I am TRULY blessed - April 2009 Trip Report - Page 15 - Jamaica Talk

FM 3006 · #**211** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamCan

<snip>
Delroy at the barber......this pic breaks our hearts cuz we think his eyes look sad.

Ash's man getting his hair cut.....I only took this pic cuz the barber was hot

Looks like my barber shop here at home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamCan

Here are a few pics on the drive from Ochi to Spanish Town....we went in the evening. I'm a little upset it was so late cuz this drive is BEAUTIFUL but I couldn't get great pics because it was dusk that and the fact that Leon drives about 829 mph LOL.

I'm a map nerd so it's cool you took this picture to see where you were.

It was also cool see Zed and X's residence. It's easy for people to go to Jamaica and not see where people live other than the hotels.

JamCan · #**212** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:24 PM

The first night I was here I was with Zed and X, and met two of the brothers....Jermaine and Tommy. Jermaine I adore.....Tommy a real HOT head. Not my favorite person but he was nice in his own special way. Nice to me but seemed to put down his brothers a LOT.

After sitting around getting to know everyone the brothers decided the wanted to take me to a real ghetto street party in a garrison. I was intrigued.

We set out on foot for a 20 minute walk around 12am. It was halfway through the walk when I realized where I was and that I was with 3 guys I barely know. I was kinda half conscious that ANYTHING could have happened to me and no one would ever know. Not sure why I trust so much but these guys are worth their weight in gold.

We hit the party which was just okay....not super packed. And it shut down early...apparently police shut these things down if they go past 2. I was shocked. I did get called out by the DJ a couple times though LOL....suppose they don't get many white girls out there.

JamCan · #**213** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:30 PM

LOL the bed in Zeds room wasn't big enough for all 3 of us....go figure. So Zed offered me his mom's bed since the mom was working out of town. I felt kinda honored He stayed in there with me to make me feel more comfortable. Here's mama's room.

We laid awake a long time that night....til about 4am. This is the night I cried because he told me that he couldn't believe I was there and that it made him feel like "somebody" because I wasn't judging them by where they are from. I was beside myself....a real sadness hit me. These were very REAL people and I felt privileged to be a part of it. I fell asleep laying on his chest and crying.

Okay I have tears right now too, just remembering it.

JamCan · #**214** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:31 PM

FM, we spent a bit of time hanging out in Angels too but no pictures. We just ate patties there LOL.

Alex4Ja · #**215** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamCan

Our day with Delroy came and went and we decided we'd get together on another day to do some video footage of him for my blog to help his cause. He was supposed to come up to our place one evening but something (don't know what) went down in his life that and he never made it. We did see him again at the end of the trip but Ash has the pics of that....gotta get them off her.

We gave him a phone so we now have a way to reach him anytime. We've talked to him several times since we've been back and I'll be sending him a portion of his money this weekend because he's found himself a place to live....we've enabled him to afford it.

I'm happy.

Speaking of Angels.
JC,
I suspected a while back that God had covertly sent some roughneck angels to dwell among us...now I know for sure that he did; and that you must be one of them.
Otherwise, how and why you busted out of heaven's gates, I'll never know.

You are definately a love angel sent from God.
mmmmmmhuh!!!!!

<kiss>

FM 3006 · #**216** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamCan

FM, we spent a bit of time hanging out in Angels too but no pictures. We just ate patties there LOL.

Mmmm....patties.

It's awesome that you went to a party in a garrison!!!!!.....wow, it's good to see you made it out alive.

As for your friends letting you stay at their place I bet you felt it was an honor to stay there. A much better experience than staying at a 5 star all-inclusive resort if you're hoping to see what daily Jamaican life is like....at least that's what I think it would be like staying with someone.

JamCan · #**217** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:44 PM

The next morning I was woken up around 7:30am to the sounds of a baby in the room next to me....just cooing away. It was so pleasant, i didn't know there were kids here!!

The door to my room was open and Zed was gone but in the doorway appeared Jermaine with one of his beautiful daughters!!! 6 month old Dija. This was the best way to wake up! I immediately pulled out my camera.

His 6 year old Jona

All 3 of his daughters. I later learned that him, his woman and their 3 kids live in ONE of these tiny rooms.

JamCan · #**218** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex4Ja

Speaking of Angels.
JC,
I suspected a while back that God had covertly sent some roughneck angels to dwell among us...now I know for sure that he did; and that you must be one of them.
Otherwise, how and why you busted out of heaven's gates, I'll never know.

You are definately a love angel sent from God.
mmmmmmhuh!!!!!

<kiss>

Awwww stop it Alex. I'm feeling really sensitive right now

Reliving these last couple days is breaking my heart cuz I need to go back.

JamCan · #**219** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FM 3006

Mmmm....patties.

It's awesome that you went to a party in a garrison!!!!!.....wow, it's good to see you made it out alive.

As for your friends letting you stay at their place I bet you felt it was an honor to stay there. A much better experience than staying at a 5 star all-inclusive resort if you're hoping to see what daily Jamaican life is like....at least that's what I think it would be like staying with someone.

You hit that nail right on the head FM. I DID feel honored....that they were willing to share that with me.

JamCan · #**220** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:48 PM

Here's Jermaine getting Dija's bath water ready while I got to hold her and play with her. A real little studier....I suspect she hasn't seen white skin before. But she never made strange at all.

JamCan · #**221** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 03:55 PM

After I got dressed (lawd it was hot and I wanted a cold shower so bad!!) Jermaine and Zed offered to take me on a walking tour. They live like 2 blocks from GC Foster sports college. They wanted to show me around there. I learned that Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt have both run several competitive races here!!

Baby Dija came with us.

Alex4Ja · #**222** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamCan

After I got dressed (lawd it was hot and I wanted a cold shower so bad!!) Jermaine and Zed offered to take me on a walking tour. They live like 2 blocks from GC Foster sports college. They wanted to show me around there. I learned that Asafa Powell and Usain Bolt have both run several competitive races here!!

Baby Dija came with us.

Now these pictures bring back a lot of painful memories for me.

JamCan · #**223** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 04:07 PM

Okay so here's one REALLY cool thing I found out about these brothers. About a year ago they leased land right across the street from the college and put this container on it. Their intent is to open a shop and eventually a carwash. I was so proud that they are motivated and trying hard to do something to make their lives better! They pooled their money and have some carpentry going on inside.

Its taken them a year because of their lack of money and the economy has slowed badly. They are going to open a food place in one side and at the other end, Zed wants to have a game shop....where people pay to play video games. Apparently this kind of stuff flies there. And perfect location....AT the college!

I have since informed Zed that I'm going to donate an X-box and about 40 games we have sitting in my house doing nothing. I really wanted to get it to them sooner than my next trip but the shipping thing would be a nightmare.

If anyone's going to Jamaica in the next few months and wants to donate any games systems or TV's LOL.......I can tell you to contact them!!!

JamCan · #**224** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex4Ja

Now these pictures bring back a lot of painful memories for me.

Why???........

JamCan · #**225** (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 04:19 PM

We went back home and in exchange for their hospitality I offered to get whatever they needed to cook a good lunch. I gave Zed $1000 JMD (about $15) and he managed to get enough food to feed 9 people!! WOW. They went to the market while I hung with the kids and then Jermaine spent the next hour whipping up some of the best curry chicken I've eaten.

He prepared it outside....that's how they roll. I have been waiting 6 days since coming home, to get some kind of sickness from the food or water there....but I'm fine! I even drank the barrel water.

Their puppy.

Me and Dija. Soon after this picture she fell asleep on my chest. I was in love.

And In my opinion, these are two of the most beautiful pictures I've taken in Jamaica. There is so much beauty just in their faces. **sigh**