With New Eyes I See

[irie luv]

For those who missed out on my last trip report you can view it here

http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...light=irie+luv


Before I left I titled my latest trip report "My Easter Extraveganza" but by the time my trip was over it was not a fitting title. My life changed on this trip. I know I promised photos but Im going to stay true to my original way of living on this board and thats totally anonymous. My reports are 100% my real feelings thoughts and experiences.

Some of the stories that I will share include titles such as:

A Heart Wrenching Prayer
I think I love Canadians
Dang Neck Pillows
The Ride to Negril
Soca/Carnival Party at the Jungle
To the Country we go
Nothing but Love
Sisters,God babies and Neices
Cleansed and Renewed
With New Eyes I see

[irie luv]

A Heart Wrenching Prayer
I had a little anxiety before heading out for this trip. As many of you know I lost by BFF in October and she left behind 3 beautiful children ages 13,11 and 3. My son and her middle daughter were born 1 month apart so we raised them together like BFF's do. Since this incident, my mind is often occupied on if it was me and not her. And how my son would be in the situation her kids are. It tears me apart to even think about it but I cant help it. I think my son feels the same way. We are both more aware than ever that we may be seperated before we know it and thats the way life is. We have had our talks but a lot of our fears we do not speak on them. We only speak positivity. But I have told him that if something does happen its Gods will and just know I love him and keep God first and he'll conquer anything that life throws his way weither I am there or not.
The night before our scheduled departure I had major anxiety. I did want to leave my son. I did not want to go to Jamaica. I just wanted to stay home. I prayed a long, hard, prayer. Spilling my heart and desires and pleading for safety during my travels. After the tears drenched my pillow, I released all my anxieties and fears and just stood on faith and went to sleep knowing that what will be will be.When it was time to leave, I hugged him tight and kissed him. He looked at me like he did not want me to leave but he did not want me to know he was a little worried. I forced once foot in front of the other and got into the car to go to the airport.My insides are in a know but I'm trying to be strong and just walk out on faith. Off to the airport I go with knots still in the pit of my stomach.

[irie luv]

I think I love Canadians
While at the airport we had a little time to spare so we had a meal and cocktail. D&L had the chowder in a bread bowl(I just love San Francisco, some of my fondest childhood memories involve chowder in a soup bowl from Fishermans Wharf). While eating our meal I see this very nicely dressed gentleman at the bar. He glances over a few times and smiles while he looks at our hairstyles and our attire which is totally different from his buisness clothes. We were dressed for Jamaica, laid back but still cute in our travel gear. D&L locs were freashly twisted and my hair was freshly braided and twisted and was on point .So after him looking at us and smiling here and there during the duration of our meal, I asked "How are you today?" with a big smile and a head nod. He replied, "Oh,doing just fine. Sorry for staring but you ladies look very nice and happy. Where you guys headed?" Just for visual purposes this guy was a handsome littel lad. He looked like Jim Carey in body mass and build but not in a goofy way. He had a swag and a smile that reminded me of Tom Selleck. We ended up having a very nice conversation. He told me he was on his way back home to Toronto and was here on a layover. I told him that I have been trying to get to Toronto because I heard so many great things about it and they have a reggae festival I wanted to go to.After a few minutes I began to feel like he was attracted to me. As soon as I tried to slowly move my eyes to his hands he casually put his left hand in his pocket. Hmmm...married."It was nice meeting you and have a safe flight" I told him with a smile. Well at least I see what some of them like in Toronto. Let me hurry up and see whats in Toronto. I am ready to expand my horizons anyway. This was a pretty good 1st impression of Toronto for me. But Toronto pops up later in the trip also.

This trips has alot of highs and lows as far as emotions go so be ready for the rollercoaster!

[irie luv]

Dang Neck Pillows!
Who invented the neck pillow?! They forgot that when the average person sleeps the neck turns into jelly.The head can fall to the back , the left or even the right and the neck pillow will save you.... But what about the front!! This was the 1st time I used these neck pillows and it was not comfortable at all. I kept putting it on, falling alseep and waking my self up from the forceful jolt of me trying to put my head back from falling all the way forward! Ah ha! I will turn the neck pillow around and wear it backwards! Yes I look like a fool, but now I can rest the back of my head on the seat and the front of my face and head are protected if my head falls forward. I look like I had a serious neck injury. But at least I got some sleep!!

[irie luv]

The ride to Negril
This was the 1st time out of our 5 trips to JA that we had private transportation to Negril. I always felt trapped and left out when I would read about all the stops you can make on the way. This time we were not on a shuttle and it was great. I stopped and had my 1st cold jelly! It was awesome. We pulled on the side of the road the man chopped the sides of the coconut, made a hole on the top and popped the straw right in there. AHHHHH REFRESHING!!! Nothing like a nice cold jelly to add to the other luxeries purchased for the ride.What a perfect day . Our driver stopped along the road so I can take a picture on a dangerous ledge but it was so beautiful I had to sit on it. D&L was yelling from the backseat of the car on the other side of the road" Be careful, dont get hit by a car". " I won't!" I yelled back as I sprinted across the street, jumped on the ledge and smiled really quick. It was one of my favorite pics I took on the trip. It's different driving through town not in shuttle that yells "im visiting". Riding in a car on the level as everyone else and no one looking at you becasue they think you are a native was nice. It felt like home. I could see myself living here and just enjoying life,nature and the culture. The culture is what keeps me coming. Not the trees, the falls or the bars. They are a plus. But the people are the most important part of Jamaica for me. We finally get to Negril and I am happy to arrive safe and sound!

[Lady Jane]

Oh boy. Loving your report. Keep it coming. BTW, Toronto is a beautiful city. You must go