Saturday morning after a Jamaican breakfast including fish in the eggs, fried bananas, and lots of fruit, the guys decided to try their hand at tennis. After a brief time of Brian trying to teach us the game, he gave up and we made up our own rules.
We all loaded up on our bus and drove to Dunn River Falls. It's a river coming down a mountain over a series of rocks.
The activity was to try and climb up the rocks for about a half a mile up the river. On one occasion the guys climbed straight up a waterfall.
The River Falls wore us out so we went to the ocean where about half of us just hung out and soaked in some sun.
The energetic bunch rented a boat and went out to the breaks in the ocean and went snorkeling.
Sunday morning we had church together as a family along with Pablo, Paula, their girls, Mommy, Faith and Lili, our cooks, and Gayle, our driver. Mark did an excellent job delivering the message. We listened and sang songs with the help of an i-phone.
After relaxing by our pool we headed for the Blue Hole. This is about 2 miles up the mountain on gravel off the beaten path. It's another river with diving cliffs, water caves, and deep holes. The Jamaicans were very good divers.
We made the Jamaicans hold there heads and laugh with our unique jumping style.
Our home in Ocho Rios was fairly modern however once in a while the native culture would show up. Hot showers were only very occasional. The outside doorways had bars rather than doors. Geckos were a common site inside. Cockroaches liked to stay in dark cupboards. The many dogs usually liked to do their communicating during the night. Chickens were everywhere and we even saw a bunch of goats sleeping on the main highway.
Early one morning there was quite a commotion in the kitchen. Pablo, Mike, Faith, and Lili were all fixing breakfast when a rat came inside to visit. All of a sudden there was war. Thanks to Mike's Marine background the mission was accomplished.
We ate very well. Jerk chicken and jerk pork. Lots of vegetables. Plenty of homemade hot sauce to cover everything. Rice and potatoes. Homemade biscuits or bread. And finally my favorite. The pepper shakers in Jamaica sprinkle out just as fast as the salt.
Most evenings were spent reading, playing cards, or just enjoying the visit about the day.
Believe it or not Kurt loves to read and read American Sniper while we were there.
On a couple of mornings around 6 am we could see a large cruise ship on the horizon and we knew we were going to have company in town. By 9 am it was docked just in front of our home.
Of course you can't go to the Caribbean without going shopping at the downtown market. Of course half the fun is bargaining. Pablo and the girls did our grocery shopping at a little more modern setting. The guys frequently turned down offers for smokes and I had a number of men ask if I had any work for them in the states.
When eating out in Jamaica with such a large group it usually takes so long to get fed so Pablo, Gayle, and Jan went to this really nice resort owned by a couple from Orange City and made a plan for family style dining at a set time on the evening before our first group was to head back home.
Before the meal down by the ocean we were going to take family pictures. Jan wanted everyone in khaki and white so we looked like the twinky family. The boys found a hole in the sand and decided to dig the critter out.
The disturbed crab was not a happy camper and came out of his dug out home so fast it scared everyone.
After getting introduced we let him go back to his home in the sand.
Tuesday morning we drove back to Kingston across the mountains to the bottom of the island. A long stretch of road is called Fern Gully where probably 15 miles of road is totally enclosed with ferns and trees.
While in Kingston we stopped to see Gayle, our driver's farm. He had a group of small and a group of large chickens.
He had a number of goats of all sizes.
This is Gayle's one pen farrowing house. He has 4 sows and several different sized pigs.
His calf pen was empty. He said about a month ago his neighbors stepson stole his only beef which was a large loss. He also raises bananas and coconuts.
Mark and Stacy and Brian and Becky left a day ahead of the rest of us. Saying good bye to us even for just a day and hoping they get home safe reminded me of how God has created us in His image to love and care about each other. If we experience that here on an imperfect earth how much more must a perfect God love and care about us.
Stay tuned for our next visit as I introduce you to the folks we lived with and wrap up with my thoughts.
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