I am back from Jamaica. My Family LOVED Negril!

[kaycee]

beautiful pics! Love your report!

[Islander]

Clarity,

What a fabulous, heart felt trip report, you are one heck of a writer, your photos are beautiful and I could feel your heart in every word you wrote. Loved reading your trip report with your family and can't wait to see more.

Peace,
Islander

[Seveen]

jamaica heals! so glad your family was able to get together and work the "kinks" out

[Flipadelphia26]

jamaica heals! so glad your family was able to get together and work the "kinks" out

I really hope this is true. My family situation is very odd. My parents are not divorced, but they live 45 miles apart. They spend every other weekend together. That's about as long as they can tolerate. My brother lives in Wyoming and dislikes my father greatly. My sister is 16 and does not identify with anyone else in the family, because she is a teen, and we are all "old" in her eyes. (I am 28, my brother is 23)

My GF and I were planning on going on this trip alone, and my my mom got wind of it. She thought it would be grand to piggy back on our trip and invite the whole family. This will mark the first occasion our family as a whole unit has spent more than an hour together in probably 8 years. And here we go for 8 nights.

[Guirigay]

Couldn't think of a better place to break out the new trip ticker. As you well know Daisy, there was "NO WAY" this was going to happen. Well..... I'm beginning to think the only point of "no" is to know there is no point. Drop the foggy veil of the trance of scarcity and it suddenly becomes clear that we all are bounding through fields of endless opportunity - Thank you Deepak! And besides, you guys are ALREADY home. You just need to, unfortunately, figure out how to get back to Babylon... Anyway, I think I may have flipped Markus in your absence... BPG

[suzengrace]

That is so awesome Clarity- all around and for everyone... I dont think I could manage 5 days-way too short when you figure in all the air time travel ( i come from LAX) rather save up my days and go for a longer reach-but hey, 5 days better than no days....

[TizzyATX]

Lovely report bbygirl thanks for sharing...Call you soon to catch up

[MoFromMonroe]

CLAP CLAP CLAP. Great report that we have all come to expect. Thanks Daisy

[Clarity]

THANKS Booger, Eden, Prism, Misti1, WiltedDazies, Patty, Angel, Sweetness, Maryann, Reggae Roy, Kaycee, Islander, Seveen, Flipadelphia , Guirigay, Suzengrace, Tizzy, & MoinMonroe!!

Suzengrace – I agree! You know how brutal and long the commute from CA is… (on this stretch it was almost 30 Hours total round trip door to door!) 5 days is too short, but it was worth it. 5 days is better than not going at all... I wouldn't take a trip this short in length again though

Boogs & Eden – LOL! Okay…yes Markus and I are dreaming about a December Trip, I’m not gonna to lie. We’ve never experienced the holidays in Jamaica. It would be the most amazing experience! I just don’t know if it’s in the stars for us.

Although I didn’t think Guirigay & Sweetie Pie were going and now he has a new ticker! He’s right; anything is possible. I just can’t get too emotionally invested in the idea. I don’t know what the future holds for us.

Most people have their kids early and then travel together later on. We’re kind of doing it the other way around…and this incredible chapter of our lives is going to end soon. A new chapter will begin. (P.S. this is where everyone tells me about the joy of parenthood – please?)

Flipadelphia – I can relate to what you wrote about your family situation. I had the same concerns. I’ve got the teen in my family that doesn’t always relate to the “old ones” Me and My sister. I have ups and downs with my father – as I’ve mentioned… we don’t always see eye to eye. My family is far from perfect and we had a few rocky moments even on this beautiful trip.

I think the key to vacationing with your family is to focus on your similarities and overlook the differences. Really be IN the moment and try to avoid bringing up past resentments or issues that can spur arguments. There were things my father said that would have rubbed me the wrong way usually but I LET IT GO to keep the peace and for harmony. As a result, he made more of an effort too.

Jamaica isn’t going to erase all your family issues or problems, but it’s hard to focus on them when you’re surrounded by beauty. It’s the perfect backdrop for meaningful conversations and making great memories.

Have an awesome time in Negril w/ your family! I’m sure it will be great!

[Seveen]

i dragged my baby to jamaica before he could walk
i will never forget walking down the plane ramp on to the tarmac - yep before jet ways - and his head snapped back - when the humidity and the smells of jamaica hit his nose
rolling him in the umbrella stroller - watching him laugh as the cars went beep beeb
going downtown mobay and finding goats - and he touched them and had a ball
eating at the pelican restaurant (mobay) and finishing off an entire order of pancakes

he swears he remembers - lol