My first trip to Negril took place about a year after my first trip to Jamaica. Stayed in MoBay at an all-inclusive the first time (2000) because of the problems with the road to Negril. Knew the island was cool but also knew I was missing it at an AI in MOBay. Both times I was traveling with Boardie- JamaiKay who had been coming down to JA since 1987. Before we even departed from that first trip, I had my trip to Negril planned (in my mind at least).

For the first trip to Negril (in 2001) I did what a lot of people do, I stayed at an AI (Rui in Bloody Bay.) Our second day there i wandered off property and ended up at the Office of Nature and met all the guys that work and hung out there. I LOVED IT! Loved the people, loved the food, loved the spirit of the whole place. I even met an 8 year old local girl that I fell "in love" with and she ended up "adopting" me til this day (she's now a 21 year old college freshman -getting straight A's-living in the States!). Watching her succeed has been like watching my own children's successes. These connections I felt/feel with the people in Negril, I had never felt anywhere else. I ended up meeting MANY people on that 1st trip to Negril that now, 13 years and 20 something trips later, I consider some of my closest friends in life.

One of my favorite things to do is to bring first-timers down and watch their reactions. I have brought about 10 friends down (one at a time) for their first trips and they are always AMAZED by Negril. For some it was literally life changing. Bringing another newbie in August and I just know she's going to totally GET it.

Speaking of August, why haven't I seen an August Roll Call yet? Seen Sept, Oct, Nov, etc. but no August! I know a bunch of you crazy people have to be going down for ATI....(not me, I wait till it's over!) Who's going when?