Okay - so as usual, Day 1 (we arrived at White Sands around 11:30am on Saturday) was given over to meeting up with old friends and new ones. Home we came. The day started at 2:30am in Ottawa. Wheels up at 6:00am for a direct flight to MoBay. Carleton Smith (Irie Roots) met us at the airport complete with refreshments for the drive. We got as far as the Texaco... had to stop for more refreshments. If you are looking for someone to be your regular driver between the airport and paradise you have a lot of great choices - Carleton Smith is one of them.
Day 1 - We were met with by Francis, Valerie, and Henry. Hugs all around. Henry's parrot "Dude" wasn't available. Some of us are trying to teach him to say "Leafs Suck". Baggage into the room and then straight to the beach (alright - the Bar which is on the beach). Before we had a cold beer we were met with cheers and hugs from some good White Sands friends who are here almost every year at this time. It's kinda' like the movie "Ground Hog Day" - only a far better version.
And then it went from there... Red Stripe, Red Stripe Light, Hummingbirds, Bud (not from Anhauser-Busch) and conversation into the evening. It was good to see Liddon back from his medical leave. He'll gladly show you his zipper. Tony is still bouncin' and Paul is as smooth as ever.
We shall draw a veil of discretion upon the rest of the day/evening - suffice it to say it was a typical Day 1.
Day 2 - veeeeeery slow day. A few beer, a little mood altering and lots of watching the world from a Negril perspective. A few musicians stopped to entertain(Thanks to Rasta Stan's suggestion we did bring some guitar strings - shoulda' brought banjo strings too). The usual faces hustling ciiiiiiiiiiiiigarettes, fruits, shells and jewellery travelled through our view. Wicker Man did his thing. Pattie Man's day off. Lunch from Niah's - mmmmm. Bev (wife), Marley (yes Marley - daughter) and Peter (son-in-law) went to the grocery store on the village side of Times Square. Has everything you might need, very clean.
Afternoon doing what is to be done - nothing. Watched another spectacular sunset and then 8 of us regulars went next door for an evening dinner after which we "retired" for the night.
It is a lot quieter this year than last few years. Fewer people on the beach. The road is much quieter too. For those wondering about the water - many of the resorts are trucking it in so there really isn't a problem at all.
Now it's Day 3. Don't expect this much excitement on my next posting. LOL
Big Poppa (Rod)
