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

Another great birthday....

I decided that since I was spending my birthday in Grenada, I would not be staying at my yard. (I don't work on my birthday....not since 2000). So I booked me a little cottage by the sea up in the North of Grenada, in the parish of St Patrick.

Drove up Wednesday, through the centre of the island, passing the Grand Etang Forest Reserve. Was looking for Chantilly near Clozier to visit a past employee and get back on the West Coast. Got lost. Must remember that there is more than one bridge in Grenada! Eventually found him, and left with produce as usual. You can't go to a house in the country and not leave with food. Dasheen, mangerine, cabbage and seasoning pepper (they kinda look like Scotch Bonnet but they are not hot).

Reached up North about 5pm. Checked into the cute cottage, wooden floor, four poster bed, ALONE. I vow, never again. Anyway, went down for dinner. Before going down to my room, I wrote instructions for the chef for how to cook the Grace Premium Mackerel, along with the fried bakes and fried plantains I had requested for my birthday breakfast.

Had a very restful night, started the day with coffee, went and had breakfast, lazed around in the dining room, which overlooks the Caribbean Sea, then headed to Grenville, Grenada's second "city" (it's really a little town...maybe like Morant Bay) which is situated in the middle of the East Coast.

Bought some healing products in Grenville, then headed to where I was going to have lunch....on an old estate...the first to be bought by a Grenadian family. I had been there once before in October 2003. It got damaged during Ivan in 2004 and I wanted to see what it looked like now. Besides, two of our former employees were working there so I knew I would be well taken care of. I was.

Went walking around the estate afterwards...saw goats (they make goat cheese there), donkey, parrots (one of whom kept saying 'hello') and funniest of all, two land tortoises making out!

Drove to the extreme north, and discovered that I had to turn back around because a dirt road I thought would lead back to where I was staying...didn't. When I reached to the point, there were two other cars there by the sea.

A little background about St Patrick. It is behind time. Way back (though not as way back as St Mark). It also has a reputation as being a drug area. So when I saw these two vehicles, I thought "hmmmm"....I wonder....hmmm. I asked them for directions, drove behind them a little way, they stopped and then I varoomed past....just in case it was something going down and they needed to eliminate witnesses!

Reached back to the main town through which I had to pass to head up to my hotel. When I left the market and buss di corner, I saw a red unmarked car with SSU men in it. SSU is like Operation Kingfish in Jamaica. The guys wear army fatigues. So that didnt mean anything to me. It was normal. Then when I go round further, I see two more vehicles with lots of SSU men in them, driving very quickly down to the bay. Then several of them alighted with guns!

I was stuck. I could not pass them. Fearing the worst (as I usually do!) I crouched down in the car seat, thinking to myself "see how ah not going to live to tell everybody how I spent my birthday!" I didnt hear any gunfire, but I swear it was going to start in minutes. The SSU men had their automatic rifles out.

So I am saying to the car blocking my way "move nuh so ah can pass!" The SSU man looks at me and smiles and says "stay calm, nothing to worry about". I tell him I from Jamaica, so I fraid. Eventually another SSU guy told him to move the car.

Lawks, mi heart was in mi mouth! Have no clue who they were chasing down. But the police have been very active these days. Large ganja buss the other day, recovery of illegal gun etc. Not many, but more than usual.

Phew! So, now I am about to download all the photos I took, then have a small bite to eat. It can't be anything but a small bite since I've eaten quite a bit for the day already.

Thanks for all the wishes. They added to the enjoyment of the day. THis is one beautiful island, like Jamaica, but I wouldnt go driving around alone in Jamaica!

You must always talk yuh bizniz

I am a firm believer in networking when you need to. You'd be amazed at how opportunities come your way, just by you telling somebody else what's happening in your professional life.

Some people are very secretive, but if you need people in order to grow your business, you'd better start telling people your bizniz. Start talking!