The next decade....what's in store?

From a little cottage in Negril, I wrote these lines for you!

Friday, jump pon an Air Jamaica Express flight to Mobay. Couldn't see the Jamaican topography, cause I was sitting in da aisle. So read the newspaper instead. Bumpy landing in Mobay. Dem need to learn from Liat pilots how to land the Dash-8 si-moothly.

Me tink seh is Sangster mi landing at but is de si-small airport next side ah it. Reach over di big side via airline shuttle, this after fending off offers of a taxi for $200. I need to have up my sign. "I am unemployed".

Over the big side, went to the bathroom, sorry toilet for no bath is in it. The attendant rushed to wipe off the seat for me, cussing the others who sprinkled when they tinkled and weren't neat. Hear her nuh "Is only because you look nice you know why mi wipe it off fi you". Hmmm. The red flowers frock rocks! (People will soon take my picture in it!...in fact, here's a picture of part of me in it)

Filled up at the gas station (the car was BELOW the E!) and later realized that my journey to Negril was not from Kingston, and so I need not have put a full tank in. Headed off, got lost at the Montego Freeport round-a-bout TWICE, stopped in Lucea to visit Grandma, got lost going to her as well (took the wrong hill). This is a picture taken on the way to Negril. Don't ask me where. Oh, I think it's near to Lances River.

Arrived in Negril, to be greeted by a big purple hotel. Ugh. Riu. My purpose in Negril was not a breeze out; I was there to collect data for a research project so before I went to check in at Rondel Village which I would recommend , stopped at two hotels, without notice and did those.

Had not had any lunch, so as soon as I checked in, around 4:15pm, headed for the restaurant. While waiting for the Tuna Melt, the guy at the bar says "hello" in that pseudo American accent, then proceeds to add "I have to talk to you later". I quickly told him I was here to work.

Now Negril is a real gem. Next to this hotel, I spot some si-mall brown, wooden, zinc roofed units. What's that? I ask the waiter. "Oh, that's blah blah blah (can't remember the name), they rent them for about US$25 per night". Dem have bathroom? Apparently.

After lunch, drove to the West End looking for other hotels, and also Ricks Cafe. Didn't see it, then reached the end of the road where it looked like civilization stopped. But no. For I see a sign pointing me to Westender Inn. Passed virgin land, turned back at the "Inn" and it was now sunset.

Read on.... more pictures included with the story

Behaving like one of the many tourists who I had passed walking along the road (do we have a crime problem? Apparently not), I stopped at a place designed for taking in the view and took pictures.

Just as I was about to get in the car, two men rode up on separate bicycles. Said one to the other, when he saw the tourists "wait, ah wonder if any money dey here so". Not knowing what exactly he meant, I quickened my pace, jumped in the car and varoomed off (big coward!). Looked in the rear view mirror to see dude showing man tourist something in a styrofoam container. Ok, no robbery in place.

On Saturday, more interviews. More driving around from the Boulevard to the West End to find hoteliers. And more pics. Had to take one of this place, after Karen's description of it last week.

Notice the many tiles????

After work, it was time for lunch. Of course, guess what I went in search of? This.

They didn't follow my instructions. Had to throw away some of the rice and peas.

Oh, while waiting for the Oxtail (at Sweet Spice between the two gas stations on the way to Sav), a fella with plait up hair came in. Out of the blue he says "that hairstyle fit you". Aw gee. Made my day.

Sun Day was made by the gorgeous views as the sun rose and continued to shine brilliantly, on the way back to Mobay to catch the flight. Then there were the scenic views from the plane. Pictures to come, after you have read this. So look for them in a few days.

Posted by yamfoot at December 14, 2003 12:43 PM