It's
hard to believe that it has been almost one year since I first stepped foot
onto the beach in Negril. Well actually more like off the local bus from Ochie
to Mo Bay, then off the bus from MoBay to Sav, then out of the taxi from Sav to
Negril. Marooned in Ocho Rios by hurricane Sandy, now with five days of
unplanned vacation time, it seemed as if Providence had smiled on me and said
Go Forth and explore! And who am I to argue with Providence? So having only
heard of a few places in Jamaica at the time, Negril seemed the safe and
logical choice.
Having just been de-virginized to local travel in Jamaica (imagine sardine cans with wheels and no AC) I arrived no worse for wear and probably would have been thrilled with any establishment that had AC and running water with which to wash off the double layers of sweat (one from me and one from whomever was mashed against either side of me---#notsofreshorsoclean). But being led by Providence has its perks and I wound up at a gem of a place.
Once the layers of grime had been removed and the AC reversed the wilting that had occurred from the stifling heat on the bus, I was off to see the beach. It was about an hour before sunset when I walked past the bar onto the deck that extended onto the beach, leaned on the railing under cover of tree shade and really got my first glimpse of the ocean view. I remember taking a deep sigh and letting my body collapse down on itself, starting from my shoulders and working its way down. (Like one of those cleansing breaths in Bikram yoga, but without the humidity and funk.) The stress of not knowing what condition my home would be in when I returned, of experiencing an entire day of local Jamaican transportation, of having to go way over budget to spend essentially a whole other vacation abroad just evaporated away. It was breathtaking...beautiful...restorative...I was at peace.
I did not know at the time that I would continue to experience that same feeling for the remainder of that trip nor did I know that the feeling would return with each subsequent trip to Negril. It is mainly for this reason that I have decided to put down some roots and see what life will bring me in this little town by the sea.
Welcome to the site! Feel free to say hello or leave a comment, we love to make new friends.
Respek
Having just been de-virginized to local travel in Jamaica (imagine sardine cans with wheels and no AC) I arrived no worse for wear and probably would have been thrilled with any establishment that had AC and running water with which to wash off the double layers of sweat (one from me and one from whomever was mashed against either side of me---#notsofreshorsoclean). But being led by Providence has its perks and I wound up at a gem of a place.
Once the layers of grime had been removed and the AC reversed the wilting that had occurred from the stifling heat on the bus, I was off to see the beach. It was about an hour before sunset when I walked past the bar onto the deck that extended onto the beach, leaned on the railing under cover of tree shade and really got my first glimpse of the ocean view. I remember taking a deep sigh and letting my body collapse down on itself, starting from my shoulders and working its way down. (Like one of those cleansing breaths in Bikram yoga, but without the humidity and funk.) The stress of not knowing what condition my home would be in when I returned, of experiencing an entire day of local Jamaican transportation, of having to go way over budget to spend essentially a whole other vacation abroad just evaporated away. It was breathtaking...beautiful...restorative...I was at peace.
I did not know at the time that I would continue to experience that same feeling for the remainder of that trip nor did I know that the feeling would return with each subsequent trip to Negril. It is mainly for this reason that I have decided to put down some roots and see what life will bring me in this little town by the sea.
Welcome to the site! Feel free to say hello or leave a comment, we love to make new friends.
Respek
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