Big Up Yaself Everyone! Happy Happy Sunday.
Apology for my late post.
The Veranda has had a very long drive out this week. We left The Pink House this past Wednesday to travel to Negril to celebrate Marshall’s 49th birthday.
What a birthday it was!
We ate at several of our favorite restaurants, sampled many drinks, and attended great, fun music with friends.
We enjoyed ourselves to the max.
As always life is the greatest.
If you are coming to Jamaica I highly recommend you sample the culture from local downhome resorts. All-inclusive sites are limiting if you want to experience real Jamaican life.
Roots Bamboo Resort is a small family-owned business. Three times a week they have music shows on a stage on the beach.
We have a history at Roots Bamboo where we are treated like VIPS. We haven’t been there for three years. Seemed like coming home to see family.
The Resort has been upgraded. There’s a new second story. All the cottages have full kitchens, new tile, paint, and trappings.
When I came to Jamaica in 2018 it was at Roots Bamboo that I was introduced to the concept of a Veranda. Every cottage has a small Veranda facing the sidewalk that is laced with tropical plants.
Roots has a good restaurant and bar beach-side. All the staff are beautiful people.
A historic restaurant
Michelle and her drumming teacher joined us for dinner one night. Marshall and I have eaten at this restaurant every time we have visited Negril. Michelle laughed about landing here. Coming in the early 80’s her parents loved this spot.
Chicken Lavish is the best fried chicken I’ve ever eaten. This time I branched out and ordered Curried Conch which was outstanding.
An all-inclusive resort
Another friend’s husband plays the trumpet in a band across venues in Negril. We met up at a lovely all-inclusive resort named Charela Inn to hear Frank and a band play soft jazz in a beautiful setting.
Charela’s owner was married to a French woman so the menu combines French and Jamaican cuisine. We had fun ordering small plates off the appetizer menu. Marshall had smoked salmon for the first time. Michelle pointed out that I should have told him it was Sushi not just raw smoked fish. That would have gotten me halfway to introducing him to one of my favorite foods, sashimi!
A Jamaican funeral
We ended our Negril fantasy to travel to Accompong.
The Banana Lady from the Santa Cruz green market passed away. She was a good friend to Marshall. A well-known business owner.
Jamaican funerals are an interesting amalgam of traditions from Africa, Europe, and Christianity.
Many Jamaican families hold large events on the ninth day after the person’s passing. Nine days because it is believed that a person’s soul is present on earth for nine days before leaving the earth. Late at night Jamaicans dance and drink to honor their dead. The next day the funeral service is held with a loud music procession that leads to the grave site.
American traditions versus Jamaican
The nine night is like a wake in the US. Unlike our American wake which is quiet and somber Jamaican nine nights are often vibrant music and dancing events.
I have been to a quiet one that was more like a community picnic. The family were Seven Day Adventists.
Different from Americans it is a Jamaican family that provides food for people who. come. American families in attendance after the funeral usually bring the grieving family food to share.
Americans hold services for family, close friends, and acquaintances. Jamaican funerals are community events. Often entire villages attend. This may relate to the high level of poverty in Jamaica. Abundant food is sometimes a luxury.
American political chaos has no borders
Winding our way down the mountain Marshall said his friend, Rocky, Clara Belle’s favorite son had called him last night. Confused, I said, “I thought you came up to see him.” “He was crying, Diana. He was afraid to leave the United States. He didn’t think they would let him return from Jamaica. He was so sad to miss his mother’s funeral. but his job is important.”
From afar I try to stay away from this type of reality. I am so disappointed in the actions of our Republican Administration.
I think our Democracy will survive. America has lived through an Oligarchy before.
The lack of compassion and regard for humanity is unacceptable to me.
We all bleed and ache the same way.
I pray some good will come from the upheaval. Once the chaos is reordered sanity will seem precious. We can all look forward to that. Change gonna come! It’s inevitable.
I hope someday you’ll visit. Jamaica is a fascinating place. Great people, good food, and warm ocean breezes await.
Blessings from Jamaica!
Happy birthday, Marshall!
Always lovely to hear Veranda news and about your latest adventures 😊
You guessed right - I want to know more about Half Ear aka Blackie 😻