St, Bess & Beyond...

[Sinco01]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bandanna</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CEW [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/icon_hug.gif[/img]

I am catching up here, just finished the YS Falls part, and I can't wait to read the rest before I respond...


WOW!!!

WOW WOW WOW!!! [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

The pictures at YS Falls are beautiful, but is the water really dirty?? It looks muddy... Are there places to swim?? Don't know if I could handle the heat with out taking a dip... I always thought the water was clear [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70402-thinking.gif[/img]


BTW, it has been 4 years since my last trip to Jamaica as well...
I love the way you write, and as always your photography is wonderful!!

ok... back to read the rest.... [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70371-jump.gif[/img]
</div></div>


i think he mentioned that it was rainy ..
lots of rain lately ...

[Seveen]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Seveen</div><div class="ubbcode-body">mobile sauna [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

good one </div></div>

You know what's it like after leaving a vehicle closed up for several hours in the hot "boiling" sun, right? [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] </div></div>

oh yeah and i know Jamaica in July - the sauna is everywhere - in your house - right out the door - in the ocean

i actually felt it was acceptable to just "drip" on the street
guess folks thought i was a mermaid 'cause i "dripped" bad
until i carried my sweat rag [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif[/img]

i came home 5 pounds thinner and the clearest complexion i have ever had [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

no more July trips for me [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] well . . .

[Diplomat]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

Gosh guys, you all just about had me tearing up. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the kind words, and for taking the time to come on-board and reliving this tremendous adventure with me. I'm indeed grateful.

Regarding Tyrone, what can I say? I'm not ashamed to admit that when I got to my room that Sunday night, the tears flowed freely for a while. As mentioned, I had come face to face with one of God's miracles, and it was such a tremendously humbling feeling to have Him reaffirm just how sovereign He is in the lives of those who choose to trust Him unconditionally. So many times we complain about things in our lives, we often forget that there are others who have it far worse than we do. In spite of that, they have a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude for the things they do have, trusting God to meet their needs. That's the kind of attitude we should all strive for.

Tyrone said he learned a lot from the teaching that night, but I learned a lot more from him than he realized. I think of him just about every day, and look forward to catching up with him on my next visit.

It's been a pleasure doing this report. I'll be updating later.

[Seveen]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

GOD sends messages everyday in every way

thanks CEW - more than a mission accomplished !!!!!!

you have given my strength even more fortitude

thanks for sharing

peace bro'

[Diplomat]

Re: St, Bess &amp; Beyond...

Then it was Monday. After ten days together as a team, mission accomplished, it was time to go off in different directions. We were tired but satisfied. Only one person had a flight back to Toronto that day; the rest of us staying in JA to visit with families and friends. I was headed for Kingston where I would be for another week.

I was looking forward to my sister and brother coming for me, and was delighted when not only they showed up, but my Mom with them. I *LOVE* my mom, a woman who is primarily responsible for who I am as a person. We had spoken on the phone a couple of times during my time in Southfield, and it was great to see her in person. Time to head to Kingston. My last Southfield picture...



But for the rains, it was a relatively uneventful ride. For the most part things were as I remembered them. The toll hiway was pretty cool, and it was nice to drive for long stretches without dodging those craters that pass for potholes. Once we got past Ferry, we were in the thick of traffic so my brother had to resort to a lot of backroads, driving through some of the areas we grew up and lived. To pass time, we relived all kind of childhood stories. My sister, the family historian, brought me up to speed on who was alive, who died, who got married, that kind of a thing. Once we got to my Mom's place, it was time to do the social thing before hours later, finally getting the chance to get some sleep.

Being in JA among family members requires me to be a diplomat. Sisters complain I do not stay by them, and if I go for more than a day, my Mom isn't happy. Now, one of my nieces was complaining \o/. So it was off to sister # 1 for a couple of days. One huge factor - other than the complaining niece - was the heat in Kingston. Mama Mia...it was as if the sun was closer to the earth there than anywhere else on the island. The chances of my leaving the house in the days to go outdoor was slim to none (I was already sunburnt!) Thankfully, the plans for things we wanted to do - go see a play, get fish at Port Royal, go to Emancipation Park, and whatever else - were things we were going to in the evenings. In the days, it was putting my feet up and watching TV.

One thing I was also looking forward to was catching up with churchgirl who flew to JA about a week after I did. After a couple of calls, my sister got us all tickets for the play which we would go see the next night. In the meantime, having taking pictures all week, I was itching. With camera in hand, I looked around my sister's house for things of interest...

[Diplomat]

Re: St, Bess &amp; Beyond...

I have two sisters in JA and I love them dearly. Like most families, we have had our differences over the years, but we simply learn to respect where we are different, and celebrate the very many things we have in common. I could go on and on about them, but I won't [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: St, Bess &amp; Beyond...

I really loved this one...it reminded me of the statue of justice I saw on a courthouse in Cleveland, OH (that report is in the Non Jamaica Trip Reports forum).



And then there was me.



Next update, the play.

[Sinco01]

Re: St, Bess &amp; Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I really loved this one...it reminded me of the statue of justice I saw on a courthouse in Cleveland, OH (that report is in the Non Jamaica Trip Reports forum).



And then there was me.


man .. you look so relaxed ..






<img src="
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...7/P5032189.jpg" alt="" />

Next update, the play.
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[Sinco01]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...



young bwoy ...

yuh have more farrid dan mi .. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sinco01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

young bwoy ...

yuh have more farrid dan mi .. [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img] </div></div>

That only because I have no hair left [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[R00TS]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

I totally agree about the praise and hymns of the Jamaican church service. Fell in love with a small church on st james in Ocho..was drawn there from hearing in the distance the worship service one sunday night...A highlight of my Ocho vacations now

Now Cew I'm not gonna tell you how handsom I find you...I'm sure you get tired of hearing it [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif[/img]
Great read! thanks

[Q3210]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CEW</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Green_Biscuit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, CEW. Those mangroves are so cool, aren't they?

The white bird on the water is a Little Blue Heron, I think... </div></div>

Re the bird, I think you're right as the name is coming back to me now. As for the mangroves, they were like nothing I've ever seen. I recall seeing mangroves while out walking in Grand Bahama a couple years ago, but those were nothing in comparison to these. </div></div>

CEW and Green Biscuit, I think the white long billed and long legged bird is an Ibis.

[Wahalla]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">In the Church he was attending, Tyrone met and fell in love with a wonderful woman (whom I also met). They got married and later had a son. Because of the lack of transportation, they could hardly attend Church together, often times getting a drive from someone individually or as a family. This bothered him greatly, but having proven God over the years, Tyrone had no room for doubt. When another child was added to his growing family, it was time for his own transportation. Trusting and believing, he was able to buy the vehicle we were travelling in. Not only could it hold the family, but it came in handy for selling his farm produce and for taking him to painting jobs. In his words, "God is just too good."

As we got to the guest house, my admiration for Tyrone was off the charts; his was a life that could so easily have been messed up. With his wife and kids in the back, he said "Sir, I'm twenty five years old and I've accomplished far more than my father has accomplished in his whole life so far." I felt awkward with the "Sir" bit, but I felt his pride. It wasn't one of arrogance, but one of deep reflection of how far he had come. This boy who could not read or write, became a husband, father, and businessman, and yet was humble enough to acknowledge it would not have been possible without God in his life.
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forget god.. He had nothing to do with this.. This man got through his own discpline and application made a success..... The fact of the matter in my opnion, his attending church gave him focus to do what he did.. And I am sure he gave up a lot of behaviours when he joined the Church.. But this man through his own effort made progress that I celebrate... not an none existant...

[Laurel]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

Rootsie - ya beat me to it ...

now - ya'll know my heart is steadfast and true ... but good golly ~ [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/inlove1.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70377-loveeyes.gif[/img]

[Kimberley24]

Re: St, Bess & Beyond...

[img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/rolleyes.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/70388-shameonyou.gif[/img]