In Ocho Rios right now, and the island is about to get hammered. If you’ve never been, it’s a very poor country, with little to no building codes, and some homes literally made of scrap plywood, and leftover materials. It’s gonna be a really rough go for the people here, and it’s so sad.
We could have left a couple days early, but I vowed to stay later and use my construction skills if needed. In the morning we will be locked in our room for the duration of the storm. It’s not the first hurricane we’ve endured, but it’s not me I’m worried about. The people here will be devastated if this continues at this rate.
Luckily we bought another shroom candy bar before the dispensary closed. So our plan is to stay in the room, but leave the planet for a while!
Please pray for Jamaica, and hopefully see you guys on the flip side! [Reply]
Originally Posted by kcgreene:
Yeah, I was looking at going on vacation to somewhere in Central America/ The Caribbean this winter... after some brief research, Jamaica was quickly removed from the list.
Same. Jamaica has just become too violent for me. I don’t like being contained to a resort. Now add in a devastating natural disaster and you have the recipe for some really nasty Haitian style civil discord. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JimNasium:
Same. Jamaica has just become too violent for me. I don’t like being contained to a resort. Now add in a devastating natural disaster and you have the recipe for some really nasty Haitian style civil discord.
For the record, we’ve been all over this island. We’ve done lots of stuff off the resort, and have never felt even a little uncomfortable. Obviously we’re not going into the worst neighborhoods, but we’ve been into Kingston a couple times, Spanish Town, went to a club in Ocho Rios where we were the only white people there, stopped and drank at plenty of bars with locals, walked through many different areas, and have been met with nothing but lots of smiles, and a few strange looks. But the Jamaican people may be poor, but they’re human like the rest of us! They are very giving people who understand the struggle more than most Americans would ever know.
Trying to post a video, but can’t figure it out right now. It’s been a fucking crazy 3-4 hours. Lots of trees down everywhere. Luckily none have hit our building or any within eyesight. Gonna be a lot to clean up in the morning, but seems like we have made it through the roughest part. Most of the people we know that live on the island have lost power, I’d be willing to bet we’re running on generators here. But we’ve heard from most of them and seems they’re all doing ok. So I’m happy about that. No idea what’s gwan with the airport right now, but that’s the least of my worries currently.
Our kids did try to get us to come home early, but I’m sure they knew we were staying. We’re in a block building, and I feel like it will withstand some shit before it opens up. Lots of people on this island aren’t nearly as lucky. And it’s probably impossible for most to understand our love for this island, and the people here. But it’s in our veins, and if not for grandkids we’d likely be living here now.
Also, the shrooms were INTENSE, especially when the storm was hitting hard. But we locked ourselves in the room and enjoyed ourselves the best we could given the craziness on the other side of the window.
Bottom line is we’re safe, and I’m rambling lmao! Appreciate all the prayers and well wishes! Love you guys! [Reply]
"For the record, we’ve been all over this island. We’ve done lots of stuff off the resort, and have never felt even a little uncomfortable. Obviously we’re not going into the worst neighborhoods, but we’ve been into Kingston a couple times, Spanish Town, went to a club in Ocho Rios where we were the only white people there, stopped and drank at plenty of bars with locals, walked through many different areas, and have been met with nothing but lots of smiles, and a few strange looks. But the Jamaican people may be poor, but they’re human like the rest of us! They are very giving people who understand the struggle more than most Americans would ever know."
Same experience here. I've only been once. My wife and I drove from Montego Bay to Port Antonio. Great experience, well not the driving part, but the stay on the island. Stayed at a little local resort by the Blue Lagoon. Made a lifetime friend with the resort's chef. He entertained us in his home, scored us some true Jamaican weed, and gifted us a carving of a Rasta man. Good people everywhere. [Reply]
Originally Posted by excessive:
"For the record, we’ve been all over this island. We’ve done lots of stuff off the resort, and have never felt even a little uncomfortable. Obviously we’re not going into the worst neighborhoods, but we’ve been into Kingston a couple times, Spanish Town, went to a club in Ocho Rios where we were the only white people there, stopped and drank at plenty of bars with locals, walked through many different areas, and have been met with nothing but lots of smiles, and a few strange looks. But the Jamaican people may be poor, but they’re human like the rest of us! They are very giving people who understand the struggle more than most Americans would ever know."
Same experience here. I've only been once. My wife and I drove from Montego Bay to Port Antonio. Great experience, well not the driving part, but the stay on the island. Stayed at a little local resort by the Blue Lagoon. Made a lifetime friend with the resort's chef. He entertained us in his home, scored us some true Jamaican weed, and gifted us a carving of a Rasta man. Good people everywhere.
I can’t imagine trying to drive here. It’s bonkers, plus the other side of the road driving would cost me an accident. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Coochie liquor:
Yeah, we’ve talked with our friends off resort and no power, no internet. But they’re all safe. Lotta cleanup to be done across the island.
Originally Posted by Coochie liquor:
I can’t imagine trying to drive here. It’s bonkers, plus the other side of the road driving would cost me an accident.
Yeah, it was crazy. Our flight got delayed, so the last leg of the drive was at night. Somehow we made it safely. Had a flat tire in the rental car another day. I spent a couple years in England when in the Air Force, so the other side of the road wasn't too daunting. Just watch out for the goats! [Reply]
I forgot the craziest part. The day we arrived and were traveling to Port Antonio was a national holiday, Emancipation Day. Every town we passed through was partying like crazy. Everyone was out in the streets. There was no signage on the roads that far out. Instead, to stay on the main road you'd follow some not always well visible markings on the road itself. Well, in one town, because of all the revelers in the roadway, we went straight when we should have turned right. Probably drove for like fifteen minutes, getting deeper and deeper into the countryside, until a local waved us off, pointing like we should turn around and go back. When we finally got to Port Antonio after dark, the party had really cranked up. Now, it wasn't just revelers but also cars jamming the streets. We were luckily able to call and get directions, and finally got to our destination. Once at the resort, we hired a driver for the rest of the trip. [Reply]
Originally Posted by scho63:
Elon Musk's Starlink allowed uninterrupted communications throughout the whole ordeal.
Starlink is probably the best thing to come from Musk. You can take it anywhere and have great reception anywhere.
I was watching this guy on TikTok that was sailing around the world and got stuck in the middle of the Doldrums, but he was able to load his videos and do everything else, because he had Starlink. Definitely such a cool ass invention. Can't believe someone didn't think of it sooner. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Coochie liquor:
Yeah, we’ve talked with our friends off resort and no power, no internet. But they’re all safe. Lotta cleanup to be done across the island.