Sometimes here, sometimes there, most of the time everywhere
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The next day we were back at Grand Lido to pick up Matt and the others that had gathered for a day “off campus”. Joining Matt and his girlfriend were Mark Karan and his wife Maile and Jay Lane and his wife Aida. Matt was down with doing what we’d done with him in December, plus he was anxious to revisit all the places we took him with a little more time to savor each one. We started at Best in the West where the crowd opted for the lobster instead of chicken. We got to sit and eat this time, but talking was kept to a minimum as everyone noisily sucked down the grilled lobster. From there we took the ride through the countryside, everyone gazing out the windows and snapping photos and talking with Niah about the neighborhoods, businesses and homes. We arrived in Orange Hill and got out of the van at Kenny’s. It was a very easy and simple sit where you will, drink your beer and talk to folks. Jay and Kenny got into a great conversation about the music each one made, trading CDs. Rumple, our Rasta friend who lives in Orange Hill came out to meet everyone and he and Niah, who grew up in Orange Hill, told stories and answered questions about the area. Everyone was taken with Rumple, a humble, gentle and funny Rasta Man…so taken that Matt gave him a wrist band for the following night’s show.
Our next and last stop would be our yard, so we took the “back way” stopping up at the top of Hogg’s to take in the view. Mr. Hogg is probably 96 years old now and has set up his final resting place on that hill, overlooking the sea and the West End of Negril. The grave site for a man still alive was a kick to our guests. On the way back to the yard we made a quick stop at Culture Yard – a store? place? which has a huge “Steal Your Face” Grateful Dead logo painted on the wall along with “Grateful Forever” surrounding it. The Ratdog gang enjoyed seeing that but equally enjoyed strolling among the baby goats across the street on the seaside property.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the yard chilling, swimming in the sea and the pool, exploring the caves and eating cheesecake. The group had to be back at Grand Lido to get ready for a dinner “The Boss” was giving at his villa. Even though they were hesitant to leave we managed to get them back just in time. We left them quite elated with their “real” Jamaica experience.
