Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

[Nylah]

alright, I still dont feel to truly start a trip report right now but since I have been on an internet free diet for 15 days I need to chat something

So this is the preamble, disclaimer, FYI, etc. part to my report

First off, I used a video nuff times on this trip. I found it easier to capture things that way. However, I didnt have the correct cord to recharge with me so I had to resort to the video function on my digital camera. I couldnt get the pix quality to adjust as well as I wanted when videoing but it still should feed unno addictions nonetheless

Next - because Jazz has been waiting for me to start a report so that she can jump in and scandal my good good name, let me do a pre-emptive strike first

<span style="font-weight: bold">DISCLAMER: Whatever Jazz says about me is a LIE</span>

It was due to HER confusion and inability to comprehend speaky-spokey that we missed each other and did not connect as planned. Any argument she tries to put forthwith that includes blaming me for the lack of communication and comprehension that failed between us is patently false. My lawyers have drawn up the scandal papers and are ready to file in the court if she still is brave enough to come in here and disparage my good person.

I had a great time for a change and did fulfill my desire to see JA in a diffent light both in spirit and in body.

Soon come with more when I feel moved to.

In the meanwhile, pester Jazz for her report

[jaith2]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

you do know that once you start the report, you'll be pestered relentlessly for additions....

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees



*<span style="font-style: italic">snort</span>*

ROOTS did warn me already about the Night of the Living Dead Trip Report Zombies cause the death threats did start!

I thought if I give a little taste they would back off a bit but you are proably right

I'll start it in earnest when I feel more focused to do so

In the meanwhile, they can eat them young

[jaith2]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

i don't see no report lil missie.....

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees



so you turn zombie too

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Preamble:</span></span>

I try to go to Jamaica every 2 years - reason being I have estate issues to still sort out. And of course, such things take forever and a day in JA.

However, this is my first trip report because normally I am too stressed before during and after my visit to JA to even consider doing a report. In truth, for the last 7 years I usually dread the trip.

Those who know how land things can go in JA can understand why. This time around I made a decision that this trip was going to be different. Previous trips meant I only stayed in Ochi with my family and other than the occasional business trip to Kingston, I never went anywhere else on the island. This time around, I planned a<span style="font-weight: bold"> vacation</span> instead. I put legal things second and for the first time in 7 years put myself first.

It was one kind board member, CurtisD, that suggested I visit the island on my own terms in order to reconcile how I had been feeling about JA over years.

I dont want to get overly personal but enough of you know that we buried my dad 7 years ago on the island. Because of the trials and tribulations that I went thru to bury him and the subsequent estate stuff, Jamaica went from being &quot;Beloved&quot; to &quot;Persona Non-Grata&quot; in my heart.

It has been a tough struggle but I wanted to recapture that sense of love I had for my parents home again, and put JA back in perspective again not only in my mind but my heart as well.

This was the goal and it was accomplished.

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">Leaving:</span> </span>

What an unholy nightmare

<span style="font-style: italic">For those who know me, I need no comments from the penny section</span>

I have been so excited about this trip but lord knows I had so much to do before I could leave. My flight was at midnight on Friday. I had pulled 2 all-nighters in a row in order to get the work off my desk and I still managed to run out of time on Thursday night. I barely finished packing and scrambled out the door to catch my flight. I was so worried I was going to miss my flight but then I said I need to just chill. If I make it I make it. IF I miss it, it was on me and I would just need to deal with it and pay the change fee for another flight out in the morning. I made the gate cut off by mere SECONDS.

The agent said I was well lucky! I plop my bags on the scale and the agent comes back and says I am over my 4 pounds and I need to get rid of some stuff……<span style="font-weight: bold">I kiss my teeth and say hell no and pull out my wallet…..She tells me it aint worth it and I say to her who is she to tell me what is or isnt.</span> I mean it is 4 freaking pounds!! What I am gonna take out? My toothbrush?

The bottom line is I am not taking a damn thing out of my suitcase at this point. Simple. I was ready to pay the fee and she regained her senses and said I could go on thru…….whatever

So off I go to catch my flight. Everything from there went nice and smooth. No issues clearing customs in JA - uhhh.....I should point out that for me this part is quite significant I seem to attract the attention of the customs ppl on most trips.

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

I arrive into Montego Bay on time with no hassles








I am now officially a bit nervous because this will be the first time I will be driving in Jamaica. The whole left-hand thing was sending me into a mild tizzy but I wasnt gonna give up my independence due to a little fear

I arrive at the Hertz Rental counter and the troubles begin

I didnt know if I should take it as a omen....I decided to just go with the flow as best as I could.

Long story short, I forget I cant use my debit card like I can in Canada to pay for things and I only walked with one credit card which I needed for other charges until the next payment went thru.

So, the agent at Hertz deserves a big up because she went out of her way to help me out. She found another rental place to help without all the deposit and thing that Hertz’s required.

I ended up with King’s Rental and they were really cheap – a few hundred less than Hertz – and were very helpful.

So I get my car and sit in it for awhile to orientate myseff. This is my first time driving in JA and I started to feel a bit nervous all of sudden. The guy who inspected my car saw me sitting there and came back to the car.

He taps on the window, “Ma’am are you alright?”
Me, “Oh yes, I am just checking the car out and making sure I know where everything is”
Him, “O-o-o-okay.” Looks at me long and hard, “No really, are you sure you are okay?”

I am thinking do I look that terrified to drive!

Anyhoo I start out and of course forget to take off the hand brake. I see my man waving me down in the rear view mirror to stop me. When he gets to the car he tells me to take off the emergency brake….lawd

I head out and just keep mumbling to myself, stay left, stay left, stay left.

Me hitting the open road.

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

I head towards Blue Diamon Mall to pick up a phone and gather up some supplies.
I get my Digcel phone with no problem and then head to Hi-Lo for some snacks and drinks. Of course it starts, “psssttt, daughter, you look good” I smile and keep going……

I get some cookies and mackerel in tomato sauce. And 2 bottles of banana rum cream, one bottle of Yellow Tail shiraz, 2 bottles of rum punch, 6pack of Red Stripe and same water all for less than 85USD. <span style="font-weight: bold">Life is good</span>

I head out to load my car and a man stops to ask me for money. Since I was well tired and didn’t feel to cuss out anybody I thought I’d hear him out and give him a bit of change so I could be on my way quickly.

Turns out this man know my family in Ochi.

Named my granny, my daddy. My aunts and uncles. What they did. Where they live---all of it. He was more excited by all of this than me. But he turned out to be a nice source of info because he told me of family that I didn’t even know I had in the area.

I gave him a little change and then drove him to the bus stop so he could catch a juta back to Ochi. My one good deed for the day.

At this point all I wanted to do was get to JAJewel’s and have a drink in my hand.

As I made my way I just kept repeating my mantra, “Stay left” and took my time. I ignored the looks as ppl passed me. It began to rain but I just kept my cool and puttered along.

I managed to finally find JAJewel’s since I got a bit turned around with the directions. I was overtired and not processing info well at this point. I called and said I just cant seem to find my beargins so JAJewel drove out to meet me. In the meanwhile, I was coming from the other direction and spotted the top of the house from a hill I was driving down, I just followed the roof line and finally found the place! Yeash for me! But now I had to wait for JaJewel to figure out that I wasn’t at the bottom of the hill where she thought I was. MrJaJewel was kind enough to lugged my heavy luggage up the top apartment. I started to unpack while we waited for JaJewel to return.

[applepie]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

stay left, stay left sorry I could not help it

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: applepie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">stay left, stay left sorry I could not help it </div></div>

it's alright u can laugh

I seriously said it out loud to myself just to keep myself physically aware!

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


I have videos of JaJewel's place which I still need to figure out how to upload to youtube. In the meanwhile here are some pictures. JaJewel's truly is a lovely place and JaJewel and Mr. JaJewel were the<span style="font-weight: bold">best </span> company

I stayed in the one bedroom apt upstairs.

Dining Room



Kitchen:



Living Room



Bedroom

[R00TS]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nylah</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
mumbling to myself, stay left, stay left, stay left.

Me hitting the open road.

</div></div>

no wonder people looking at you snapping pictures and mumbling!

Easy fun read Nylah

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees


Artwork on walls



Bedroom door leading out to the veranda





View from the bed

[Nylah]

Re: Seeing the Forest Thru the Trees



View from the veranda. The sea is less than a 5 minute walk from the guesthouse: