To Travel is To Live

I have always found the organized tours very restricted and time sensitive so it was a refreshing change when yesterday we chose to hire a taxi driver for a day trip to Negril. We paid him a flat fee for a round trip for the 5 of us to Negril for the entire day and he drove us there and hung around waiting to take us on to the next stop. Our driver was named "Bicky", at least that's what his friends call him. His full name was much longer so it was just easier to remember Bicky. He was in his late 50's at least and was such a sweetheart, telling us about his wife and their life in Lucea. He hasn't had many opportunities to travel outside of Jamaica but he loves his country and his life, and had such a positive, sunny attitude. He filled us in on the history of the country, including the Rastas, pirates, Spanish rule, British invasions, and the settling and eventual independence of the country. In 2012, Jamaica celebrated 50 years since the received that Ind...

A theme is emerging. Patience is tested and for those who have little, they probably will not enjoy a vacation here in Jamaica. Money needed exchanging - they had none for a few hours so "come back later". It was time try the jerk chicken on the beach - it wasn't ready so "come back later". Need a snorkel? They're all out so "come back later". To their credit, if you do go back later you get that for which you asked. Speaking of jerk chicken, this is a dish I have tried making back home a few times and, not really knowing how it's supposed to look or taste, did not have the greatest luck. Finding Scotch Bonnet peppers at any and all times a year (you know, when the whim to try a new recipe hits me) in Calgary has been difficult too; perhaps this just spiralled into my downfall with jerk. We asked a staff member if the jerk chicken here at the resort is authentic and he said it was pretty good but not made the way Jamaicans eat it ...

If anything bad was going to happen to anyone on this trip, it would have to be Dave. Our first day here he managed to step on a sea urchin after Dale and I spent quite a lot longer touching them. He was in considerable pain but Jocelyn stepped up and helped out, true friend that she is! Monday, after a fabulous 10 hour sleep, we all met up for breakfast and to plan out our week. We decided to stick around the resort that day, and headed over to the Sandy Cove beach area. With some hot sun and beautiful water to play in, we thought it would be fun to snorkel. We had enough equipment for everyone (though our cheap, children's snorkels from Italy will be discarded) so we took off exploring. Bryan took off out to the deeper area and quickly returned to warn us all that there were sea urchins hiding all throughout the seaweed and beyond so we knew to be careful. My snorkel equipment was not working, water literally dripping into my mask despite how many times I tried to adj...

After a very hard flight, we finally arrived in Montego Bay. For all I can see, there seems to have been little reason to fly us here for a 7 day vacation overnight to arrive at 6 AM. Our rooms will not be ready until 3 PM and, while we are assured our bags are secure waiting for us, it's tough to believe that when they are sitting out in the open without anyone really watching them. Is it too much to ask to lock them away? We seemed to wake up for the time frame between 9AM and 3PM to play in the pool and try some Jamaican drinks. But it's time for a nap now and I have already been given a truly cold shoulder by a bell hop for no tip (I haven't yet gotten any American money) and now I seem to have lost everyone. We weren't placed within the same building for rooms (though I should be happy we have rooms) which is a bit surprising. I'm not sur ethis place could accommodate a large group very well. Dave has been "bitten" by a sea urchin on day one...