Takin' the Newbies along...a trip report

[Jenn]

Finally, we found our way back to the hotel and decided by this time to start getting cleaned up as we planned on hitting Xtabi for dinner. On our last trip, Brian and I had dinner there and loved it. When I was thinking about all of the places we wanted our friends to experience I started making lists. Lists of things to do. Lists of places to eat for breakfast. For lunch. For dinner. Things to pack. The breakdown of money to take. blah blah blah. I made a thousand lists...and only really got through a few of the things we wanted to do/places to eat. There's always next year, right?

So we all get ready and walk out towards the front of Rooms. There is a gentleman, Clovis, who is parked inside at Rooms. We spoke with him and agreed upon a price to take us and pick us up from Xtabi. We arrive a bit before sunset and get some great pictures. Now...I need to go off topic for a few minutes.

First, I have a love hate relationship with the cliffs. Mostly, I love the beauty of them and the fabulous places to eat dinner up there on them. However, as a trip to Negril gets closer - you know those dreams you have of falling when you are just drifting off to sleep? Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Well...as a trip gets closer, I have HORRIBLE dreams about falling over the edge of the cliffs from various locations in Negril. They scare the heck out of me! So because of that...I also mostly hate the cliffs. However, every time we go up there - I choose to sit next to the edge. I'm hoping to train my subconscious into believing that I can sit there and not just fly over the edge. Ugh...just thinking about it (falling over the edge) gives me the heebie jeebies...just thinking about it right now. This will be important to remember from this point of the report forward. I am not afraid of heights. I love roller coasters and being up high...but the cliffs...man, I just don't know what it is...

Second, Xtabi is bittersweet for me. Our dear friend, Alfred, who some/many of you knew was based at Xtabi. He took us there first. Whenever I have been to Xtabi, I look around hoping to see his smiling face or hear his great laugh. Man, do I miss him. I always send up a silent toast to him when we are there.

Ok, back to the report.

Before dinner came - the guys decided to walk down the steps and stand out on some of the diving off spots. Of course, I only picture them falling to their deaths...because I sometimes hate the cliffs. So, after they return, I walked over to the edge. I got brave enough to walk down some steps...and then quickly (and carefully) scuttled back up them all the while my heart racing. Ugh...at least I tried.





Another fabulous sunset!


You're killing me, Smallz! PLEASE step away from the edge!

So dinner at Xtabi is good. Very good. At home, we seldom have the time to linger over a long dinner and just enjoy the moments. We waited awhile for our food...but again, good drinks, great friends, wonderful conversation, and the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea, who cares? We know not to go anywhere hungry, in case the wait is long. We also knew that the food would be worth the wait. There were some firsts for me this trip - which I hadn't included in my lists. We ordered conch fritters (?) for an appetizer. I've never eaten conch. OMG WHY HAVEN'T I? They were delicious! For dinner I had lobster thermador. Again...what exactly was I waiting for? It was fabulous. I can't seem to recall what everyone else had - but all of us enjoyed our dinner.



We finished dinner - grabbed a cold stripe for Clovis to take him after work - hopped back in the bus and back to the hotel. I can't seem to remember if we went anywhere tonight when we got back. Probably had a drink...but maybe we were too full? That slippery time continuum again....

I knew N.E.E.T was having a Cultural Day this week (and had thought that it was Monday). I was bummed we had missed it. However, I double checked and it is tomorrow! Plans for Tuesday made....YEAH! I'm so excited.

Tomorrow - another check off of my list....buying bricks....children singing and drumming and reciting poetry, an old friend and a new one.