Well we are sadly home now but I will recap the last of our trip. We went a short ways from Choices to the likkle grocery store. We got some buns, cheese, spices for gifts, cheez-its, pistachios, liter of Ting, and 3 six packs of Red Stripe. On the walk back it poured. Really hard. We were absolutely soaking wet. People were trying to get us to come under their roofs to escape the rain (and into their bars) but we kept going. I didn't mind actually. Except it was about to pour so hard that the water gets into my eyes and messes up my contacts - like floods them out. Happened w/ last year when I was with Mandy on the beach and we got stuck in a storm and had to duck into a bar for cover and if memory serves we got nice and buzzed off some fruity cocktails! We got back and peeled off the wet clothes. Took a loooong warm shower outside. We laid in bed watching and listening to the rain slow down with that powerful fan overhead swirling the steamy tropical air everywhere. Maybe we slept? Felt especially wonderful. We had dinner that night @ Xtabi. Mike didn't like the chicken. I had some soup and stuffed crab. It was good as hell! I think we attempted to play domino but ended up falling asleep. The next morning we woke up and tried to have breakfast @ Erika's up the road. I pictured us taking photos of one another under the Erika's sign just for Erika hehheh. But the map I have isn't to scale and it was quite a walk! It was hot as hell at 10am-ish! Erika's was closed but along the way we passed by Sips N Bites - a place I've gone to quite a bit with Donald and always liked for the good fresh food and prices. We had callaloo and veg omlettes. With fried plantain, the BEST dumpling I've ever had all fried light and doughy YUM, toast with butter and marmalade. I bet there was some fruit. I was extremely hot and sweaty but drank a lot of juice and water to cool me down. The heat does kick your ass up in those cliffs! We took our time, I read the Observer. I love reading the news in other countries. I recall an article about how hybrid cars won't work in Jamaica (and in many other underdeveloped countries) because they don't have the technology to service the cars and to service and train the workers. Mike said something about how mechanics here have to get some special expensive certification or training to work on hybrids here. I thought that was sad! They know they would benefit the environment and would be cost efficient - hmmm why can't they ask the Peace Corps to send them some mechanics to train them? Or some other organization? Or why can't they get one of the super rich car companies to offer free training seeing as how they will be selling and servicing their cars? I don't know - seems dumb that a great alternative is being shelved due to $ - I guess the bottom line for most everything. Another article about an extra strong strain of marajuana that is around and they suspect will be coming to JA if it isn't already. Stronger than cocaine and heroin they said. Hilarious! What type of BS is that? Man there is some potent shit out there and we all know this man! And it will never be as bad as coke or heroin! Propaganda. There was an editorial about a guy whose neighbor had been beaten to death - he was a farmer. He just wanted everyone to know how sad it was that violence took an innocent life and how undeserved it was. It was very sweet. Another HUGE article about some event in Montego Bay where some gay men were chased by this mob of people and beat the shit out of and had to find cover in people's stores, bars, anywhere to avoid being beaten to death. Like 50 people were after 3 guys! And the quotes they got from the people in that crowd were so nasty! I continue to find it hard to reconcile my love of Jamaica with the fact that it is so homophobic and hostile to gay people. Believe me I think about it deeply before, during, and after each trip. That will certainly be a reason I stop going. But I know that not every Jamaican is like that. Ads with offers for loans at a reasonable rate of 25%! Or higher! On the way back we stopped for a beer @ Pirates Cove (or is it Cave?). The woman who greeted us was sweet as can be and she told us the Hedo boat with all the naked people was down there and she always makes sure she is told when they are coming so she can be somewhere else! And she got us our beers and was off doing yard work the rest of the time! The other bartender was a beautiful young lady who almost got knocked the f out by a falling woven basket that was used as a light shade around the bar. I jumped a mile off that bar chair! Missed her by 1/2 inch! We laughed! I did peek over the side to check out the er, um, sea and the cliff jumpers. Yeah right! I had to peek at all the naked tan people of all shapes and sizes seriously whooping it up having the time of thier lives on that boat! Shrieking with laughter man it sounded fun! I will go to Hedo some day I swear it! Walked back to Xtabi got my suit on and floated! For dinner we went to 3 Dives and service was sloooow even for JA standards but it was busy when we got there. And the jerk was so tasty! We had a ton of leftovers that we ate that night, the next morning, great munchie food! There was a magician @ 3 Dives who got a cig off of us for one of his disappearing cig under the shirt trick - which was actually quite good! Mike got to be the shirt part the 2nd time around. He was doing slight of hand stuff. Totally entertaining! I think we gave him 5 bucks or so - he was out there for 1/2 hour or more! We went back (RIGHTNEXTDOOR) and played domino for a while, this and that and that and this. That bed is heaven. SO comfortable. Woke up and had - get this Kelly King! Eggs Benedict with bacon! The hollandaise was so good! And they used toast not english muffins and the egg yolks were cooked not runny. We both thought it was damn good! They offer lobster benedict when in season OMG someday!!!! At Mike's insistence that we shop we hopped in a cab and went downtown to the shopping center. A little overwhelming @ first - SO much stuff for sale and they quote you prices - not really negotiable but I got them to give me a deal - I was after all buying quite a bit once I got going. Got gifts for people, capris for myself, a net rasta color tank top, a Jamaican phrase cartoon book (Mandy turned me onto them), Mike got me a silver likkle tray with the island on it. Mike got some domino, a travel chess set, tons of gifts, a cool tabletop rasta thing with drawers. We felt very accomplished! It was our last day and all... we're pulling out of the shopping center and Nigel spots me in the moving cab and yells my name and dammit I wanted to stop and pick his rass up and take him up to Xtabi! But it was our last night and Nigel if you ever read this you have a lot of energy kid and I just couldn't manage! Made me happy just to have that quick contact... next trip! I was determined to snorkle since I think I am so cool with my red snorkle of my own! So I rented some fins and got myself in the water. I snorkled all of 5 minutes or so... I was in the midst of millions of tiny little blue and purple fish - harmless I know but then I thought wait - the big fish eat the little fish and here I am in the middle of all of them! I was OUT of there. Then I saw a big fish (not really but I was freaking out) near my by the surface and I was done! I think part of what freaks me out is controlling my breathing. We all know I am a heavy breather anyways! I try to but I don't give it time. I should try breathing with it out of the water for a while to get used to it. Alone. I don't want anyone watching me walk around for an hour with that mouthpiece and tube dangling. I would never hear the end of it! Instead I went and got my floatie and did that for a few hours. Met a couple of guys jumping off the rock from New York. They were buzzed and funny. I had a couple drinks with them and tried to get as much sun as possible. Went and showered and relaxed. Went to dinner @ LTU and Donald met us. Had Chicken Lola again! I love the food there. But no mint for mojitos! I told them to talk to 23/7 cuz they grow the shit and I spent quite a bit on those mojitos there! We were there before sunset and it was hot as hell sitting there. So I order stuffed jalapenos. MAN! Hot! On the walk to the store we ran into Donald's cousin driving by and he gave us all a ride to Xtabi. Donald, Mike, and I played domino for a few hours talking some serious shit! I got the groove of it all over again and was beating those 2 most of the time! The red ants reared their ugly heads and we were stomping them all over the place and I was picking them up w/ TP cuz I knew they would come collect their dead. SCARY! Also there were tons of the fastest moving inchworms I've ever seen! One stowed away on my floatie and surprised Kitty while I was unpacking. I posioned him with toilet bowl cleaner vs. flushing him. How humane is that? Probably linked to why I have horrible nightmares while vacationing in some of the world's most beautiful places?! We packed up most of our stuff, finished off most all of what we could, and crashed. Morning came too soon. Didn't want to leave. I had arranged for the van to get us @ Xtabi vs. Negril Gardens so avoid the extra BS of another cab ride. 7:40AM! Checked out no problem. Van was on time. We were the 1st stop. Van filled with kids from one of the big AI's who had been in a wedding/got married. Full of stupid comments. But not as much as the damn drunk French Canadian guy from Montreal with the mullet and deep fascination for imitating every single accent he could think of. And being egged on by the couple behind them. The drunk guy asked where they had been staying, forgetting they had gotten on the van together at THE SAME HOTEL 20 minutes earlier! I was beyond annoyed! Tried to sleep. On the way there went thru a part of MoBay I hadn't seen - probably the Hip Strip. Looked fun to me! Got thru airport security without any problem at all. It was great. Went serious shopping AGAIN! Ate breakfast @ Margaritaville cuz I didn't know of the big huge awesome expansion @ Sangster! Where the higher gate #'s are is where you want to be! Although there is a Margaritaville there, too. Jimmy Buffet can kiss my bootie! His whitey island vibe is so tired! I think Jimmy Buffet's bad aura brought on the bladder infection which made the 4 1/2 hour flight absolutely horrible! I slept maybe 2 uncomfortable hours. No Seroquel. Fool! Landing made me an anxious mess and now I know I need those damn pills when flying. I had to go to my inner safe place and do some even yoga breathing. Rum didn't break in my suitcase unlike this other unfortunate girl who must have had overproof in hers cuz when it broke the whole area reeked! Her suitcase was dripping behind her. I popped some pills I had brought justincasethathappened and tried to console myself that I was home. Mike's mom picked us up. She is just the sweetest lady! I can see where Mike gets it. Dropped us off @ his place where a BBQ was taking place and I got to see a ton of friends, give gifts, eat, drank more I know it is sick! Mike was crashing so Mandy drove me home. Kitty was waiting for me all hyper with parts of her toy parts torn up and all around my house. I was happy to see her she is so cute! That hot shower I took that night was so nice my neighbors must have thought I was crazy moaning like that. Really though - nothing beats a shower in your own shower after a long trip. Today I am back to work in my new *warm* cube and just sad. I gotta get back there. I also can't let lack of JA get me down so hard this time around. Tomorrow I start yoga again, am seeing The Merchant of Venice @ the Guthrie, decorating my PenPal's end-of-year treasure box, going to a new chiropractor. Busy day and I am gonna work for a few hours too but am committed to making the most out of my days and working hard like always. Cuz I gotta get back there and until I do, I have lots of other places to visit! This was an amazing trip. I really relaxed. Massage(s), dolphins, boyfriend ahhh. I'll smoke to that!

Didn't make it to Gregory Issacs. Seemed like it required a lot of effort. The next day we went on Wild Thing's sunset booze cruise. It was a blast! Took like 3 hours. Went to Ricks and watched people jump off the cliffs. I didn't swim over there. They make people use life jackets and sign waivers and shit. There were some fun people that went. Almost everyone was staying @ one of the Riu's though. Seemed kinda like a frat party? I did go down the slide into the ocean a few times. Spent some time swimming in the beautiful sea. Trying to perfect my float. That night we met a couple of fun people @ Negril Gardens. They busted out Phase 10 right next to us and we were instantly like hells yes! We played quite a bit with them and laughed! Beating them @ their own game yesss suckers! We met another couple from Atlanta and hung out w/ them and Donald and Donald's friend @ 23/7 for a few drinks. I love that place! Oh yes and I taught Mike both regular domino and Jamaican domino (to the best of my memory which will be tested when Donald comes over later to play). I have not yet learned chess. Also haven't parasailed. Next trip along with the water park. Loved having Alfred's next door - free booming music. The Black River tour was pretty cool but I wouldn't do it again. Was 1/2 way between Kingston and Negril. Getting up @ 6am for that shit was NOT fun! We got on a big fishing boat and set out in the ocean. There were a couple of dolphins swimming with the boat. SO beautiful and peaceful! We were able to get really close to them. Was definitly a highlight. Then we went to the Pelican Bar out in the shallow sea. Played with some nasty sea cucumbers and swam. I could have spent all day there. Then we went some ways up the Black River. Saw a scary crocodile. MUCH farther down the river we swam in the fresh cool water. There was a bar there... Then we walked to Juici Patti in busy Black River downtown. Had a delicious cheese and beef patty. And a veg one. And a shrimp one. Mike liked his chicken one. SO cheap! After that we went to the orphanage. People had brought a lot of stuff to donate. It was on quite a big property in an old huge house. Lots to play with. Lots of animals in the yard. Those kids were SO cute man. Ages like 4 to 15. It was heartbreaking though. We played with them for a while. They were really interested in my tattoos. It was hard to leave without a kid I will admit it! But they seem to be happy and live rather well there. It is Catholic and the nuns working there were very sweet. Last night was our last night @ Negril Gardens which was fine with me. Starting to get sand flea bites but they are not nearly as bad as years past. For once! Checked into Cottage #2 @ Xtabi today. The room is absolutely great with a view to die for. This last part of the trip will be very relaxing! Ate some fried chicken @ Choices - they had cashew chicken - Mike's favorite. Am now @ a little internet cafe and wine bar. It just got done pouring really bad. Now going to the grocery store to stock up on beer and shit for the room Will take pics cuz the cottage is darling!!!! Outdoor shower... all the caves down below. Trying not to think about 40 leggers lurking around! Mike is waiting patiently while I type this out - gots to go! There is still a huge ball of hash that we have to get to smoking!

Mike and I arrived just on time, no problems with the flight, airport transfer, check in. We got a cool washcloth and a glass of champagne when we checked into Negril Gardens. I LOVE NEGRIL GARDENS! The food is the BOMB. Jamaican dishes and American. All is good! The drinks are strong. The people who work there are awesome and friendly... I will recommend this place to anyone! When we got here on the 19th after checking in we dipped our toes in the ocean and got in a cab to Donalds. Stopped @ the store on SeaStar Lane for a 6 pack of Red Stripe. Walked down that road I've walked down so many times before! Felt like home. Seeing Donald again was great! He appreciated the clothes and we made a fair trade ; ) Left EXCEEDINGLY happy! It was a quick visit. He and Mike seemed to get along just fine! We went to bed early - Mike hadn't slept much except for off and on during the flight. I only got a few more hours than he. We woke up, had yummy breakfast, and met David from Talk of the Town to go to the ganja field. It was rather expensive for what it was - but oh well. I insisted on it although no other couples were going which would have brought the price down by half... but it was cool! David was a friendly guy and narrated the drive which I always love. We drove about an hour out of Negril up a mountain. Bruce, the farmers nephew or grandson? Led us through a cane field (learned a lot about harvesting sugar cane - I will keep my job trading, thanks!) to a cut out area with some skunky ass yummy ganja. We both thought it would be bigger but whatever. Took some pics of us in it. Unfortunately the police were about so our visit was rather short there... but got to see a part of Jamaica I'd never seen before. Stopped for a beer at a little store/bar on the way home. Last night we hung out @ the hotel. Taught Mike domino. He won the 1st game and I felt totally psyched out. He is so smart! Beating at my own game DAMN!!!! But of course we played again and I won. But not by much! Tonight we rematch and he begins to teach me chess, the smart person game. Mike caught quite a burn on his front half so he is taking it easy. Yet to step foot into the sea. I however am all up in there. LOVE swimming in that beautiful water! I got an hour massage from Donna right on the beach. Full body. I was totally impressed, relaxed. Swam again after. Tonight we are going to see Gregory Issacs @ Bourbon Beach. I am wearing my cute ass rasta dress. Mike likes it. Me too! I will be the sexiest thing on that beach tonight! Lucky him. Tomorrow we are going on the Wild Thing catamaran for a 3 hour sunset booze cruise. FUN! We are both having a really wonderful time together and it is everything I expected. Tomorrow I float.

HAIR

When I travel I am constantly asked if I would like my hair braided. A gentle no thank you usually is enough. But some ladies are more persistent. They ask me why not or when will I or try to quote me low prices. I have never said yes mostly because my hair is so highlighted/color treated/fine that it would break off and my scalp would burn. I also would be an obvious tourist. I find braids pretty if done in a unique style. Especially with beads or shells. I was home for 8 days and had Megan cut my hair 3 inches. And braid it. I am loving it. Many think I got it done in JA. The style is 5 rows and 2 more in the back. It resembles a starfish or fireburst or sunrays from my part that swirl around my head to an intricate pin up design in the back. It is so lovely. It is nice to not worry about my hair. Nice to just know it is up and my face has to carry me. It is a different type of beauty. As I talked about tonight... when I was 16-19 I played around w/ braids. Had my friends do them. Dangling down small and also cornrowed. Never professionally done back then. OMG did I catch shit for it. I guess I looked like a wannabe? I had black women tell me without hesitation that they looked ugly, that I should not have them, that I was stupid. Very intimidating and hurtful back then because really I just wanted something different. Back then I listened to Bob, smoked a lot. I internalized that as a white girl it really might not be my place to have my hair that way. I have never been one to challenge others or offend on purpose. Getting the reactions I did kinda shut me down. I didn't - don't - want to be singled out and cussed out. I knew then that people have a right to their opinons and who am I to deny them that? If anyone would have asked me then or now why I had my hair like that I would have told them: I like this. I am a city girl. I am an active anti-racist. I try to recognize my white privledge and resist it - I am not comfortable with it. I have always gone to public schools - although ones in relatively good parts of town. I have dated black men, have friends of many races. I don't know anything different. The shit I've caught for being this whitey - having my opinions - my loud mouth - and respecting others are all qualities that take too long to explain. Justifying myself gets old but is always worth the breath if I have an open ear. But people judge. People don't care. There are tons of females like me. Tons. I know I am all good but it is so exhausting to explain all this to others all the time. Defending myself is now something I rarely do. I've known for a long time that I am different from others based on outside appearances. I just can't fight that fight every time. Plus most don't hear me anyways. Pick and choose the battles is what I have become accustomed to. After all I am me. Will always be. I am secure with my past, present, and although a lil worried about the future - every hater out there does not deserve my lecture - defense. I wish I did have the energy and desire to hash it all out w/ everyone who challenges me. Maybe someday I will regain that. Maybe. As I've grown older, more comfortable in my skin, realizing that my open mindedness won't change - the less I want to defend myself. I also have Mandy, Leslie, Megan, Charity, Lynn, Tanna. I do not feel all this alone! So now with my hair braided @ 29 - I find the reception so different. Many pay me compliments honestly. Others do not really know how to react and give me a nice reaction because they don't know what else to do. I watch the gears turn in their heads and know that I challenge their inner reactions. I don't appear normal to them. Yet it is not ugly. I see their minds shift and when they say - nice hair - they really can't vocalize any other reaction because really, truly, my hair is not offensive. It is just different. In the end my braids are beautiful. I am gonna leave them in until they look nasty. Then I will take them out and have curly hair for 1 day only. Sorry for the social commentary - but this is really interesting to me. A microcosim of what is going on in the world - my world - our world. I have made people contimplate their beliefs with only my hair. I have remembered my past and am living in my own way. If I do not appear proper to some - fuck them. My beauty extends beyond my hair, my clothes, my job. My beauty can be found in these places: how I treat those people on the other end of that phone line @ work, the books I read, the languages I study, the conversations I share, my jewelry, where I travel. My family, my friends, the kids in my life. My goals, my loud sincere laugh. I believe that deep down every person can see the mistake of judging others based on how they look. But I can't prove that alone nor do I want to - just know that I think I have figured it all out to the point that I can have my hair any way I want it - can look in any mirror and smile. I continue to live my life with others that feel the same as time passes and that is the good fight that keeps me going.

This morning I walked from my old hood to my new hood. On the way I took the NEW bike path by foot over Hennepin to Lyndale. Cool. Under the 94 bridge where someone was sleeping - in a sleeping bag - at least they had that and seemed peaceful. Along my walk I noticed how every bit of green space was used - mostly brown eyed susans and hostas. No space wasted. Walked past the Methodist church where my parents were married, thru the Episcopalian church where birds and squirrels ran around. Past the big ol "Loring Park Office" something... bothers me. That building was not originally used for office space - what was it used for originally? About 4 people out so early. I love the city but I can't wait to apply and be able to view another place like I did my neighborhood this morning. Can't wait to get out of here and start a new life that is so so different. I must go. Who else would that I know? Must be me.

Remaining Days in Negril

Day 8 continued...

Of course I was late getting up to see Jacob and Bahar. Started to downpour just as I was ready to leave. No matter, I go slow. Hopped in a cab w/ a rasta w/ a dirty mouth and I was very happy to hop out and see my long lost friends! Reunion @ Donalds w/ spiced rum and of course the cake that I had picked up. Electricity went out and as the sun set everything got dark so we lit candles and had a mellow chat, smoke. Hopped in a cab and went down to 3 Dives. By then the low voltage was back on. But that is very low. Both the lights and us were very, very low. 3 Dives is really really good. Had jerk chicken w/ their good spicy sauce, callaloo, salad, maybe rice? Lots of vodkaTings. An older rasta played acoustic Bob Marley in the candlelit background. Very quiet there on the ocean, romantic. After eating we went back to Donald's for domino. Mandy and Owen pulled up. Us 4 played partner domino. I am still unclear who won what that night but I think my team and Mandy's team broke even. No rematch happened. Next trip. Bahar and Jacob were tired, their luggage still in transit (sign of things to come for me). They crashed. Mandy and Owen left. Donald and I crashed. Sweet dreams.

Now I Realize Something About My Days Are Off????

On Sunday I woke up, gathered my belongings and hopped in a cab from Donald's back down to the beach to spend a day in the country w/ Mandy to visit Busha, Lucy's brother. Cowie drove Owen, Mandy, and I out. Mandy help me here where exactly in the bush were we? Well somewhere about 20 minutes outside of Negril in the mountains with barely paved roads. Uncle Busha/Jah B was shall we say, elated, to see Mandy and meet me. Met a bunch of rastas @ Busha's. And a nice young man named Oden who they call Boy George which is just not right! I refused to call him anything except Oden. He apparantly is related to an infamous guy who likes goats and dogs. It rained hard so we couldn't go on the walk we wanted to. So we drank rum, smoked talked, ate yummy fried fish, rice and pea. Stopped raining, sweat my ass off. It gets seriously steamy up there. Rained some more. I'd never been to this place before so I had to go check it out. A very, very different way of life up there. I am still thinking about how to express my impressions of it. We had to cut our visit short and get home to get ready for J & B's anniversary dinner. Everyone met @ our place for a pre-dinner smoke and Appleton Estate. We walked down the beach to Kuyaba and had an excellent meal. I had the shrimp rundown which is grilled shrimp served in a hollowed out papaya w/ veggies, coconut rice, and papaya sauce. Mandy describes as "orgasmic". I agree. The conch appetizer was great w/ the soy scotchbonnet sauce. Was a lovely dinner and a nice way to celebrate a year of J&B.


Day 9

Woke up @ a respectable 10am and got ready to do some personal and gift shopping. I have only ever brought back hot sauce for myself. Mandy and I set out for the craft market, to which I have never been despite it being rightthere all these times. It was close to the hotel, towards downtown before the roundabout. Took the beach and public beach/park route. The market was a lil hectic. It is slow season there so the shopkeepers are very persistent that you take a look. There are over 50 vendors there selling clothes, towels, wood carvings, usual tourist bs, crocheted stuff. We tried to spread ourselves out as to give business to as many different people as we could. I got a tanktop w/ the flag, a flag towel, anklet, magnet for my generic magnet collection, shell earrings. Was fun to shop and barter but we got hot after an hour and made our way back. Mandy and I headed up to Xtabi to meet B & J for an afternoon of cliff swimming. Drank a few blended yummy drinks and went down to the rock to sun, swim, float. Mandy took some good pics. It was HOT on that rock. I didn't snorkel due to the rougher seas. And I had no fins. But I floated. I realized you could look thru the tube and see the sea underwater clearly and that freaked me out a little. Do I really want to see what is down there? Yes and no. It was my last day to take in the sun. Felt good. Xtabi is a great spot w/ the caves, rock. Neille the bartender asked about you! Mandy left to go to her yard for goodbyes and I went back up w/ B & J to Donalds to have dinner. OOOHHH! What a dinner that was! Jerk fried chicken w/ lime juice, fried fish w/ veggies, a big ol salad. SO good. That chicken was good as hell. So my favorite chicken was ate on the island, 3 Dives, and that cooked by Donald. Running thru my head was "chicken and beer, chicken and beer". Had rum drinks w/ Donald's limeaid, Red Stripe. Fried plantains w/ cinnamon and rum raisin ice cream for dessert. What a feast! We smoked and played domino. I think Donald and I lost. Which meant J & B won? Ha! I felt very low and had to say goodbye to everyone before I got too tired. Bahar and I are so used to the seeyoulaters that it is not heartbreaking to come and go out of each others lives because we always connect later. Harder goodbye w/ Donald. Sigh. Got back to Coral Seas to spend the last hours w/ Mandy and Nigel, Jah Clarity, and Owen. We finished a bottle of rum while listening to Jah Clarity's music and had our own lil verandah private concert thanks to Mandy's speakers, MP3, and my discman. To my dismay, as I was ready to wind down, realized the water was off. The AC that would not turn off for the past 2 days now couldn't be turned on. So I began packing and resolved myself to doing that til the water was back on. Had to have Mandy kill the swarms of red ants and red ants w/ wings that had gathered on the walls surrounding my bed (of course!). Water came on eventually and after a cool shower, smoked, read, fell right asleep.

Day 10

Lucy and Joann came over this morning to say goodbye. We packed, laughed, rushed around. Passed along to them a few items we weren't taking home. Said final goodbyes. Got a final harrassment from Coral Seas security (FYI security is not secure if the guard tries to hump you goodbye). Jackie picked us up and we were on our way. The drive between Mobay and Negril is great. You can see a lot of life along that road. We polished off the rest of the cake on the drive and I was mesmerized by the green scenery that seemed so overgrown it resembled preserved leafy dinosaurs and other creatures. I slept a lil bit and had pure Jamaican dreams. To my pleasure we got to the airport in just enough time. Busy as hell @ Sangster on a Tuesday afternoon in June! Luggage search line, ticket line, security line, immigration line. We had only enought time for duty free liquor and cig shopping and a final beef and veg pattie before hopping on the plane. Which was delayed for an hour. Barely any cool air on that plane. I slept. Didn't care. Wasn't itching, had water, going home. Connecting flight in Nashville was a lil tight since we were late. They had to delay 4 flights due to that mechanical issue in Mobay. Landed in MSP Int'l a few late. One of my suitcases is still vacationing in Nashville courtesy of US Customs. I hope the officials enjoyed my dirty laundry. Erika and Michael picked us up and we stopped @ Chatterbox for pizza and beer. Now my mind is chanting "pizza and beer, pizza and beer". Denise stopped by for a few. Now I am home. To a letter notifying me that if I want to stay @ the Buckingham my rent will increase $10/month. I'm staying.

Random Thoughts

When we were snorkeling on the island I ate my yummy chicken on the root of a big ol tree happily. Someone mentioned that ants fell from the tree, small ones, and they bite. I thought ' f that! I've been sitting here eating for 15 minutes!' I stand up and gaze about to think about what to do next w/ my plate and my body. I feel a sting in my mouth. An ant had fallen off the tree, onto my face, climbed its way into my mouth, and stung my tongue. How do I know this? I spit the lil f'er out into my hand still alive. They get me from the inside and out!

Something about my day-to-day report is off... I have an extra day in there somewhere. I guess catching everything is the most important - not the order you do it in. Hopefully I will figure it out and reorganize or maybe I won't!

Jamaica is really a precious place. The people there are so wonderful. Everything is in place for you to have the best time possible there regardless if you prefer to travel luxuriously, backpacker style, or anywhere in between. I am comfortable there. I know Negril pretty well by now. It feels nice to have that place - a place I can go to really just relax and spend quality time with others, myself, nature. I am humbled there and know that I am lucky to have spent the time there that I have with so many good people. Staying positive....

Seriously Irie in Negril!

I had to get to the internet today. Mandy and her family are at the beach enjoying the day eating and floating and I MUST wander to find. I am at Sip and Talk past Merrils on the beach. Good place. Cool. Mandy and I took about 20 minutes yesterday to reconstruct our days so here is what I have been up to. ALOT.

Day 1

Jackie picked us up from the airport he was right there waiting. I didn't get my bags searched. Damn should have brought another carton of Camel Ultra Lights! The 1st song I hear in Negril is one that Jackie put on: Sexual Healing. Ha! Nice start. We stopped at a little bar to twist one up and have a few beers. Got to Coral Seas Beach. Room is simple but it has most everything we need. No coffee maker though. TOO HOT here to drink coffee anyways. I've had it once. AC works just fine. Mandy does not need AC and I am certainly jealous of that. Cools the bites. Tonight I will not have AC cuz I am sleeping @ Donalds because Bahar and Jacob arrive today I am excited! I've arranged to have a special cake made to celebrate their anniversary. So back to Day 1. We got into the ocean as soon as we could. Warm clear blue green water. Perfect. Stopped to have a few beers @ Irie on the Beach. Later we hopped in a cab up to the West End to see Donald as the sun was setting (around 7:30 - early - darkness has constantly creeps up on us). Checked out Donalds improved kitchen. SO nice. We went to a local spot in the Cliffs for dinner. Saw Merten out on his bike and said hello. Donald came back to our place and played domino for hours. Donald can talk some serious shit! Makes me laugh constantly.

Day 2

Woke up went to the beach with a floatie and floated. Finally we went to Mandy's yard. Her house here is pimp. All red, gold, green. Big inside too with veranda outside. We continue down the road a bit and I met the whole family. I do believe I now have a 2nd family here too. At least 20 new friends. We sat outside and talked and ate some corn (love!). Everyone was incredibly happy to see her and it was really a beautiful thing to both watch and be a part of. Smiles all around. We stayed a little late and picked up some fried chicken at a little spot downtown by Juicy J's.

Day 3

Woke up and went to Alfreds for Jamaican breakfast: salt fish and ackee (like an egg but not) and callaloo (love!) and dumpling. Cheap and tasty! Of course we swam in the sea for a few hours. We wandered up to Donalds to try and get his spare cell phone - needed for Mandy to make plans. So much for forgetting about the cell ringing. But Donald not home. We wandered back down his road puddle jumping - it has rained a little almost every afternoon but the sun blazes all morning. Rain feels good and cool. Went to LTU for dinner. Mandy had not been there before and I must agree with her that the food was just OK (although better than the last time I was there). We had coconut shrimp, VodkaTings many many VodkaTings, I had the Chicken Lola which is breaded chicken filled with cheese and callaloo. Caught a cab back down to the beach for a show @ Burbon Beach. The first singer sounded like Tina Turner. Loved her. The rest of the music was OK. But there were a lot of white girls dancing on the stage kinda cheesy. I also got hit on nonstop there and it gets exhausting saying 'no thanks I have a man HERE' - to which they say 'then where is he?'. Donald was not with us. We missed each other as he was playing domino down the road. But we did meet Jah Clarity there who was in Negril to shoot a video. He was very nice and sweet. Invited him back to our spot for some domino.

Day 4

Ladies beach day. The ladies from the yard took us to 23/7 a very chill bar on the beach. More sun, floating, lounging. Mandy took us all out for lunch at Alfreds a few spots down the beach. I had a big ol American breakfast: eggs, bread, sausage (nasty), hash browns, banana pancakes, papaya, pineapple, and mango. And the 1 coffee which made me so hot I had to immediately go into the sea to cool off. Later on Alex (Mandy's friend) came over to hang out. He is very chill. And sweet. Brought me a bracelet gift today. Donald came down too. Turns out they know each other because they are both from Kendall in Hanover. Donald recognizes him from since he was a boy. Donald also knows Jackie. Not a big island! Small world. We went to Juicy (behind the plaza downtown) for dinner and I had BBQ chicken. Donald and Alex came home with us and we played partner domino for a while. Went for a nekked swim in the sea in the dark. Usually I am skerd of swimming @ night but I was feeling nice. I paid for it though with 5 sand flea bites that itch like hell.

Day 5

Teddy and Duane stopped by and we spent some time on the beach until it started to downpour seriously. So we drank coconut rum and pineapple juice and played domino for hours. Took a long nap and by the time we finally woke up all places to eat on the beach were closed. So we had a few beers @ the 100J Red Stripe spot next to CocoLaPalm. I have seen the sun come up more than once drinking @ this spot on prior trips. They are open all night long. We found a guy selling some jerk chicken and got that to eat on the beach. 1/2 was totally funky and nasty. The other half was good. With bread. Nigel found us and he was quite entertaining as he had been drinking all day. He is on a 2 week break/vacation from his job so he is maximizing his fun. Nigel is good shit. He likes experiences, let's just say that. However I am not the one to give that experience because I am TOTALLY happy with Donald. I will be sad to leave him I know that already. No other men for me here (although I do look don't get me wrong). We stopped by Irie on the Beach again and drank more. There was a wedding party there and girls were dancing on the bar all crazay. The music drew us in though - the party people had hooked up their Ipod to the bar's stereo and were bumping Matisyahu, Gorrilaz, BEP's, Jack Johnson. A crab with a body the size of my fist ran by our door and Nigel caught it and messed with its mind. Dropped it. Shell didn't crack we think. But the next day we saw a big ol crab in pieces in the road and I could not help but feel a little bad - like that was THAT crab.

Day 6

We arranged for a glass bottom boat (Teddy's) snorkel trip out to the island and got all this chicken, fish, pear (a unique type of avocado that is HUGE and a lil sweet and yummy). And of course Appleton and juice. We invited 2 sisters that we had met the previous day: Dorrie and Paulette. They have been coming here for 25 years so they know whats up. Proven by the special cake they brought which was so nice to my body. Put me in utter relaxation all day. Unfortunately Teddy did not get gas. We ran out of gas at least 12 times. He went to go buy more twice but never got enough. Had to beg gas off other boats. We will not be seeing Teddy again. It was very inexpensive for me because I refused to pay him full price for his f'd up services. On the island we chilled on the sandbar and drank and laughed and got sunburned. I busted out my virgin snorkel set and went out. There were sea urchins everywhere so you had to really watch where you put your feet. I saw tons of colorful fish. Very peaceful. Good workout too. I went out farther. I realize there are jellyfish everywhere. Everywhere. Freaked me out but I calmly (thanks cake!) made my way back to shore. Would have like to have snorkeled more but we were running out of time. Nigel and Duane cooked us up possibly the best chicken I've ever ate. SO good. Belly full and could not eat the fish. As we finished eating it started to rain. Hard. It was nice cuz it was hot out there. But yeah the boat continues to run out of gas. Stranded in the ocean (although some could swim that far, I could w/ fins). After about 30 minutes the rain lightens up and we tell him to get to shore NOW. Got real old running out of gas. Chilled at home for a little bit. Donald suggested Tasty Delight for dinner downtown in the back of the plaza. Had curried goat for the 1st time. It was good. Lil chewy. Also fresh carrot juice, rice, beans, salad. The whole meal for all 4 of us was I think 1100J. What a deal. Then onto Jungle for ladies night. While I did get real drunk I was not lively due to the cake. Was just chill. Mandy danced some. Good music. But not enough dancehall. Mandy and I stayed up til sunrise talking just her and I.

Day 7

I slept til 3pm. Motivated to go to the bank. Took Lucy and Joann to Burger King. I was seriously craving a whopper with cheese. It is the 1st whole hamburger I've had in 6 months. It was so good I ate the whole thing. I've never been to Burger King here on any past trips so I don't feel so guilty. Brought some other food and drink to the yard and hung out w/ the ladies. Mandy walked me to Mr. Harrison the bush doctor (they say the best on the whole island) to get something for my bites. The ones on my arms swell to the size of a silver dollar and itch horribly. Although not as bad as past trips. I wear no perfume, try to stay off the sand after 4:30, citronella candles, ALWAYS use repellent. But still have now about 20 bites that vary in degrees of itching. But Mr. Harrison hooked me up with a tonic to sooth them. It is working well. I also got his repellant. Smells a lil stinky but also seems to work. Only 150J. I gave him 200 though. He bent down on his knee and kissed my hand when he met me. Sweet man. Mandy says he does theater in his yard. I can see him being an actor that is for sure! We went down a lil farther to Grandma's shop to chat and give her business. She is such a lovely woman! She is 79 I think I remember her saying. Wise. We got cooking supplies to bring back to our room (has a stove and a few dishes but if we need we ask the staff). Jackie drove us home and we got ready. The plan was for Joann and Lucy to take us to XXX. At XXX they usually have a midget/small man put on a show with 3 ladies and get seriously freaky. The real deal. They say he has one as long as your arm no joke. I had to see it. HAD TO. The strip clubs here are hardcore and anything goes. Not my taste but man, I had to see it. Donald came over and we met the ladies @ Alfreds where there was live music. It was good, better than Bourbon Beach the other day. We had many many drinks and then hopped in a car to XXX. The small man was not there. But we went in anyways. It wasn't all that. True, more hardcore than anything in Mpls. but there wasn't anything real kinky. Then again no one was really tipping the girls. I was afraid to because I was scared of what they might do! Had more drinks and ran into SeaStarChris there. Hopped in a cab and went back to my place to pick up a few things and spent the night @ Donalds. Slept in the room w/ AC that is to be Bahar and Jacobs tonight. Ah!

Day 8

I sleep til noon. Donald and I go to the store. He gets me in a cab back to Coral Seas. The family is at the beach. I gots to get the hell outta this spot because I need some sun and to get ready to see Bahar and Jacob! I want to be @ Donalds when they arrive w/ Sparrow. Can't wait.

OVERALL:

I am in love with this place. Everything and anything you want to do you can do. Everything. It is so beautiful and lush. The sea has me in a trance. I have met so many amazing people this trip and have caught up with old friends. Anyone who has not been here is missing out. Seriously. And this 1.5 hours on the internet has cost 360J. Expensive but worth it!