What Negril has given us, What has it given you

[Living_the_Dream]

After many trips to Negril I think it is time to reflect a little. Negril has always given me perspective over the years on life. Many times I have gone to Negril and Tensing Pen confused about life in general. After being there a few days things become much more clear to me. I have made many friends through the years both Jamaican and Foreign.

But the most Valuable thing Negril and Tensing Pen have given me is the Friendship mary and I have developed with 2 of our very best friends Bill and Debbie. We would have never meet them if not for going to Jamaica. They have become more like family than they are friends. Bill and I are like brothers and Mary and Debbie are more like sisters. It is amazing what a place like Negril and Tensing Pen can give you.

Not only has Jamaica offered us numerous memories but has given us better friendship than we have ever been able to make here in the states.

To our friends Bill and Debbie, We Love You and We Value Your Friendship!!

To Jamaica, Negril and Tensing Pen we Thank You!!

[marley9808]

That is so true Timm! And so nice the way you put it.
I feel the same way

I have learned a lot about me, my husband and life in general in Negril too. I always feel like myself there, the self I wish I could be 24/7 if bills and stress and work didn't get in the way.
I have also made some really GREAT friends that are like family in Negril as well as I have realized some who weren't friends at all, sadly.
Jamaica has been a place to heal, to love, to learn, to grow for me over the years and no matter what I am always thankful for the experiences.

I also feel the same way about Catcha Falling Star and all of the staff there. I truly feel like I am coming back home every time I come back, the hugs and greetings are warm and sweet. I miss everyone when I am not there (home) and I can't wait to see them all again when I return.

So with that...To Jamaica, to Catcha, to my friends/family there and the ones who like to travel there...Thank you and we love you!

[Accompong]

Like Living_the_Dream, Negril gives me "perspective" but not in the same way. Living in a rural, laid-back communtity, I get sort of treated like a local and (for the most part) often just taken for granted but in a good way.

When I drop into Negril for a day or two, I re-experience what it feels like to be a tourist again. Not that any foreigner is not always a "tourist" but from my perspective the difference is quite striking. I have a lot of friends in Negril and they treat me like I am treated in Accompong Town but the hustlers and higglers still try their best to make me and my money part company. Actually, I sort of enjoy that too!

Those of us who have been going for decades to Negril have really experienced a dramatic change in how a tourist is approached but it is still (for the better part of the experience) "all good". It would have to be good or I wouldn't bother to come down for those couple of days.

I have acquired a healthy amount of skepticism and lost a lot of naivaty traveling and living around Jamaica but there is still no other place I would rather be.

Peace and Guidance

[VVHT]

Timm,

Been a few years since our "Annual" meetings at LTU on Thanksgiving!

Jamaica has given me much more than I could ever repay. I like the way Rob put it about his feeling for the Jamaican people after the ravages of a hurricane. Their resourcefulness, courage and tenacity are an amazing example to me.

When ever I think that life has me down or things are tough, I just have to think about some of my Jamaican friends and what they need to do to survive.

Thanks for starting this thread...

Enjoy,

VVHT

[yetta]

To quote a friend of mine, "Jamaica has been good to me!" For years, I always wanted to visit Jamaica...when it finally happened, years ago, it was life changing. As visits increased, so has my love for Jamaica and its people. I love my home, my family here in WV, but I always feel some little piece of the puzzle is missing. When I return to Jamaica, esp. Negril, the puzzle is complete. I feel "my best me" when I am there. I appreciate the "now" and all the glories of nature much more fully when there. And when I "turn mi back", I leave a likkle piece of me behind and cannot wait until I get back to pick it up again!!