Eco's April 2011 Trip Report

[ECO]

I'm posting it on the blog part of this site and will try to update it everyday.... here's the start of it

http://www.jamaicatravelforum.com/jamaica-a-trip-report

[Wahoo]

Mango juice is now my son's and grandson's favorite drink. Ordered a sippy cup of it for my grandson at Mango Mike's Caribbean Restaurant a couple of weeks ago, and my son decided he wanted one, too--mango juice, not the sippy cup. They both were instantly hooked. What did you do with the machete when you left?

[Wahoo]

The men in some current-day South American aboriginal villages, to discipline their wives, give them a whack with the flat side of the blade of a machete. Sometimes they misjudge the angle of the blade, and...

[ECO]

Lol, mangoes and their juice are like crack cocaine! Addictive and not a cheap hobby....

I left my machete at RafJam, since it only cost $630 (around $7.50US) it was not worth buying luggage to bring it home.

[ECO]

trip report updated 4pm Saturday http://www.jamaicatravelforum.com/jamaica-a-trip-report

[Nanoose]

Went to the blog – checked out that Zack Brown song then I checked out that little girl playing the guitar mostly thought it was way cool but it also bugged me a little because I’d rather see a kid in school and figure chances are the money she makes probably has to go to helping her family and then they still just barley get by. I also converted some of the things back to US $ and things seem pretty inexpensive –l ike that lighter was under 25 cents US. Also enjoyed the information and photos. Cheers and happy week end!

[ECO]

Nanoose, look at the 3 videos I posted on Facebook last night, those were taken around noon on a school day. All of those kids can't go to school because their mothers can't afford the route taxi fare and or they can't afford the school uniforms. I gave some of our ad money (the ads that guest see on this site but we don't see) to the soup kitchen that feeds them 3 days a week and will try to support them in their cause to get a van that will transport the kids to school. It's a fucked up world when people are hungry and can't get a basic education.

Oh....about the lighters.....if one lasts you over a week that means you never once let someone use it for a second. I swear I go through 3-4 of them a week!

[Wahoo]

I checked out the video clip of the little girl playing guitar, too. She can play a mean guitar, but that long-haired dude is the worst dancer I ever saw!

[Nanoose]

Well now I’m really bugged about that little girl playing the guitar – the clothes she was wearing were perfect for getting an education in.
You would think the Jamaican government would get together and say it would be a jolly good idea to ditch the school uniform rule then more kids would have a chance at getting an education.
That van thing sounds good so I would like to send $20 ever now and then to help a bit.
For some strange reason this thread is making me think about a piece of history – the great potato famine and the 10.000 Land Owners.
Cheers and happy week end!

[ECO]

Good point about the uniforms Nanoose! Along the same lines, a school bus might be nice!

Sort of on topic, I called my father the priest who is coming up my way from Florida this week to ask him to help out. Sort of a funny conversation "dad, I need your help with something to do with money"........(long ass pause on my part)....then I plead my case. I'm meeting with him and his coworkers of sorts this Thursday to see if they can do some fund raising at their churches to get those kids to school. Begging up a man that gets begged up 24/7 is not easy.... him say "what will money do to fix the long term problem and not just the needs for now"......me say, "I'm not looking for money to support the soup kitchen, rather money to get the kids to school so they can get an education". Him say "what will they get with an education". Me say " with any luck they will get out of the country or stay and still not have a job".......it's a tuff world in the 3rd world!

[ECO]

Almost forgot, I updated my trip report last night and hopefully will add more on Wednesday...
http://www.jamaicatravelforum.com/jamaica-a-trip-report

[Rose21]

A giant mango $100 (prices are still high since they are in season every where).

This is why I looooove Country! The only fruits I'ld buy in Jamaica are Apples and Pineapples.

[Rose21]

I like Percy’s Riverside Retreat, It look so peacful. Eco, are those pit tiolets?

[Rose21]

Btw, did cumtom gave you a hard time with the Machete?

[ECO]

Rose, not sure if they are pit toilets, I'm old fashion and take care of my business outdoors...except #2 and I didn't have to do that there.

Bought the machete in Lucy.....darn I keep calling it Lucy and forget how to spell it.... $630 J about $7.50 US and I just left it with someone, not worth buying a suitcase to bring it back it. At home I have a sword for defense and modern yard tools so I don't really need one here.

[ECO]

Updated again... I really need to just chill on a beach so these trip reports don't take so damn long!