Clarity, Markus and Jamar in Negril – Nov 2011 Trip Report: Day 1-3

[Hubby-man]

(Trip Report Continued from previous page)

My friend who works in PR for Pabst Blue Ribbon had given me some "beer cozies" and charged me with taking some pictures in weird places during my travel. So I slid one of them over my red Stripe and posed for a picture. Maureen asked me what I was doing. I tried to explain, but judging by her facial expression she found this concept quite bizarre. “It's just a beer,... with the wrong label. Why would your friend want a picture of it?”. It kinda don't make sense.





Robert, Maureen's business partner, came and joined us on the bench-side of the bar. He brought a local newspaper and was studying the soccer results.

Before coming we had watched "Three Sheets' Jamaica" episode a gazillion times and had seen the shows hard-drinking host brought to his knees by a nip of JB over-proof. Jamar had since been talking about JB non-stop and since Maureen had been the first to pour us that mysterious wet (back when she worked at the “For Real” bar), we kind of felt it was safest to continue the tradition and let Jamar have his first JB and Ting at Sunnyside, under the watchful eye of Maureen. She had almost not allowed us to even try the liquid and had given us one of those deadly disapproving glances upon ordering it. So we figured, if she said it was OK, then it was.

While Jamar was unwittingly sipping the strongest mixed drink of his life, and Daisy was in an intense conversation with Maureen, I talked to Robert about soccer. I really wanted to see a game, since soccer is kinda weird in the US (getting better though ).



Robert offered immediately to take me to a game in MoBay that Sunday. To my surprise I heard though that barely anyone cared about the Premier League. Highschool soccer is what people here are really into. I wish I could have taken him up on that offer, but the few days we had in Jamaica just didn't allow for too many excursions.

We finished our beers and eventually said our good-byes. Daisy was itchy about leaving some message to let you all know we were still alive on Negril.com. So we sauntered a few feet further up the beach to find an internet cafe.

Boozing pretty hard, me and Jamar decided to lay down under a sun chair, while indoors Daisy sent out word to whoever was waiting for it (according to her, getting on the internet was some sort of a national emergency).

[Hubby-man]

While we were waiting and chatting, restless Jamar had found himself a dog to play with. He really missed his own canine, but this Jamaican puppy was a little hesitant and nervously moved forward and backward seemingly at the same time. Fear and attraction were obviously fighting an even battle inside her. Finally a stranger came over and offered the advice that “Hotdog” would respond most kindly to an offering of food. So Jamar un-crumbled his last dollars and went into the convenience-store-part of the internet cafe and procured some sausage bits in a can.

Hotdog immediately fell in love with Jamar as soon as the can was opened. She didn't so much eat the sausages as she breathed them in. That made Jamar look at me like a puppy.



Jamar: “We need more! Do you have money?”

Me: “Boss-lady inside has the wallet.”

Jamar disappeared again and came back with two more cans.

By now more neighbors had taken interest in the project and people were now offering suggestions as to which other animals might need a feeding. A contest of urgency ensued and after much discussion a pregnant cat won out and we searched the neighboring bar with a group of concerned citizens in order to find the needy mother.



We found her lying down in the dust against the back-side of the structure. A little startled by the sudden emergence of a group of excited of people she tried to get up fast and run. But before she could get away with her swollen belly, we shoved some canned food in her face. She sniffed confused and quickly figured out, that we were probably not here to grab and drown her. Oh what a joy! Jamaicans are so capable of being right here in the moment. Everyone clapped and immensely enjoyed the kindness that was taking place. It was like a little mini-party - with dancing!

[Hubby-man]

Jamar had not partaken in the cat hunt, but had instead reinforced his relationship with Hotdog. Daisy had finished her business, unaware of all that had been accomplished outside. She was quite surprised when we suddenly had a dog following us down the beach, staying right by Jamar's side.



Of course we had forgotten all the rain-checks we had given the vendors on the way. So despite being cash-less, there was no escaping it. We had to browse through many many stalls, which is hard for me, since I hate shopping. One thing I have to mention though: in Jamaica you can definitely buy on credit. Not a vendor that won't send you home with even a 100$ item on credit. That makes the argument, that you have no cash, absolutely mute.

Jamar gifted each of us with a much desired shell necklaces, while we survived the experience without a single purchase, but again promised to return (which we did).

Throughout all the negotiations Hotdog had fallen asleep in the shadow of a table. We didn't bother to wake her up, she looked like she was having good dreams and a full belly...



Back at the Hotel Jamar wanted to immediately head back out to the beach to settle his debt. He is a little OCD like that.

Some time passed and Daisy was very eager to get going and catch the sunset at Canoe. She searched for Jamar all over the hotel grounds especially at the beach where we were supposed to meet. We even used the zoom lense on the compact camera to peer down the beach to find him. He just wasn't there.




(Sunset and no Jamar to be found)

Finally I suggested to go check his room. Daisy knocked and out came a confused Jamar with bloodshot eyes. He had enjoyed some Jamaican herbal medicine and in combination with the effects of the JB & ting, he was extremely..... relaxed.

Daisy: “Come on Jamar! We have to be at the Canoe, like yesterday!”

Jamar: “What? I thought we were gonna see a sunset.....”

Daisy: “That's already OVER! - besides it's called sunset webcast AT the Canoe! We're an hour late! Argh, come on boys, MOVE!”

Jamar: “I got a hold of my mom btw. , it's her birthday today. But she thinks I am in San Francisco.”

Daisy: “What??”

Jamar: “Yeah She asked me how the weather was in San Francisco. I really didn't know. Do you?”

Daisy: “WHAT?!.. umm, let's just go!”

To be continued....

[Hubby-man]

Oh yeah, The Jet Ski experience...

I was lucky enough to enjoy the luxury of a private jet ski in Florida for a few years, but I was really surprised that Daisy & Jamar would suggest that we rent one. They seemed really eager, but once we were jetting at 40 mph over the little waves catching a little air here and there, their faces turned a soft shade of green and they uncomfortably held on to the small seat behind me. The machine - while rather big – might just NOT have been intended for three passengers. As scary as that would be for anyone, my two companions are really more beach bums than open water enthusiasts....

We went out as far as we dared, not all the way out to the reef as we had planned, but the information from the gas-gauge was a little disconcerting. I would suggest, that if you rent a Jet Ski, you pay first and ask the guy renting it to you, to make the trip to the gas station before you take a ride, rather than after...

After we had all taken a swim and climbed back onto the wobbly motor-float, we noticed that our seating arrangements had been unkindly reversed. We were now sitting in order of who wanted to get out of the water first, with Daisy in front. Since switching seats would have been a highly acrobatic experience and neither Jamar nor Daisy wanted to go back into the water again, Daisy became the default driver for the trip back.

She was a little nervous at first, but once she felt the sporty machine responding neatly to her commands and the powerful motor between her legs roaring out at the slightest touch of her finger on a button, she was kind of hooked. While we were bobbing scarily back and forth behind her she leaned into spray and gunned it towards the beach, possibly because she wanted to get back to the safety of shore in a hurry.

In front of Alfred's Daisy slowed down to an idle and we hopped off on the platform to let Jamar have a go. We watched him from the platform as he drove circles around it, a little like an old lady on mobility scooter at Walmart: slow, a little dazed and slap-happy.

We had to do something, so I started yelling at him to get his butt of the seat and drive standing up. “Come on Dude! Push down on that gas button! Don't be a wimp!”

Peer-pressure always works! Within minutes Jamar turned from a grandma into Action Jackson, and soon drove standing up and hugging the corners, crossing and jumping over his own wake with a dramatic splash. We definitely all got our moneys worth!



Back on the beach I dropped the two passengers off and had another go myself. But I am not 20 anymore and there is a definite voice in my head now, that tells me I have a lot to lose. I am not the same person I used to be. We used to race through the mangroves on a jet ski knowing full well behind every corner the water way could be abruptly cut off by a branch or sandbank. We used to crash into the unforeseen obstacles, go flying into the shrubbery and got up to get some more bruises. Now I can't even let it rip on open water with out pissing my pants. I am getting old … and reasonable - yuck.

We went to grab a quick lunch. Then Daisy, who directed and managed every detail of our vacation, like a benevolent bridezilla, informed us, that it was time to see Maureen at the Sunnyside bar. So me and Jamar dutifully grabbed our wallets and trotted to the beach behind her.

Sunnyside Bar is not far from the Grand Pineapple and right next to "ROOMS". Don't look for a sign, yet. They are saving up to have one painted. (I would have loved to paint one for them, but it didn't feel right to offer something, that would have taken work away from a Jamaican Artist. Plus it would hardly have been authentic).

On the short walk down the beach we made some obligatory promises to see peoples vending booths just to hasten our progress. We also have to keep a constant eye out for Jamar or he'll get lost and disappear somewhere with some shady character, only to return frustrated with more stuff he didn't mean to purchase. He already had one person chasing after him, demanding a ridiculous sum from him, for no more than the sharing of an herbal cigarette.

Once we reached the vicinity of the sunny-side bar this was no longer a concern. I remember the first day we met Maureen and she almost brought a broom out to chase away a beer-mooching fellow. One look from her can kill any trespasser.

A tall figure was sitting on the bench in front of the bar one leg up and his arms slung around the knee. We hesitantly approached. Then Daisy and Maureen made eye contact. Their faces brightened and Maureen came around from behind the bar and opened her arms invitingly.

Maureen's hugs, if you can get one, are brisk and economic. When you meet her you will find a sincere woman that has no time for nonsense. It's not that you can't tickle some playfulness out of her. You certainly can, She is not cold at all. She is in fact very warm and kind, but she doesn't suffer a fool. From her mouth you can get an utterly sober view of Jamaica. She works hard and if you want something from her you need to show some effort. She doesn't just deserve one's respect, she commands it.



But if you do get her to smile and laugh, you are looking at one of the most beautiful and radiant woman we have met in Jamaica or anywhere else for that matter. I personally enjoy strong women, after all I was raised by several.

We clumsily climbed over the ridiculously high bench that wraps itself around the little bar. And started off the boozy part of the day with a round of beers.

[marley9808]

OMG!! What a treat, I am so glad to have the incredible trip reporting threesome all back together again! This report has me smiling big and laughing hard! You guys are too funny. I was explaining to Raul that what makes this report so great is now seeing the same story through THREE sets of eyes. It is perfect, its like Jamar, the beginner is nervous at first but then immediately jumps into any situation with intense passion and determination. Daisy, in the middle with an even balance of excitement and responsibility, and Markus is the jump right in, balls to the wall experience all the excitement and experience from sun up to sun down without a care, at least until boss lady tells him it is time to move to the next place on the list!
HA!

I am loving this so much!

Glad to have you back Markus, and glad you are feeling better! I feel like I know you too, and Daisy and I cannot wait to party it up together in April, we are going to have a blast!

And thank you Jamar for giving us a little more of your trip report as well!
We are loving all of it!!


~Shauna

[gerryg123]

Very nicely done, my fellow Californians .... Amazing color on those pics -- don't know how you do it, but the images are magazine quality stuff!

[Seveen]

yeah the trip report is back on!
i can't help but notice how much more relaxed markus looks this trip
i love the tag team trip report - really fun
so another trip planned for april - lol
jamaica will do that to you :-)

[sandy-girl]

[ralonzo29]

So Marley9808 was cracking up while I was working on a website design for work. I try not to ask her whats so funny (she'll tell me when its something I need to know). She stops and looks at me and tells me that Markus, Jamar and Daisy have kicked it back in. SO I knew it was time to start reading. Well I was pleasantly surprised to read the continuing adventures of Daisy and the Boys .

[irie luv]

The jet ski adventure sounds like fun! Its the first thing I do when I get to the beach in Negril.Once you get the hang of it you just want to go full speed on the open water,theres nothing like it. Cute little dog, it looks like the exact dog that hangs at Alfreds under the tables.I went to Alfreds one time and the dog was sleep under my table for hours, I did not even know he was there until he got up and walked away, it was funny . I think he may have been a little toasted from the contact. I am a little scared of regular dogs, but the dogs along the beach seem so harmless. Great photos!