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

[Nanook]

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

Yes Soul Hunter, what Napi and others said, I agree wholeheartedly! Now, if everyones trip reports were the same, they wouldn't be any fun. Now, your story to me, sounds intriguing and I promise you I/we won't be bored if all you do is get up sit around and go to bed. Taking Mom and Grandma & family out? Please, don't be shy! You're too modest!

[Soul Hunter]

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

Mom is waiting for me outside, accompanied by a charming American couple she’s invited down from the States. We greet each other with a quick hug and kiss. I last saw moms at this very spot in April 2004 when I flew down for a weekend to attend her house warming. True to form, she immediately hands me the keys to the car, and I know pics of day 1 will be in short supply.

First stop is at Aunt P.E.’s house in Ironshore, Montego Bay. (note: I refer to family throughout this report by initials.) I wolf down a plate of curried shrimp and rice that Moms picked up from a spot called the Pelican. It’s cold, which might have something to do with my evaluation of it, but overall I’m not impressed. The food is bland, not a lick of the scotch bonnet inna it. But it’s yard food, and I’m eating it down a yard, and somehow that makes it money on the spot! Try the Pelican for yourself if you should happen to be in Mobay. Mom assures me the food there is usually good.

I chat with my cousin R.E. for a few minutes and we make plans to link up when I return to Mobay in a few days to return Mom’s guests. A few more pleasantries are exchanged and then we’re off to Ochi as the sun attempts a kamikaze dive into the ocean.

Everything moves slowly in Jamaica…except cars. There are two types of drivers on the island: those who go and those who go right now, and I am on the road with a slew of go now cats.

The scenery flashes by as Mom relates the drama that has developed since she arrived 7 days ago. Eventually some of that drama will spill into this report, but I take it in and file it away for later. One’s first day on the island should not be cluttered with unpleasant thoughts.

The drive back is filled with fond memories, most of them supplied by Moms. “There’s the store that soul hunter used to sneak out to and spend all his time…” she points out. “We used to live in one of those apartments” she continues. “That area is called Ironshore and we lived there when I was the head of house keeping at what was then known as Rose Hall Intercontinental.” Rose Hall has now become the Wyndham Rose Hall, and mom proudly points out the fact that now when she returns, she plays golf on the Rose Hall golf course.

As we continue out of Mobay making our way east towards Falmouth, I glance at the trees occupying the shores on our left. I spent many a day as a child gorging myself on the sea-grapes that grow on those trees. There goes that smile flashing across my face again.



Just outside Discovery Bay, she points to the hospital where she lost her first child. Doctors told her then that another attempt to have a child would kill her. midwives and winding sheets – know birthing is hard – and dying is mean – and living’s a trial in between. Maya Angelou . She had me anyway.

We make it to Ochi in one piece, and I sit back and relax and soak it all in. Mom bought this place in Feb 2004. Since then she’s done a ton of work to it, traveling to Jamaica whenever possible to add a bit of furniture here, or slap some paint on a wall there. It’s not done yet – but it has turned out to be a fine home.

The house falls silent at midnight and I retire to my room to tap out a few notes on my PDA. I’ve quoted Maya before, and I quote her again here: ” What I aim to do is to take a few nouns…and adjectives…verbs…adverbs - ball them together, throw them against the wall, make them bounce.” As I scan my notes wondering if any of these words will bounce, I glance up at my watch. It’s 0100 – day 2 is just beginning.



Photo from Negril - Feb 2004

[hannahcommunications]

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

Oh SH where do I start...thank you for taking us on your return/VAC home. My mother started that return home. She constructed a home near Browns Town while living in Canada and had to stop before the final details (plumbing etc.) were completed due to health issues. When you are unable to make the frequent trips home, finishing becomes difficult...hope to help her finish over the next little while.

Look forward to hearing how your mother is settling back into the pace of things...

Your writing style draws me in like a magnet...more please...fuzzy pictures are just fine!

[grandma2]

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

very nice SH, totally enjoying it

love your style of writing,and your quotes

[BND1999]

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

((SH)) worth the wait... i havent read a report like this in i dont know when... where i hear every word im reading.. and my breath is shortened.....

somehow this one feels so special...

i love the photo with the grapes...

ill be hear waiting for more...

[Pepper]

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

[Laurel]

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

Yes - what they all have said ....

Soulie - Your style is captivating!!

Your nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs are bouncing

Write On!!

[Seveen]

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

Loving the trip report SH

Some of the delay at immigration is due to the new immigration form. The other one had been in use since my first trip to Jamaica (and that was not yesterday). I noticed most people did not fill out the bottom - which is supposed to get returned upon your exit. This resulted in their having to fill that part out when they reached the counter. Sometimes the agent would just help the next person in line. Then the person who now has completed their form was next up (didn't have to get back in line).

I watched this go on over and over causing delay after delay.

Antidote for immigration line - get a libation from the bar and enjoy the singer/dancers - after all you are in Jamaica.

Continue please - drag it out [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Vi]

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

Now THIS is a gem of a report. Sir Hunter…your are an incredible writer. I for one am grateful you are sharing your return to home with us. Like Napi…I’m in desperate need of a descriptive journey back to Jamaica. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Soul Hunter]

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

Originally posted by Vi:
[qb]

Originally posted by Soul Hunter:
[qb] an' unnu know sey mi a yard man, so a pure one finger typing mi a deal wid! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [/qb]

I'm excellent at taking dictation...wan me numbah??? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [/qb]

chat 'bout! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/70365-flirt.gif[/img] mi might haffi get it yes! but not until you pm me bout this business that followed your last report!

[Soul Hunter]

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

Originally posted by AngieB:
[qb] 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. [/qb]

Angie, thanks for all the kind words! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Lynntt]

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

Originally posted by Soul Hunter:
[qb] Just outside Discovery Bay, she points to the hospital where she lost her first child. Doctors told her then that another attempt to have a child would kill her. midwives and winding sheets – know birthing is hard – and dying is mean – and living’s a trial in between. Maya Angelou . She had me anyway. [/qb]

Honestly, I find it hard to believe that you are not a professional writer. This passage of your report brought tears to my eyes, SH. I'm usually not much for reading trip reports, but for some reason I decided to take a peek at yours. I am so glad I did, and am waiting eagerly for the next installment. You have a gift, and I truly thank you for sharing it with us.

[Soul Hunter]

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

sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
make you wanna move, your dancing feet now
to the rescue, here I am!

Robert Nesta Marley - Sun is Shining

DAY 2:



I awake to brilliant sunshine piercing through the windows into my room. I can tell by the racket outside that everyone is awake and I fully expect it to be 1300 on the clock. But even time seems to yield in Jamaica: It’s only 0930. There’s breakfast to be had, pics to be taken!

The purpose of my trip is two-fold: my grandmother’s birthday and some semblance of a vacation. As most returning Jamaicans know, however, “vacation” is a very fluid term.


la casa de mi mumma!

The majority of the day will be spent running errands with Moms. Our relationship is a tenuous one. I am her only child and logically we love each other because all we really have is each other. But we’ve only been close – emotionally – in the last 2 or so years. You see, we grew apart in my early teens, through undergrad and on through law school.

As recently as 2002 we weren’t talking. Even to this day, she doesn’t know about my work in the armed forces. I know she loves me. I know, as with most parents, that she holds fast to that belief that a parent should never outlive their child. I’m not prepared to have her worrying about whether my next trip behind enemy lines will be my last.

Age has, however, brought some measure of maturity to me. I’m 30 now, and I pride myself in trodding a more forgiving road. I’ve accepted her and the occasional quirks that have often resulted in us clashing. It’s a welcome change too, for there was a time when Moms and I couldn’t be in the same room together without an air of discomfort stifling the room and forcing one of us into another part of the house. Though we certainly don’t “chat” as much as an only child and his mother should, we’ve finally arrived at a place of mutual respect where time spent together, however quiet, is still an appreciated and welcome event.

[Soul Hunter]

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

The house has become a mini United Nations. Along with her two American friends (Patty and David), Moms has dished out $1k out of her own pocket to bring one officially certified (at least by the state of Alaska) Eskimo home with her for 3 weeks. Everyone, meet Maggie.


hard to believe she’s in her 60’s – seal oil has done her good!

It’s a sweet gesture and typical of Moms, but I can tell poor Maggie is petrified. With the exception of Nome and Anchorage, she has never been out of the small villages in her part of Alaska. My Mom is becoming impatient because Maggie is essentially acting like a child in her eyes. An example:

Maggie seems to be on a shopping spree for t-shirts for the entire Eskimo population. Wherever she spots t-shirts, out comes her money. One such instance occurred before I arrived and on a day when Maggie had just cashed out $500 US. $30,000.00 is a fair amount of coin in Jamaica and $500 in the US isn’t exactly pocket change either. She goes into a shop with mom and starts picking out t-shirts. She brings them up to the register and the cashier rings her out. When he gives her the total, Maggie proceeds to pull out all of her money and with her hands open says to the teller “[y]ou take how much.” (Maggie’s native language is Yupik, thus the literal quote on my part.)

Moms isn’t there while this exchange takes place, but later finds out that Maggie left the store with a fraction of the money she went in with. I don’t know the exact figure – but let’s just say she had less than $15k Jamaican when she walked out, for what should have been, at best, $3k’s worth of t-shirts. Dyam tiefing bwoy – had I been there a fling two lick under him fi rob the woman so bad.

Mom is in disbelief that Maggie, a woman who knows how to count out her money and pay for stuff in Alaska, would come to Jamaica and seemingly lose the ability to cope. She’s also pretty ticked off at comments Maggie has made up to this point, along the lines of “I shouldn’t have come.”

“She not even thank mi fi di trip weh mi pay so much money fa!” exclaims Mom. “All she de pon," she continues, "is how she miss har Alaskan food an how she no know if she shoulda come ya.” But I gently remind her that this is culture shock for Maggie, and besides, I’m sure Maggie wasn’t the one who came up with the idea of going to Jamaica.

Adding to this tension is the fact that this isn’t exactly a vacation for Moms. She’s here to throw a bashment, with all the extravagance that goes into anything Moms does. If you’re going to bring someone to Jamaica who comes from a very sheltered and isolated culture, you do it when you have time to relax with them – to show them the sights, take them to the beach, in general time to relax. Not when you're in the process of planning and hosting a grand celebration for your mother.

To give our American friends some reprieve from this madness, I drop them off at Dunn’s River and Moms and I hit downtown Ochi.

[NapiHead327]

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

No words, just