed and got off the plane...

heck what if he never got off.. and that was it.. we still loved it...

with that said SH.. get your bags and let's go.. you got a group of us ready.

[ohliz]

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

Ready to land SoulHunter!!

[n.c.rootswoman]

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

Much Respect Soldier You take your time and enjoy reliving this vay-kay, You got it goin on! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] By the By do you have a JA. law degree?

[SassyRas]

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

Loving your trip report and..... Soul Hunter

[Soul Hunter]

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

Originally posted by n.c.rootswoman:
[qb] "Much Respect Soldier" You take your time and enjoy reliving this vay-kay, You got it goin on! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] By the By do you have a JA. law degree? [/qb]

n.c., thanks! I obtained my law degree here in the states - licensed in ny.

[NapiHead327]

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

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

[ Finally, Caucasian woman breaks the silence and asks, “[a]re you so and so?” JA guy responds in the affirmative. Caucasian woman gasps and exclaims “I’m ‘so and so’, your sister!”
[/qb]

Are you kidding me?! What a symbolic moment!

Now get back to de dyam report, SH. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[jazzlvr57]

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

I keep coming in here seeing all these new posts and hoping for another installment. The first one really piqued my interest. I agree with all the others - great writing style. Awaiting more.

[AngieB]

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

Soul Hunter, your words touched me. As much as we all love Jamaica and for our various reasons, feel we deserve this beautiful place, I am glad that you returned to your beloved as you deserve it most of all.

A simple thank you for your protection of us all is inadequate at best. Still, I thank you... I hope that Jamaica soothed your soul and cannot wait until you return to writing.

[Soul Hunter]

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


Danger! Danger Will Robinson!:

I pause here to issue a few caveats - general warnings if you will - on the trip report that follows. This isn’t your typical trip report. Most I’ve read have been of first or second time visitors to the island, or Jamaicans returning home for a much-needed vacation. The former have always been the best to me, and truly what one expects to read in a trip report. There’s an outpouring of wonder, emotion and satisfaction that is evident in the prose of such reports.

Napi’s report remains the standard by which I judge all reports. She speaks to a longing of the soul and its search for that eternal fountain capable of satiating an otherwise insatiable thirst. Once in Jamaica, it grabs a hold of you. You feel a vibe that says this country is alive, and the ability to convey the emotions that flow through the soul captivates us all. In her report, in Vi’s, in Marilyn’s – I am reminded of all Jamaica can be, of times long past when I lived on that wonderful island, ignorant to its beauty and the hold it can have on our foreign visitors.

The latter reports, those of returning Jamaicans, have almost all been of the vacation variety. JamaicanMe’s report serves as a stunning exemplar of such a report. Visually intense, full of adventure, new, and familiar sights, it reminds those of us who are from Jamaica of those seldom trafficked spots that beckon us return to the island.

This is a different type of report. I’m a Jamaican returning home, and this is a vacation of sorts, but this report will read differently. It chronicles, roughly, a week in the life of a son of Jamaica. The primary purpose of this trip is a birthday party for my grandmother. Had I been in Jamaica alone, then JamaicanMe’s report would serve as my template. But with Mom home, I know what my role will be.

I’m a glorified errand boy on this adventure. I’ll be running to town to pick up supplies; transporting friends and family here and there; and serving as Mom’s personal chauffeur. To continue reading this report is to accept potential boredom. For those who choose to continue on this journey with me, come mek we try a ting!

The photographs also merit warning. I shoot guns for a living. When it comes to cameras, I might as well be attempting telepathy. I suck at it! Of the 300 plus photographs I take on this trip, I would venture to say 90% of them are about as blurry as Iraq’s WMD program...

I give new meaning to the term “point and shoot”, but I beg that you have patience with me. There are a few beauties, and some admittedly horrible shots of rather mundane scenery, but as with all things in life, they tell a story, so beg unno give me a bligh!

[NapiHead327]

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

Enough w/the disclaimers, get back to the story Man!

(Can you tell I need a fix - BAD!!!)

[Soul Hunter]

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

DAY 1 – cont…
I have often observed the reaction of folks visiting the island for the first time. Eager anticipation for all that Jamaica promises: warm sunshine, exotic accents, red stripe beer, dreadlocks, the infamous “herb” and Bob’s music -- our music -- people music – reggae music!

There’s a similarly powerful emotional suspense that tends to envelop the returning visitor’s sphere as s/he exits that same flight. One almost forgets the instant rush that often dominates the cabin once the “fasten the seatbelt” sign disappears. You know what you’re about to experience: searing heat rising from the tarmac, brilliant sunshine as if the sun itself has descended to wish you welcome. You’ll see the rolling hills, whether in Kingston or Montego Bay, and that lovely green foliage that confirms you’ve arrived in the Caribbean.

And through it all, that breeze, that gentle breeze that descends from the mountains, that comes crashing in with the waves from the ocean – whispering to you ever so softly, welcome to Jamaica.

For the first time ever, I miss not being able to step off the plane and onto the tarmac and that glorious Jamaican sunshine. The airport continues to expand and (at least for American Airlines – Air Jamaica didn’t have one as of Feb 05) a jet way promptly rolls up to the door. I consider demanding that the pilot back up the dyam plane and mek dem wheel in the old staircase, but prudence gets the best of me. It seems that on this day the first pic from my camera won’t be taken on Sangster’s tarmac.

I often tell people my mom will have a difficult time moving back to Jamaica permanently, so accustomed has she become to American customer service and expediency. Life in Jamaica moves on a pace all of its own. The people are friendly -- without a doubt – but slow fails to describe the immigration line this afternoon and I swear the line I am in is moving at -100 miles per hour.

Caution to visitors – do yourself a favor and grab a beverage at the Margaritaville “outpost” as you exit the plane. The delays are the by-product of some sort of labor dispute and a deficit in trained and available immigration officers. For the near future, I imagine these delays will continue to plague Sangsters, and perhaps Manley as well. Waiting in that line can dampen even the most jovial spirit.

No worries though. The ladies are singing now and I’ve got 11 days ahead of me. I can wait just a little longer.


and so begins a journey into blurry photos!