Manda thanks for taking us "addicts" on a real vacation!!
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Manda thanks for taking us "addicts" on a real vacation!!
Putting Brassi in the same classification with Gerry is SO far off base. They are NOTHING at all alike. Brassi could be every girls brother or best friend. Yes you Alex no matter how naughty and rough you want to appear (grin).
Just popped in, missed this "saga" - just wanted to say congrats to Manda - the trip report you've been planning to write weeks before your first trip has passed Gerry's views by at least 3,000! I think you now hold the record...
Attachment 4897 Did you get any pictures from Lovers Leap, this is nov 2009 just before it closed, they were looking for someone to take over the lease, even was asked if I was interested.lol
Jessica Alba ?? I love you!! hahahaQuote:
Originally Posted by Lax1724
Clarity I may not be able to get back until March but are you willing to come up the mountain?? ;)
Have I really?? I thought his was in the 30 thousands ? Now I'm impressed lol Annnnd I didnt talk about sex and drugsQuote:
Originally Posted by rastagirl777
Okay so I know I promised that I would finish and have pictures last night .. but I found myself with one too many Red Stripes last night (if there is such a thing as one too many)
I do have pictures of Lovers Leap they aren't quite as clear as that though it was early morning a bit of over cast but I will post them! Just at work right now on a Saturday blah! Will get on it asap.
You guys are awesome .. I never thought that writing my report would have such great feed back I'm just happy writing it to relive the experience again.
Taye Diggs for Andre ?? hahaha I've got to tell him this and let you know what he says.
How Manda got her groove back ;)
OOOOOOOOO so you admit you got your groove back on then?:D:D
manda when you're finished you may want to print off a copy for yourself - a trip report is a labor of love - and this has been a good one!
I'm not classifying Gerry with Brassi, I'm just suggesting additional cameo appearances for Manda's future film.Quote:
Originally Posted by shellyk
Okay, so maybe I'm not the best casting agent. - I'll keep my day job. :D
Manda - Markus and I are hoping to go back to Negril end of April for our anniversary. (4/20) It would be awesome to meet you. There is usually a boardie meet at the end of April too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manda81
and yes, I'm definitely up for a trip up to the mountains! Bring it on! http://i475.photobucket.com/albums/r...sen/jippie.gif
Looking forward to your next trip report installment! I agree with Seveen, you should print this out when your finished. This is great writing!
clarity - your anniversay is 4/20 and you're going to be in jamaica - too cool - lol
I want to meet all of you guys at some juncture. (: What's up, Manda? LOL
:p As fas as ShellyK's assessment of me...ha...thanks I think? Brother? siiiiiggh
As far as who would play me in a film, I think that's obvious...one of these guys:Attachment 4912
Lovers leap from the cow field :)
DAY 4 PART 2
Coming down the mountain is actually pretty cool and for some reason not as scary as climbing it and if you look
at the distance from the mountain to Treasure beach it looks hours away but it feels like about 30 minutes and we’re there.
We come out to the water and it’s dark sand but the water is great there’s a small restaurant there but we can’t decide
what to eat and I’m not really a fan of breakfast food so we go next door there is a small bar there and Andre, Jacko and
Barber seem to know him. There is a table with some benches around and a small sort of canopy over it as a roof. Jacko
is talking about how much the water has moved up and that by next year it’ll come right up to the front of the bar and
some of the properties. So I’m sitting on this bench with a cool breeze coming through with the water right in front of me
I mean feet away from me.
“Cold Red Stripe?”
”No Cold Red Stripe”
“Okay any cold drink?”
”No cold drink”
Apparently away from hotels it’s hard to find cold beverages and I’m one to always have my beer icy cold but okay
I’m a trooper and I’m no princess.
10am cool breeze beautiful beach warm Red Stripe great company and there is silence. It’s not awkward not in that
oh my god would someone please say something. It really is more like I really hope no one says anything right now
and ruins this perfect moment. I feel like life is made up of moments good ones, bad ones, memorable ones, funny
ones but you’ll only ever get a handful of “perfect” moments and right then that was one of mine and no one had
to say a word.
And then I started screaming because there was a crab and it was after me. I swear it had something against me
and the little bugger was running sideways at me I couldn’t quite figure out it’s next move but I swear to you he
was after me!
The man that ran the bar was sitting behind me and he hadn’t said much of anything since we were there because
after all I think we were all having our own perfect moment until I messed it up but now he’s laughing that deep sort
from your gut laughter and we all start laughing and we can’t stop and I realized this might be yet another perfect
moment. Could it be possible that my hand full of perfect moments could all happen in Jamaica?
Okay so it turns out he couldn’t find his little hole and it just so happens that it was behind my foot. But if you tell anyone
I will swear that, that damn crab had something against me.
We were now driving along the coast of treasure beach on our way to Black River stopping every once and a while to get
out and take some pictures there are some very cool private villas to rent in this area and I take note that it might be nice
to stay down here one time. At one point we get out and we’re on a bit of a cliff. Now remember Barber is afraid of heights
and falling so he’s taking in the view from a far distance but Jacko he likes getting right up to the edge and I hear Barber
starting to get a bit nervous and panicky and he’s yellin at Jacko come off there come look where you were standing are
you mad?? It just so happens that the edge Jacko was standing on almost looks a bit dug out from underneath and I’m sure
he wouldn’t have fallen but for Barber Jacko almost died
this is a statue of the enslaved couple that jumped to their death rather than be apart
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d9...1/IMG_1161.jpg
Treasure beach
Treasure Beach
I would think that most Jamaican women would not care/be jealous about the type of Jamaican men giving that kind of attention to tourist women. I hardly think that a hardworking and respectful Jamaican woman would go for the Rent-a -Dread type of guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by shellyk
Miss Manda, just started reading your report and absolutely loving it! Keep writing, girl!:)
Love this idea! Manda, you could get one of those Shutterfly books made of your trip, with your text report and photos. And make a copy for Andre, too!Quote:
Originally Posted by Seveen
Who said the women mentioned were hardworking?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eden
So every Jamaican man that talks or gives attention to a tourist is classed as a rent a dread to you?
DAY 4 PART 3
We get to Black River with the intention of doing the Black River Safari and doing it this way opposed to coming in
on a tour bus well it’s a 50/50 it’s slow season no one really knows when exactly the next bus is coming in but the
woman at the front desk is a peach! She said that as soon as the bus arrives she’ll call Andre so that we can move
around Black River and get back to jump on the next tour. So we walk around a bit and we come up to a small bar
there is a pool table a domino table and cold Red Stripe!! Liquid breakfast, Liquid Lunch why not. So we order a couple
of drinks a flask of rum and Andre is bragging about how great a pool player he is.
”Can you play pool Manda?”
“Not really, I mean I’m not very good I don’t play that much.”
“What about you Jacko?”
Jacko shakes his head adamantly apparently Jacko has never played pool and today will not be his first day.
So Andre and I start playing and I’m not surprised that he’s the biggest sh&t talker and so what he won but not
by far and Jack n Barber are impressed with me. I beat Barber and we just have the best time at this little bar in
Black River the Red Stripe is cold and they are going down quick the rum is good with Ting and we’re laughing.
The wonderful woman at the front desk calls to tell us the tour bus has arrived but I tell Andre I’m just having too
much fun right here in this little bar in Black River, Crocodiles can wait until tomorrow.
Jacko turns to me “So you really haven’t seen Andre in 13 years because he told us this last night and we don’t
believe him”
“No we haven’t seen each other since highschool”
”How come you guys act like you seen each other every day”
Andre and I look at each other then we look at Jacko and I swear we simultaneously say “dunno” and Jacko
just sort of looks at us and laughs. But this is what we said to each other in Negril. How come it’s like a day hasn’t
passed? And not only did we notice it but so does Jacko and Barber apparently.
Jacko turns to me “your coo Amanda”
This might not have been much of an affirmation but it meant a lot to me.
”When you comin back?”
”Ya babes when you comin back?”
“The spring”
”That was a quick answer you comin back for a wedding?”
I give Andre a weird look… “A wedding? Who’s wedding?”
”Our wedding”
I look at Jacko n Jacko and I look at Andre
I feel Andre’s forehead “you feelin okay Andre”
Jacko can’t stop laughing now
”Aite Manda you got jokes, can I have a kiss then?”
Now I’m kind of taken back I’m in a bar with Andre n his two friends and now Barber and Jacko are both looking at me.
But alright why not.
Andre and Jacko decide they want to play Dominos and since I’ve never played before I decide I’m going to watch.
Andre keeps hitting those dominos down on that thin board table so hard that I swear my ears are ringing and Jacko
insists after a few games that I have to play.
“So how do I play?”
”Just match up the numbers babes”
“Well there is a strategy to this, process of elimination ??”
”Yes but that’s too much to explain you’ll pick it up just match up the numbers”
So we play and the games done and Jacko is looking at me like I’m an Alien, Barber is laughing and Andre is
hanging his head, the dominos are collected and Andre shuffles them.
”Okay we’re playing to 6 love!”
“Wait what just happened?”
Jacko turns to me “you just beat both of us and you didn’t even know??
Ha! I love this game.
And I get 6 love and now neither Jacko and Andre don’t want to play with me anymore I feel like that kid that
gets picked last in gym class but truthfully I’m beaming because I just beat them both at their own game and
what woman doesn’t love that ;)
We’ve spent a few hours in the bar and we get the bill 1500JA.“THAT’S IT??!!”
I’ve had over 5 beers we’ve had 2 flasks of rum 5 games of pool 1500 JA; now this is what I’m talking about!
We decide it’s time to get back up the mountain and we drive through Holland Bamboo “Bamboo Avenue” and we
take a quick stop on the side of the road for Pepper Shrimp.
Jacko and Barber have almost finished there’s and I’m still staring at this back of shrimp wondering how the hell do I
eat this with their heads on. I’m use to de-veined, no shell shrimp .. there are eyes looking at me and feelers sticking
out and Jacko’s telling me the eyes are good. I really don’t know about this and there are all munching on heads and
I’m picking my shrimp apart. You’re a trooper Amanda you can do this .. okay no I can’t I rip the head off and stick the
rest in my mouth.
OMG! IT’S HOT!
Now I like hot food I like my Caesars to burn my lips I put Tabasco on everything but this, this was like 5 alarm fire in
my mouth but I’m not telling anyone.
I kind of choke out “Mmm this is good”
Omg where is the water!! Wait I haven’t had water since I left Canada okay where is the Red Stripe! Damn my nose is running.
I look at Andre and I motion the bag towards him so he can have another.
”Nahh babes that’s **** too hot!”
Ha!
Back on the mountain and Jacko says that I have to come to his home and see the view. I get to meet his girlfriend
Kadesha and their baby girl Chrissy. I feel great that he feels comfortable enough to bring me to his home and we all
sit in side and chat, correction. Andre chats sorry correction preaches. About everything and anything and Kadesha and
I just keep rolling our eyes at each other and it feels good just being here. I don’t feel like a tourist I’m their guest and
they’re happy to have me and it feels great!
Now the view … I saw the cliffs in Negril.. I saw Lovers Leap and I didn’t think it could be topped I swear to you that from
the view at Jacko’s house you could see all of Jamaica and he points out Treasure Beach and Black River and it looks as if
there is only one higher peak on the whole island. It’s a bit early for the sunset and Jacko promises me that we’ll return for
a sunset before I have to leave because it’s something that I can not miss. Now the rains been off and on and so it’s a bit
cloudy and I can only imagine what it’s like on a crystal clear day but this is incredible. I’m just in awe but it’s time to go
because I’m starving and apparently we’re going out tonight.
Andre's not a Rent-A-Dread, actually I didn't see any of this sort of "relationship" the entire time I was in Jamaica. I know that in Negril and highly populated tourist areas that this is probably prevalent but maybe I just wasn't looking for it so I didn't notice it. There was one moment in Negril when I was walking with Andre the second day down from the Cliffs to the Beach and we walked past an Jamaican woman who was selling a few things on a table and she watched us pass and she spoke out to Andre that he was very handsome. I'm not sure that this is something one would do to a man that is walking with another woman but I highly suspect she did it because he was with me and that's okay it didn't bother me in fact I smiled and said He is!
I asked Andre if there was going to be the potential of having woman be aggressive towards me either verbally or physically outside of the tourist area if I am "with" him. He told me no that it wasn't like that as much anymore because there are many mixed relationships but he also didn't pick up on the vibe at the house party the 3rd night either because he doesn't look at me as a "white" girl he said. It's just the way he was brought up.
Your story is awesome and I like this board because we ALL realize there is so much more to Jamaica, than husslers, rent-a-dreads and ganga! Jamaica like anywhere else is all of what you make it and we positive people make it our HOME AWAY FROM HOME. thank you for sharing your amazing adventures with us.
delish report manda! bigup
DAY 4 PART 4
We head off to the Barber shop and post up there for a bit we grab some chicken and chips Andre has this thing for
Ketchup it seems and I get stuck with Ketchup on mine but to be honest we haven’t eaten all day and we have a plan
to drink tonight. Surprise! So down goes the chicken and chips and we’re off to the wholesale for another bottle of
Wrey n Nephew. Andre, Jacko n Barber are discussing where we should go and Andre mentions Wild Onion.
“Where is Wild Onion?”
”Treasure Beach by Jakes babes is that cool?”
“Sounds perfect”
So we’re off down the mountain again and I have to say that the party started in the car. The four of us are in great spirits
and this all just feels natural now. I’m part of the “crew” it feels and I’m in on the jokes and by the way I’m still gripping my
“holy sh&t bar” but so is Barber and this becomes a running joke for Jacko. We get to Wild Onion and the music is playing there
are a few locals a couple of tourists it’s not very busy but there are two pool tables and considering we started this Must beat
Andre at pool goal we all get down to it. This time I talk Jacko into playing a game against Barber and I’ve taught him different
ways to hold his cue.
Jacko is one of those Jack of all Trades he can just about fix anything or figure out how something works. So I’m not surprised
when Jacko goes from never playing pool before to beating Barber. I have now become Jacko’s biggest fan and I’m cheering him
on when he’s playing Andre. Because I’ll be damned if I leave this island and Andre is undefeated.
”Oh so you want me to lose Manda?”
“Someone needs to beat you and if they can’t I have to before I leave.
Andre walks up to me just inches from my face “So we’re now enemies”
“If that’s what you want to call it” *smirk*
His mouth is just hovering around my lips and I can smell the rum from his breathe and in the background I can hear
“wrapped up in your arms dancing to a reggae song, feel good”
Andre is slowly moving to the song and we’re swaying together I’m not sure where anyone else in the room is
but this definitely feels good.
“Kiss me” he tells me and he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against him.
Right before I kiss him, when I close my eyes, it's like I can still see everything around me but, when we kiss everything
else melts away and I see nothing but what happiness might look like in bright colors and then I can sense every inch of
his lips across mine and his taste and his smell is like home. Everything feels perfect and a warmness fills my body my heart
beats faster and I don’t want to open my eyes again because it wouldn’t just be me and him, but everything else too.
“English! English! Take yuh turn!
Andre pulls his face away and looks at me and smiles “enemy” and as he walks away he sings
"wine some more and show me that love”
The rest of the night was full of laughter and drinks and more drinks. I can’t stop smiling I’m not sure if it’s because this its the most
fun I’ve had in a long time, I’m not sure if it’s because I’m happy that I took this risk for my 30th birthday, I’m not sure if it’s because
I can still think about Andre kissing me or maybe it’s just the rum.
Probably the rum, but what a night!
EEEEEEEE heee hee heeeeeeee..... u seet manda! that's what happens....
and p.s. Taye Diggs is WAY too old now to play Andre. he's long past "young stud". i vote for Nick Cannon.
and then Jamie Foxx for the part of the movie when he's more grown :cool:
day 4 pictures
Quote:
Originally Posted by Manda81
this is pure poetry manda! excellent
day 4 pictures cont
BAM!! Keep it coming. You are a great story teller. Feels like im there
Thank you sooo much :oQuote:
Originally Posted by Seveen
Kbisiar- Thank you to you as well, I'm glad I can take you alllll on my journey:)
That view is amazing!! beautiful pictures...
I'm completely addicted to your trip report, your writing makes me feel like I'm right there in Jamaica..
Congrats on kicking butt in dominoes ;)
I would be wary of those shrimp too.. crammed in that little bag of red fluid with their heads attached and antennas sticking out. AAH! LOL.
and.."Feels good"... best song ever!:)
What a view that is! Absolutely beautiful it looks from all directions.
Loving your report, too Manda!
The pictures don't even do it justice unfortunately. because with the view comes this over encompassing feeling. it's truly indescribable.
And could you imagine while you hung your clothes to dry that THIS is what you got to look at! I don't think I'd mind so much about
laundry anymore lol
Clarity - I LOVE that song!
Awesome report! Keep it coming I'm addicted.
I love your report and your pics, and just want to say thank you so much for sharing it. :)
Manda,
You rock!!! I am addicted this is like a modern day romance.
It's starting to look like you're never coming back!
Manda. you are the Tarantino of trip reports. I have lots a Jamaican experiences that I could never due justice to with my writing skillz. I really need you as ghost writer. Job pays 1 red stripe per hour.
Ha...and spelling skillz
lol trust me I wish I didnt have toQuote:
Originally Posted by gerryg123