Trip Report - Saying Goodbye and Giving Thanks

[wpyogi]

I woke up in the middle of the night with a pounding headache. Stumble around, make lots of noise and find the advil. Fall back into bed.

I got up around 7 feeling great! Grabbed a cup of coffee and brought it back to the room. Took a shower and went out on the veranda with my ipod to swing in the hammock and listen to Damian Marley. +1 was still crashed and I wanted to let him rest. Around 9, he got up and we decided to head to Just Natural for breakfast. I had some solar powered multi-colored lights for their new (old) garden.

When we arrived, Emile showed us around the place. We picked a table towards the back of the garden next to a...massage table? We didn't even need to look a menu. Fruit plate for me. Breakfast burrito for +1. Green juice and coffee to go around.







I had my first sweet sop...YUMMY!!

[wpyogi]

Beres Hammond was playing. One of my particular favorites played twice. Thats something else I love about Jamaica. Hey, if you like it play it twice. Twice is always nice.

[wpyogi]

Some pictures around the garden...













We had another interesting conversation about dealing with anger with Christine. I won't go into details, but she said she takes out her emotions in her garden. And it shows. What a beautiful place.

[T&A]

I am looking forward to checking out the new Just Natural this coming Feb. Nice pics of the new place.

[wpyogi]

As I mentioned, we brought some solar powered lights for the place. I got the tip from the Just Natural facebook group. Christine was extatic when I gave them to her. Later on, Theresa came over and said that Christine would like to give us complimentary foot massages if we would accept. We tend to be the kind of people who don't accept gifts very graciously - kind of a I would rather give than receive kind of thing. I am thinking she wants to do something nice as a thank you... +1 was very hesitant, but i said yes. After breakfast, Christine set up the table and asked, "is the boss first?" +1 continued to decline, so i offered to go first to show him that she wouldn't bite, lol. Wow, Christine works some magic. I almost fell asleep. Finally, we got +1 up on that table and i used the time to wander around the garden and chat with Theresa and Emile. I also picked up a pretty little beaded anklet.





Awhile later they were finished and we sat for some time and talked with Christine. She fessed up with +1 about the real reason why she offered the massages. When we arrived, she noticed +1's feet/ankles/legs were quite swollen and she was concerned about his circulation. Of course, she couldn't say, "wow, you look really messed up....let me fix it", lol. We would have probably run away thinking "she's nuts", lol.

I had been wanting to have a conversation with her about alternative meds ever since I saw their recent video.



+1 has borderline hypertension and refuses to take pharmaceuticals. I have been making him teas for hypertension with Ayurvedic herbs, but I really wanted to pick Christine's brain as well. So I took this opportunity to ask. She gave me a wealth of information, of which i wrote down, including some very personal stories of her own.

The conversation took a turn. Are we talking about our relationship now? Christine is talking about how we should give each other foot massages every day. About how we should show our love in small little ways. About how lucky we are to have our lives and each other and our family. About being thankful everyday. It appears she is directing the conversation towards me. I keep thinking how I know all of this, but how I can do it better...

Our conversation with Christine ends and we say our goodbyes. +1 and I start to take the stroll down Hylton Ave towards the west end road. It's such a beautiful neighborhood. Goats strolling about. +1 strikes up a chat.

"So...........Christine told me that you worry about me."

"yeah, sure. i worry about you."

"No...............she told me that you worry about me not being around. That you have been scared I will die soon and how your life will go on."

i stopped dead in my tracks. these are thoughts i have had in the last six months or so, and have never mentioned them to +1 or anyone. "yes, actually i have had those thoughts off and on for about six months."

"Why haven't you mentioned it?"

"because it's just silly worrysome thoughts, not reality. i just wonder if i would have enough support in Winter Park to stay, or if i would need to move closer to family for support if you were gone."

We kind of left the conversation at that point. Really heavy stuff that needed to sink in. It's still sinking in.

Thank you Christine, Theresa and Emile for being you, for your wisdom, for your nourishment.

[Katho]

Yay, happy you're doing a report and fast!!

Glad you could get away for some soul healing, I understand the need to get back sooner than later now...Hugs to you both!

I can't wait to check out the new Just Natural location...I will miss having them next door though! Love spending time with them. Christine's insight is incredible. She's surprised me on a couple of occasions, knowing what I'm feeling/thinking...special lady.

Looking forward to more!!

[yetta]

What a magnificent post!! The magic of Jamaica is always present if we open ourselves up. Magical time at Just Natural with some great folks. So loved the video. I am patiently waiting to return..and just seeing the familiar faces and listening to their stories gave me a true joy today. I thank you for that....as we are waiting to see what this storm brings, having a warm heart within...gives one strength. Blessings sent...

[Clarity]

I loved this entry. It really moved me. I can relate. Jamaica really brings out your truest self and I find that I've had some of the deepest, most profound conversations with Markus during our trips. There is so much knowledge to be gained and so many things to discover when you open up your heart to everyone around you.
That breakfast at Just Natural looks amazing! I look forward to visiting their new location next time I'm able to go back to Jamaica.
Beautiful pictures and great video too!

[booger]

i loved this entry. It really moved me. I can relate. Jamaica really brings out your truest self and i find that i've had some of the deepest, most profound conversations with markus during our trips. There is so much knowledge to be gained and so many things to discover when you open up your heart to everyone around you.
That breakfast at just natural looks amazing! i look forward to visiting their new location next time i'm able to go back to jamaica.
beautiful pictures and great video too!

​lol!

[poolguywindsor]

I am wondering what the green juice on the table is?