I got up early to take that constitutional swim in the still chilly water of the swimming pool before the sun warmed it to a tepid temperature. All I could think about was that my best friend Marshall and my driver friend Peckish would be calling soon. It has been almost 4 years since I have seen either of them although I talk to Marshall at least once a week on the phone but giving him a strong hug in person was I am sure on both of our minds at this time.
I showered and sat down for an early Continental Breakfast glancing back and forth at the still silent phone next to my coffee. Just when I was starting to think about other things, the phone rang and Marshall's familiar phone number lit up the dial. "Marshall mi fren" I answered. His voice was so reasurring and that he and Peckish were just outside of Sav and would be here in less than an hour. I could relax a little now and enjoy another cup of coffee and a another slice of wheat toast.
In short order, they pulled into the Seastar Inn driveway and parked next to my chair. Marshall jumped from the passenger seat and literally ran up to me and grabbed me in a bearhug. I don't know about others here on the board that if that often happens to them in Jamaica but I find Jamaicans to be kind of reserved in exhibiting such overert displays of affection. Our 18+ years of friendship have developed a closeness of bond that transcends any normal boundries as we truly "love" each other in a familia/brotherly way. Peckish was right behind and grabbed me as well. I am so blessed to have such good friends and like Martin Luther Wright (Colonel of the Accompong Maroons) once said, "When you have a Maroon for a friend, you have a friend for life". How true I have found this to be so many times over.
Marshall (right) and Peckish with his RAV 4
We went to the verandah of my room to talk. There were so many people to ask about; how they were doing and where they were living (as some had since passed this Earth in the interim) and I simply had to get the latest suss swirling around the community where I would be living. Ha Ha. When I learned that I was not the topic of discussion around town that set my mind at rest as, afterall, I am not a Maroon and they are such a close-knit community that outsiders are sometimes looked upon with a skeptical "cuteye". I knew now my acceptance was fairly universal throughout the community but there would be detractors as there always are in Jamaica or anywhere one lives.
I had told Rob and Lisa I wanted to go on the Pub Crawl bus and Rob said to be ready at 2:00pm for pickup. We had said our goodbyes and I made arrangements for Peckish to return on next Tuesday to take me to Accompong Town at a few minutes before the bus was to arrive and like clockwork....2:00pm on the dot; it pulled up to the gate.
Now, being honest here, I wasn't giving this too much of a possibility in my mind to turn into a extraordinary experience but, as we kept picking up more people from the Cliffs to Coco La Palm on the beach the bus became full and the friendships began to form. We stopped at 7 bars; Corner Bar, MiYard, No Limits, C & D Country Bar, a small bar owned by a lady named Carol, Bella Donna and Firewater where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset to Peter Tosh music in the backround. Just about perfect!
I can't list all the names as frankly I can remember but maybe 10 of them so I don't want to skip a single one by listing those I can remember. To a person, we were as one for the next several hours. I saw a lot of old friends like Delroy at MiYard and Big Roy from Cafe Goa was there too. This is an experience that everyone should try on their next visit. You meet a lot of small business people who go the extra yard to make you comfortable and provide the best service they can as they know a lot of those on this crawl will be returning customers and will tell their friends as well.
The bus dropped me off last as the driver lived near the Seastar Inn. I actually was sorry to see the trip finish. A pleasant surprise and a very enjoyable evening.
I slept with serenity that night.
Peace and Guidance
