I just wanna get there…
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I just wanna get there…
My son and his girlfriend were dropping me off. I made them take me early because of my anxiousness to get this reach started. It’s been seven long months since my last visit and I was in dire need of a heaping refill of Jamaica tranquility…my cup was empty.
Finally at the airport in the still darkness of a warm July morning, we exchanged hugs and I love yous. Kenny and Corrine sat in the car and watched me build the luggage tower then struggle to roll up to the revolving terminal doors. Like getting on an escalator, the timing to enter the slow spinning cylinder has to be just right. With a few ginger steps left in my trek to get inside, my son calls. “Hey mom!” I turn to listen thus missing my opportunity to step in…doors opened…doors closed.
He yells with promising seriousness. “I promise not to wreck your car.”
Up to that comment I wasn’t worried about my car which he will have for 12 days. !2 days while I’m in Jamaica…Jamaica…nope not taking any worries with me.
I smile, then a nod careful not to let the tower topple. He waves and almost gets slammed from behind by a Hertz shuffle bus as he pulled out in front of it.
No stowaway fears…not having it…at least not for 11 nights and twelve days.
Jamaica, July 17 - 28, 2013
Finally purchased a luggage scale.
Not just because I was jealous of all the fun Sammyb was having with hers but because I got tired of the swap & shift from one bag to another at check-in and being scolded for bringing baggage that exceeds the 50lb weight limit. On top of being embarrassing, it wears me out. So I diligently weighed my bags with my brand new luggage scale each and every time I added something to them. 50 pounds racks up very quickly.
With confidence I hoisted the first bag onto the scale. No, that weight can’t be right. Is that right??? I was instructed to place the second bag on the scale and again I’m shocked. Each bag was only 45 pounds!! The luggage scale weighs at a whopping FIVE pounds less than the airport scale. What a jip! Not bringing ten more pounds of “stuff” that I could have bought felt worse than facing actual overweight penalties. It really did. Now I ask myself, am I ever going to get this right?
One hour and 35 minutes till boarding.
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I’m not a coffee drinker but I need liquid energy to surge through my veins to keep me awake due to lack of sleep. NONE over the last 32 hrs. Ever since I fell asleep and missed a connecting flight to Jamaica, I don’t take any chances.
Went to get a cup from the Auntie Anne pretzel place a few steps from where I was sitting. Decided to get hot tea instead. Look I don’t know what kind of brewing machine they use to heat the water, but I could feel it boiling in the cup all the way to my seat. The tips of my fingers were burning up.
Too hot to drink I let it cool down while I text my son a reminder about watering my plants (which he didn’t do! 5 dried up and died.) Texted to momz saying I would call as soon as I get to my room. She texted back “nO Parasailing!!”
Finally boarded the long, long, long plane. Felt like I was walking that narrow isle forever. My seat was in row 30 and there were still plenty rows after that. Will this half mile long ship really get off the ground?? Of course it will…just don’t think about it…
darn I left my tea…
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Good bye philly...see ya in 12 days!!!
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Man next to me “This is biggass plane. Makes you freakin wonder how something so freakin big stays in the freakin air.”
Okay he’s freakin me out!! Where are my earbudz, it’s music time. Perfect! Beres H…No Disturb Sign…just what I need…
there she is!! my Jamaicahhhhhhh
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Safe and sound pon the tarmac of Sangsters International Airport in Montego Bay Jamaica. I give in to a tear as I thank God for a smooth safe flight and one of the best landings I’ve ever experienced. I thanked the Pilot who gave me a grand-size smile and a wink. The wink was nice.
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That’s my Sketcher’s duffle bag. Thing weighs less than 4 pounds but holds a ton. Love it!! I give away 60% of what I take which empties the duffle. I can fold it so it slips into my carry-on. Yeah I miss the easy to maneuver 360 swivel, but not the crazy baggage fees on the return!!
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Immigration and customs were painless. I like painless. Went to the JUTA counter to book the ride to Ocho Rios. The JUTA rep recognized me. She gave me a smile and said welcome home. This is the first time I’ve ever seen her smile.
Only had to wait 15 minutes before leaving the bus vicinity. In the meantime I sat on the bus admiring the attractive Margaritaville rest area. I notice quite a few renovations and additions to the airport since January. Nice…
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The JUTA driver stops here in route to Ocho Rios.. This is a first for me and would have preferred no stops, but he didn’t take a vote. Were only there for 10 minutes. I and a another lady stayed on the little bus fussing about being delayed getting to where we really wanted to be.
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Thought the ad on this wall was interesting.
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First stop Riu Ocho Rios. Love this entrance lane. The place was packed and looks gorgeous.
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I can not type another word about traveling another mile without saying Thank You, Summer, for those truly moving words. While it was bought to my attention that “someone mentioned” me in a thread, I didn’t know what to expect. After reading your post I, of course, cried. You see, I have very strong opinions regarding trip reports and had considered voicing a couple in that thread. But wasn’t sure if it were necessary…I do feel Dash expressed most of thoughts well. However, there was still one or two I considered mentioning. Well your motivating expression made me decide to use that energy to bang out a report instead and at last keep my promise to Ms. Sparkle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Summer
However, it’s because of YOU that other readers are gonna suffer from the amount of words and pictures and stories I plan to cram into it…all just for you.
Hope you enjoy my dear Summer!
Reached the Ocho Rios Jerk Center where my Portland driver was waiting patiently.
Ocho Rios was bustling.
ha! when is it not????
A stop at the cambio inside the jewelry store. One of these visits I’m going buy a silver bangle I keep eyeing as I stand waiting my turn to approach the window. I stop in OR to exchange because by the time I reach Portland, the cambios are closed. It’s a very pleasant 4+ hr ride depending on the number of stops I must make. Otherwise I would zoom through this town as quick as possible. I’m not an ochi fan.
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I run into a little grocery store to get a few bottles of Port Royal Gold Rum. They stopped stocking it. Bummer!
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Oh *Vi*... I am so excited to see a Vi trip Report... I know we are in for a pleasant treat of beautiful pictures and detailed narratives... Thank you for keeping a promise...... I am postive that you will not have to take the abuse that others have had recently with posting "your" trip report....whew whooo... lets get this party started!!;)
Portie is on my list. Always enjoy your reports miss *vi*!
SPARKLE!!! Hey there chickie! LOL I knew your radar would pick up the report...well I'm on a roll and will try to stay on it consistantly. 75% of what I post is strictly Portland and talking about people, places and things most folks on the board are unfamiliar with. You know, just in case they might want to check it out one day. So staying on topic I hope not to offend anyone...then again I don't plan to put anyone to sleep *wink*
Hi there goldilocks. Thanks so much and really happy to see you riding along. I KNOW you would fall for Portland as deeply as I have. Just one visit and you'll be hooked. I will keep you in mind as I discuss some of my favorite spots...to entice you to plan a visit :)
Okay, side-story time
Oracabessa
Ah-rack-ka-bess-suh and the reason one visit was enough for me…
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Every time I see that sign I am reminded of my one time Oracabessa experience. I had booked an area tour with this cute, thick sweetie pie of a driver who, after 90 minutes into the ride, convinced me to meet his big (older) business owner friend. Normally I refuse hook-ups/matchmakings but those two descriptions, mature & business owner peaked my interest so I figured why not?
Okay, when?
Right now!
Easy U-turn and 5 minutes later we enter a yard full of dead and/or dying automobiles.
He’s a mechanic?
Yes, mon. One of di bess in Oracabessa.
Old cars and their dissected parts scattered everywhere. The natural ground was hidden under a thick layer of oil, grease and other unknown motor fluids.
I’ve seen enough and was about to leave until Mr. Goodwrench scooted from under a stripped vehicle propped up on bricks. hmmm not bad. Handsome. Bet he got that body from lifting cars onto bricks. Serious muscles from shoulders to calves. Hey a little ajax and a new brillo pad would make him shinny and new.
Hello, I’m Vi. Vash told me nice things about you.
He reached for a rag to clean his hands.
I’m Al. You are beautiful.
Thank you.
You will make a good wifey fe me.
Huh?
You body nice and healthy. Nice and fat.
Huh?!
Vash the driver is smiling.
Yes empress, you will like living here in dis yuh town. Oracabessa nice and quiet. Nuh like Ocho Rios. You like sweetsop fruit….umm…umm…
Vi, my name is Vi.
(He laughs) me nuh rememba dat.
He led me to a nearby tree full of sweetsop.
(Did he propose to me at some point??? Or worse, did I accept??)
He peered upward into the tree hard, examining the fruit suspended like green gems.
Dat one, dat fe you.
Oh how nice. Amazing how you can tell the ripe ones from just looking at them.
He drags a cinder block close to the stump next to the sweetsop tree creating an unstable step.
“COME COME”…he commanded..”gal, step up, step up!”
Who??
YOU! Come!! You haffie learn how fe pick dem youself. Come step pon the dis ya.
I obeyed for fear of being flogged.
Took me three tries at grabbing the fruit without falling off the shaking block. They didn't even TRY to help. Finally I plucked the fruit from the tree.
He kissteet then sighed “You will get betta on time.”
“I knew you two would fall in love. GET HER NUMBER MON!”
Huh???!!!
Yeah Girl! I love me a Vi Report too!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
oh my gosh...
Ha Ha Ha.... little ajax and a new brillo pad would make him shinny and new.. Luv it..
Hey there Missy Tizzy...you know I adore you to pieces!!! Glad you are enjoying it so far...
Sparkle, he was in need of a GOOD scrubbin!
He ran into the garage to fetch paper and pencil.
Is that a bed??
That’s his home.
Oh my
We exchange numbers which of course was a mistake.
Thank goodness it’s finally time to go.
Give your woman a hug goodbye!
What??!! I gasped then stepped back.
Al admitted his clothes were too dirty to touch my pretty yellow like ripe banana shirt. SO HE TAKES OFF HIS TEE!!! Before I could react I found myself flush against his bare, sweat-covered chest and his face was buried in my hair.
I felt his warm body fluids ooze through my top and cling to my skin.
After being released I looked in horror at the two wet shadows that circled my breasts. The girls were petrified and so was I. Essence of motor oil seeped from my body. My shoulder were damp from his..pit. His wet and hairy pit.
Vash…we need to go…
Quick goodbyes I was out and ready to jump in the first pool of water I saw.
We rode for about 2 minutes in silence
You aren’t going to see him again are you Vi?
No…no I’m not. Don’t think we are a match.
Well me haf annoda friend who….
No thank you Vash…all I want right now is to stand under a shower of scalding hot water and perhaps an antibiotic.
The man called 94 times over 8 days. His last voice message “No worries my darling….when you return to Oracabessa I will….”
The message was cut off. I never returned to Oracabessa for fear he would find me and finish the line.
Leaving Oracabessa and continuing the travels to Portland
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It is an amazing ride. I don’t count time after leaving St. Anne I just relish in everything I view.
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Sugar cane. Although cool looking, I’m told it’s very dangerous piled that high. I guess it is. But they do it to cut down on the trips to haul it from one place to another. Wish I had gotten a better picure so it's pile could really be appreciated. Crazy
Enjoying it?? I'm ROLLING Vi :)
Thank you for doing this report! I love your writing and photos... someday I will make it to PA!
ohhh this is going to be painful........SIGH!
I'll have to look up Mr. Motor Oil in the fall dwl!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luv it.. I can tell this is going to be a fun report.... but really 94 calls... Mr. Motor Oil was blowing your phone up, must of liked what he smelled when he buried his face in your hair....LOL
Thanks Tizzy!
Sam I Am…lol I think we can be on a first name basis now. Sam so happy you dropped by. You will get there one of these visits and it will be soooo worth the wait. In the meantime I hope you are gathering lots of good notes from these postings.
Sammy, sorry girlfriend but yeah it may be a little painful…but not all the time.
LOL @ Sparkle. Don’t know about him, but it was not a healthy breathing experience from my side. If he wasn’t such a sergeant he would have a chance. Resembled DeAngelo…between the navel and the “v” leading to… *wink*
Annotto Bay
Free Point
Palmetto
Buff Bay
Orange Bay
Hope Bay
St. Margaret Bay
Bound Brook
The towns I long to get a glimpse of as we ride through are approaching.
I post a lot of pictures of the roadway to give a visual of the ease of the ride to Portland. The road is smooth and level the entire way. A little curvy at some parts, but no pot holes or gullies. You come to really appreciate a trip like that when you don’t have to listen to the driver moaning and groaning about the “bad, bad roads dem” “di roads dem mash up bad” “oy” every six yards. Oh and that thunderous “grunt” when a wheel drops hard into a hole they didn’t swerve in time to avoid. BOY that just goes all through me!
A WONDERFUL ride and a delight to the eyes gazing at the abundance of fauna and vegetation flourishing on either side.
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and the scene is always changing as you zip through the small towns.
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“A little music.”
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It was around here when that ever annoying sound became noticeable to me.
tskst
tskst
tskst
tskst
tskst
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Irie FM. The volume is up jussst enough for all the songs to sound like the tapping on cymbals in the distance to the reggae beat.
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I almost forget about the surprise.
Surprise???
Driver starts fumbling with the square, white envelopes nestled over his visor. Ahhhh CD’s!
“I know you don’t have a liking for Irie FM, so I picked up a very nice CD de odda day when I go into town.”
“NICE! Whatcha get???”
“You will know soon. I know you will like it. It’s a very good CD.”
I sit patiently waiting for that first clear note.
Driver slips the cd in, the player spits the cd out. Driver slips the cd in, the player spits the cd out. Driver slips the cd in, the player spits the cd out.
I began to wonder if this was a sign.
After a dozen or so more tries the player surrenders and accepts the cd.
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...On a warm summer's evenin' on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin' out the window at the darkness
'Til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak....
“Kenny Rogers??!!!” (21 Number ones)
“ahhh you are too good!!! Yes, Kenny Rogers. The country tunes artiste. This song is the Gambler.”
...He said, "Son, I've made my life out of readin' people's faces,
And knowin' what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you don't mind my sayin', I can see you're out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice..."
“ The entire CD is Kenny Rogers’ tunes??”
“Kenny Rogers and friends. Some songs on the CD he is singing with other people. Yep, I knew you would like it.”
“How??? I mean what gave you the idea I am a CW fan?”
“You told me you have country songs on you little music machine.”
“Song. I have only one. Out of over a thousand tracks on my player, I only have ONE country western tune.”
Driver: Silence
Me: Silence
Kenny: You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin' when the dealin's done.
:(
Beautiful.. so lush and green.... ha ha ha you have me crackin up here....Not CW definately not Vi... I can just imagine your face when the song started.. :mad:
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The CD wasn’t bad…well it was better than IRIE FM. As a side plug, Busy Signal did a really good cover of The Gambler on the Reggae Gone Country cd. I’m a Busy fan…a fan of his more mellow songs.
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Pictures don't do it just Sparkle. It's time for you to get to see with your own eyes just how beautiful Portland is.Quote:
Originally Posted by SPARKLE1010
MANGOS!!!
I must have mangos. It’s mango season so they were plentiful and cheap. I only wanted two, but they are sold in bags of five or six. He came back to the car with a dozen.
“I won’t be able to eat a dozen mangos. Some will go bad before I get to eat them and that will be a waste.”
“Yes, you will finish them. I know you will.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I see you eat THREE mangos one time pon de beach. Remember the next time when you did eat TWO mangos one after de odda. You eat them plenty suh you will run out in less than six days time.”
“Shut up and give me the bags.”
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lol he’s right…I do LOVE me some fresh mangos and these smell divine. The sweet tropical-floral scent coming from the bags had my mouth watering the rest of the ride.
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PORT ANTONIO!!!! I’M HOME!!!!
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sigh........you know I didn't have any mangoes while there, wish I could have had just ONE from you bag.....carry on please