trip report / july fourth, twenty-fourteen

[Summer]

It was a peaceful stroll along the shore...until

A gentleman promoting a massage place approached me to ask if i would be interested in their services. I said “no” to everything he offered. When he got to the end of his list, he bid me a pleasant afternoon. I returned the same and took a few steps onward with my journey.

Just as I was about to take a picture of a lovely ocean scene as there were plenty that afternoon, a wiry, beach dwelling rasta faced me and loudly asked me

"What is it???? Are you afraid of Jamaicans or do you dislike or distrust Jamaicans? I see you walking alone everyday. You don’t talk to anybody. You don’t want anybody to talk to you. You always look angry and mean."

oh for heavens sake...scolded again??!?!!

He waved his arms like I was a hopeless case. Added how I like loneliness and being in a world full of people but living among them all alone.

"Go..." he roared and shooing me on..."Go continue on and enjoy your loneliness. Have lots of fun in your lonely world."

Okay, even if I did have my pepperspray tucked between my breasts, no matter how tempting it would have been to spritz him just to shut him up, I wouldn't because I guess I do look out of place walking that long stretch without a companion(s). The only people walking alone are moving vendors. But what I don’t understand is why being solo bothered him so much he went on a rant in like that in public.

I need shade and to compose myself. I needed the shade most of all.

He was probably missing that screw that would hold him all together...lol

[Summer]

Drivah A arrived early. That was fine because I had been ready for about ten minutes.

We stopped at a local place for a chicken meal. I only picked at it. It was good, I just wasn't hungry.



He says it is too early to go to BB so he did a little taxi business. Not on my agenda but I get to ride the road and see night sights for free. Picked up an older man he knew very well. He took him to Sandals. Beautiful place at night. I asked what he did there and was told he's in the band. Been doing it for years all over Westmoreland. His step was vigorous as he exited the taxi and made his way through the front gate security.

"Seems like he enjoys what he does."
"It's a job."

He whipped the car around and we headed back towards town. "You ready to party?" "Yeah."



The bar at Bourbon Beach was packed. No cover at the door was an outstanding idea.





The entertainment for that night was a DJ spinning decent music and three dancers that kicked it on stage non-stop for hours. The girl seemed to have electricity flowing through her veins. She never showed the slightest hint of tiring or slowing down. Song after song after song, she stayed in rhythm without breaking a sweat. Wish I had her energy.

Drivah A was less entertaining. A couple of times I forgot he was sitting next to me. He was really into the movies on the huge screen. I think it was animated Batman and then Cool Runnings. Me, I danced hard. The thick sand felt cool to my bare feet. Although I was having a good time, I wasn't feeling good. I felt like I needed at least four more nights of this undiluted excitement that Negril supplies. But I have to make due with three. I twisted and pumped to whatever the dj played trying to forget time.

Second movie over, Drivah A gives me a big smile then said "I need to take a leak." He waited until I caught on. "Oh...okay, time to go?" I slipped my feet in my flip flops and followed him to the car. I get in, he stands in front and I watch his back until I see his hands do that shaking then up-zip motion. He slides into the driver seat and starts the car.

"Vi, you are really pretty. I think you are nice."
"Thanks." He reaches up to rub my shoulder. "Sweetie, touch me with those hands and I'll crack your wrists." He understood and laid them on them on the steering wheel instead.

Went back to the room and played spider solitaire on my phone until I fell asleep.

ROTFL! bust him yes...got some nerve

[Summer]

still tagging along Vi....thanks again for posting

[kaycee]

Bourbon Beach has changed so much. I went there every night. The make their money on food and drinks. Its cool they let the local vendors sell their wares as well instead of driving them away.

[JitterBug]

tah, on one of my visits to just natural, theresa said that moving to their own yard just made sense . . .no rent . . . and beautiful!!

sorry, vi, not meant to hijack your wonderful thread . . .

[*vi*]

LOL, about the bugs but they are very cool looking! It's OK to miss some company especially since you had some not so nice people you were dealing with. It is really nice to come across people that you enjoy being around.

I've heard a lot of good things about Just Natural, it sounds like my kind of place with lots of fruit and veggies.

The bugs were attractive, but they look like they bite HARD. Like those pesky red ants!!

Schuttzie, I admit, I enjoyed his company more than I realized. (blushing)

Good stuff vi, keep it coming. Jus Natural is a great place, though I still wonder why Teresa moved the place. If you ever go back, you have to try her coconut drops. Amazing.

TAH Thanks for the tip. I’ll keep the coconut drops in mind when I return. I’ll talk more about Miss Theresa and her amazing place when I post having dinner there. Oh thanks also for hangin in!!!

Oooooh !! Vi is dancing and maybe romancing??? Waiting for more....lol!

lol jojo, I’m dying over here!!!! Did a LOT of dancing, unfortunately not much romancing. But it’s all good, Jamaica is still there right?!?! So I’m keeping hope alive.

still tagging along Vi....thanks again for posting

Good to know Summer. Check in when you can darlin.

Bourbon Beach has changed so much. I went there every night. The make their money on food and drinks. Its cool they let the local vendors sell their wares as well instead of driving them away.

Kaycee, I like the changes. I went twice that visit and there was always a decent crowd. I feel for Roots Bamboo and Alfreds those places were not the same.

tah, on one of my visits to just natural, theresa said that moving to their own yard just made sense . . .no rent . . . and beautiful!!

sorry, vi, not meant to hijack your wonderful thread . . .

No problem JitterBug. You are sharing relative information. Definitely stuff I’m interesting in. My time with her was brief but would like to get to know her more. She’s quite a personality.

[billndonna]

Ok Vi,we only have 16 days until we head to the island so we are waiting for you to keep us thinking we are still there with you!

[*vi*]

fifteen days now...sigh...billndonna I envy the inner excitement you are living as your reach gets closer and closer. What a lift you must feel knowing that soon you're toes will be caressed by the sea and your fingers will be caressing cold red stripes. Yeap…wish it were me.

[*vi*]

[*vi*]

I waded in the water looking about the ocean. Giving attention to the thoughts that gathered in my mind. What now??? Where after this??? With who?? Stop standing in the middle of the ocean wasting time fretting, Vi. You have plans!!! You are going to dinner to enjoy an excellent meal. Having someone sitting across from you won’t make the food taste any better so there is no need for a dinner companion.

Tonight is going to be a positively delightful one even if no one enjoys it with me.



I forced myself out of the water, collected my things and walked to the road to hail a taxi. I let three offers for rides go by hoping Drivah B happens to be on the road. I reluctantly accepted the fourth offer and rode in silence towards the round-about.

“Could you take me to my place on the cliffs, just around the bend? It’s not far.”
“Yes, no problem.”

We soon approach the “One Love Drive” sign.

“Turn left at the church, please”
“Up the hill?”
“Yes, but you can let me out at the school supply store. I can walk the rest of the way.”

He pulls to the side, I have the money ready to pass over and leave. I give him 500J and get out.

“Your CHANGE…your CHANGE!”
“Keep it. I appreciate you driving me straight here.”
“Take my numba. Call me for lata…no charge for the next ride.”
“Even to the airport?”
He bust a laff. “ahhhriiiiiii ahhhriiiiiii”

I sling my bag on my shoulder and make my way inside to prepare for the evening.