Hey all. It’s been a very long time since I have posted or been back to Negril. My wife Denise and I were regulars on the cliffs at night and the beach during the day. I’ve sat in, playing the drums at drifters on the Sunday show a few times as well. We stopped going bc of the pandemic and were planning on returning last spring, but sadly my bride and best friend of 42 years died after a short and awful battle with cancer.
I have been struggling with the thoughts of going back to our place wo her, but a recent overnight in Kingston has pushed me over the top. I am an airline pilot and the short overnight had me stay in Kingston. Just hearing the voices of the people and the music in the air and a brief taste of calallo for breakfast started a day that ended with me flying Luciano (a reggae artist if ya don’t know him) back to JFK. That combined with the Jamaican flight attendants, the Jamaican passengers and the love they gave me hearing about my story blew me away. Top it off with a little 6 year old boy hugging me on the way out. I melted.
Anyway - I am planning on coming back to Negril soon, but I am afraid of what I will find post covid. I used to stay at what was the catcha gardens, now the LTU gardens. Hoping both the pub and the rooms are still there. During the day, we would hang at sun beach, grab chicken from Hollywood at the tree house, get a cold one on the walk up the beach in the morning at Arthur’s, maybe another at the boat house. Not sure if these places exit anymore. Saw that 3 dives still exists as does the jerk chicken hut on the cliffs. Used to shop at the wise choice too. The grocery store I heard moved to the beach from down at the circle.
I’d really appreciate anything and everything y’all could tell me about how things are down there. Like I said - Dee and I would be down there 2 to 3 times/year for many years. I’ll be coming alone as I have to experience this place alone for this first time. Not sure I can even bring someone here with me, but also don’t think I can stay away. Thanks in advance folks.