Crusher's Trip Report - Jan 2014

[Mike_D]

My guess is it was Delroy.......

You would be correct, sir. He hit me up again the next day at Ali's Little Sandwich Hut, but this time he didn't have any limes.

[Yvonne]

Thanks for all your reports. They've been fun, helpful, & more. Sorry we didn't get to cross paths again this trip. You live up near my Canadian cousins (my dear Mom was born/raised in Toronto)... several in B.C. (one is actually a well known artist), Alberta, etc. Some day - in warm weather - I'll get up your way.

BTW... I'll replace you as bug bait. They LOVE me!

[Flipadelphia26]

Jackie and I got it pretty good on our feet and ankles. Mine didnt itch too badly though.

[Yvonne]

Not liking hearing about the aggressiveness of the beach vendors. Had an unpleasant experience last summer. Raggedy man approached me from behind & startled me, gave me some grief that I hadn't bought from him (didn't recall ever seeing him & why was he coming up from behind when I'm way up on the beach?). To get rid of him I decided to buy a mango. It was the one & only day I had a $1000J bill w/ me as I only had a couple of $100J bills & knew I'd get change when I went to Ocean Breeze later (Beach House Villas bar). Long story short... the $1000J bill hit the sand after I paid for & got the mango. The scraggly guy grabbed the $1000J & took off running. NOT a pleasant experience. Lesson learned.

[Jamadian]

Crusher, it you're at the bar Friday night around 7, I'll drop some Zinc cream off to you. Can't hurt to try it. Better than a golden shower... At least from my perspective

[Bossman]

Crusher, thanks for the trip report and pics. Bug bites, been there done that. No fun. We now use bug spray at sunset and have not had any incidents for years. Knock on wood.

Soon come can't come soon enough!

[NRV]

Enjoying your report Crusher! I have to agree with you about the aggressive beach vendors. It was pretty bad at Christmas - people just out right asking for money..... Those bug bites are wicked....After being "eat alive" many years ago, I now apply Deep Woods Off on my feet & legs every time I leave the room! I still get a few bites, so I bring Cortaid with a dauber end to apply on any bites & it really helps with the itching & swelling. I bring a small bottle of Deep Woods every where we go. It is the only thing that works for me!Have tried all kinds of suggested remedies & they haven't worked. Yeah, I know the DEET isn't good for you, but neither are 200 bug bites! Bugs love me, hubby not so much! Maybe I should drink more alcohol, lol!

[Crusher]

I have been managing the bites with benedryl pills and cortisone cream. Still itch sometimes but at least I am not going insane. I am thinking its because of the tree that I was sitting under on some of the cooler days. I am betting that it was cool enough for them to come out and I had shifted my feet in the sand a couple of times. I know better but when you are in the groove things happen.

I just can't get over how bad the begging is getting. The stories are pretty contrived and well rehearsed. I would suggest if you are sitting on the beach at the NBCC that you sit a few rows back from the front. Those folks seem to get less action from the higglers and beggars. I get things are tough in Jamaica but there has to be a better way than harassing folks on vacation to make a few dollars. Our friend Doc and I have had a few conversations about the beach guys and he says its getting worse and worse and the government just doesn't seem to have a plan to help these people which means its going to get worse and worse. I like this place but honestly I might move somewhere else for our trip next year.

Well back to the trip report.

[gerryg123]

II just can't get over how bad the begging is getting. The stories are pretty contrived and well rehearsed. I would suggest if you are sitting on the beach at the NBCC that you sit a few rows back from the front. Those folks seem to get less action from the higglers and beggars. I get things are tough in Jamaica but there has to be a better way than harassing folks on vacation to make a few dollars.

My new strategy to fend off the beggars went beautifully on my last reach, and it was so simple I can't believe I had never thought of it before: I simply did not look at their face and made pretend I could not hear them, even from three feet away. With zero exchanges between us, it's the quickest and easiest way for them to leave me alone.

Don't look at 'em, don't talk. It's brilliant.

[Crusher]

My new strategy to fend off the beggars went beautifully on my last reach, and it was so simple I can't believe I had never thought of it before: I simply did not look at their face and made pretend I could not hear them, even from three feet away. With zero exchanges between us, it's the quickest and easiest way for them to leave me alone.

Don't look at 'em, don't talk. It's brilliant.

Funny thing is Gerry I am deaf in my right ear from a childhood issue. They tried to replace the ear drum in my twenties still can't hear....but they used a cadaver ear drum and it tells me to do bad things!!!!!

One of the 'entrepreneurs" that had an issue with me came up on me from my right. He said morning....I didn't hear him....so he's like "what you can't say morning"....I said yes....morning.....he walked a way cursing bomba this and bomba that.....next day he walked by I went out and said....dude I'm deaf....I didn't hear you.....chill out....he was all apologies and stuff....I was a half a foot taller and about 200lbs bigger....so maybe he didn't see that when the bomba's were flying the day before.....

I love this place but there are certainly two types on the beach. Those who earn their money and respect. Then the others who deserve a kick in the ass and some advice to find a real job. Cause selling on the beach isn't their forte!