Okay, *vi* we need more PA!
Okay, *vi* we need more PA!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Hi Vince...coming right up! But gotta warn ya, this next piece is mostly narrative recalling one night i went out. i know some don't particularly want to deal with a lot of reading, but I really wanted to share this moment in writing. Pictures will be posted a little later.
Not ONE “me beg yu one nanny” “me beg yu one manley” “me beg yu…”
Cleveland had been asking me to go to a club in town with him. What he described sounded like my kind of place…vintage reggae…mature crowd. Unfortunately I had plans the nights it was poppin. He talked me into trying someplace outside of town instead. I knew anywhere we went it would be quiet since it was a Thursday night. Light music, drinks and conversation sounded fine to me.
It was around 9:30 when he headed out. Coming through Port Antonio, he pulls over to the curb and shouts across me for two cigarettes and a bag of the leafy green. I turn to see two homeless men sitting in the darkness. They were dwelling in a small opening between two downtown businesses. The sight of these men, who looked to be in their late 50’s, broke my heart. No matter what happened that resulted in them being in such a depressed condition, all I could feel was pity & sadness with no questions or thoughts of judgment.
“Hurry mon! Hurry with the ting dem! B*BLCT! Hurry! Cha!! Come!!”
“Cleveland…stop yelling at him like that!”
One man is moving quickly to search for the requested items. His partner sat quietly watching me.
“Good evening.”
They both froze, then barely audible bid me the same.
The one found the two cigarettes which he rushed around to Cleveland’s window along with the small plastic bag.
His companion still motionless, still gazing at me. I can tell he is not well.
“Are you hungry??”
“Yes, Miss.” The companion answered.
“What do you have I can buy?”
He moved slowly as he searched the piles of what looked like rubbish then pulled out a little tattered brown bag and delivered it to me. The bag contained 3 tiny limes. Funny, I actually needed limes.
“How much?” I asked with a smile.
“Whatever you want to pay, Miss”
He looked at the bills I gave him as if I made a mistake, but he didn’t want to give them back. It was like he was giving me time to realize I gave him one bill but meant to give him the other.
“Consider the extra a tip. Now, Sir, please you two go get something to eat. Good night gentlemen.”
We drive off in silence. The men looked bad, really bad and there was nothing I could do about it nor could I erase their images from my mind. They didn’t ask for a thing. Come to think of it, no one did the entire time I’ve been in Portland. Even when I encountered folks in obvious dire need, not ONE “me beg yu one nanny” “me beg yu one manley” “me beg yu (fill in the blank)…” appeal did I receive. I’m not complaining, simply acknowledging the observation.
I’m no longer in the mood to be social. Part of me wants to go back to my room and be alone for the night but another side feels it would be wrong to bail since Cleveland was looking forward to this.
I’ll go.
“Cleveland…um we’ve been outside of Port Antonio for about 6 minutes now. Just where are we going?”
“St. Margaret’s Bay.”
“St. Margaret’s Bay?? That’s a good hike from here. Another 20 more minutes??”
“No less than 15.”
I still protested and complained about the distance, the lateness of the night, going somewhere I’ve never been and the cigarette smoke. He put out the cig, but didn’t slow down.
“Vi, I want you to go. It’s something new for you to experience. My friend has a bar by the sea. A nice place to relax and have a drink.”
The thought of a drink calmed me down. I sat quietly listening to music trying not to think of those two men.
We reached the bar. He turned down a dirt path and slowly weaved through the trees and the darkness. I hear the pleasant sound of the ocean. I feel myself begin to cast off my slight gloom.
The place…well…let’s say it’s not what I had I mind. It’s a man’s spot. Besides the owner, Eric, and the VERY young bartenderette, we’re the only others there.
I get my usual, Cleveland gets a Heineken. We go outside and sit on one of these humongous tires to chat. Eric tells us he’s having a fish fry on Friday. We let him know we will be there.
I started feeling a little better due to “acceptance” of what I cannot change. I even loosen up about the bar itself and looked forward to seeing it during the day. I had to return to get better photos because the ones I took that night were wacked!
The mental picture I get of the moment of the 2 men, I picture and what you did is what I would had done, And I agree about just going back home and chilling, but the other part would be go check out the new bar and get a drink. I like the way the waves crashing in the dark night sky. Looks like a kool place to chill. Young mon trying to make it! I like it!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I'm here with you babydoll
Vince, my friend...I do wish I could be there when you arrive in Portland for the first time. I wish I could go everywhere you go just so I could see that glow on your face when you finally gaze upon what makes my soul survive. it would be a treat for me to see you meet some of the people who I know will embrace you and your fam the way they've embraced me.Originally Posted by Vince
Thank you Sweets.
Return to Boston Beach
On my second visit to Boston Beach, I usually go 3-4 times day/night, I take the girls. Its Independence Day so there’s a 200J charge to enter. I pay the 600J and we find a nice spot down front to get a good view of the action. Since this is the second post of that beach, I’ll only put up photos that are unique to the previous.
As you can see the beach was full of happy people. I heard Winnifred was also packed to capacity. We were fine right here. Wrist bands were required for proof of payment. Normally it’s optional. You only have to purchase one if you intend on using the shower or rest rooms.
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