Beach walk stories

[MikeyNYC]

One funny one and one curious one.

Funny one first...
Solo walk from Travellers with the intent to get to Tony's hut. Made it a few minutes down the beach and an older guy with a small table set up asks me to look at his stuff. Most times I'll stop and take a look if I have a few extra bucks with me, just to see if there's something interesting or different. His table is all the typical stuff except for this long wooden spoon; maybe 15-18 inches with a thick handle. It's hand carved but very simple...I could make it myself in about 20 minutes with the right tool; but it was something different, and I actually need a big spoon for when I cook with my large stock pot. I pick it up. While I'm looking at it, he smiles and says: "ah, you like the spoon." I say yes and ask how much he wants. He asks $10 but I only have $J so I offer him 1000, which he happily accepts. He thanks me with "I know you don't need anything but you stop to take a look anyway, thank you, thank you." I smile, nod, fist bump, put the spoon in my small shoulder bag. So now the long, heavy handle is sticking out the top a good bit...oddly enough, I made it down to Tony's and back without anyone else trying to sell me anything. So either Jamaicans share a common fear with Italian American kids, or they thought something else was in the bag.

I can see it now, my kids getting on my nerves and me yelling "DON'T MAKE ME GET THE BIG SPOON!"


Saturday night I walked with a couple that I know from Tree House to Kuyaba for dinner and back, and not one person tried to sell us anything. I didn't even have my spoon with me! Wha Gwan indeed.

[Vince]

Glad you could help the "spoon guy". Probably got him some food for that evening. Much Respect Mikey! (fist bump)

[Mike_D]

LOL! As an Italian-American I can relate to the wooden spoon. My Grandmother lived downstairs from us growing up, and she kept a wooden spoon next to her sofa at all times to make sure us kids stayed in-line. I may have to buy one on my next trip, to keep the higglers at bay during my beach walks.

But it's true that some craft vendors will have a hidden gem among the typical souvenir stuff. I like to check out Dr. Feelgood on the West End, across from Sea Grape and Negril Escape. He has a hodge-podge of wares; some of which looks like he got from a Jamaican clothing boutique and others from a jewelry craftsman.