16 June 2002
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View from breakfast at Jake's
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As I laid on the lounge chair in the backyard writing in my journal, David eventually woke up and immediately confronted me as to why I was outside on the lounge chair. He wanted to know, was it because of his snoring? Of course not! Well, maybe his snoring was a contributor to my escape to the backyard and my inability to sleep. I hoped this was not how every night would be, but I can't complain. I snore, too.
We decided to go to the restaurant, where David had two breakfasts. This was the beginning of a trend. He was starving the entire trip and often ordered more food at meals. This seemed to work for him, he wanted seconds of everything. Who knew Jamaicans made killer cheese omelets?
Since we had arrived so late the night before, Sally was determined to get a chance to show us around the place and wouldn't let us leave without going 'up the river'. I just smiled and nodded as she and David discussed the arrangements for the trip and scheduled the day. All I knew was that I was getting a massage at ten, and would tag along for the rest of the festivities.
I had enquired about the massage the night before, and Sally told me that the masseuse was ready for me. I couldn't wait. I love massages, and typically only indulge on vacations because I can't seem to find a massage therapist in New York City that does it for me. Go figure.
As David finished his second cheese omelet and finalized the day's events with Sally, I went back to the room to pack my bag so that I would be ready to go when the time came.
The Massage
I was so ready for the massage: tired, hung over, and sleep deprived. The table was setup under a palm tree by the water, and the masseuse was an American man in his late forties, early fifties who had been in Jamaica for fifteen years. He told me how he didn't make much money here, but he didn't need much to live well. I wasn't expecting much, but he was a real body worker. He stretched me this way and that, manipulating my limbs in strange positions. I was in heaven! I was working really hard to stay in my meditative state and not worry about the 'arrangements'. After all, I was just along for the ride.
With my eyes closed, I heard David interrupt him to let me know that everyone was waiting for me on the boat. The masseuse said he knew where the boat was and that I would be there. Not to worry. Ten minutes later, David came back to reiterate that EVERYONE WAS WAITING ON THE BOAT. I didn't want it to end, but that was the end of the massage. I struggled to pull myself together and limped my way down the beach to meet everyone.
The Boat Ride
I had no idea where we were going, but the boat was full and the Red Stripes were flowing. I love being on boats. The scenery was fabulous. I felt like a dog with its head out the car window. All of a sudden, the driver slowed way down. We were startled and didn't know what was going on. It was a school of dolphins! We all stood up to look and one swam right under the boat. I didn't know if the boat ride would be an hour, two hours, I didn't care. I felt GREAT. I was totally relaxed from the massage, and my mind was clear. No responsibilities, no worries. Just me and the wind blowing through my hair with light sea spray. Ahhh...
Out of nowhere appeared a hut in the middle of the ocean. Sticking out of the sand dune, surrounded by pelicans, stood a thatch-roofed hut. A make-shift ladder was the entry, and the scene was inviting. Music was playing. People were laughing. The locals were quick to serve up more Red Stripes and Rum Punch. I'm in JAMAICA, mon! It was so cool.
Then out of nowhere, there was fish. The proprietors were passing around steamed fish stuffed with curried vegetables wrapped in foil. It was delicious. I hadn't noticed before, but one of the guys was out on a boat catching and cleaning the fish and a lady was stuffing them with seasonings and steaming them up right there. I was having the time of my life.
It was a major buzz kill when David reminded me that Troy was waiting for us at Jake's, and we had to go back so he could drive us to Negril. We were expected to arrive at Rock House that afternoon. Bummer. I didn't want to leave, and no one else wanted to leave either. None of the locals were interested in taking us back to Jake's at that time. Everyone was having a blast at the 'hut'. David started getting nervous and finally convinced Ted to take us back to Jake's. I knew his name only because he wore a necklace with big white blocks that spelled it out: T - E - D. So we said our teary-eyed goodbyes to all our new best friends and we were on our way.
Ted was the driver, and his 'bowman' came along to get more supplies for the hut party. They had run out of rum punch. I sat in the back watching him stand steadily at the bow, overseeing the waves as the boat jumped and slammed on the ocean. It looked like fun, standing up there. Then I got the brilliant idea that I should be the bowman! As I climbed up towards the front of the boat where he stood solid as a marble statue, I started to get the impression that his job wasn't as easy as it looked. I could barely make it to the bow because the boat was bouncing so hard, and I was falling all over the place. By the time I got up to the front, the driver was slowing down and the bowman looked very concerned at the idea of me joining him in his duties. He stepped aside, and they let me ride up there for a few minutes, although it seemed like forever considering the fact that I almost fell out a zillion times! The ride was so rough, I had no idea! I was holding on for dear life and had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for anyway. They must have been worried I would fall out as well, because the driver came to a near halt so the hunky bowman could relieve me of my duties, and I took my spot in the back by the driver where I could enjoy the rest of the ride.
When we got back to Jake's, Troy was eagerly awaiting us. We were late on our scheduled departure time to Rock House in Negril. "Hey, Mon! We're on Jamaican time!" He didn't seem amused. Oh, well. Car rides always put me to sleep, so I cat napped in the bus on the way. Lucky for us, we got there just in time for happy hour by the pool: 2 for 1 drinks from three to seven. WOO WOO! You would think it would be mobbed, but we were the only ones there. At this point, I had been up for two days and been drinking steadily the entire time. Why stop now??
Rock House is a bunch of huts built on top of a rock. It is not beach-like at all. You have to climb down to get to the water, so the pool is a popular choice. I don't know how I made it to dinner, but we were on time to watch the sunset from the restaurant's terrace overlooking the Caribbean. It was spectacular.
I'm like the opposite of a vampire, as soon as the sun goes down, I fall asleep! I was doing head bobs in my cappuccino and could barely keep my eyes open at the table when David whisked me off to the room to put me to bed. Early to bed, early to rise!
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