A trip to Hanover, Jamaica

Lets go to Hanover, have you ever been there?
No baby, whats Hanover?

It's a small town.
To my Aunties house, not far, maybe 1 hour drive.
Is Regan, your driver, gonna take us?
Oh yeah, he always parks out front on the road in his van.
I'll go check.

So, i walk out to the road, sure enough I see his van, but where is he?
I look over to the little road side stand next to Sunrise.
A couple of guys are always sitting around over there.
I look, but no Regan,
Hey, where's Regan?
He's in his van.

I start to walk closer, but i don't see him.
Oh, well, there are nuff drivers out here waiting.
I think I'll go over to the little store across the street from Times Square.
As i walk i pass Regan's van, sure enough, he's there.
Asleep, lying down on the seat.
Man, he's an older guy, but he's sleeping like a baby.
Should I wake him up now?
Nah, i'll wait till......
He pops up all of a sudden!
Hey, whats up Mark!
Man, i didn't want to wake you, but I need to go to...
Yeah, Mon, Yeah Mon, I'm here mon!
Ok, i said, i'll just be a few minutes,

Yeah Mom, yeah, yeah, I'm here!

Once a driver knows you are going to need a ride, they make sure you know they are ready, willing and available.

Once, i was dropped off at the Boat Bar by Regan.
After a little time, i caught a Route guy back, then when i was in my room, i called Regqan and told him i needed t go to Mi Yard.
He said ok.
I walked out to the road and no Regan.
I called him again, but he had driven back to the Boat Bar and was there waiting for me.

Anyway, we were heading to Hanover to my wife's cousin's house.
its been a while since my wife last went there.
She was trying to tell Regan, by using landmarks, where to turn.
The road was very rough and the shocks or struts on Regan's car were broke or he didn't have any.

I can't remember the route, but once we made a left the road turned very rough.

Bumpity-bump for aboout 15 minutes, god, where is this place!

Another turn, it seemed like we were very far from Negril.

So, we finally find the place and i jump out.
My backside is sore.

There was a house up on a hill, all of a sudden you could see doors opening and heads poppin out.
The kids were just getting home from school in thier uniforms.
Its so nice, the way Jamaicans greet each other after a long absence.

"So this is your husband", auntie said.
They all went in the house for a while, but, outside is where i like to be. This is real country, like down south USA.
Trees and plants, fruits and veggies and fresh air.

The quietness, it hits me real hard.
Just stand on the crest of a hill, and lookout, when its soooo quiet, one can really do some good thinking.

There were grape trees, pecans trees, coconuts trees , all sorts of plants out in the back yard.
They told my wife "Make sure you take this and that back to your mom's".
They got me a chair and i was sitting, when auntie comes over .
"do you like coconuts?
Sure
So, she goes around back an knocks some off of a tree.
She chops off a round part and shows me how to scrape the inside of it.
She worked that machete like a pro.

I was wandering around and i notice some smooth large stones, like graveyard head stones.
"thats where my grandmother is buried' my wife said.

I forgot that the locals sometimes bury the family right there on the side or behind the house.
I was scared that i stepped on the grave.
I'm sorry!
It's ok, my wife said. Calm down.
(i always over-react)

Regan, my driver was knocked out in the van, i guess he knew this was not a quick trip.

We ate, wrapped up food for the return trip and headed back to Negril

It was a nice time.

Just a little breakfast this morning

First full day in Negril was magic. My best friend in Negril finally got his car working Friday morning. I wake up at 6:30-7:00 am like clockwork even at home in Chicago.
The sun rising is so sweet and "dare I say" soft as a babies bottom. The humming birds are having breakfast right outside my door!
A nice veranda or patio or balcony makes all the difference to me. Outdoors! Give me OUTDOORS, please!

I decided to head across the road to the beach for breakfast. Beep-Beep, no thanks to the taxi man, I just keep walking, Beep-beep I turn to look and it is my old friend who does private taxi excursions around Negril. "whats up man" We talk a little while and laugh.

So, after a while i head to Bar-B-Barn, but no coffee is ready. So i just walk next door to Mom's, I see a pretty waitress and plant myself in one of the empty seats.
Coffee in the morning is a gift from the almighty for me.
Now I feel like I can fight a lion (a small one).

I just sit in my chair at Mom's Place on the beach. They have a little smooth jaz going on the box and out of nowhere one of my favorite tunes "Touch" by John Klemmer comes on.
Ahhh, this is too PUrrrfect!!!

The owner's name is Rob. He too is a fan of the Jazz. So I just sit and listen and watch the water. The ocean is very flat early in the day and you can hardly hear it, just watch, and let it put you in a trance.

No one else is at the restaurant for breakfast. Dont you love it sometimes to have the whole place to yourself!

I can play and laugh with 2-3 waitresses at the same time, nice.

A lightning storm out at sea

Hey Marko, what's up Mon?
Oh, I'm just chillin like a villain.
what are you doing?
I'm just about to drive by your hotel, do you need a lift anywhere?
Nope, not tonight, come on by anyway.
Ok, soon come.

I was sitting on the veranda and i see this white Toyota pull up in the driveway.

It's always nice seeing Nick.
We may not have any kind of plan for the day, but once we put our heads together all kinds of ideas will pop up.
I may mention that i need this or that
and he'll say, cool, i can stop by my cousins house, he lives close to the place we are going.
That day or night will turn into a new adventure for me.

When you go visiting in Jamaica, it's rarely a short visit.
Depending on the time of day, you can sit and laugh for hours, people coming and going, maybe eat dinner too.

Tonight, he was just chillin out, no plans for him either,

We sat and pondered the mysteries of the universe for about 2 hours.

Just 2 knuckle heads having fun.

Well, time for me to head home, Nick said.
Ok Nick, I'll see you tomorrow.
Later Mon.
Cool, drive easy man.

It was dark and a little windy.
Very nice for a summer night in Negril.
I stuffed some money in my pockets grabbed a few road supplies and headed across the boulevard.

Bar B Barn had the torches lit along the entrance to the beach.

I walked by the dining area and noticed how cool the tables and everything look with the night lights on.

Where are you going?
It was one of the cute waitresses,
No place in particular i said. Just strollin down the beach tonight.

When i got to the beach, i made a right turn and just started walking.

I saw a flash out at sea, then another one.
What the ......
It was a lightning storm, way out at sea.
I mean, like every 7 seconds you could see the lightning shooting through the clouds,
making all kinds of different colors in the sky.

It looked like explosions in the sky, miles and miles wide!

I walked and walked, watching the storm along with many other people on the beach.

Some were not paying attention to the storm like i was.
I guess it is nothing new to them.


I found a seat at one of the beach establishments and just watched the lightning and thunder strikes for about 1 whole hour, listening to music, watching people dancing.
The storm never came close, just a likkle breeze was all you could feel.

Those thunder and lightning strikes put the 4th of July fireworks in the States to shame.

Shaggy at the Jungle night Club, but Elephant man stole the show!

Well, i'll tell ya.
Got there about 10 ish. Just couldn't wait i guess.
Many "beautiful people" were still out side, hangin.

Paid for ticket and had the full body pat/search.
"he's clean"
So, i'm looking around and there were a lot of people standing in the front.
"which way to the.....
"around back man"

Walked down a long drive way on the side of the Jungle and then it just opened up.

Looked like a gravel football field.
Wow, this is cool.
3-4 Heinekin posted bars set up on left, right and back of the audience.

The first couple of acts were nice.

After a while people started arriving in herds.
8-12 at a time.

the music was good for a concert, loud and thumpin.

All of a sudden lightning struck!

It was Elephant MAN!

i DID NOT KNOW THIS GENTLEMAN WAS SO FULL OF ENERGY!

immediately he grabbed hold of your soul and started spinning it around.
He had me going down to the bone.
"who is this guy?"
He was movin and shaken, dressed in all white, with a very loud voice, you felt him comin at ya!

Mr. excitement, if you ask me.
With his loud musical yells, comin at just the right moment.
Amazing performance, 1st rate entertainer, the whole time!
Powerful stuff.


I am forever his fan.

If you like Shaggy, i guess he was ok, but, Elephant man stole the show.

Taking the little one to the beach

Are we really going tomorrow? Shantay was all wired up.
Yes, little darlin, tomorrow.
My neice, 3 years old, who has never been to the beach was all excited about going.
Her sister (who is about 13)was telling her
"there are sharks out there, they will get you!

Mama! Mama! de sharks fina bite me?

We were all laughing, the other kids would chase her like they were sharks,

AYYY, AYYY, you not gonna get me.

Bite! Bite!

MAMA! MAMA! the Shark gonna get me?

No, darling, i said.
Look baby, I will be with you and your aunt too.
I swim like a fish....and....
But, the shark swim good too? Right?
(she had me there)
well, they don't come in close, they like the deep water.

So next morning, after breakfast i was just sitting at mom's place on the beach.

The water was super calm, like glass. I was about to fall into that sand gravity mode.

Uh Oh, today is the beach day! I gotta go!
So i payed up the bill, left the tip with the waitress and jumped in a rout mobile.

When i got to my In laws house, they were still getting ready.

Nick was laughing.
Yeah, mon. de pickney dem, nuf fraid of de wata mon.

So, we jump in the car and head back to my hotel to get ready for the swim.

My wife and Renique went in the room to change into swim suits and get their towels.

They came out the hotel looking like a picture.
Shantay had on a very colorful one piece bathing suit.
My wife, of course was showin off her bikini body.
Uh, here baby, put this towel around your behind.

She just grabbed my nose and said "jealous?'Silly rabbit.
Any way, lets go.
Shantay can run like the wind, i swear i'm gonna find some track club for her one day, but today, she was draggin.

Come on Shantay, my wife said.

Dont'worry.
I reached down and swooped her up with one arm.
She is light as a feather.
So we get to the road,
"make sure you always look both ways, and make sure no cars are coming.

So, we crossed the road and head to Bar B Barn Hotel on the beach.

Hey mon, you got your dawta wid you Mon?
LOL
My wife tells everybody that Shantay is her daughter.
So, we pass the bar area and dining area and here it comes.
Tears, Waayhhh, Waayhhh, The sharks!
i don't want to go in the water!

So i put her down and she and my wife have a seat on a beach towel.
I'll show you how to do it.
I walk off into the water, get about 2 feet deep and have a seat.
See! It's ok, no wories mon.

The little tears looked like tiny diamonds rolling down her cheeks.
I mean she was "really" crying.

It took about 1/2 hour, of me playing and swimming and splashing and looking like a nut,

but eventually she calmed down and the 2 of them slowly walked into the sea.

My wife was still holding her, or should i say she was holding on to my wife, like a baby monkey on Nature programs.

They sat down in the water and slowly the tears went away.

See Mark, see how much fun he is having.

I went back on shore and had an idea.
I know, don't feed the fish, but i just wanted to show Shantay that some fish are harmless.

I broke off a little bit of cookie (they say biscuit) and sure enough, here come some little silver and yellow fish.

EEEEHH! EEEERHHH! Look, do they bite?

No No darlin, just good little fish!
Look.
I started to break little pieces off and the fish went for them.

Let me! Let me!
Now her courage was up.
She would try and throw the food.

No, no, just let it float, the fish will get it.

I played and splashed with Shantaye for a good little while.

We i was coming out the water the staff at Bar B Barn were all laughing and talkin about us.

Man, she was scared out there, they said.

Yeah, but i taught her not to be too scared of the water anymore.


It was a nice day of swimming and playing in the wonderful Caribbean Sea.

I guess i'll go swimming at the Sunset on the Cliffs

It seems like it rain 5 days straight at about 1 o'clock.
Lasted maybe 1 1/2 hour.

Lightning storms came in on Tuesday and Wednesday.
There is thunder and lightning everywhere, but this one day in Negril It was super loud.
My Bro and I were sitting outside on the balcony while the rain came down.
"Mark, it rains everyday at the same time.
Then the sun comes out, you know we get all day rain and 2-3 days of clouds in Chicago.

Yeah, mon, that's another reason i love Jamaica so.

My brother must have been looking down when it hit.
I was day dreaming, as usual, looking at the clouds and rain.
There was a very bright, almost white flash, and i knew it was coming.
BOOOOOOM!!!!

My brother jumped about 6 inches out of his chair.

Mark! man that was close as hell!!!
It did seem to erupt right over our hotel.

I laughed and laughed.

See, you were feeling guilty when the loud clap came, you thought it was your time to go meet your maker for all the bad things you have done in your life.
LOL LMAO!!

Yeah right, he said.

There were about 3-4 very loud ones.

Then the sunshine came out from behind the clouds and the heat was back in full force.

I feel like another swim in the pool.
You want to go?
Yeah, but my lady gets off soon, and i know she's coming straight here.

You better believe she is.

Ok, I'll catch you later.

I walked off and looked at my brother's face.
He wanted to go, but he would be "tied up" for the evening.

I headed to the road and caught a route mobile.
Another lady was in the car, she was headed to the west end like me.
The driver crossed the bridge and stayed to his right, pulled over where some westend drivers are always waiting.

Normally, the cabs go all the way to the taxi park, but since 3 of us wanted to head to the westend, they will maneuver over to that side of the road, not go all the way to the taxi park.

We hopped out that cab and into another, waited for a 4th person, then headed down the westend road.
aka One Love Drive.

Earlier in the day, i had met 4 ladies from DC. They were looking for something to do.
I told them we could have a pool party on the Cliffs at the sister hotel, Sunset on the Cliffs.

They said maybe, but i could tell they probably would not show.

So, the driver pulled up to the Sunset on the Cliffs, it is right across the street from Eddie's de Bar,
Best Lobster i ever had in Jamaica.

There was nobody at the pool except the barmaid and myself.
Last time i came here, i was with my brother and a few ladies.
Today nobody was there but me.

I picked out a nice lounger chair, threw my towel and gear down, and took the plunge.

Ahhhh, a pool, with cool music in the background and i had the pool all to myself!
I was in heaven.
The same barmaid, who was there last trip was on duty that day.

A very beautiful lady, the color of cinnamon.

I swam and watched her watch me for a while, then i jumped out the water and walked over to her to pass a little time.

I tell you, there is something about swimming, water and beautiful J ladies that make my heart flutter.

It was fabulous.

Hello, god day, would you like something?

(is she reading my mind? Gosh darn skippy i want something)

Ummm, lets see, what do you have that's good back there.
She just smiled and giggled.

"it's all good back here"

(heart be still)

Alrighty then,
Hmmm, i'll take another of your famous mudslides please.

I grabbed a seat,
(wish i could have taken hers)

and waited and WATCHED while she started preparing the magical elixer.

Just sitting out there, looking out into the sea was just exquisite.

After the rain, the sun at about 3:00 PM. the water was glistening, with the sun shining on it at that just right angle.

So, this is what people have been talking about when they say they love the Cliffs more than the beach.

So nice.

Soon the cocktail was ready, and i just sat there getting to know the lady.

I finished my drink in no time.

Was it good, she asked.

Oh yeah, you made the best one i ever had.

I jumped back in the pool and just floated around, feeling the mighty strong mudslide on mi brain.

Not too hot the early evening. The water felt fine.

If i could just freeze this moment, i'd never leave.

Well, that's enough of the pool.
I got out and the lady just kept looking at me.
Hmmm, maybe i will give her a show.

I grabbed the towel and did a couple of
"male stripper moves" to the music she had going.
She busted out laughing.
I know i'm not the best dancer, but acting a little crazy is just so much dam fun.

I dried off and walked up to the bar smiling.
She had her head in her hands, looking at me with those big brown eyes.
I walked up to her and said nothing.
Just stood there, with that silly Markospoon grin on my face.
She just stared back.


Ok,
snap out of it Mark.

I had a seat and just stared off out to sea.
She came right in front of me and asked me what i needed.

Ding, ding.

Round 2.

Lobster at Eddies Da Bar on the Westend

It seems the kids are having a ball.

So, when the sun starts to set, dinner time is near i told my daughter i would take her out for dinner.
Where are the rest I asked, oh they are somewhere having dinner.
Ok, lets go.

We walked to the road and i counted 3 of my regular drivers.
My 2nd favorite was sitting in the back of his van.
Wake up man, lets go!

Yeah , yeah, i'm ready he says.

Where to dad?
oH, i'm gonna show you the west end tonight.

Thw westend is still new to me.

Only had a few trips up that way in the past.
Chicken Lavish sounds like the place tonight.
We get there and find a table.

I showed Martina the menu, she pointed to the curry chicken and i had the fried chicken.

So we sat and waited a while, i got up and walked to the road while we were waiting for the food.
Whoa, that is the place that used to be Bar A Buv.
Right across the street.
Looks like it is up and running, forgot the new name.
ANyway, i get back to Martina and the food comes quick enough.

Martina has always had a good appetite, this night she almost ate the plate.

Our taxi guy had come back and was parked on the road, waiting.
Hey man, run us over to Eddies Da BAr, i want to take a look see.

There was a little crowd, maybe 10 people there.
I walked to the back, where I saw some men cooking.

Excuse me, is Eddie here?
"I'm Eddie" the gent said.
Hey man, you are famous, people are talking about your place on the internet.
Eddie had a very big smile when i said that
You and Trevor too.
This guy stuck his head out of the cook room.
"that is Trevor"

Hey dudes, i'm planning on bringing my daughter here tomorrow, what's a good time?
Anytime he said.
Ok, see you tomorrow.
Eddie and Trevor seemed like 2 cool cats.

Next day, i tell Martina to meet me at my room about 3 o'clock.
Around noon, i cam back from a long walk, had a beer and laid down.
I was out like a light when the knocking came to my door.
It was Martina and another girl

Whoa, what time is it?
Its 3 dad!
Were you sleep?
Yes I was,
BUt i'll be ready soon.

So I washed up and we are off again to the Westend.

We arrive at Da Bar and there were just Eddie, Trevor and a couple of locals.

After looking at the menu board, we decided on 3 lobster dinner with veggies and rice.
Rice and calalou come with the Lobster man.

while waiting, i had a Smirnoff Red and a beer.

The way eddie prepared the lobster was cool.
I guess he boiled it in the back, then brought the lobsters to the front grill.
It kinda looked like 6 big loaves of curled garlic bread with some kind of coating on top of the lobster.

He grilled it for a while trevor brought the rice and peas with the calalou, then Eddie brought these giant lobsters over, he served it and brought over bowls of melted butter and garlic or something for dipping.
Martina and her friend were in heaven!
Me too!

The meal was very good, the vegeis and rice moist and tasty, and i have tasted many a rice and peas, some people just do it right, like Trevor!

I was enjoying the first lobster so, that i forgot there was a bowl of butter sauce for dipping.
The lobster was done, TENDER! and taste so good!!!!
2 big lobsters, calalou and rice and peas.
I was stuffed with a smile on my face.

Since Lobster is on the "high end" price wise everywhere, i am glad that i chose Eddie's Da Bar.

Eddie and the crew are cool, laid back smooth gents.

I highly recommend his place!!

Are you sure your car can make it??

Yo Nick, pick me up i'm...
I passing your hotel now!
Wow man, ok.

Before i could sit down i could hear nick's car coming.

I'd know that engine anywhere.

He walked on over to the balcony and we sat a bit.
Where to now Marko?
Its not far, she will meet us on the road.

I stocked up the ice cooler, grabbed my keys and cash.
We outta here!

Man, i love cruisin at night in negril. Tunes thumpin and bumpin, i'm up front ridin shotgun,
it's just great.

It seems like the town takes on a new look at night.
Man, where were all these ladies this afternoon?
Earlier, the beach looked like Mayberry RFD.

Too hot man, nick said.

Whoa, slow down Nick, i think that's her.
We puled over and she hopped in.
Hey Marko,
hey baby.
Oh, thinks are looking up now.
She told nick to go up the hill and keep to the right.
It was a one lane road, twisted here and there.
"Now, we can just walk down that path and we will be there.

I was looking and notice how bumpy the road looked.
There were some marle (sp)
hard rock spots sticking up here and there.

Don't get out Mark, i can make it.

You sure Nick?
Baby said "We usually walk the rest of the way from the road".
I can make it, don't worry.
I heard some scraping sounds, not alot, coming from under the Nick mobile.

Right here, she said.
We got out and Nick had to back up the same way he came.
I was praying that he would make it.

He did, and took off.

Funny, he never went down that road again, just dropped me on the main road everytime after that.

Now when we get to the bottom of the hill, just don't pay any attention to the dogs.

Huh, dogs?
Yeah, a little pack of them, but they just bark and follow for a while.
Sure enough, we rounded the bend and i heard them before i saw them.
I have never seen any BIG dogs in Negril, just the medium to small ones.
There were about 7.
I thought you said a few?

"just keep walking and don't pay them any attention"
Yeah, right.

We kept walking our normal pace, she held my hand when they barked and came close.
I was looking for the leader, ready to crack his skull if need be.

They charged and backed off, barking the whole time.
Soon we were past "their spot"
and they were just following, barking and soon faded back.

She looked at me and smiled, but i was just trying to keep my cool.

The things we do for love.

A flight that turned wierd

Anybody ever catch what i call a "sardine can Plane"
Its a charter flight, all silver metal with no symbol or drawings on the sides.

I booked a trip to Jamaica on it just because i had to get away quickly. (no, not from the law).

I had the very first aisle seat after the pilots.
No first class.

We took off on time from Chicago's Ohare. It was a non-stop flight to Mobay.

The first 3 hours was smooth sailing.

All of the sudden the captain informed us that there was a thunderstorm just hanging over Sansgters airport. He said "we can keep circling and hope the storm passes or head to Kingston.
He said since we were low on fuel, we will be going straight to Kingston.

I thought we would be going around the storm. It felt like we went right threw it!

That plane was jumping up and down a lot. Big movements,
This was my first storm flight and every time the plane dropped what felt like 30-40 feet I would grab the arm of the woman sitting next to me.
I couldn't control my reflexes.
When i looked out the window it was all white clouds and bright flashes of light from the lightning or thunder or something!
This lasted for a 1/2 hour! (maybe less, but it felt like forever)
It was right before Christmas and I had a lot of gifts with me.

"we cant crash now! I have all these gifts! All my friends are waiting for me!

Since i was in the first aisle,the stewardess was sitting directly across from me facing the rear, looking into my face.

She said that she loves this part of flying. It felt good to her.
Eventually we made it to the Airport in Kingston.

We landed and the workers on the runway looked puzzled at the plane.

Hmmm. Didn't they know we were coming?

Soon the door opened, an Airport worker came on board and started talking to the Pilot.

We needed gas.

It took about 2 hours of negotiating between the Airline company and the Airport personel and charge accounts and so on.
I guess a full tank is a pretty penny.

With the plane shut down it was very hot, the humidity was stifling. Women started to holler "We cant breath! and "WE NEED WATER,COLD WATER!!

Someone had a little baby with them, 3 rows behind me.
I love kids but the diapers, the smells! Oh lawdy help us!

In that heat and humidity it (the diaper smell) was twice as strong. I was getting a little sick.

The co-pilot started to open the front door and the wind grabbed it and swung it open wildly!

Fresh air, oh how sweet it was!!!
Gee i hope the door is OK. We need to fly to MOBAY on this plane.

We finally took off in what seemed like 3 hours later.

This was the first time i got to Negril in the dark.

I cant blame that airline for mother nature.

Just bad luck that day.

Another night at the Jungle night Club in Negril

It was around 8 and my brother was with his friend.
Oh well, i guess the Jungle is out for tonight.

Knock, knock.
Who's there?
Yo, Mark. it's me and Nick.
They had taken my bro's girl home and were ready to start the night life.
Yeah mon, we still going to the Jungle, get ready.

Ok, I'm gonna shower and i'll meet you in your room.

We were having cocktails about 10:30 and i was getting a little tired.

After this drink, we'll go my Bro said.
3 drinks later, Man, we still going.
"Yeah, Yeah, i came all this way, there's no way i'm gonna miss ladies night"

So, eventually we got there about 11:30

Hey, lets have something to eat and people watch.
There are always food vendors outside the Jungle.
Alot of folks still hanging out or had been in and came out with the hand stamp.

The chicken was right on time.
It kinda perked me up and i had my 2nd wind.
Lets go in now.
Paid the fee and hit it.

Boom Boom boom.


It was on!!

Ladies galore.
they were still coming in 5-6 at a time.
We statrted downstairs.

Worked our way through the sweet smellin J ladies and made it to the bar.

The ladies in the club were so plentyful, that they just stand in place and dance to the music.
What a sight.

Man, lets head upstairs for some air.

We made our way pass the jirating and dipping hips and curvy figures to the steps.
I saw an amazing looking woman just coming down,
but her loss, i'm going up.

The upstairs was cool.

There was one woman, downstairs who had the dance moves down pat.

I was watching her, she had her back to me, but her girlfriend was facing me.
She must have said:
"there is a cool tourist dude behind you, he's watching you for real!"

Anyway, 10 minutes after we went upstairs, there she was, right next to me, alone, dancing by herself.

Sigh, if only.

Any who, my brother and i always split up, but keep and eye on each other.

I looked over and my bro had a table with about 3 ladies.
Man, he looks like he could use some help.

I joined them and we laughed the night away.

We ended up leaving with the 3 ladies, they were headed to the New Triple XXX Club.
We were sleepy and told them later.
They looked sad, but that's life.

Bed time for this old cowboy.

Waiting at the airport for my buddy to pick me up.

Good bye darling, i'll see you next trip.
Well, it's been 6 months and i'm back.

I got use to my private driver Nick, picking me up at the Airport in Mobay.
I come out of the arrival door and look around.
These guys are still working hard, trying to get a fare.
Taxi mon? Taxi? Need a ride?
No thanks, i'm waiting for my buddy.
So, i pull my bags over to the seating area right by the door.
I make sure i can see the road, so if Nick pulls up i can jump in.
The cops are making sure nobody lingers.
If your pick-up is there, cool, but you can't wait in front, parked or just double parked.

One of the guys comes over and says, Your buddy, maybe he will not come!
No way, Nick's my man, i can count on him.

Call him mon, here.
He handed me a cool little celly phone.
I dialed the number.
"Yo, whatgwan,"
So nice to hear a familiar voice.

Hey Nick, where are ya?,

I'm on my way, traffic jam coming in, but i'm in Mobay now.
Coool, see you when you get here.
Yeah mon, later.

I give the guy the phone back.
He's looking at me, (like he did me a great big favor)so, i give him a buck.


Beep, beep!
Man, i was on the look out, did not let any car pass me without checking it,
but, Nick slipped in some way.
Whats up Marko,
oh, i'm good man, now that you're here.
That's when i vacation really starts.
At the Airport, when i hook up with my runnin buddy.

It's funny, he'll pull the car up, and get out, and i am envious/jealous already.
He only wears a mariner shirt (we call them dago tee's)

Some blue jean shorts and sandals.
That's it.
His dread locks flowing and a very deep smile.

I can tell that he dons this attire on a daily basis.
The life.

So, he starts to pop the trunk and then
there are drivers calling him and waving hello.
Nick knows alot of Taxi drivers.
He has a route mobile, and use to run the strip in Negril for years.
He still does, but only when he needs some money.

Many locals know his car on sight.

So, we're all loaded on our way, reggae thumpin and bumpin out of the radio.
How are your rollin skills mon?,
Man, give it here, i can roll.

While still driving, Nick reaches some place under the dash, pulls out the little black bag,
He has the Rizzaler's and ganja.

I'm trying to get it just the way the locals do it.
Cone shape. Very fat at the top, and gets narrower as it goes down.
I got it! Done.
He looks at it, then looks at me, looks back to the spliff and smiles/laughs.
Ok, you're getting better.

By now, we are leaving Mobay, and the cars start to spread out.
I hand him the spliff and like the professional that he is, he lights it while driving and has that satisfied look in his eyes.
I fire mine up and
"wow" This is different from US stuff.

5 minutes later the green hillside starts to vibrate, the sea pulsating blue/green colors.

Such a nice feeling to be with your main man, flying down the road, sounds bumpin.
Bluish green water on your right, very green hills on your left, no air conditioning, just wind coming through the car like it is a convertable.

Ahhh, now i am in day dream mode.
I'm just tingling all over.

I'll take you, but I must make a stop first.

My other driver, not Nick, Nick is the best, but a different man i use to travel with.
One time, while walking down the road i heard the horn blow.
I turned and My 2nd favorite driver asked if i needed a ride.
It's funny, how if i'm not going anywhere in particular, i will change my mind when i see old reliable guys.
Yeh mon, i need to.....
"I must stop by the gas lady, then drop it off at home".
Cool, i'm in no hurry.
So i hopped in his van.

We crossed over the bridge and made a left, pass the shops and into the neighborhood.
We went down some road, made a few turns and he pulled over.
I could see about 20 gas cans. Gas for a cooking stove or something.

My driver walked up to a fence and yelled.

Miss Mavis, Miss Mavis!

Soon a portly nice looking lady came down a little hill and to the fence.
My friend passed an empty gas can to her and got a full one in return.
Ok mon, mi house is just up the hill and around the corner.
We must have went up 3 hills and 4 corners, soon we were at his house.
He was pointing out things and said the road is up to the residents if they want to get it fixed.
His shocks absorbers were on vacation and my body was shaking and bumpin around the van, but it was a little fun.

We got to his house, but it was up a hill.
He pulled over on the road and we both got out.
He called out and a young man, maybe 13-14, popped his head out a window and then came out the house, yelled something back and started walking down the hill towards the road to us.

He handed the gas can to the teen and we both started laughing.
"yeah man, the youth's do the walking around here, i'm not going up that hill".

It was quite a hill.
No road up to the house, just a 30 yard climb almost straight up.

These side trips, with responsible reliable Jamaican men, always add that extra something when i'm in Jamaica.
I end up someplace new and get that "WOW" feeling.

To me, if you are older and wiser, than you are my big brother or uncle.

So, i have a duty, and it's a priveledge to learn from the more expeirenced locals.

A trip around Jamaica, Ocho Rios

I exited the plane in MoBay and the air was magnificent. Even though the skies in Chicago look clear, i know there is much pollution in the air and i needed a getawy.

I had been to Negril 6-7 times and a change of pace was in order.

My driver Nick, picked up my girl friend and drove her to Sangster to meet me.

Hey, what's up Nick, i said as i exited the building.
I looked into the back seat and there was baby. Man, i missed her after 6 months in the states.

I opened the car door and got a great big kiss.

Nick pulled out of the parking area at the airport. "on to Ocho Rios! I said

My friend and i were both sitting in the back seat playing the little games lovers play.

Nick, up front like a chauffer, me and my baby in the back, chillin! It was pretty nice.

Hey Mark, Nick said "how are your rolling skills"
Not bad, i said.

He tossed back a bag full and i started on it.
I started and had to tell my girl to scoot over some. (she was all up on a brother0

Hee hee, she laughed and moved a couple of inches.

The drive was pretty nice. The always amazing country side of Jamaica was as green as ever.

We came into the town of Ocho Rios and it reminded me of Lucea a bit.

So, now we must find the Silver Seas Hotel.
We asked some people walking, but they didn't know where it was.

We found a Red Stipe (cop) and he pointed "up past the clock"
So we drove on and around a bend.

There it was.
I bid farewell to Nick, "see you in 6 days i told him", Yeah Yeah, later Mon, he said.

We checked in and were led up to the second floor.

The room was great, there was an ice machine right down the hall.

For some reason, i just gotta have ice, plenty of it where ever i stay.

The room had 2 balcony doors, that when opened, looked out onto the Caribbean Sea.

Magnificent! Fantastic! words cannot explain the sight.

During our stay we strooled around a bit.
Eating here and there.
One day it was raining pretty hard, i did not want to go out, neither did my girl, so and a man, a worker at the hotel, ran someplace and brought back staemy hot Jerk Chicken, rice and peas.

He was always close by if we needed anything.

A very nice 6 days.

My driver Nick,(now my best buddy) came to pick us up and drove us back to Negril for more fun in the sun!

My little man at the Hi-Lo grocery store

Hey Regan, what's up Mon.
He was nodding in his van on the road.
Wow, to sleep in your car, windows down, alone, on the road.
I would be too scared to do that in Chicago.

He jumped up with a little startled look.
Yeah mon, yeah mon, mi ready!
Amazing, from sound asleep to ready to go in 3 seconds. LOL
I need to go to the Hilo.
Ok, ok (he was still half sleep, sitting straight up and starting his van as i hopped in.

We pulled into the parking lot and we both got out.
There was a little chair or 2 milk cartons stacked together close to the store's front.
My driver said he'll be sitting right here.
He found an old Gleaner and started to read, while i went inside.
I found a shopping cart and started to push it.
I was going to stock the room with juices and snacks and stuff.
I had put one or 2 items in the cart.
I left the cart and walked closer to the cheese section, found the cheese i wanted, and when i turned around, there was this little boy, maybe 7 or 8.
He hand both his hands on the cart and was pushing it.
No words were said by him or me.
I looked him in his eyes and took a step down the aisle.
He took a step.
I stopped,
he stopped.
So, you are my cart pusher for today.
No words were spoken, we just communicated our thoughts through the air.

So, i strolled up and down the aisles, my little man in trail behind me.
He was a cool liitle dude. very agile and quick, he could handle the cart like a pro.

Well, i think i have everything i need and headed to the check out lanes.
As i got there i stood and was looking at the check out lady.
I turned around and my little man was gone.
Hmmm, he didn't even say good bye.
I got closer and then just started to put my things by the register.
I looked up and he was at the other end.
Bagging my stuff.

The guy/bagger that was working there just watched me watch him.
I gave him the "it's ok look"

My little man tried to carry all my stuff at the same time.
Whoa up there man, i got this bag.

We came out and my driver stood up, looked at the youth and just walked over to his van.

My little man and i loaded up the vam through the side door.
Good job! Well done! i said.
I reached in my pocket and gave him a well deserved payment for services rendered.

Never saw him again, but i do hope he is ok.

I was a shop keeper for a while

My friend, who has a little shop/place on the beach needed to go to the store to stock up.
Mark, i must go downtown.
I'm runnin low on this and that.
Stay here and don't let anybody in, except tourist.

Whoa man, i made it!
I am a shop keeper!
Sure it was only 1 hour, but i was in charge.

He has a place behind the craft market.

Beer, cigarettes,sunglasses, hats and trinkets, you get the picture.

He has a deep freezer, that is stocked with Lobsters and Bonita fish.

He cooks out on the beach everyday.

Always has a fire going.

He has wood carvings and other stuff to sell.

Often we sat eating lobster and Bonita and rice and veggies.
It was early, maybe 11:00 AM

He put on his "going to the store clothes" and off he went.

All he ever wears are cut off jeans, that's it.

I had the tunes bumpin and Red stripes flowin.

When i saw some "tourist" people walking the beach, i made a valiant effort to entice them over.

Now, if he would only stay gone 2-3 months, i would be happy.

I could call my lady friends to help out and cook, call my driver Nick, to pick up and drop off people.

Go to my mom-in-laws store to pick up supplies.
She goes all the way to Sav for her supplies.
I'm sure she could take my list with her.

About an hour later, he came back, looked around and went into the shop to put up the supplies.

So, how was things, he asked?

Fine, except,
You came back 2 months too early i said.
We both had a good laugh over that.

We must go see the "doctor" for a cleansing.

So, we must go see the doctor.
What doctor I say?
Up in the Hills, mon. She needs a cleansing!!

Oh, lawdy, where to now.
Here's another adventure you have gotten us into i say to myself!

So, early the next morning, a strange driver comes to my hotel.
My other friend is sitting in the car with him.
I get in and off we go. Up, Up, up and away.
into the hills of Westmoreland.

A nice drive through the hilly country.
Wow, there is so much that i have never seen around Negril.

As we are driving I look out the window and it is about a 50-60 foot fall over the side of the road.
Man, i hope this guy is a good driver.
The road winds around, turns this way, turns that way.
I dont recognize anything. Never knew where we were going.
Up in the hills Mon!! Thats all i was told.

About 1 hour and a 1/2 after leaving my room we arrive.
This place looks like a very old church.
There are a few cars parked on the road and men standing outside.

My friend and I go inside.
She talks to a woman for a while and we are told to have a seat.
2-3 hours. Sitting and waiting. Listening to other people waiting, talking about whats going on in their lives.
Man, i'm getting good at understanding the locals.

A woman behind a curtain motions for me and my friend to come.

We go through a doorway that leads out to the back and there he is.

He is sitting at a desk/table adourned with what you would see in a movie about a witch doctor.

Bottles and jars of things spread out.
The assistant says have a seat.
After a little talking that i could not understand, the man says "Do you have something for me?"

She hands him an envelope.

The other lady tells me
"you must wait outside"

Be careful with my baby!(i say to myself) She came in one piece, i need her back the same way.

The man looked at me like he was reading my mind.

I got the "----" out of there fast!

I waited on the road with some drivers who had dropped off the fares to do the same thing.

We chatted up there for a while. You know i asked a million questions, but I cant remember anything me and the guys waiting talked about.Just shooting the breeze.

My first time being higher than sea level. The air is different up there. Fresh, It even seems like the sky is clearer.

Soon, my friend is finished with "whatever" and comes onto the road.
She is smiling and all is well.

Another day in Negril;

There is a bar 2 doors down from the Coral Seas Garden hotel. It is next door to Sunrise restaurant.

I'm just out to wander around a bit, get a little jerk from the man that cooks on the road. After my meal i go over to the bar and i see a pool table. Now, for those of you that play pool you know what a pleasant site that is.

I take a seat and order a Red Stripe and watch the locals play a gambling game with cards. They put their money tucked under the side cushions on the table and deal out a round of poker. I guessed that the object is to hit the balls matching a card in your hand.
After a couple of games they cool out and i step up to the plate.
"Time for a regular game? i ask.
Sure mon, get a token from the barmaid.

So i get the token, rack them up and ask what game the winner plays. "Eight-ball, straight in" he says. Cool.

He breaks and makes a couple of stripes.Then he misses. I run off the next 5 shots flawlessly. I miss, he misses, i make all mine and sink the eight ball, corner pocket.

I won about 5 straight games! The waitress the whole time is eye balling me.

After my first couple of wins, she ask me my name, where do i live, who am i staying with, blah, blah and more blah.

I give her just vague desciptions(mus'nt give away all the info). Be careful guys what you say. No need to give every last detail to strangers, even if they have pretty faces.

That was a nice couple of hours. Just chillin, drinking beers with the guys.
Man, women are wonderful, but i still enjoy sports with the buddies away from the women folk.

Time to catch a cab a little further from the hotel.
I let a couple of cabs go by on purpose. I pick one, the front seat is taken, so i just hop in the back and enjoy the ride. I see the Treehouse coming up so i yell out "one stop!"
I walk up to the joint and the front looks nice and quiet. I get to the rear beach and there are people everywhere! I'm on a mission to find some cool boardies.
I know what Ras Walleye looks like, but i cant spot him anywhere. I have a drink or 2 at one of the bars and relax. The Treehouse plays nice old school soul jams.


I cant find any familiar faces so i concentrate on the ladies in the polka dot bikinis.

Man, nothing like listening to the music on the oceans edge with a cold beverage in your hand.

For a brief second i think i see a lady i used to know. She's beautiful but as she gets closer i realize its a different lady. Same figure, but not the same person.

Since i'm staring at her i might as well introduce myself.

Spoon, Markospoon they call me. She laughs and i do too.

She's with other people and they are motioning to her "time to head in"
So, we part and say our good byes.

Back to the road and up closer to the round about.
Just before the bridge is the Craft Market. Behind the Craft Market is the part of the beach where you will find the hardcore fishermen.

I am good friends with Ringo, the mountain man. He has a nice little shop and house right there, on the beach.

He has plenty of sand and a nice business going.

We sit and chat, drink some and ponder the mysteries of the universe.
Nice to listen to someone from a different culture spout their views on this and that.
Its all good mon, we all have red blood.

Just chillin out on a rainy day in Negril

It was the rainy season, but when you get the opportunity to get out of Dodge, go.


I woke up on my 3rd day in Negril and it was a beutiful outside. I cleaned up and
Jogged over to my fav breakfast place and ate like a King.

With a full belly, I took a swim then headed back to the room for a shower.
The bathroom has a window in the shower, with wooden velour blids and a screen.

It's great, to take a shower and look outside at the same time.
So, i was bathimg and i hear this sound.
"What the?

It was the rain falling. I finished my shower, grabbed a towel and opened the hotel door. It was pouring down cats and dogs. The kind that lets you know it would not end soon.

So there i was, all clean and nowhere to go.

I dont watch T.V. too much while on vaca, but, what else could i do?

I sat down clicked on the tube and started surfing the cable.

I found the Western Channel and my heart skipped a beat.

I love, not like, love, old cowboy movies, the ones in
black and white.

I looked over and saw that my ice cooler was running low on ice. 15-20 cubes left from last night and alot of water. Looking down through the water and ice i could see a brown color.

Red Stripes! at least 3!
Man o man i was happy.

I got comfy and cracked the first cold one of the day.

I have learned to use a cigarette lighter to pop the top and i love the sound when you do it just right!


Nothing like a rainy day, sitting in your draws, watching Jimmy Stewart and his Winchester 57.

Bringing gifts for your Jamaican family.

Hey guys/gals, i'm sure some of you can relate.

If you ever marry a Jamaican, your family doubles.

Its Christmas every time you fly in!

You find yourself in Walmart
"well i'll be!"
Look at that dear, i bet your Brother would love to have that.
Hey, what's your mom's favorite color?
Purple, Mark, i told you before, purple"
Always take good care of the Mom-in-law
Yeah, baby, this queen size purple sheet and pillow case set will look nice in her new bedroom.
Now, to the toy section,
"Mark, you just want to go there and look for yourself"

Ok, ok, but the little guys all love cars and spinning things, all kinds of crayons and paints too!


"how old is your neice,
"ones 4 and the other 6",
What size shoe?

Soon, my wife is loading down the cart with things.

The little girl section just melts my heart.
My daughter is 24 now, but i raised her, by myself since she was 2.(ahh, the good old days)
I know my way around kids clothes.
So, i go back in time (in my mind) and find things that the little girls would need and want.
Berrets for hair, and scochies, combs, brushes, the works.

My sister, (the little ones mom)
is about 25.
Perfume, jeans pants, tops.
Hair shampoo, conditioner, more combs and brushes.

Then my main Bro-in-law, he's 30 something, loves cars too.
Well, to the auto-motive section for some of the cool stuff, steering wheel covers, auto compass, all sorts of things. knives, tools for his work shop.

I have enough room for all these gifts because:

I keep all my dirty clothes in Negril, my mother in law washes them, hangs them up to dry and packs them, awaiting my return.

Having relatives on a caribbean island that you love to go to is wonderful!

The only hard part is lying to customs about bringing any gifts or presents.
But, since i only have 1, maybe 2 suitcases, i appear to be just another tourist.

Eating a home cooked "jamaican" meal is nice too, I have a nice group of people to hang with when the beach or Westend get boring.Hangin out at the shop, watching people buying things, picking up the Patois.
It's like i have a front row seat in a new world!


Once there was this gangster looking dude, on the beach, it was obvious what he was.
He asked me "do you know a black woman"
I did not recognize him at first.
He then said "oh yeah, at Mama G house, that's where I saw you. Yeah, you married her daughter.

He turned around and told all the other guys
"look out for him, he's family"

This is how they treat Family in Negril.

My bark is worse than my bite, a quiet evening in Negril

Wow, that meal was ok.
I'm full for 300J.

I don't know if the cook wanted to make sure i came back, but this meal had BIG chunks of chicken, along with the rice and peas.

Since i have a full belly, i can start a likkle on the party side.


Some of times i will eat a good meal, only drink water, then jump in a route mobile and head some place else for cocktails.

To the beach!!

I pulled in to one of my watering holes and found a seat.
A few folks, sitting around, couples it looked like.

Hmm, here i am all alone again. (i love it)

A pretty young waitress, (she looks like i would card her)
floated over to me.
I never say anything first. (gotta make them talk that sweet accent)
Evening sir, what can i get you.

I'll have a Smirnoff-Red, on the rocks.

Oh no, darling, i dont use a straw.

The first one went like Usain Bolt in the 100 yard dash.
AHhhh.
Would you like another?, she ask.
Ya cant walk on one leg.

Oh they giggle so sweet.

All of a sudden 5 females came over to the bar,
they were ready for the night.
(Hmm, i would card them too)

The waitress started making rum punches and talking to the women about this or that.

I deduced that they were friends of the waitress and she was hooking them up royally.
One lady had to say "that's enough rum".

Evening ladies, where's the party tonight?
Can't remember what they said, but it was somewhere down the road.

So imagine 5 young ladies, all dressed to kill, with the smell of heavenly scents, floating on the Caribbean breeze.

Snap out of it Mark, who do you think you are.

Another drink, please, hurry!

There were 5 ladies and only 4 chairs, so 2 of them shared a seat while enjoying the drinks.
What a lucky chair.

They talked and laughed for about 20 minutes and then they were off.

Man, they sure will be lit up when that rum kicks in.

I just watched them wiggle away into the night.

Shoot, there were too many of them anyway.


Well old cowboy, time for you to head over to the bunk house.

A nice quiet night

How I met my wife.

Well, it was about 7 years ago.
I was sitting on the porch at my regular/favorite hotel.

Before i hit the road i sit outside and chill with some cold beers.
I always bring a cooler with me, which i keep stocked with ice.
One of the gardeners of the property, a guy that i have seen for about 2 years came over to chat a bit.
Marko, where do you go during the evenings?", he asked me.
Man, i just cross the road and look for someone cooking and music.
There are nice ladies to look at most times too, i said.

You need to come to the neighborhood mon, meet some reallocal folks"
Ok, cool, where's your car?
"Me nuh have No car mon, me ride de bike"
Gulp! A motorcycle?
Yeah mon, been ridin it forever.
Ok, ok,
I get off inna few minutes.
So, about 5-6 o'clock i met him in the Hotel parking area.
Mind the right side, only get on and off from the left.
That hot pipe will fry your leg!

So, i hop on and head off to the road.
Now, i had never been further than the bridge before.
We cross the bridge and things change.

There are just locals and a million taxis around the taxi park place.
We keep going and turn here, turn there.
Up this road and down that road.
Oh yeah, when i first got on I was holding the guy around his waist.
Dont hold me like that mon, use your hands low down around the hips if youo need balance.
Well, hecky yeah i need balance, soon I got the hang of it.
Looking out for pot holes and putting my weight on the foot pedals to ease the bumps.
Soon we pull into this little frame like house. It ends up that it is a shop and a lttlle double door frame house next to it.
I got off the bike and looked around.
My gardener friend starts talking and introduces me to the lady that runs the shop.
Red stripe, well cold for my friend he says.

So far,, this is pretty cool!

So this is how a local family lives.
There was a little house behind the shop.
Turns out it was a cook house with the stove and a deep fridge and stock.
Big bags of flour, and beans, oil, you name it, they sold it.
I went through the front door of the shop to check it out.
There is chicken wire all around except a window for making purchases. The walls behind the counter and wire are filled with everything you could think of.
Baby stuff, diapers, box juices. cookies, crackers.
They sell drinks, rum, beer and pops.
There is a scale hanging for the beans and flour and whatever needs weiging.
They even sold ice.
Water in plastic baggies, frozen of course.

It was like a dollar store, filled with goodies!
I walked around to the back just minding my own business.
I looked to my right and there she was!
Sitting on a milk crate.

She looked up at me (and I swear, there were stars in her eyes! The cutest Jamaican lady you'd ever want to see!

Slim and built just right (no, i'm not a superficial guy)
She was just drop dead gorgeous!
No make up, a little perspiration on her nose. Cute as a bug's ear.
There was a big blue plastic tub on the ground between her legs.
The tub was filled with soap bubbles, in the soap
were clothes.
This woman is sitting outside washing clothes by hand.

(gulp) Hi, i think i said, i don't know, i might have started to faint, but anyway,
Hi, i said, good night or good evening she said.

That was it. Love at first sight.
I turned around (because i know she did not want to be eye balled while working)

I walked back to the front and talked to my buddy the gardener.
Man, she's nice i said!

yeah mon, talk to her.
But, being a shy guy i just ordered another beer and stared from a distance.

The next day, same thing.
On the motor cycle, down the road, across the bridge, past the gas station, down another road and we were there.

I must have looked like i lost something.
My eyes were searching, i looked everywhere. Nothing.
Bummed, i walked back to the front and my friend said with a big smile on his face,
"she in the cook house"
Now, how did he know what i was looking for?

So, i walk over to the cook house and it has a window on the side that opens out like a door, starting at waist level.
There she was, chopping and cutting and peeling things.
Hi, she said first!
She remembers, she remembers me!
I guess i was speechless, "are you staying for dinner?

Man o Man, she washes clothes and cooks the family meal too?
Heaven, i'm in heaven, and my heart beats so, that i can hardly speak!

Sure, thank you. I'll stay!
Man, i was not goin anywhere. Wild horses could not have moved me.

I went back to the front, smiling and looking for something cold!

A couple of hours past and here she comes, with plates.
She gives out a few to her bro and sis and mom.
I sitting in a chair thinking "where's mine?:
She comes back with a tray, like the kind you would have eating in bed.
I had a plate full, and i mean full of curry chicken, red peas and rice, dumplings, the whole 10 yards.
I could have swept her up right then and there.

Talk about feeling like a king,
the kings of the world aint got nothin on this!

The Markospoon Ecology Club and my cadets!

This is what i intend to do.
I'm gonna go to Sav, i need to find a clothes store for small kids.
I'm gonna find baseball style caps-yellow.
Short sleeve cotton, polo style shirts.
I'm gonna start looking around my In-laws house , talk to the moms and dads and recruit boys and girls to be "00" members.
After school and homework is done, on the weekends.
Some kids dont go to school,
"i have work for you young man", its called learning.

Once i have about 6-10 kids, we are gonna march over to the Community Park, next to the craft market and i will teach all i know about ecology, how to take care of the beach and land.

Teach computer skills on my laptop.
Hey wait your turn, sit down, are you listening? do you want to learn?
Don't start no monkey business, I know where you live.

Maybe I'll have my uncle in law teach farming techniques too.

We will then get bags and start picking up trash with sticks that have nails or something to catch the paper.
Medical gloves (i saw a box of 100 count for cheap)

We will march up and down the beach.
Lunch time, they will be fed and given a likkle money for the morning work.

I'll take back the white shirts and caps, wash them and keep them until the next meeting.

If no cleaning to be found, i will teach them typing and computer skills.

I know, it will be hard, maybe we wont clean up a darn thing, but, to wear the "00" shirt and cap, they must keep their heads up! and, walk tall! not yell, not curse.

The mouths, "watch your mouth" first one to step out of line will be given a "nice" talking to and a 2nd chance.
Tell me about your home, your family
(by the way i intend to have nice conversations with the parents first)

We will not tolerate bad behavior while on these missions.

Now, my motives are for my own benefit.

I want a legion of young adults, on the right path, this way there will be 20-40 less juvenile delinquents to mess with this old man.

I know, "hard job", but if its easy, let someone else do it.
We are men, gosh darn it, MEN!

So if you see a man with a yellow hat, white shirt and 10 little ecology cadets, dressed similar walking with him,
its me!

Times Square shopping mall in Negril

I was just wandering down the road, nothin special planned.
Hmmm, what's the deal with this "Times Square" place"

It is right across the road from Bar B Barn hotel.
I think i will go in and check it out.
There was a man, sitting in a chair right before you go into the place. I guess he was security.

"good morning, he said to me.
Hi, i said as i walked by him.

I turned the corner and you see all these stores.

There are store that sell fine jewelry, watches and what not.

Theses stores look like the fine/expensive stores on North Michigan Avenue.
Man, i can't afford those kind of things, but i went in just for the H--- of it.

Theses might be some of the prettiest ladies you will meet in Negril.
They were well manicured, hair was impeccable.

Welcome, can i show you something?

This lady was beautiful, with a capital B.

Oh, i'm just looking, these watches sure look expensive.
"They are all duty-free, she says.
Now, i'm guessing that means no extra retail tax that we would pay in the states.

Very nice merchandise.

I have the one gold chain on my neck and that is all i want to wear.
There are about 5-6 stores all in a row, selling high end jewelry and stuff.

Further down you will run into the smaller shops, selling t-shirts and hats, coffee, Rum, dresses, bathing suits, etc. and a lot of tourist stuff.

It's a nice little change of pace kinda place.
Just to get off the road for a while.

A rainy day in Negril and nothing to do

It was the rainy season, but when you get the opportunity to get out of Dodge, go.


I woke up on my 3rd day in Negril and it was a beautiful outside. I cleaned up and
Jogged over to my fav breakfast place and ate like a King.

With a full belly, I took a swim then headed back to the room for a shower.
The bathroom has a window in the shower, with wooden velour blinds and a screen.

It's great, to take a shower and look outside at the same time.
So, i was bathing and i hear this sound.
"What the?

It was the rain falling. I finished my shower, grabbed a towel and opened the hotel door. It was pouring down cats and dogs. The kind that lets you know it would not end soon.

So there i was, all clean and nowhere to go.

I don't watch T.V. too much while on vaca, but, what else could i do?

I sat down clicked on the tube and started surfing the cable.

I found the Western Channel and my heart skipped a beat.

I love, not like, love, old cowboy movies, the ones in
black and white.

I looked over and saw that my ice cooler was running low on ice. 15-20 cubes left from last night and a lot of water. Looking down through the water and ice i could see a brown color.

Red Stripes! at least 3!
Man o man i was happy.

I got comfy and cracked the first cold one of the day.

I have learned to use a cigarette lighter to pop the top and i love the sound when you do it just right!


Nothing like a rainy day, sitting in your draws, watching Jimmy Stewart and his Winchester 57.

Shake your tailfeathers at the Jungle night club

Yeah Mon! We jammin now!
I hollered across the dance floor at my Bother. His first time to the Jungle.

He was dancing and had 2 girls at the same time.
Well, he's doing fine, So....

I decided to waltz over to the bar for a cold beverage.

The bar had turned into a crowd since my last one, so i bumped and grinded my way closer to the bartender.
He had skills and with the people all shouting at him, he still, got the drinks out correctly and in a timely manner.

The seats at the bar were all taken, but i see this lady start to stand up so i nudged my way, closer, closer, i'm almost there. Whew! Made it just as she was standing up.

I sat down and i had the bartender's attention now.
Vodka and ting on the rocks please.
Shaken, not stirred.

The lady that got up was a pretty thing. The mini skirt was so short i thought i could see one of her cheeks. Sweet cheeks they were.

So i get my drink and it is strong.

I pay the man and swivel the chair around to face the dance floor.

The lady is staanding and dancing in place.
The place was my left thigh.
What rythym, what moves she has.

Well, when a lady is rubbing on a guy's thigh with her thigh it's hard to keep quiet.
Hello there, nce dress.
Oh, thanks mon! She says!

I start drinking and she just a keeps rubbin.

Now, i was just sitting in my seat enjoying the music
All of the sudden her rear is between my legs.
Wow, is this what they call a lap dance?
It was very crowded as i stated before and i'm thinking know one is noticing what is going on as my temperature starts to rise.

Actually, no one cares what the hell you do in a club as long as your'e not fighting.

We start to talk for a while. She had such a sweet voice, so i ask her if she would like something cold to drink?.
(hmmm, i wonder if that was her way of getting a free drink)


Red Bull or some kind of energy drink she gets.

So, thats how she stays aware, while all of us with real drinks lose our minds.

I scout around the crowd and i see this man and woman dancing. Well, it was to the music, but it wasn't dancing.
If you can imagine 2 people having sex on a dance floor, doggie style, with all their clothes on.
Thats what they were doing.

The man must have been in great shape because he had her legs up, her back to him. around his lower abdomen for quite a while.

Soon as B.B.ing says, "the thrill is gone"
So, i get up and walk around and out to the upstairs part of the Jungle.

It's nice a cool up there. Not such a wall to wall crowd.

Some very nice looking females are standing in a group. They look like they are doing stategic planning for a beach assault on the downstairs.
Ah ha. So this is their base of operations, the 2nd level. They were in a huddle planning their line of attack.

I was wondering.
Where are all these pretty girls during the day?
Once in a while you may see a super fine women on the beach or road, but here there were scores of them.
All shapes and sizes. Looking good and smelling good.

I guest most young ladies stay in during the hot day or are at work or something. You sure dont see them out walking on the roads.

But man, let me tell ya, no place else can you find all those lovely ladies at the same time dressed to kill.

The jungle is a nice place with friendly people all around.

Going home the Chicken vendors are right there with hot food.

Watch out for the private taxi guys waiting outside.

They think you are so drunk, that you will pay $10-15 US for a 5 minute ride.

In conclusion, the Jungle is a nice place.
There is a second level with music too.
If you want to people watch go on a Thursday night. Ladies get in free.

We must find the soup man!!

Honey, darling, We must get some soup tonight,

Huh, wha, huh?

I was in bed, taking a nap.
She said,
Soup, i'm not feeling too good tonight.
There is the soup man, pon the road, i must find him tonight.

It was about 8, we had been out all day, and i was looking forward to some R&R.
Well, have a nice trip.
No, no, you gotta come with me.
Geez, Louise.
She ran in the bathroom and i heard the shower come on.

Man, she's serious. Oh well, i climbed my old bones off the bed and had a good stretch.

Well, since i'm up i might as well get ready, so i popped a cold one.
I'm Ready.
I opened the door, and looked out towards the road.
I could not see anything, but the sounds were more than usual.

After, what seemed like hours, she was ready.
She came out the bathroom looking like a million.
Are we going to a fashion show?
"You silly head," she giggled, come on.

We got to the road and started walking towards the Tree house.
There were vendors set up all along the road on both sides.
Yeah, this is Spring Break time.
These guys were not here this morning. Man look at all of them.
It was like a market.
Smoke and steam pouring out of the pots and grills all up and down the road.

Music thumpin, and bikes roaring. People all over the place.
She would stop, talk to some of the sellers about where her soup man would be set up.
Further down, mon. Further down,
Keep walking.
Grill after grill, all kinds of sizes and colors.
"best chicken mon, well fresh here mon.
This and that, they had it all.
Baby, he's not here, how far will we walk?
It's not far, (you said that 5 blocks ago)
so we walked, and walked, and walked.

THERE HE IS! THERE HE IS!

I could see about 5 big pots, lined up, steam just pouring out the sides and all over.
He had all kinds there.
I forget his name, i'm sure you all know him.

I can't remember the type of soup she got, but she looked so satisfied while eating it.
Are ya happy now, i said.
She just smiled, with shiny eyes.
Man, i should have gotten a bowl myself, I ran back and got the same thing.
The biggest soup pot i ever saw, steaming hot.
It was absolutely delicious.


It turned out to be quite an entertaining evening, glad i went after all.
When we got back to the room,
I hit the sack, told her not to mess with me, and i slept like a baby.

A scary bend in the road on the Westend!

Hey what's up Nick.
I called me driver earlier in the day to go out that early evening.
Man, my granny needs me to take her to Sav, so that will be an all day thing.
Hit me on the Cell, later, i may be back.


Oh, ok, see ya later
Yeah, lata mon. Click.
So, now what, Oh well, I'll go get me something to eat on the beach.
I head across the road over to Bar B barn.
So, half way through my early dinner i had a brain storm.
I'll go hit the west end, never been too far, but why not give it a try?

So, after dinner, i headed back to my room, across the road.

I had a few Red ones on the balcony and the sun was just beginning to go down.
Dusk, man this is great, the feeling, when the sun is setting is so nice. A natural type glow to the plants and everything.
So, to the road!
Beep, beep!
No mon, you are too full.
Thats the bad part about being at a hotel that's almost at the bridge.
Cabs are almost full.
Wait, there's one.
Beep, beep. i raise my arm and he pulls over, just 1 lady riding up front.
I hop in and he pulls off.
"i'm heading to the west end "how far Mon, i can take you, this is my friend, she rides where i go.
Oh, ok, well, i'm going to the Canoe Bar.
Yeah mon, mi know de place.
So we cross the bridge and stay close to the round about turn, then get over to head up the road, past the Mall/Plaza and Digi cell store.
I see some guys I know going in the China man store.
Zoom, we hit the curve and head up west end road! Hot Dang!
Soon, we are at the Canoe bar,
I give him a couple hundred and say later.
The Canoe Bar is empty, nobody there but me!
Can i help you? the bartender says.
A red stripe please.
I grab it, pay him, and walk outside, the ocean side and have a seat.
Man, this place is nice. The beer is Super cold!
You can really look around and notice the layout of a place when its empty.

It almost dark and i have a nice buzz going.
I walked around and waved bye at the chef guy, then out to the road.
Ok, now this way (to the right) further up the road.
I crossed over because there seemed to be some activity on the other side of the road.
Just some locals, hanging out. Most of the cabs that passed looked kinda full, so i just kept walking up the road.
Soon, i looked ahead and saw it!
A bend in the road!

Where is the side walk? That only looks like street!
I needed to think, so found a little stone wall, bout 2 feet high and copped a seat.

I watched car after car, make its way up the road, to that bend/curve and dissapear.
Next second here comes a car coming the other way.

Hmm, i know there are all kinds of spots/places up the road, if i just could make it around that corner.
VaZooom, there goes another car, VArroom, another.

Al of a sudden i see this big ass truck coming around the corner!
Man, that would be all i needed.
A big truck turning just when i trying to walk that way.

I sit a little while and it is dark out now.
I see 2 j-ladies walk past me, up the road and out of sight.
They made it!

So, i stand up, tighten the belt, and look at the monster of a bend in the road.
Man, if i could just see whats around that bend, just around the corner before i start!

I shake my head no! Not today!
So i cross the road and stand there looking back.
It still looks scary from this side too.
Soon, a cab was coming and i jumped in it and headed back down the beach road to my room.

Maybe one day I'll try that road on foot, but not tonight.

Markospoon's first trip to Jamaica and Negril

This is Markospoon from Chi town.
Started going to Negril 12 years ago. I have been back there about 18 times.
It is so much like a dream place for me. Swimming and walking are my favorite past times.

I first went with my girlfriend in 1998. We stayed in Mobay for about 4 days. I lady who lives in Chicago is from Jamaica and told me to come down to visit her when she was there. Her husband is from Chicago and built a house. So, one day I was listening to the radio at work and I heard a commercial for a Jamaic vacation. I booked the trip at 1-800-jamaica. So, off we were.

We stayed at the Coral Cliff Hotel on the Hip Strip. I enjoyed Montego Bay, It was quite an expierience and very different from Chicago, but my girlfriend could not get into the Island life. She was one of those people who need everything just right. So, on the 2nd day my Jamaican friend from the states recommended we take a day trip to Negril.

Never heard of Negril before, but why not I said. The ride to Negril was very cool to me. The scenery and the ocean on the side of the road was fun to me. Windows down enjoying the air.

We arrived in Negril about 2:00 P.M. went to Risky Business first. It started to rain and everyone came inside to eat, drink and be merry. After about 20 minutes the rain stopped and I walked on to the beach. That was when it hit me. Stillness, super quiet. It was a feeling that i never felt before. I am considered a loner by my family. Searching on my own and people watching turns me on. Right there and then I decided to come back without my girl the next time. I was back in about 3 months and stayed at the Bar B Barn Hotel.
I was so stupid that I came out my room, walked to the road and asked someone how do you get to the beach. If i had turned to the right from my room i would have been there. But, being a novice I walked to the road. I saw an old lady walking and asked her " how do you get to the beach?
She looked at me with a smile (probably thinking how can a person be so stupid) She said follow me. So we walked a few steps and went down a path between the Hotel. It was lined with trees and bushes and i got a little nervous. Where is she taking me i thought. The bushes and trees were kind of dense and it shut out the sunlight for a few steps.
All of the sudden things opened up and got brighter and I saw the water!
Oh, how pretty your first sight of the Caribbean looks once you get to the beach.
I saw people walking and swimming and having fun!

Been back 18 times. I have some more stories that i will share. Later

Walking the tricky street on the Westend of Negril

Hey what's up Nick.
I called me driver earlier in the day to go out that early evening.
Man, my granny needs me to take her to Sav, so that will be an all day thing.
Hit me on the Cell, later, i may be back.


Oh, ok, see ya later
Yeah, lata mon. Click.
So, now what, Oh well, i'll go get me something to eat on the beach.
I head across the road over to Bar B barn.
So, half way through my early dinner i had a brain storm.
I'll go hit the west end, never been too far, but why not give it a try?

So, after dinner, i headed back to my room, across the road.

I had a few Red ones on the balcony and the sun was just beginning to go down.
Dusk, man this is great, the feeling, when the sun is setting is so nice. A natural type glow to the plants and everything.
So, to the road!
Beep, beep!
No mon, you are too full.
Thats the bad part about being at a hotel that's almost at the bridge.
Cabs are almost full.
Wait, there's one.
Beep, beep. i raise my arm and he pulls over, just 1 lady riding up front.
I hop in and he pulls off.
"i'm heading to the west end "how far Mon, i can take you, this is my friend, she rides where i go.
Oh, ok, well, i'm going to the Canoe Bar.
Yeah mon, mi know de place.
So we cross the bridge and stay close to the round about turn, then get over to head up the road, past the Mall/Plaza and Digi cell store.
I see some guys I know going in the China man store.
Zoom, we hit the curve and head up west end road! Hot Dang!
Soon, we are at the Canoe bar,
I give him a couple hundred and say later.
The Canoe Bar is empty, nobody there but me!
Can i help you? the bartender says.
A red stripe please.
I grab it, pay him, and walk outside, the ocean side and have a seat.
Man, this place is nice. The beer is Super cold!
You can really look around and notice the layout of a place when its empty.

It almost dark and i have a nice buzz going.
I walked around and waved bye at the chef guy, then out to the road.
Ok, now this way (to the right) further up the road.
I crossed over because there seemed to be some activity on the other side of the road.
Just some locals, hanging out. Most of the cabs that passed looked kinda full, so i just kept walking up the road.
Soon, i looked ahead and saw it!
A bend in the road!

Where is the side walk? That only looks like street!

The Westend road does not have sidewalks, just stay away from the road.

I needed to think, so found a little stone wall, bout 2 feet high and copped a seat.

I watched car after car, make its way up the road, to that bend/curve and dissapear.
Next second here comes a car coming the other way.

Hmm, i know there are all kinds of spots/places up the road, if i just could make it around that corner.
VaZooom, there goes another car, VArroom, another.

Al of a sudden i see this big ass truck coming around the corner!
Man, that would be all i needed.
A big truck turning just when i trying to walk that way.

I sit a little while and it is dark out now.
I see 2 j-ladies walk past me, up the road and out of sight.
They made it!

So, i stand up, tighten the belt, and look at the monster of a bend in the road.
Man, if i could just see whats around that bend, just around the corner before i start!

I shake my head no! Not today!
So i cross the road and stand there looking back.
It still looks scary from this side too.
Soon, a cab is coming and i head back down the beach to my room.
Maybe one day i'll try that road on foot, but not tonight.

My brother finally came to Jamaica!!

I had arrived 5 days earlier. My best buddy and I headed to Mobay to pick him up. 1 hour after i saw many Chicago Tourist coming out here he comes.
"They sent me back to the beginning of immigration!!
Huh, why?
I did not know the name of the place i was staying!
Oh god, Red, (that's his nick name) Just make up a hotel name next time.
He told me that he finally dug around his carry on and found the Itinerary i printed out for him.

So, off we head to Negril.
He was tripping/amazed at the green plants and hills along the way.

We check in and he has the room right next to mine.
I had been there for 5 days and I had all the cutie pies covered like a blanket. (so i thought)

What do you think he does? As soon as I introduce him to one of the ladies, he's all over her like a cheap suit. Like white on rice, like... you get the picture.

She was just a laughing and trying to pit us against each other.
My Jamaican buddy, Nick, told him "Red, Mark saw her first"

It was so funny how easy a J girl can tease the hell out of ya.
He took it hook, line and sinker.

You see, my brother is the one with all the bucks. I just save and go. He saves and goes nowhere.

Finally convinced him after my first 10 years to come and check out Jamaica.

Well, he is a drinker, i mean hard stuff, all the time.
He has the kind of job that lets you guzzle all the alcohol you want, but don't dare come up positive for Ganja during a routine test.

He's not that bad, but a first timer, drinking Rum, beers and whatever all day can be a handful.

Once I lost him and ran all over the place trying to find him. He was in Times Square buying things.

We went to the Jungle on Thursday Night. Ladies night.

I was wandering around, taking in the sites when he comes up to me and says Mark,
"look what i found!"

I thought to myself, "you mean what she found"

Fun was had by all and we left the place around 2 AM.

My buddy says "we need to stop for gas as soon as i take you top your room.
As soon as we get in front of our hotel the car conks out. No gas. So my brother and I stand outside the hotel on the road while Nick hops in a route taxi and goes for gas. (he had an old bleach bottle in his trunk)
He came back and said the Gas station was an all night place, but he had to wake the guy up for service.
Nick asks us if we want to go to Scrub-A-Dub. It's an after hours strip club in Negril.
I say Nah, I'm sleepy.
So the 2 of them head out that way.

The next day i just checked to see that he was in his room and left him there. He didn't get up until about Noon.

So we are walking around and guess who shows up at our hotel?
The same lady he met at Scrub-a-Dub.