Jbizek
All things being equal it'd be a no-brainer and Negril wins.
Mrs. Peel is now a convert.
The reason we're going to Hawaii is that it will be cheap.
Long before I met Mrs. Peel she bought a time share condo.
This year it looks like it will be worth the maintenance fee.
Plus we're going to stay overnight in San Francisco.
There are only two (old) western states I haven't been to (CA and NV).
So that is another selling point.
So much to see,
so little lucre.
Cheap Hawaii? Now that I understand! I've also always wanted to visit SF. My bro in law lives in San Diego and I've always wanted to visit. But I agree the more traveling the better!Originally Posted by Rum-polephoreskin
Awaiting our return to Negril, 07/01/12
You're free to stop in Los Angeles for a sub sandwich anytime, my brotha .....
Day 10
Our day 10 was that day in the trip everyone dreads, the day before you leave. You are compelled to count up funds that seem to have dwindled like a snow bank under the warm March sun. Wait a minute, I know I brought a pile of green, where is it now that I have to buy souvenirs?
Yeah, I know, boo-frickin’-hoo, at least you’re in Jamaica. Think of your family at home with chill blains and chapped lips, they deserve at least a T-shirt (or something).
Next time I’m buying my souvenirs early,
um,
yeah right.
Regardless we walked down to Sun Island Outlet (cheapest and some would say pleasantest of the souvenir shops). The shop lived up to its reputation, pleasant staff and no pressure. If you’re unfamiliar with this shop, it’s across the road from Canoe (bar).
While Mrs. Peel went inside into the air-conditioning, in an attempt to whittle down her daughters’ wish lists. I chose to stand outside in the sun. I can’t say why I didn’t go in but I’m glad I didn’t. I was standing there aimlessly beside the road, when I saw a woman approaching. Again I can’t say why, but she captured my imagination at first site.
There was a self-assuredness in her stride, self-assuredness in the way she wore her clothing, these signals, vague, yet perceptible, filtered into my brain. I unconsciously jumped to the conclusion that she wasn’t a tourist. I’m stumped as to why I thought that but it turned out to be true and the closer she got the more certain I became. I’m sure if you asked her she’d say, “ Maybe it wasn’t just a coincidence.”
Last edited by Rum-polephoreskin; 03-08-2012 at 12:08 PM. Reason: typo
She was wearing a gold colored sun dress that brushed to top of her sandals. There was a confidence in her stride that announced she was completely at ease in Negril and just as at ease in her own skin. I clearly remember that as her feet hit the ground, I was reminded me of the scene in the film “Time Bandits” where the giant emerges from the ocean and the camera cuts to his brobdingnagian sandals wiping out a village as he casually moves inland. This woman wasn’t wiping anything out, but her confidence was a match for the boat-hatted titan’s.
She was approached by a young Jamaican girl in a school uniform. They greeted each other with hugs. I didn’t hear the whole conversation but I did hear the woman say to the girl, “You better call your father and ask him.” Our eyes met about then.
I can only imagine what might have been going through her head, “Who is this freak in a cowboy hat, with one white leg and one brown one, and why is he ear hustling my conversation?” If she was thinking anything like that she didn’t let it show. Instead she spoke pleasantly to me.
“Sun Island is the best place for souvenirs,” she said.
I’m sure I was staring at her by now. “Are you a boardie,” I asked?
She said yes and we exchanged board names. We both had read a lot of each others posts. The conversation played out like one between actual (vs. virtual) acquaintances. I have always fancied her as a “healing-woman” or a white “Obeah woman”.
After the trip I e-mailed her to ask her permission to mention her name in my report. I’m sure she got my e-mail but I never received any confirmation from her so out of respect I’m not going to mention her name. Any boardie would recognize her board name and I have to say in the flesh she comes off exactly like her posts, mysterious, kindly, ethereal yet grounded and above all altruistically caring.
Later that fore-noon Mrs. Peel and I drifted down to the “Corner Bar”. The salient things about the “Corner Bar” are the slot machines lining the walls (the only bar slots we saw in Jamaica) and the bold red writing on the wall:
ABSOLUTELY NO GANJA SMOKING ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES.
Lo and behold, no one was smoking ganja in the bar. Where else but Jamaica would that seem like an oddity?
I think im pretty certain of the woman you speak of..And you discribe her perfectly . I have had the honor of meeting her twice..and agree there is a aura of calmness and kindness about her ...And I LOVE her kind words on the board ..
Hey Suess you write beautifully Rum! I've been waiting for this and you don't disappoint
What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love and Understanding?
Congratulations!!!
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