Negril is better than ever! I am here, and I am having a GOOD time!

[gerryg123]

A few more notes and observations:

When I was leaving Roaring River on that Sunday before I saw the funeral procession, we ran into a bunch of kids playing Cricket on one of the back roads. I had never seen Cricket before (I'm a big-time sports fan in USA), and it was really fascinating. I wonder how many tourists have ever seen teenagers break into a pick-up Cricket game? ....

Despite being just an hour away by plane from Miami, it's refreshingly amazing how many of the locals in Negril seem to be cut off from America pop culture and what's going on in the world -- probably because a lot of them don't watch TV or use the Net. At first, I was dumbfounded when Jodie told me she had never heard of Lady Gaga, but I asked a few others, and they had not heard of Lady Gaga either. Most also did not know who Tiger Woods or O.J. Simpson was, or even Osama bin Laden, but of course they did all knew President Obama and Michael Jackson. ...

For the first time, I've been keeping in touch with some of the yardies and friends I've met, and that's been a big thrill -- particularly MaryJayne and Lindell from Kentucky. Great folks, and they are extemely loyal to Seastar Inn, as I will be, too. MaryJayne, btw, is the one who constructed the sign at the Seastar Inn bar that says: "I love the times I can't remember with the friends I can't forget" ....

And finally, here's something that should bring all of you a little smile: I was chatting with my seven-year-old daughter this morning, and I asked her what's the LONGEST amount of time she thought she could enjoy herself in Jamaica? "Oh, forever, daddy," she said. "Come on," I insisted. "Wouldn't you miss the rest of your family, all your friends, your school and your classmates? And what about all your favorite TV shows and sushi? Sushi is your favorite, and you wouldn't get to have it anymore .... " She looked at me, thought for a second and said: "You're right, daddy. I couldn't go forever. I guess about a YEAR." ....