Gerry G's TRAIL OF ASHES TOUR Final Chapter -- The Mighty Californian's return

[gerryg123]

At this point, I had been in Negril for nearly a week, and I was getting fully acclimated to the eat-drink-smoke-swim-repeat lifestyle that makes vacationing in Jamaica so utterly fun.

There was no where else in the world I wanted to be. And I so love the Seastar Inn. The desk had been nice enough to knock a few dollars off the rack rate because I'm a loyal customer and because -- I assume -- I go out of way to promote the hotel as much as possible, and there is no way you could switch me to any of the more prestigious properties like Caves or Catcha or Coco. With my scooter, I can be anywhere with the ease of my foot pressing down on a kickstarter, so I don't miss a thing behind set back a bit from the ocean, and there is nowhere you can trade the comfort and security and friendships associated with the Seastar Inn.

It is, quite simply, the best hotel in the whole world. For me, and for a lot of regulars, some of whom have millions of dollars in their bank accounts but never switch loyalties. As long as Chris and Francine are running the place, I will always return.

[gerryg123]

The Saturday Night party at Seastar Inn is always fun, and I've enjoyed perhaps a dozen of them through the years. But the drummers going on for 45 minutes can sometimes be a bit much for my precious ears, and it's sometimes nice to escape to the room for a few minutes -- and watch the event stream live on the computer a few yards away from all the action.

So that's what Kevin and I did, sharing drinks and stories of old Negril while ocasionally making a foray to where the action was.

[gerryg123]

Here are some pics:



School kids in Negril



"Attention, have you seen a tourist who goes by the alias Gerryg123?"



At Seastar, we call this pasta with lobsta

[Jamadian]

So, how was the pasta sauce? No need to ask how the lobsta was!

[gerryg123]

So, how was the pasta sauce?

Like kissing god.

[Jamadian]

Like kissing god.

I'd would have prefer if you'd said "like kissing an angel"...LMFAO

[Crusher]

Gerry I hope it was epic as always my friend. I am not sure if you can call someone you have never met a friend but if you can I include you in those ranks. Jamaica seems so much better when I am not there but reading your reports thank you for the pictures the insight and above all the honest accounting of your adventures into our One Love Place called Jamaica! Live well me friend!

[gerryg123]

An ambitious party girl who shall remain nameless managed to circumvent Seastar Inn security and knocked on my door at 8:30 in the morning on Sunday, and i sent her away without opening the door.

What can I say? When you’re not in the mood, you’re not in the mood. I think I’ve outgrown that whole scene even though it’s so common for single guys in Negril. I didn’t a little soiree with Nicky on my second day, and from that point on I was in look-but-don’t-touch mode for the whole vacation; just wasn’t turned on by that whole deal, and I’m keeping it real in this report.

Instead I went to church up the hill, though I guess I mistimed it and didn’t see anyone there today. I needed to get some Lime minutes on the phone Marko had lent me, and I’m so clueless about how to load the minutes that I went all the way down the hill to meet Marko so he could do it for me – 300j last a long time for a lot of calls.

We had coffee together at Pee Wees, then I jumped in the ocean with raft No. 2, and it was fun floating around in the caves next to Pee Wees in front of Moonlight Villas and Blue Cave Castle. I met a fellow expat named Jeff who has been in Negril for a LONG time, then bumped into Bobo up the road – and of course like so many locals he begged for money. God I hate that. I gave him 500j, but I prefer spending money with folks who are willing to work. I learned this last reach from Pearcy, when he screamed at a beggar: “I work and you don’t work!”

Then I motored to Seasplash and said hi to the bartender Natasha before more time on raft No. 1 on the ocean. There, as I floated along, I took stock of my life:

 I have a good job but don’t make as much money as I would like.

 I’m relatively healthy for a 50-year-old but wish I was more athletic like back in the day.

 I’m got friends and lovers in Los Angeles, but I crave so much attention that I’m often desperately lonely.

 My main focus for recreation is going to Negril, but I’m worried that I won’t be able to keep coming here as responsibilities build and my two young daughters get older.

 I have a civil relationship with my ex-wife, but she drinks too much and is often unreasonable and unpredictable.

 I’m still hurting from the death of my father 14 months ago. He died from a disease that made the last six months of his life unbearable, and it kills me that I couldn’t do enough to comfort him.

 And finally, I don’t think I’m doing enough to make a difference in the world. Helping others is the most important thing in the world for me, but too often I’m fixated on my own indulgences, and there is an underlying guilt about having so much fun in Negril.

[Lola]

...then bumped into Bobo up the road – and of course like so many locals he begged for money. God I hate that. I gave him 500j,

Not like 'so many locals' but by one who knows that some people will give him money if he asks! If you want the situation to change YOU must change! You just trained him to do it again.

[booger]

Not like 'so many locals' but by one who knows that some people will give him money if he asks! If you want the situation to change YOU must change! You just trained him to do it again.

Gerry trained him! LOL