trip report / july fourth, twenty-fourteen

[SPARKLE1010]

Welcome Back Vi.... Thought I was going to have to make a trip North to see what was going on...Glad to see your back!!!! Loving your pictures... and your narratives.. make me feel like I am right there with you... Hey Mokaatee.... Hope you are doing well.... Your ears and nose must have been itching last week... my girls and I were talking about meeting you a few years back... Lots of fun.. and stilll a big thank you!!!! billndonna.. I have been telling Vi a long time now that she should put pen to paper and write a book....it would be a best seller!!

[Summer]

Vi the report was exquisite and the pictures are to die for. I think you should write a book someday...name it Directions to feel good places in Portantonio, it would be a best seller. I have not been on in sometime...life gets in the way but glad I looked in today those pictures are just what I need for this dreary day in Toronto. Thanks again for sharing you made my day perk up.

[*vi*]

you describe events and the words make me feel like i'm there . . .

Thanks JitterBug. When I relate incidents I tend to be overly expressive (lol like now!). I want the person to not only understand what I’m talking about but feel what I feel. Happy to know the report still flows like that since I’ve cut back and not using my usual mass amount of words. I must say, this statement coming from you means a lot since I know if something doesn’t “sound” right to you, you would say so.

Vi, I must say, there's never a dull moment in your trip report....and, that's a good thing!!!

Hi Patricia, I don’t think anyone who loves Jamaica experiences dull moments. Simply watching a sunset can be stimulating. But yeah, unusual moments do seem to swoop down on me at the oddest times. Some who have traveled with me would shake their heads and say “something like this or that would only happen to you, Vi.”

Absolutely love that second picture - just beautiful !!!

Thanks Rachel! Glad you are enjoying them…plenty more on the way

Ahhh, it gets better!

Hey there TAH…my reaches aren’t always smooth sailing from arrival to departure. Still have “stuff” to share and hope the report continues to get “better”.

Beautiful pictures and the words should be in a book,thanks for sharing Vi,it's wonderful!

Thanks for your support and compliments, billndonna. So glad you are still following along.

I LOVE that little bar and area around it. Last time we were there, chill Out was closed so we went to this bar. Very happy we did....we sat at the benches on the beach....ahhh memories!
Thanks for sharing Vi!

Brazz, Cool you know of that place!!! Isn't it the perfect sot to sneak away to??? I was actually switching from the porch to the beach so I occupied the property well. Except for the sound of the ocean, I was in total bliss.

I'm glad the outcome from that irate girlfriend turned out fine. It would've have been upsetting being accused of something you was totally innocent of. It look like the no name driver had more intentions than driving you and having a drink.

Thing is, butterfly, I was feeling him up to that point. Thick and liked how the green & white striped shirt hugged his belly. LOL Plus, oh man, the setting was perfect for that “get to know you” conversation. What I've learned about Portland is that it is a true community. Everybody knows where everybody is at any time. I’m sure she was the one he was talking to on the phone and when he didn’t go to her, she found out where he was and went to him. I didn’t fear her as I knew I could calm her down..I just wasn’t in the mood for drama since I had my own going on. Oh and yeah, it also proved him not one of the good men dem.

Welcome Back Vi.... Thought I was going to have to make a trip North to see what was going on...Glad to see your back!!!! Loving your pictures... and your narratives.. make me feel like I am right there with you... Hey Mokaatee.... Hope you are doing well.... Your ears and nose must have been itching last week... my girls and I were talking about meeting you a few years back... Lots of fun.. and stilll a big thank you!!!! billndonna.. I have been telling Vi a long time now that she should put pen to paper and write a book....it would be a best seller!!

LOOK I was about to shout you out, Sparkle. Thanks for the compliment darlin, but if I had the time to devote to writing I would love to make an attempt at writing a book or at least short stories. But anyway…don’t stay away for so long!!!

Vi the report was exquisite and the pictures are to die for. I think you should write a book someday...name it Directions to feel good places in Portantonio, it would be a best seller. I have not been on in sometime...life gets in the way but glad I looked in today those pictures are just what I need for this dreary day in Toronto. Thanks again for sharing you made my day perk up.

Ahhhhhh Summer!!! You know how to brighten my day!! Thanks so much. You and Sparkle made me blush. As you can tell, I enjoy expressing myself and boast about Jamaica. Come back when you can because the pictures are going to get soooooooo much brighter they will shine just for you in Toronto!!

[*vi*]

After leaving the beach, I decided to walk and not just stand waiting for a cab. The burnt remains of a small building caught my attention so I closed in to get a better look. I used the curious moment to get my mind off of my anger, not to investigate. I didn't wonder what happen. The longer I lingered and looked around the more relaxed I felt. I wanted to take pictures because the charred shell still had color as if to say, hey, I’m not dead yet.



As I raised the camera I hear a voice say hello. Peek around the side to see a young woman smiling. She first bid me good night than asked how I was. I returned the replies. She asked, very politely, if there was anything she could help me with. Suddently I was interested in the remains of this shop. Obviously it was destroyed by fire but how?? Cooking? Faulty wiring? Careless smoking? Or perhaps a gas leak???

“No, none of those.” She said. “Revenge. One person mad with another burnt it down one night. No one tried to put out the fire. They let it burn.”
“That’s so sad.”
“You don’t do people wrong then not do them right or wrong will come back on you.”





I think if I asked for more details she would provide them, but I left it at that. I did ask about the small vacant house directly across the street. I’m always house hunting in Long Bay. She informed me the place has been empty for a long time and offered to ask her parents if they know the owner. Cool. We exchanged numbers.

She did call two days later to give me some information. Her mother said bad things happened in the house and bad things happens to whoever stays there. That was good enough to keep me looking elsewhere.

The night ended positive. I was very satisfied after the fussing and ranting I had to do with O’Neil regarding my time. I felt I finally got through to him making it clear what I expected to do on the days I have remaining in Portland.

“Tomorrow is MAJOR for me. Don’t…PLEASE don’t screw that up.”
“I won’t…I won’t. I promise you I will be here at 10:00 in the AM!!!
“If you can’t, call me. Okay?!?!
“Okay, Vi. I won’t have to call you because I will be here.”

The sky was exceptionally beautiful that night. The stars twinkled brightly and the air was empty of humidity. I stood on the verandah listening to music coming from somewhere out there. For the moment I felt confident things were going to finally go my way.

“Vi, do you want to get food?”
“Sure, I could eat a little something.”
“You worry too much.”
“Excuse you??? If I could rely on you I wouldn’t have to worry.”
He takes my hand and says “Vi, I won’t disappoint you.”

[*vi*]

7/14/14 - monday, day 11

Insert one long 24 hour sigh here…..

ALL DAY Monday were spent in an inescapable pit of agitation and discontent. Neither the awesome breakfast I devoured, nor the blinding sunshine that stayed with me until evening…not even the many tiny smiling faces I saw could compensate me for the loss I experienced that day. Even though I didn’t bring these sorrowful emotions on myself -- smack in the middle of MY vacation, I wouldn’t blame anyone but me. “I” am the only one who had the power to prevent the unnecessary suffering when it became obvious. However all was not lost because it is still MY vacation and I still have the power (and time) to turn things around.

So with great pain, I surrendered and decided to relocate me.



END of MONDAY…

[*vi*]

7/15/14 - tuesday, day 12


After riding for some time I realized I didn’t have a place to stay. I could have waited until I got there to check out spots but I remembered I had written down three properties I was interested in. Yellowbird, Travelers and Negril Luxury Apartments. Walter’s place was at the top of the list so I called him first. He could accommodate me and at a fantastic rate so I didn’t search any further. Sat back and took in the scenery of a route I hadn’t traveled in a long time.

[*vi*]

[*vi*]

When I saw that sign I knew it was time…and I didn't hesitate

…I hit the reset button to this reach.

It’s going to be okay.

[sammyb]

awwwww Shucky Ducky now...let me get my popcorn and chardonnay!

[Summer]

He takes my hand and says “Vi, I won’t disappoint you.”

something tells me you should be careful of this one also