Jamaica Return - 2011 (Soon Come)
“Come on….. 5 more!” The VA Physical Therapist’s hot breath was stinging the back of my neck as I pushed the 250# weight with all the force my legs could muster. “You wanna be able to walk when you get to Jamaica, or not?” she barked. I bristled at even the implications of that statement. Do I WANT to be able to walk? Now, just how stupid was that? It did push me to depress that weight 4 more times in rapid succession before dismounting the torture machine and grabbing my towel.
“Good job!” she said in a softer tone. I had a love-hate relationship with this ex-drill sergeant but I did appreciate all the individual attention. I smiled and nodded my head slightly as I plopped down on the bench and began to re-strap my knee brace. It has been a long journey after over two years of wheelchair confinement to this point. It was only a short 5 months ago that I had to push my wheelchair down that long hallway three times a week and now I was walking although a little shakily down that same corridor.
I stopped off at the Main Office where a Jamaican veteran formerly from Highgate in Saint Mary had his desk. I always looked forward to our chats about Jamaica as he seemed to miss it almost as much as I did but he was reluctant to leave his job to return to live there. “Whaaagwan, Bill?” he smiled and stuck out his hand in friendship. “Naagwan” was my standard reply as nothing seemed to ever be going on while I was separated from my greatest love; Jamaica. “When are you going?” he continued. “Not soon enough but getting there likkle by likkle.” I smiled in return. 27 years of traveling around the island rushed through my mind as I would hear the name of a place and a mental picture of it and names of people I knew around there would flash like a home movie on a flickering projector across my mind’s-eye. I prayed that age and time would never dim the vivid images of those people and places. I didn’t want to keep him from his work and now my batteries were recharged and I was ready to head for the transportation van to take me home.
I pressed my face against the van’s window as I studied the ever changing landscape of new businesses and empty buildings that lined the winding route as we let off fellow veterans at their homes or assisted living residences. All I could think about was Jamaica and sometimes a particular building or bush would remind me of somewhere on the island. Seventy days of Jamaica would be a good refresher since it has been 4 long years since I set eyes on her beauty. I am retired now and my confining life in So. Florida is loosing its grip on my body but it never had my soul. This is the first step in a soon to be “six months here and six months there” lifestyle that I used to live in my younger and healthier days.
I don’t like to share a lot of where and when I will be someplace in Jamaica as I like chance meetings with fellow tourists but would rather spend my time with locals and old friends. My home in Jamaica is in Accompong Town and that is where I long to be. As I travel through the “soon come” seventy days, I will add to this thread and not make it a Trip Report at the end as I never want the journey to end!
Soon Come
TiCtOc TiCtOc......time is approaching......
Thank you TiCtOc, Jeannieb, Blandy1 and Jitterbug.
I appreciate the good words of encouragement. I feel a little daunted by the prospects of walking on mountainsides but, at the same time, continue to feel I am ready to give it a try! My spirit is soaring today as Marshall called last night to tell me he has constructed some concrete steps from the road up to the house. A treacherous trek on a bauxite/clay hillside after even a light rain. :eek:
Jitterbug, you know how I truly respect how you flex. I have rarely met a fellow traveler over these years that can match your adventurous spirit and uncommon wisdom. You can bet that if we are near to one another; we will meet up again. Blandy1.. our paths may cross as well on this trip.
I will be flying on Caribbean Air and I just can't believe what I am able to take without paying extra! Two checked bags up to 50# each, a carry on bag up to 22#, a laptop bag and a walker too! I love the walker part as I can use it to get supplies up to the house like my own personal donkey cart! :p After 60+ trips you can bet there won't be an inch of unused space or a half pound to go wasted!
I have some incredible travel plans in the works while on the island and plan to take digital pictures, digital movie shorts and otherwise document to share some of these hidden gems. I will also be going to schools around the island and distributing soccer balls with Don Brideau of "Bounce Across Jamaica". http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bounce...a/269592098856
If you have never experienced this I highly recommend you give it a try. Few experiences over the years have given me the pure joy that doing this great service to Jamaica's youth can bring! Here is a short clip for those not familiar with Bounce Across Jamaica!
Peace and Guidance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfIa3R487Mo
Thanks to my Boardie Friends..... an open invitation for Jan. 6th if you are in yard.
I talked to Marshall yesterday and I have nevva no im to be so chattymout! :p I think he is looking forward to my return even more than I am returning to Jamaica....as if that were possible. He was going on and on about tiling the floors and rendering the walls etc. and I could feel his pride for all he has accomplished in a few months since I told him of my impending return.
Anyways, to get to the point. He told me he was planning an "open house" party over the January 6th Celebration. He is planning on putting a fire pit on the concrete roof that overlooks the valley containing Appleton and says that anyone who comes to Accompong on that day can crash somewhere in the house. May be nothing fancy but in out of the weather and secure.
I have a few old friends who will be meeting me and staying there but a few more will be accomodated somehow. To those who have never experienced the January 6th Celebration or even those who have in past years; I think it is something every traveler should experience.
Dress warm and wear walking shoes as this town is 3000' up in the mountains and his house is where the road ends leaving twenty or more miles of virtually unexplored Cockpits out his back door. A hike to the Peace Cave or to many other caves containing underground rivers and springs can be arranged.
If you have never truly experienced "country" in Jamaica, this is the ultimate "country" experience!
Peace and Guidance
Question: About Digicel buying Claro-getting phone and wireless connection in Negril?
I had been waffling between Digicel and Claro for my Internet Service while in Jamaica as I had already decided on a cheap Digicel Phone purchase (cause I am not a big phone talker)! I had read awhile back that Digicel has now acquired Claro so I guess the answer is Digicel for that as well.
Looking for advice here. Is there a store/outlet in Negril where I can purchase both the cheap cell phone AND the Internet service or do I have to get the Internet Service in Sav or MoBay? The reason is that I need it on my first day so if I have to get it elsewhere then I have to plan to stop on the way to Negril.
Can anyone give me the location of the store in Negril? (I seem to remember it was somewhere around Juicy Patties but maybe my recollection is wrong). Also, if I can get both phone and Internet service there.
Thanks for any help.
Peace and Guidance
Packing to Seastar Concert, Chat Room and a Bob Marley DVD...guess I am ready.
This afternoon my friends and coworkers gave me a Send Off party out on our patio here at the Barefoot Mailman Motel and, even though I don't leave for a couple of days, I decided to spend the evening packing and cleaning my room.
I put in a copy of my first Reggae Show at the Santa Barbara County Bowl in 1976 and was well engulfed in my "Jamaica Mood" when I checked my laptop for email and looked in on the Seastar Show on realnegril.com.
The quality of the sound was very, very good instead of the usual muffled sound coming through my Realtek mixer system on my laptop. I left the DVD on and playing with the sound turned down while I cranked up the Seastar Show. Even though the movements of Bob and the band didn't match the sound from the Seastar Show, the fit was amazing!
I am so ready to go. Bags now packed and at the door (just like in Sweetness's poem)! I have a couple of days to live out of them and see if I forgot anything important but would wager I didn't. I have done this 60+ times before and have gotten quite good at the routine.
I am ready for Jamaica. Now the question is, "Is Jamaica ready for ME!"
Peace and Guidance
Let the journey begin.....
I was having my 7:00 morning coffee on the Barefoot Patio when it finally hit me; I would be eating dinner in Negril! I had not been to Seastar Inn in over 10 years and I have never even stayed there but Chris and Francine had a downstairs room (#4) available for the first week I would be in Jamaica before heading for my home in Accompong Town so I had to jump at the opportunity!
Having a downstairs room was a must as stair climbing is still very difficult with my recently rehabilitated knee and I didn't want to take a chance that might lay me up for the next 70 days in Jamaica. My good friend, Paul, took me to the airport 3 1/2 hours before my flight as I wasn't absolutely sure that the Caribbean Airlines offer of 2 50# checked bags, 1 22# carry on bag, a laptop bag AND a walker for FREE would actually be honored but, much to my surprise, I checked in without a hitch and was supplied with a wheelchair ride through Home Land Security and on to my gate.
After a 3 hour wait, an $8.00 turkey and cheese sandwich and a $2.00 bottle of wata, it was finally time to get taken to the plane. The hour and 20 minute flight seemed to zip right by and before you know it, we were clapping for a successful landing at Sangster. There was a wheelchair waiting outside the door of the plane and a strong, young man (Everett) rushed me through Immigration and Customs before pushing me out the lobby doors in less than 25 minutes. He was so quick that I even beat the Seastar driver but only by about 5 minutes. The Seastar van was in use elsewhere so Chris sent a JUTA driver (Tony) in his 10-seater to pick me up.
Tony Smith (876)700-1187 (cell) made the long trip to Seastar an enjoyable ride. We talked about so many subjects that it would be difficult to list them all but let me just say I was able to look out the windows without fear that he would get me killed on the road. He was a courteous and even-speed driver which I really appreciate having had so many Route Taxi drivers try to scare the bejeebus out of me over the years. We finally turned on Seastar Lane and the hotel came into view.
As good as I knew Seastar must look, having tuned into the Saturday shows the past few weeks, i was totally blown away by the wood-hewn beauty of the surroundings. Tony took my bags up to the desk and Rochelle had a helper take my bags to my room. The room was perfect. Much more than the rooms I usually rent as I am strictly a budget traveler but this room had everything I expected and MORE. I was hungry and thirsty from the trip so I made my way to the new bar to buy Tony a cold drink and to tip him for the great trip. Randy, the bartender had a cold Red Stripe ready and Rochelle soon brought me some fish fingers to munch on. While eating, I chatted with Chris and Francine over our meals before finishing off another Red Stripe before heading for my room.
I am tired and need some rest so I will sign-off for now. I will take a few pictures tomorrow and my best friend, Marshall, from Accompong Town is coming to see me with another friend, Peckish, who is my Accompong Driver. It was a leap of faith to decide to take this trip and so far I am glad that I decided to do just that. This is shaping up to be one of the best trips of my life.
Peace and Guidance
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Before I knew it; it was Friday! Where does the time go???
I know now that daily updates and even two-day updates are going to be out of the question but I will try to check-in every few days because my good friends use this thread to keep up with my travels and even my nurses at the VA check it out to see if I am keeping with the "program" and not re-injuring myself but I can assure them that the staff at Seastar and my local friends here in Negril are riding herd on me! :p
I get up each morning at 6:00am to go to the pool to exercise and recreationly swim some laps until the Continental breakfast at about 7:30am. I am eating within my guidelines and I am definitely feeling stronger as the days go forward. Here are a few random shots around Seastar. I am no photographer but I hope they at least give readers a brief glimpse into the property.
A shot of the new Seastar Stage
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A shot from the Office to the Bar with the Swimming Pool beyond
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The Waterfall and Jacuzzi between the steps to the top balcony and the Swimming Pool Shower area
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A shot of the Pool from the shower area with the swim-up bar on your right.
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The next shot from the same vantage point showing the lounge chairs and the covered gazebo where I often eat breakfast
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Gotta run. Going to the beach today to look up some old friends. Will post more when I return.
Peace and Guidance
Just a little more about Seastar Inn......
Since 1983 I have stayed in a wide-range and variety of accomodations. I camped at the Lighthouse and Roots Bamboo; stayed in board cabins at JahBs, Jubas, Westport Cottages and several others as well as a number of budget hotels; Negril Yacht Club, etc. etc. and some midrange when I got a friends discount like Whistling Bird etc. but never have I stayed at a place quite like Seastar Inn.
It took me many trips and many years to come up with a "cost-benefit" standard that I now use as a yardstick when traveling. When you spend $20 - $50 per night you lower your expectations on what "benefit" you will get from making that choice. You know you might get exposed to the natural elements like indoor rain while tenting or sunlight through the board walls at a wood board house up to a hard bed, cold water showers and sometimes more unexpected "local action" than you bargain for.
Every once in a while you find a "diamond in the rough" and the benefits far outweigh the cost. In fact, on those rare occasions, you sometimes feel you are getting way more than you pay for.... this is Seastar Inn! This is a rare mixture of local flavor and a sort of "All Inclusive" that gives a firsttime traveler a great introduction to what we seasoned travelers refer to as the REAL Jamaica and a seasoned traveler the local flavor we have come to expect and enjoy and at the same time enough of an All Inclusive experience to satisfy our desire to be pampered at a budget price.
The staff here are truly a family and embrace the newcomer as well as the returning guests as a valued member of that family. I live alone and have a loner streak in my personality. If there are 10 workers, I will usually make friends with only a couple and might know the names of just a couple more than that. Here, the people are so genuinely friendly that is becomes difficult not to get to know each and every one of them to some extent. When I say "genuine", I know the difference between that and forced friendliness where it is given as part of the job description and not because they truly want you to have the best time of your life.
I have been here now 4 days and have only 3 more to go before I head to my home in Accompong Town. There has not been a single moment in all that time that I have seen or felt anything that even remotely made me change my first impression since my arrival. I have found a new favorite place to stay when visiting Negril. If anyone is looking for a perfect place to experience the warmth and friendliness of Jamaica....give Seastar Inn a closer look.
Peace and Guidance
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Wednesday.... a special day for so many reasons.
I got up early to take that constitutional swim in the still chilly water of the swimming pool before the sun warmed it to a tepid temperature. All I could think about was that my best friend Marshall and my driver friend Peckish would be calling soon. It has been almost 4 years since I have seen either of them although I talk to Marshall at least once a week on the phone but giving him a strong hug in person was I am sure on both of our minds at this time.
I showered and sat down for an early Continental Breakfast glancing back and forth at the still silent phone next to my coffee. Just when I was starting to think about other things, the phone rang and Marshall's familiar phone number lit up the dial. "Marshall mi fren" I answered. His voice was so reasurring and that he and Peckish were just outside of Sav and would be here in less than an hour. I could relax a little now and enjoy another cup of coffee and a another slice of wheat toast.
In short order, they pulled into the Seastar Inn driveway and parked next to my chair. Marshall jumped from the passenger seat and literally ran up to me and grabbed me in a bearhug. I don't know about others here on the board that if that often happens to them in Jamaica but I find Jamaicans to be kind of reserved in exhibiting such overert displays of affection. Our 18+ years of friendship have developed a closeness of bond that transcends any normal boundries as we truly "love" each other in a familia/brotherly way. Peckish was right behind and grabbed me as well. I am so blessed to have such good friends and like Martin Luther Wright (Colonel of the Accompong Maroons) once said, "When you have a Maroon for a friend, you have a friend for life". How true I have found this to be so many times over.
Marshall (right) and Peckish with his RAV 4
Attachment 5772
We went to the verandah of my room to talk. There were so many people to ask about; how they were doing and where they were living (as some had since passed this Earth in the interim) and I simply had to get the latest suss swirling around the community where I would be living. Ha Ha. When I learned that I was not the topic of discussion around town that set my mind at rest as, afterall, I am not a Maroon and they are such a close-knit community that outsiders are sometimes looked upon with a skeptical "cuteye". I knew now my acceptance was fairly universal throughout the community but there would be detractors as there always are in Jamaica or anywhere one lives.
I had told Rob and Lisa I wanted to go on the Pub Crawl bus and Rob said to be ready at 2:00pm for pickup. We had said our goodbyes and I made arrangements for Peckish to return on next Tuesday to take me to Accompong Town at a few minutes before the bus was to arrive and like clockwork....2:00pm on the dot; it pulled up to the gate.
Now, being honest here, I wasn't giving this too much of a possibility in my mind to turn into a extraordinary experience but, as we kept picking up more people from the Cliffs to Coco La Palm on the beach the bus became full and the friendships began to form. We stopped at 7 bars; Corner Bar, MiYard, No Limits, C & D Country Bar, a small bar owned by a lady named Carol, Bella Donna and Firewater where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset to Peter Tosh music in the backround. Just about perfect!
I can't list all the names as frankly I can remember but maybe 10 of them so I don't want to skip a single one by listing those I can remember. To a person, we were as one for the next several hours. I saw a lot of old friends like Delroy at MiYard and Big Roy from Cafe Goa was there too. This is an experience that everyone should try on their next visit. You meet a lot of small business people who go the extra yard to make you comfortable and provide the best service they can as they know a lot of those on this crawl will be returning customers and will tell their friends as well.
The bus dropped me off last as the driver lived near the Seastar Inn. I actually was sorry to see the trip finish. A pleasant surprise and a very enjoyable evening.
I slept with serenity that night.
Peace and Guidance
Seastar Inn coming to an end tomorrow....next stop, my home, Accompong Town!
I have bitter-sweet feelings about tomorrow. Glad to be headed for Accompong Town and the next leg of adventure but sad to leave Seastar Inn as I have found an adoptive family here. To a person, everyone seems so happy here either as a guest, casual visitor or a member of the staff.
The Saturday night show was great. Steven West and the Roots Vibration Band had this place rocking and mesmerized for the first part of the night before the Seastar Drummers and dancers pumped up the crowd with an exquisite display of cultural roots and raw drumming prowess. The dancers were obviously ready to give their all doing acrobatic moves and dance sequences and grabbing members from the audience to participate. A friend I have met here, Tony from Edmondton Ontario Canada, appointed himself well by keeping up with the dancer's moves if even for a few minutes. Big Up Tony!
After the drummes and dancers, the Root Vibration Band came back on for the remainder of the show playing past midnight and kept the crowd dancing and singing to their favorite tunes. I think it would be fair to say that everyone had a wonderful time.
My good friend, Shereth, who now lives in Clarendon, came over to visit me for a few nights. We have been friends for over a decade and traveling partners for much of that time visiting the four corners of the island. I credit her with much of my understanding of how life in Jamaica goes on everyday and how I could find myself living within Her bosom. We slept soundly until my usual 6:00am swim time where she barely opened her eyes as I made my way to the pool.
Sunday was a nice and easy day doing some work on the Internet and spending time talking with Shereth about our lives since we last talked in January of 2007. Today will be much of the same as I want to enjoy Seastar to the maximum until my departure tomorrow morning.
Next stop, Accompong Town!
Peace and Guidance
