Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

He definitely knew me but I can not place him. That small muscular frame. The afropuff held back by a strip of cloth. The flat, shirtless chest...rock solid like a dark chocolate hersey bar. The barely tolerable high energy. Maybe I didn’t meet him in Port Antonio. Maybe he’s someone I had an altercation with in Negril or Ocho Rios or Montego Bay??? Wiry, very wiry like a grasshopper on crack.

I sip my red stripe as I think.


http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...7/layla084.jpg

He puts his hands on his waist and shifts his boney hips from side to side.

I glance back down at the crowd to see mr thickness-in-white leave with a string of fish. Dyam, and he’s leaving alone.

I’m getting irritated because he won’t tell me who he is and he’s getting agitated because I’m not even trying to guess.

It’s too hot for this.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013758.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...7/layla089.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JitterBug

that's too funny but very, very true!!

---

I tell you Jitterbug, I'm like dang what's a sista with an appetite for big men to do in Portland????

“Miss….Miss…you still nuh ramembah meeee???”
“No, I don’t. Who are you?”
“We met at the beach the odda day.”
“What beach???? Wait…WINNEFRED??? Anthony??!!!”
“YES mon. I answer your phone.”
“I still can’t believe you answered my phone.”
“Your driver is my good friend.”

He grabs O’Neal by the arm and pulls him to his side.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...225c520986.jpg

“Take our picture, Miss. Me and him are good, good friends. Right??

Driver slightly grins, but remains speechless. I slowly raise the camera and take the photo because he wasn’t letting go of O’Neal’s wrist until I did.

He looks and acts so different from what I remember. I guess it’s because we’re both sober now.

Anthony releases his grip and O’Neal walks away without confirming whether or not he knew this individual. I see him go sit in the car and start eating the jerk pork he bought. I guess his brother is eating also. I think I’ll join them and eat my sausage while it’s still warm.

“Miss, I called you the next day. Yes…”
“What? Huh? You called my cell?”
“Yes. I call to check on you.”
“I saw I missed a call that came around 2 AM…but…how…”
“That was me, but you nuh answer the call.”
“You lifted my number???”
“No, I called my phone from your phone.”
“WHY???”
“Me already tell you…to check on you.”
“Yeah…but…why did…never mind. I’m okay and thanks for caring about me.”

Then he leaped away.

The pork was cold and dry, but the sausage was scrumptious. The breadfruit was cold also, but moist and sweet so I ate it too. Washed it all down with the rest of my red stripe.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013798.jpg

I mean, I could have been vexed and raised a fuss when he told me he lifted my number, but what was the point? I realized he was being himself…a harmless nuisance that most folks tend to ignore because he doesn’t stick around long.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...7/layla088.jpg

Again, it’s all about looking at things differently when you are in a different world.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...7/layla094.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by *vi*

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...7/layla088.jpg
[/URL]

---

This lady has the right idea....a perfect "set up" and a view to die for!

Vi girl you are too much....very much enjoying your vibe.....needed this break

too funny . . . "like a grasshopper on crack" . . .

i also like "thick" ja men . . . not too many of those in portland for sure.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by *vi*

Again, it’s all about looking at things differently when you are in a different world.
[/URL]

---

This is so very true! And I have a thick man :)

Thanks Sammy. She looked so content sitting on the best seat in the house. Like a bronze mermaid.

Jitterbug, I'm going to keep searching :)

Schuttzie, now I know why you have such a happy disposition. Give me a thick, bald man under 5ft 10 and I'll be one happy someone. oh and big legs are a bonus!!!

I woke up in a panic.

“What day is this??” I remember asking out loud as I jumped out of bed. I leave Jamaica today???

My heart is racing and my eyes filling up with tears. Nothing was packed. Stuff was still everywhere. I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t stand up straight. I couldn’t think. Where do I start? Dear Lord where did the time go.

Then my foot hit the empty plastic water bottle that held rum and red stripe from the night before.

LOL girl…wake up! It’s only Sunday!! You have three more nights so save the departure drama for later.

Sun rising in the horizon...lol try to ignore the window mesh. I was too lazy to go outside to take the picture.
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013834.jpg

The empty bottle reminded me of last night and the fun I had. Hung out at a new bar on the beach in west Port Antonio. Wasn’t a lot of people there, but we partied like we were hundreds at an all star line-up reggae show. Music blaring, laughter echoing and drinks flowing.

I turned on some music then lounged on the bed to look at my pictures.

Good heavens….who took these??!!! Pictures from the night before were unrecognizable. Well five out of the 27 weren’t bad. This confirms one thing…I had a BLAST last night even if I don’t remember it.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013846.jpg

Time to get this day started. Didn’t feel like cooking so had breakfast of fruit and ginger tea on the patio. I wrote a little and daydreamed a lot of what it would be like to wake up to this every morning.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013839.jpg

Mmmm....that fruit looks good!



Did you ever see Mr. "Thick" again? :)

Yum, I love just fruit in the mornings! What a lovely view to wake up to :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kaycee

...Did you ever see Mr. "Thick" again? :)

---

No Kaycee, I didn't. And believe me, I was looking.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Schuttzie

Yum, I love just fruit in the mornings! What a lovely view to wake up to :D

---

It was one of the best views I had the privilege to wake up to.

hey vi, looking forward to more stories . . .

oooooh Jitterbug, I'm sorry, but the report is winding down. I have two..maybe three more places on the way. :)

I knew I wanted to go to the beach today. O’Neal suggested I go to beach close to town. I was game. He also suggested his son tag along with me for company. I adore his son, but never spent a lot of time with him. Ten minutes at the most. He’s a teenager on the quiet side so was unsure of how to relate to him…entertain him. To make sure he would have a good time, I suggested he bring a buddy.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013857.jpg

So after getting me we scoop up the lads. They were eagerly ready for the beach whether I was going or not.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013858.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013859.jpg

Sunday at Shan Shy Beach

Every time I look at these pictures I’m reminded of fun I had that day. It was another beach day I hated to see end.. I can still hear the screams, laughter and splashing of the many, many children that were out there.

I’ve come to realize I prefer being in Portland when school is out Seeing the kids dressed in their crisp pressed school uniforms is nice, but nothing compares to seeing so many smiling faces on the beaches daily during summer break.

Another first time experience for me, this hidden gem is located in west Portland soon after coming through Boundbrook when traveling east. The beach rests a few feet below the main road so it’s not easily visible from above. But a short walk or ride down the concrete path and be dazzled by the beautiful white carpet of sand that leads to calm, clear waters perfect for swimming.

This is a local’s retreat where parents bring their kids and sit watching them swim and splash till exhaustion.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013862.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013865.jpg

Here are a couple of shots of the beach. It looks empty because it was a little before 1:00 and the masses had just started to stream in. Even though they were hungry, my guys didn’t waste any time striping down to their swim trunks and diving into the water.

…aaaaahhhhh the water was perfect. Soothing swirls of warm caresses encircled my body as I stood within her. The fine sand beneath me was soft and even while the tide was oh so playful.

I said to myself…yes, this is the Sunday place to be.

The boys came near me with spirited grins.

I recognize that look.

Pointing to my hair without smiling was all I needed to do to let them know that splashing me was NOT a good idea. They said something like “awwwww” and giggled while they viciously splashed each other. Boys will be boys.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013866.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013876.jpg

THIS….this is what I’m talking about. Pure Kid Fun. I got such a kick out of watching them do what I used to do withy my brother. For some reason he loved being covered with sand.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013882.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013884.jpg

AWWW the innocence of youth!

Portland is OH SO BEAUTIFUL

And if it wasn't for you, Sammy, I would have never known just how beautiful it is. Thanking you for the hundredth time :)

The guys tell me they are ready to eat. I send them inside to order their food.

Me, I’m chllin on the concrete bench enjoying (what else) a red stripe. Listening to a mixture of R&B and Reggae I am definitely in my zone and not even thinking of leaving anytime soon.

They return a few minutes later. “Did you see something you wanted?”

“Yes. Cheeseburgers.”
“Okay. How much?”
“We didn’t order them.”
“Why not???”
“Because when we went in, the man started screaming at us telling us to get out.”
“He did what!!??”
“He cussed us and told us to get out of the shop.”

Oh MAN now I gotta disconnect from my peaceful moment and go play the infuriated aunt role.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013885.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013887.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013890.jpg

“Excuse me.”

The cook comes to the counter.

“Did you just berate two boys?”
“Yes.” He responded calmly. “They came into the shop. They aren’t supposed to be in the kitchen area.

They simply didn’t know they weren’t supposed to enter that area. This wasn’t their first time at the beach, but their first time getting food there. This was a treat for them and this guy almost ruined the experience for them.

I let him have it. He didn’t have to yell at them and he definitely should not have cussed them out. He let me rant until I was satisfied. He sincerely apologized and I ordered the burgers.

Because I was still a little angry, I only took a couple of pictures of the inside.

Sent the guys back to pay for the food and receive an apology.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013886.jpg

the jamaican folks can be rough rough at times . . .

Jitterbug, normally I would have made my point calmly, but I had to come real with this. How he treated them was soooo uncalled for. He knew it as well. He just didn't know me. Does now...lol

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013892.jpg

15 minutes later the cook comes out with their plate on a tray. I gave him a tip and he again apologized to the guys.

They LOVED the burgers.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013897.jpg

Back to people watching and chillin.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013900.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013911.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013917.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013918.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013924.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013928.jpg

I had a great time with the guys. They liked hanging with me. Tried to teach me patois. That was hilarious. Told me I need plenty more lessons.

Another shameless plug for those potato stixx.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013930.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013931.jpg

The guy's moms were calling for them so we had to packit up and leave. What a delightul day that was. The location is excellent to where I stay and the vibe was friendly and fun.

Shan Shy Beach another reason to continue my love affair with Portland...I can't wait to get back there...me and the guys.

This is it…the final installment.

Thanks to everyone who commented and I also appreciate those who stopped by to take a peek.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013990.jpg

My last full day in Port Antonio.

7:45 in the AM. Another beautiful morning…how boring….NOT!

Sat on the large patio with my music, ginger tea and a plate of whatever fruit and vegetables I had left. The plan is to savor this day the only way I knew how…one breathtaking minute at a time.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013993.jpg

O’Neal called to ask if I wanted to ride with him to St. Thomas. Leaving at 11:00 to take two ladies to a funeral, wait for them then bring them back.

NO WAY!!!!!!!

Sorry but my last full day in Portland will be spent on a beach. Link me when you get back.

So around 12:30 I called my driver David to come for me and take me to Frenchman’s Cove Beach.

Frenchman's Cove Beach

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ly20131002.jpg

Entrance $7.00
Lounger $5.00
Red Stripe $4.50
A Shot of OP $4.00
Ambiance & Vibe…Priceless

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...uly2013999.jpg

It really is a stunning beach. Yes a paid beach and one may ask why bother when there are so many free beaches in Portland…well because like all the other beaches, Frenchman’s Cove has a personality of its own. The most peaceful beach I’ve even been on in Jamaica.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ly20131000.jpg

Also, you get what you pay for (in a positive sense). The staff caters to your every request. A waiter comes to you to take your drink or lunch order if you don’t want to go up to the bar/restaurant.

*vi* I'm so glad you stood up for those youth, there was no need for the chef to treat them so. People can be so unkind to the children sometimes, and the youth remember that treatment and may turn and do the same to others when they get a little older. I've seen grown adults take their little bit of authority and just power-trip on people, and I know that behavior got it's roots from that kind of abuse when they themselves were young.

Frenchmans Cove is a beautiful ending to a great report! I feel like I travelled with you!

awww Frenchman...LOVE your towel and clips

great trip report , now please go back I'm ready for another

Im so glad you stood up for the boys! I had a similar incident in negril. I went to a duty free shop on the west end with a jamaican family member,who had never set foot inside a duty free shop before. I walked in a few seconds ahead of them, and was offered a drink and a shopping basket. Once my cousin came in, they stopped him and asked what he wanted. He told them he was with me. We looked around and my cousin found a pair of earrings he wanted. They were $1500J. He asked to see them, they said no. He decided to just buy them without checking them out and they said no, told him he needed to leave. I told them what I thought of them and dropped the basket of items I planned on purchasing on the counter.Even when they saw I was visibly upset, they still tried to persuade me to buy their overly priced trinkets. I kissed my teeth and said a few not so nice words and left. No apologies or anything...

Goldielocks, I HAD to get with him. The kids tried to brush it off, almost like it’s the norm for them. But how could they not be hurt??? And of course the cook didn’t expect for anyone to stand up for them. Yeah, well hopefully he’ll think again before he goes off on another child. Hopefully. Oh and the boys were surprised I got in his face. In fact I think that’s when the two of them got closer (relationship-wise) with me. I made them stay on the beach. But they knew I got my point across when this grown man apologized to them. I don’t tolerate bullies of any country.

And I want to thank you so much for supporting the report.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sammyb

awww Frenchman...LOVE your towel and clips

---

Thanks girl...reduced to $1.50 at the mart. you know I'll find the bargains!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Negril1990

great trip report , now please go back I'm ready for another

---

ummmmm it's funneeee you should mention that..."giggle"

And thank you for joining the ride and your kind words.