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

[Clarity]

So after our saying our goodbyes to Bea and her mom, we headed back to the Grand Pineapple to grab some lunch before contacting Chicken about a ride to Mayfield falls.

Of course Markus and I couldn't resist a really quick dip in the ocean on the way...so refreshing...

After that, We packed our plates with delicious food.. jerk chicken, curried goat, pasta, salads... (I had heard that food at budget all-inclusives are usually rubbish, but GP meals have been consistently good) and we all sat down to eat.

At the end of the meal, I realized we didn't have any Jamaican Dollars left for a tip so left the table to grab some cash from our hotel safe.

*****

When I returned from the hotel room, I saw that Tayshaun (Grand Pineapple, Front desk) was now sitting there with Markus and Jamar.

They were all smiling at me. Big strange smiles.

“What's up?”, I asked easing into the chair slowly. I couldn't figure out why they were all looking at me like that.

Tayshaun and Markus exchanged excited glances.

“Markus was just telling me how you're looking for your family here in Jamaica..”, She started. “the family that your father stayed with as a child?”

“Yes?”

“Your maiden name is McIntosh* and you have family in Mandeville?” Tayshaun asked with a smile.

“Yes”

“We have someone working here at the Grand pineapple with the same Maiden name. His name is Paul. His mother lives in Mandeville. His skin is very light in color and he looks a bit like you”

I froze. I just stared at her in shock. I've been in Jamaica for less than 2 full days and I've already located a family member?!

That's impossible.

My mouth was just hanging open. “Wow! Wait.Is..he here now?”

“No, He doesn't work until tonight. Let me give him a call”, Tayshaun said happily. She was as excited about this potential connection as I was.

I watched her as she made the call on her cellphone, I was unconsciously holding my breath.

“Hi Paul, this is Tayshaun. I think I found a member of your family visiting here from the states. Her maiden name is McIntosh. Yes.. she said she has family in Mandeville.”, She continued.

“Ask him if his great grandfather is Thomas McIntosh?”, I interrupted. McIntosh is a common last name. I figured it would be best to cut to the chase.

Tayshaun asked him over the phone and then her eyes lit up. She nodded. “YES, that's his great grandfather!” she paused, listened some more and then cupped her hand over the phone “He said His Grandfather is Charles McIntosh”

“Oh my god! That's my Grandfather's brother...” I said. I thought back to the Ancestory.com ship records listing Charles McIntosh as a traveling from England to Jamaica in the 1950's . This was surreal!

I felt like I couldn't breathe. Markus laughed and hugged me. Jamar began to hit my shoulder excitedly.

“Holy crap!” Jamar said “You just found your family, Daisy, right here at the Grand Pineapple!”

When Tayshaun hung up, she was all smiles..she reached out and touched my hand. “Well, Looks like we just found your cousin”, She said “He's coming into work tonight. You'll see him at dinner”

This was too crazy. It didn't feel real. Do you ever have those moments, where you swear you're dreaming? Like you step out of your body and you think you're watching yourself in a movie? It's hard to describe this feeling in words. What are the ODDS of this? A member of my family working at the same hotel that I'm staying at? Honestly?

I felt like I was in weird daze, the three of them were staring at me... waiting for me to say something.

And all I could think of was my little brother. I could see his face so clearly in mind and he was smiling. I knew he'd be so proud that I had traveled to Jamaica (twice now!) in his memory and that I was re-connecting with family that my father lost touch with back in 1974. I only wish that he could be be here with me to see this, although in my heart I know he is...

“Thank you Tayshaun”, I said.

Markus, Jamar and Tayshaun all continued talking excitedly, and I was quiet. I was running my fingers over my necklace.. and I stared off toward the beach.

I had found my family
I needed some time to digest this..I had all these questions running through my mind, but I couldn't verbalize it.

I was wondering what Paul would look like.. what he would be like...and what I would say to him. This long lost relative that I didn't even know existed until a few months ago!



(A picture of Markus, Tayshaun and Jamar – right after the phone call)

That's when Markus looked at his watch “It's 1:30 – If we're going to see Mayfield Falls today, we need to find Chicken NOW..hopefully He's available to drive us”

To be continued.........

(Disclaimer* - No, my maiden name is not McIntosh. I have changed the names of my family members in respect for their privacy.)