Manda's first trip to jamaica sept 2011

[Manda81]

Andre's not a Rent-A-Dread, actually I didn't see any of this sort of "relationship" the entire time I was in Jamaica. I know that in Negril and highly populated tourist areas that this is probably prevalent but maybe I just wasn't looking for it so I didn't notice it. There was one moment in Negril when I was walking with Andre the second day down from the Cliffs to the Beach and we walked past an Jamaican woman who was selling a few things on a table and she watched us pass and she spoke out to Andre that he was very handsome. I'm not sure that this is something one would do to a man that is walking with another woman but I highly suspect she did it because he was with me and that's okay it didn't bother me in fact I smiled and said He is!

I asked Andre if there was going to be the potential of having woman be aggressive towards me either verbally or physically outside of the tourist area if I am "with" him. He told me no that it wasn't like that as much anymore because there are many mixed relationships but he also didn't pick up on the vibe at the house party the 3rd night either because he doesn't look at me as a "white" girl he said. It's just the way he was brought up.

[tranquilitygurl]

Your story is awesome and I like this board because we ALL realize there is so much more to Jamaica, than husslers, rent-a-dreads and ganga! Jamaica like anywhere else is all of what you make it and we positive people make it our HOME AWAY FROM HOME. thank you for sharing your amazing adventures with us.

[Seveen]

delish report manda! bigup

[Manda81]

DAY 4 PART 4

We head off to the Barber shop and post up there for a bit we grab some chicken and chips Andre has this thing for
Ketchup it seems and I get stuck with Ketchup on mine but to be honest we haven’t eaten all day and we have a plan
to drink tonight. Surprise! So down goes the chicken and chips and we’re off to the wholesale for another bottle of
Wrey n Nephew. Andre, Jacko n Barber are discussing where we should go and Andre mentions Wild Onion.

“Where is Wild Onion?”

”Treasure Beach by Jakes babes is that cool?”

“Sounds perfect”

So we’re off down the mountain again and I have to say that the party started in the car. The four of us are in great spirits
and this all just feels natural now. I’m part of the “crew” it feels and I’m in on the jokes and by the way I’m still gripping my
“holy sh&t bar” but so is Barber and this becomes a running joke for Jacko. We get to Wild Onion and the music is playing there
are a few locals a couple of tourists it’s not very busy but there are two pool tables and considering we started this Must beat
Andre at pool goal we all get down to it. This time I talk Jacko into playing a game against Barber and I’ve taught him different
ways to hold his cue.

Jacko is one of those Jack of all Trades he can just about fix anything or figure out how something works. So I’m not surprised
when Jacko goes from never playing pool before to beating Barber. I have now become Jacko’s biggest fan and I’m cheering him
on when he’s playing Andre. Because I’ll be damned if I leave this island and Andre is undefeated.

”Oh so you want me to lose Manda?”

“Someone needs to beat you and if they can’t I have to before I leave.

Andre walks up to me just inches from my face “So we’re now enemies”

“If that’s what you want to call it” *smirk*

His mouth is just hovering around my lips and I can smell the rum from his breathe and in the background I can hear
“wrapped up in your arms dancing to a reggae song, feel good”

Andre is slowly moving to the song and we’re swaying together I’m not sure where anyone else in the room is
but this definitely feels good.

“Kiss me” he tells me and he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against him.

Right before I kiss him, when I close my eyes, it's like I can still see everything around me but, when we kiss everything
else melts away and I see nothing but what happiness might look like in bright colors and then I can sense every inch of
his lips across mine and his taste and his smell is like home. Everything feels perfect and a warmness fills my body my heart
beats faster and I don’t want to open my eyes again because it wouldn’t just be me and him, but everything else too.

“English! English! Take yuh turn!

Andre pulls his face away and looks at me and smiles “enemy” and as he walks away he sings
"wine some more and show me that love”

The rest of the night was full of laughter and drinks and more drinks. I can’t stop smiling I’m not sure if it’s because this its the most
fun I’ve had in a long time, I’m not sure if it’s because I’m happy that I took this risk for my 30th birthday, I’m not sure if it’s because
I can still think about Andre kissing me or maybe it’s just the rum.

Probably the rum, but what a night!

[MissBlue]

EEEEEEEE heee hee heeeeeeee..... u seet manda! that's what happens....


and p.s. Taye Diggs is WAY too old now to play Andre. he's long past "young stud". i vote for Nick Cannon.

and then Jamie Foxx for the part of the movie when he's more grown

[Manda81]

day 4 pictures

[Seveen]

when I close my eyes, it's like I can still see everything around me but, when we kiss everything
else melts away and I see nothing but what happiness might look like in bright colors and then I can sense every inch of
his lips across mine and his taste and his smell is like home. Everything feels perfect and a warmness fills my body my heart
beats faster and I don’t want to open my eyes again because it wouldn’t just be me and him, but everything else too.

this is pure poetry manda! excellent

[Manda81]

day 4 pictures cont

[kbisiar]

BAM!! Keep it coming. You are a great story teller. Feels like im there

[Manda81]

this is pure poetry manda! excellent

Thank you sooo much

Kbisiar- Thank you to you as well, I'm glad I can take you alllll on my journey