What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholic?

[Grandmother]

Jamaicaholics
A place where those who have visited Jamaica and are now “Jamaicaholics” hang out and talk about the 'Land They Love'! (quote from forum list of Jamaicans.com)



The above definition was given to this Forum, by the powers that be. But for me it is inadequate. The fact that so many of us come here daily, whether to lurk or post, we are all here. Why? Why do we return as often as we can to talk to each other in most cases people we have never and will never meet. Why do we return to Jamaica as often as we can, whether we can afford to or not. When I have been asked how can you afford to go as often as you do, I tell them that I really can not afford to not go.

When I first began traveling to Jamaica over 29 years ago it was just a cheap vacation, in fact the first time I went it was to Ocho Rios for about 8 hours. We did Dunn's River Fall. I was able to climb the falls back then and it was a wonderful, exhilarating experience. We also did the craft market, back them I went home loaded with souvenirs. Not so much now. It was an okay day but it was just one day, no chance to get the essence of the place. A few years later I decided to return, to Ochi to get a feel for it, by this time I had traveled to other Islands trying to find one that would say "Come my child you have found your home" none struck me. The first plus for Ochi was the great deal I had gotten. The second, my Girl Friend's man and I were talking one day and he asked what did I think of a wedding in Jamaica, and then he showed me the ring, I screamed and hugged him hard. "Do you think she will say yes?" Are you kidding I say yes for her was my reply.

For a while it was a secret between he and I. I began researching and found good info copied it out for him, contacted my travel agent and we began making plans. Suffice it to say she said yes, the wedding was held at San Souci, 20 family members and friends traveled over and blessed this Blessing. I stayed for 10 days and got more of a feel of the place.

But I didn't fall in Love with the place until a few years ago, when we were given sad news about my Father. My daughter and I were planning to go back to Jamaica, but when we received the news about Daddy we decided we wouldn't go, he forbade us cancelling and told us "I'll Wait for you, I'll still be here when you return". We went and this was another time of reflecting, we did this at Sea Grapes in Negril on the cliffs, this was a time when I thought about the past, the future, the present. I realised that when I am home in the US I think, plot, plan. But while in Jamaica that time I reflected, I meditated, I marinated. I searched for Orbra I searched for answers, for Peace and Acceptance. I found some of what I needed.

I guess what I am trying to say is that , going to Jamaica was a Transition, a rebirth, for me. One that I will always be grateful for.

There are those who look at me as if I have lost my mind, actually I have but it is one of the few things that make me happy. Shouldn't that matter?

I am not a Jamaicaholic because I have traveled to Jamaica and enjoyed it. I am a Jamaicholic because I traveled to Jamaica and Needed it. Soon I will Travel to Jamaica to learn how to be on my own.


So come talk to me, Tell me What or who influenced your love for Jamaica?

[Laurel2]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

wow Orbra - what a wonderful read ... WRITE ON!!

[R00TS]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Orbra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I marinated.</div></div>


My Mother and Dad started goin in the early 60's and I truely
fell in love with it before i ever set foot there.for real

Just remembered this it was always my show and tell stuff in elementry

[Nanook]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

What a wonderful thread Orbra and I love your story and Rootsies!

Ive been friends with Peggy since 1974 &amp; Val since 1964 Both of them had cabins next door to mine, one on each side. Were were always hanging out floating around in your paddle boats tied to an anchor that was tied to a prestone antifreeze bottle. We never really paddled anywhere, the 3 of us would sit out there all day all summer, each of us with our own paddle boats and a cooler full of beer. Those were some fun times.

Anyway, one year Peggy and her boyfriend Roger went to Jamaica for something new to do. They had never been there before and this was before the internet boon so it was all word of mouth stories from other people. They landed in Montego Bay and wandered around town for a day when they ran into Shorty, a local taxi driver. They told Shorty to take them somewhere nice and not touristy so that's how they ended up in Alligator Pond.

Oh the stories Peggy would tell of their wanderings and the pictures she brought back that she'd share as we were floating out on our little private lake with nobody else around but the herons and the loons. It was like a major story time. Peggy &amp; Roger went back a couple more times and each time the stories got better, so of course I had to go. I really had never heard of Negril and if it wasn't for Bob Marley I probably never would have known there was a Jamaica but after Peggys pictures and stories I was hooked before I ever got there.

My first trips were to Alligator Pond, and then Negril and after that Little Bay. You can keep the Negril part. The place bores me to tears. Traveling the countryside on a scooter and hanging out in places like Little Bay and Alligator Pond and taking days long scooter trips is what the Jamaicaholic in me craves.

A rolling stone gathers no moss and alla that!

Here's a pic from that trip. That's Roger on the left and Peggy and her two daughters, Blackie who owns Little Ochie, a guy that fell in love with Peggy's daughters and a friend of Peggy's and Rogers at Little Ochie. Roger is no longer with us, but I still thank him to this day for the wonderful adventures.

RIP Roger



Little Ochie was very small back then...






OK...nuff memories, thanks Obra I needed to remember that after these rough past two months after the news of Sam.

In case any of you haven't seen it, there's a trip report in the archives of that journey, the one that hooked me and bad!

I see there's a few pics missing for some reason but most of them are there.

It's here


How we wiled away the afternoons...still floating! In the river that ran right next to the Sea Riv.

[Grandmother]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

Good Morning Laurel, Roots and Nanook.

Why after reading Roots and Nanooks stories are tears falling from my eyes? Those are beautiful memories, thank you both I needed that also.

This week a big secret was flowing around the job. Mr Demille had arrived and was interviewing people and everyone was having a jolly good time roasting Orbra. Turns out they have decided to 'secretly' make a DVD of my co workers telling me good bye or in the case of a few Get Out. Of course no one can keep a secret, but the sentiment is there and folks are walking up to me all day making me cry, making me laugh, because from what I understand some of them are showing their behinds and having a good time at my expense. I was informed that I can not watch it until my first night in my new home in Jamaica, after I have settled in for the night. I love them for wanting to give me such a precious gift.

One door closing, another opening , Bittersweet, I am going to miss these folks so much 34 years is a long time out of your life and we have had some good times. And a few of them I have turned into Jamaicaholics and they love the place as much as I do. So I know I will see some of them again. And of course everyone promises to come and check out this place that occupies so much of my Mind and Time.

[QK13]

What/who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholic?

My second trip to Jamaica in December 2002 was the hook for me. That was the time I stayed with JD at IRIE REST in Billy's Bay down in TB. We walked everywhere, we talked to everyone. We took a road trip out to Cave Valley so JD could thank someone for a kindness they showed her when her taxi broke down on a previous trip.



I felt at home in TB. We walked most of the way from Billy's Bay to Great Bay by road (lang sinting dat) and when I walked up my friend's driveway (I was amazed I found it)his mom recognized me and it was like meeting a long lost relative. Like coming home.

The following year we were back in April &amp; June. Then in January, May &amp; August. The August trip was 3 weeks. I arrived immediately following Hurricane Charlie and left immediately before Hurricane Ivan. When I arrived the current was back intermittently, the roads were mashed up badly and water was sporadic. We cooked &amp; bathed from water caught in barrels from rain or filled with the hose when the water did come on.

This was the trip I spent the most time being independent. Totally immersed in Jamaican life. Driving on my own, wandering alone. Spending time just living in my friend's family's yard. I did not see another person in those first 2 weeks who was not Jamaican and I felt totally at peace and at home. More than I have ever felt anywhere else, INCLUDING home. This was the trip where I felt I could be in Jamaica for more than a vacation.

Unfortunately that was when I had been laid off from one of the better paying jobs I'd had in a while and when I returned to the states we found out we had to move and things have been financially shaky ever since. I made it back for 1 brief trip the following July, shortly after my father passed away in 2005 and have not been able to make it back since. I've had 3 different jobs and have moved twice since that last trip.

I have 12 days, 11 nights to make up for 3 1/2 long years away from home. I need to step on the land in my own Yard and make it feel real again.



I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now, knowing retirement is less than 10 years away. 9yrs 325 days to be exact.

[Nanook]

What/who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholic?

CLAP CLAP Q.K!!!!!!

Nice.

Obra, what a cool thing your co-wokers have done! Now you have me crying...

[Grandmother]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

Nanook as I ride through the plant someone will give me a look and then come over and give me a hug, and tel me how much they are going to miss me, its killing me, because I am so ready to leave, things have changed so much, but then so have I. I grew up in this place, we all grew up along with our children together. I have only had two jobs in my life and I left one on Friday and started at the PO on Monday, and all of this right out of High School. I opted to work because I was already a mother.

Something I have never regretted, because it has afforded a good living to raise my children. My two hearts that I am Very proud of and love till my last breath. This is partially why I want to get away alone for a while because can you believe I have never left home. I have lived in this one city all my life.

Now it is time to go down a road, that is both scary and intriguing simultaneously. As some of you know this is an emotional but happy time for me, because I hate saying Goodbye, they don't know it yet but I intend to say my goodbyes daily, not let them know the exact date and just walk out of the plant if I can get away with this. How can a Heart break and Soar at the same time?

QK I loved your story, and the pictures and your narrative were very very sweet. I have met JD and you both seem to be a very good match, she is a sweetheart. Thank you for sharing your story with me.

[QK13]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicholic?

JD &amp; I met thru J.Com... I emailed her &amp; asked if she wanted to go to the NJ bashment. And she said sure. we never met until I picked her up to head to Jersey.
We yakked so much on the way we never even turned on the radio.
Turns out her birthday is the day before mine.
We've been great friends ever since.

She's in Florida now and I miss her lots!!

I am so very excited for you Orbra. A whole new life ahead!!

[Bandana]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Orbra</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I thought about the past, the future, the present. I realised that when I am home in the US I think, plot, plan. But while in Jamaica that time I reflected, I meditated, I marinated. I searched for Orbra I searched for answers, for Peace and Acceptance. I found some of what I needed.

</div></div>

wow!

I could not have said it better myself

That is exactly why I love Jamaica, along with the reggae music that speaks to my soul


I think I come <span style="font-style: italic">here</span> tho, for different reasons...

Yes, I come to jamaicans.com because I love Jamaica, but also because I love the people I have come to know here.

The companionship, the drama, the jokes and the fights, the news, the stories, the babies! and of course the trip reports Especially the Non_Jamaica trip reports

This on-line community is like no other to me... It has had it's setbacks, but it has come a long way, and is still the first resource for anything Jamaican.

Face it jam.com rules even the people who claim to hate it still deh an lurk





cool thread Orbra

[queenb]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

I went to Jamaica for the first time in April '97 for 8 days, 7 nights--it's how we used to travel, sis and I, package deals. She wanted to go because it's where our g'ma was from; I didn't want to go for the same reason.(My grandmother played favorites, and I wasn't it) We stayed at Sea Wind in MoBay, now Sunset Beach Resort. The hotel was about to go out of business, the 2 11 storey towers were empty. Service was bad. They gave us only 1 washcloth and I had to have a tantrum to get another.

Sis likes to shop: we went into town, but a cruise ship had landed and the place was packed, and I mean packed, with obnoxious American tourists. (Why do we behave so badly abroad?)

We hired a car and driver, and went along the North coast to Duncans, then inland through the Cockpits across the island to Devon, a small village in Manchester. We were told to find an old man, and lo and behold he remembered my mom, 75 years after her stay on the island! We found what had been my great grandparents' farm and graves, which to me was the only real high point of the trip. The land is now the Devon All-Age School. Maybe if this had happened before the washcloth incident, I would have felt more positive about the trip.

I refused to go back to Jamaica. We went to Antigua in '98, and Hawaii in '99. Then my sister wore me down and told me to find another place in Jamaica. I searched the internet and found Negril. Thirty-five trips later, my heart still aches when I can't go, and my heart still flutters at my first glimpse of the island.


I have gone down by myself many times, stayed solo, and had a blast. I have gone for 10 weeks and I've gone for 4 days. The only bad thing was when Air Jam lost my luggage last Christmas for 3 days (it showed up in tact, and they delivered it to my hotel--I nag real good) and the same vacation, I got a real bad ear infection, the only one I've ever gotten. I didn't care, I washed out my baggies at night, borrowed a t-shirt from a friend, and went to a doctor in Sav on New Year's Eve. I have spent over 1 1/2 years on the island, and I don't feel it's enough.

This was my view from my veranda at Miss Mary's, where I stayed for 7 years, every vacation.



I love this house at Negril Spot.



Going through Bamboo Avenue on the way to Mandeville from Negril.



The canefield on the way to Roaring River.




I used to love to go to Roaring River. I won't be the same without Benji. I haven't been in 2 years. Cold, cold water straight out of the Earth. :sigh:





Some of my favorite men in one spot! Benji, Georgie, Bas, and Bunny! Mi love alla dem!



The Blue Hole on the way up the hill to Benji's. They must not have liked us taking pictures through the fence, because when we came back a new fence blocked our view.



BTW, did I say that I've infected my whole family? Mr. and Mrs. Jahbuddah, mi dawta an son in law.



This view sucks all the stress out of me. I don't want to do anything but stare at the water and people-watch.

[Grandmother]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

BanDanna I agree J.com is a good substitute when you can't get to Jamaica. A lot of good people with many stories to tell and much information to share.

Queenb Yours and MMF's trip reports were some of the first I read when I came to this board. I loved the way you both could tell a story I always felt that I was along for the ride. Tell Mrs Jahbuddah I am still waiting to meet her. One day it will happen. Thanks for sharing your story.

[QK13]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

<span style="color: #009900"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">QUEEN BEEEEEEE?????????</span></span></span>

Ooman is whe yuh been? Yuh nah retire an move a yaad as yet??
How di honeymoonahs?!?

[Laurel]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

such good stories all of these!!

{{everyone}}

ya'll know mine by now ~

[queenb]

Re: What/Who influenced your defining yourself a Jamaicaholi

I not only haven't retired, but I haven't been able to spend the last 2 summers in Jamaica like I used to. I've moved my mom with Jahbuddah and the Mr. so we all live together in one humungous house. It's so bad, I haven't been to the rock since last March, and Christmas is very iffy. I haven't gone this long since 2001. Gone are the days of 5 trips a year.