Summerset Lane?

[negrilaholic]

That map is pretty helpful..I think I see the building I will be staying in even..the pool looks a bit green, so doesn't look like I will be using that, lol. That's okay, I kinda had a feeling I wouldn't be getting the taj mahal, it will be mostly a place to crash. I'm just glad that staying there will enable me to spend longer in Negril than I ever have before.

I will be sure and meet with Bella Donna and Dr Quality and Faye.

[suzengrace]

I know there were some "problems" on it during the summer-and this from my friend whos lived on that lane (back of charlies shop) for years...So yes, Be extra careful and use your street smarts and I wouldn't walk that lane at night-yes with friends-but better to have a Taxi around for transport at night..

[negrilaholic]

I will definitely be keeping a sharp eye out and only walk the lane during daylight hours, and be careful and aware even then.

[rastagirl777]

All those yards are fenced off Rob - my godson's, the neighbors across the street...back in the day when his Mom first got the property and even before the lane had some pretty dubious characters hanging around. Now, back in the day - LOTS of folks lived there it was a pretty happening place, like in the late 80's early 90's. True, a lot of those folks moved on and my actual first visit to Summerset Lane was after that. The lane went through a rough patch around the mid-ninetines and it seems to have taken a turn for the better more recently.

Much of the West End is walled and fenced in now. Doesn't make it less of a neighborhood. Take our neighborhood for instance...great vibe there, everyone knows everyone - that's the vibe I get on my GS's part of the road and most importantly they respect each other. As far as the gates and walls that surround people's property - you know that's for protection from certain dubious elements that are all over, not just on Summerset Lane. For anyone looking to stay on Summerset my personal belief is that you will be as safe as you would staying on West End Road or Seastar Lane - just don't forget to pack your common sense.

[Rob]

RG,

Even from the map link I posted, you can see that Summerset is sparsely populated in respect to the abundance of people on West End Road and Seastar Lane. There is no one on your GS's property at present, there is no one living next to the property. When you drive by Summerset Road, it is a rare occurrence to see anyone walking on the road there. It is an equally rare occurrence to NOT see anyone on Seastar Lane.

Back in the mid 90's Devine Destiny was open as was Addis Kokeb and Summerset Village providing many choices of accommodations for visitors. Chef's Restaurant as well as Serious Chicken and Bella Donna's were all open and serving some of the best food in Negril. Today, the only places still open are Summerset Village and Bella Donna.

Here is Summerset Road as seen today, about 20 minutes ago....



In comparison, here are some "blasts from the past" pages that I posted on Negril.com back in 90's.

Here is Serious Chicken from 1997:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn100797.htm

Here is Chef's Restaurant from 1997:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn240797.htm

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/bay0127.htm

and 1998:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/bay0263.htm

Here is Bella Donna's party from 1999 for Katy Thacker's benefit bash:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn061199.htm

And even Ruben's Bike Rental in 2002:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn150202.htm

You may get the same friendly vibe on Summerset, but in truth and from one who actually lives in Negril and passes Summerset regularly, it is not the busy, feel good neighborhood it was in the 90's...

[rastagirl777]

"There is no one on your GS's property at present, there is no one living next to the property. "
You are mistaken on both counts. There most definitely IS someone living on my GS's property and the property next door has someone there I'd guess pretty much all the time.

Your photos make me smile...and I see your point about "busy-ness" on the street. However, knowing who I know living there at this time I know the neighborhood in my GS's vicinity to be friendly. No, no one is hanging out on the street, there are no markets or restaurants (except Bella Donna) but that doesn't mean its not a decent neighborhood. Now I remember mid-90's when the lane would indeed be more busy with local traffic and folks hanging out - but in and amongst those folks were the stalkies and drug dealers. As I recall, some would be fairly aggressive. I don't see that there anymore.

I'm not saying you are wrong Rob because you are not - but Summerset Lane is not a "tourist mecca" so you won't find many tourists there - but it is a decent local neighborhood not too unsimilar to our neighborhood (at least our neighborhood prior to 2007, lol). Its just that - a neighborhood. If you are staying at one of the cottages there or at Summerset Village while you wont' find a a whole lot of activiities right on the block, it is a short walk to West End Road and into a pretty busy area for tourist-type enjoyment.

[Accompong]

You know, Rob and others..... I was just here thinking about "back in the day" and the funny thing about it is that it evokes such good memories (although a little clouded by the time gone by) that most things today don't compare favorably. When you start out a story with words similar to "I remember when.....(fill in the blank) that...", chances are a smile creeps over your face with the warm and fuzzy rememberings.

Truth is that; money was worth much more, education/literacy was better, people had jobs, nuclear families were the rule instead of "baby muddas or faddas" providing little or no support. A gangster in Kingston couldn't or at least wouldn't bother to come to Westmoreland to commit crimes because cars were scarse and pickings were better in town anyways.

The whole point is that Jamaica is both a wonderful and can be a dangerous place if you don't take at least as much care as you do at home. I wouldn't walk an unlit, sparcely traveled lane here in So. Florida so why would I do that in Jamaica?

What you could safely do 5-25 years ago is not necessarily true today. You could be a stumbling drunk and the goodness of people or "the Alcohol God" would keep you safe but too often it just opens a window of opportunity for some never-do-well to make a fast few dollars.

I love Jamaica and don't feel threatened by much of anything that goes on around me but I do maintain a vigilance and an awareness of my surroundings. In short; Summerset Lane is a great place to walk in the daytime or at night with a close friend or two.

Peace and Guidance.

[Rob]

Sorry, but I seemed to leave out DJ's Restaurant in 1997:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn310797.htm

and Gladstone's Top Yard Coffee in 1997:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/bay0113.htm

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn230797.htm

There was a lot of fun stuff going on Summerset in the late 90's....

[Rob]

RG,

I was just there about an hour ago and I did not see a soul on your GS's property. The yard is not being kept up and is becoming quite overgrown. Maybe you should contact him or his Mom and let them know...

And it seems I forgot another one of the major spots back on Summerset in the late 90's - Horselips! They had one of the Jamaican bobsled's as the centerpiece of the bar - their sign is across the street from Chef's sign on the page below:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn111097.htm

[Rob]

And here is an inside picture taken at Serious Chicken in 1997:

http://www.realnegril.com/beingees/nn251097.htm