Stories Of Negril and the Westend

[Pushin 50]

I now will pay tribute to the man responsible for many of the stories you've been reading. My very dear friend Victor Gibbs Sr. To think it all started with a chance meeting in a bar, with a woman we had just met, none of this might have happened. My wife began a conversation with a woman at Afred's. She said she was going for a drive with a Jamaican driver she knew and suggested we go along. That was the trip by the lighthouse, with a stop at LTU. I've always prefered LTU over Rick's. Our first trip to Roaring River soon followed. We were so impressed, and so comfortable with him, we hired him for our trip around the island. It was during that trip, we went from being customers to life long friends. All three of us had experiences we had never had before. Before long, we knew most of his family, and many of his friends. This led to wonderful evenings in the hills behind the West End. Talking, playing cribbage, and Domino's. Don't bet on Domino's with a local. This is a blood sport here. Unless your reason is to help the local economy. You won't win, Texas Holdem is childsplay next to Domino's. Victor fight's hard to make sure we are not cheated. He negociates fiercely for everything down to the number of soda's and beer on the boat. The same woman who introduced us to Victor was with us at Roaring River. She was nice but sometimes rude. She thought she heard one of the locals say a very crude Jamaican slang for a woman, and told Victor. Victor jumps out of the car with the woman and begins arguing with men who had given us the tour. "I bring many people here, you will treat them with respect mon! The men said none of them had said such a thing and the yelling was on. Within seconds the whole village was there. Janice and I are in the back of the convertable, and now we are surrounded. The locals are asking us what is going on, and we honestly didn't really know what had happen ourselves at this moment. Finally the yelling subsided and the men (never admitting they said anything wrong) apologised to the woman anyway. The crowd melted and we drove away. Then there is his gentle side. Victor dislikes panhandlers, but is very charitable. I don't know how many times I've heard him say "Spread it around man". One day while driving out near Likkle London (Near the farm he used to live on)we passed an old man sitting next to the road. He was not begging, but looked like the world had fallen on him. Victor stopped, walked over to him, bent down and quietly talked to him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out some money and gave it to him. He patted him on the shoulder and we left. Victor said the man had come on hard times and he wanted to help. Riding with Victor in the countryside is always fun. If he see's a nice looking woman on the road he will slow down and say "Hey baby you look beautiful today". They smile and their hips start swinging. This is especially fun on sundays in the countryside. That's when the women all wear their best and most beautiful dresses and Hats. "May I say how lovely you look today". Their eyes all sparkle with his attention. Some know him, some not. We have experienced great joy, and sadness together. I owe him much, and proud to call him my friend.