Day 2

---

I woke up at 6:30 amwith ten hours of sleep behind me as planned. I took my iPad out to the patio chair to check the weather, it was already 79 degrees and the sun was out. Clear skies until about noon when we had a chance of rain.



Robert, the security guard from last night came by to chat on his way home. He asked me if he frightened me last night, I told him no, just that's was tired and maybe out of it. I asked him when breakfast was served, he looked at his watch "7 am, they should be here by now." It was 7:10, and I was anxious because I had yet to see the beach.





Their was a family from Spain who had just checked in last night, he asked about breakfast and I repeated what Robert told me. He responds by saying "THAT was the security guard?!" Robert looked like most Jamaicans I had met, skinny and constantly listening to music. The skinny physiques can probably be attributed to a diet of fruits, greens and lean meats along with nonstop walking.





I told the man from Spain I was going to find a place to eat on the beach. He said that wasn't an option with him having kids. I took off and crossed the street. There is no feeling like seeing such a beautiful beach for the first time on vacation. I just wanted to sit down for hours and soak it in. The 7 mile beach in negril is a huge bay with no interrupted cliffs/rocks. I was close to one end, which took me about 8 minutes to walk to. The other end was almost 5 miles away (technically its not 7 miles). I just started walking trying to find a place to eat.





The vendors in negril have been seen as pushy to some. I'm used to ones in Brasil that just walk by stating what they are selling. Hell I'm a salesman myself so I can complain. The first one to stop me was a man selling bracelets and necklaces he made out of beads. He was actually just asking about the one I was wearing that my grandma bought me in Rio. He told me he liked it and gave me a fist bump, never tried to sell me one of his.





I saw various beachside restaurants, but I was enjoying the walk and kept looking for the perfect one.





A man walked up to me and gestured for me to take out my earbuds. He asked me my name, which I knew made him a vendor. His name was Leroy and he asked if I wanted to go snorkeling or fishing in his glass bottom boat. I told him I do enjoy snorkeling and was looking for a place to do it. He said "excellent mon, we go to a great reef out there, fish just swim up to the boat." I shouldn't have said that because I had yet to eat, which I told him. He suggested I eat at a restaurant nearby and come back. I said I just got there and wanted to just explore the beach that morning, but would like to don't tomorrow. He then offered to show me his boat. I looked at it and decided to reserve it for two hours in the morning. He asked for a ten dollar deposit (fair enough) however I only had $20 US on me so I gave him that.



Realizing that was my breakfast money, I decided to still keep walking until I at least saw margaritaville, which I was told would have the laker game. On the way a guy walked by me and made a gesture of smoking again. A girl walked out of the water in front of me and smiled. She walked up to her friend and pointed at me, which I happened to turn around and see right while she was in the act. I waved and she laughed and called me over. She asked where I was staying and we talked about her hotel for a minute. I asked them about the bars/restaurants of negril. Then I asked about margaritaville and the game. They were from Sarasota Florida and they said they would a probably go there that night.



I walked about 2 miles out and paused and turned around. I had no money and was hungry and thirsty. On the way back a couple vendors got more agsssive. One was selling necklaces and asked what my wife would like, I told her I had no money on me or wife. "it's ok I'll deliver, what about your girl?"





"ok your mom?"





"yeah I have one of those"





"whats her favorite color?"





I honestly didnt know. She picked one up and I said it was nice and might come back later. She said goodbye. I walked back to the yoga center and thankfully the cook was there. I wanted codfish with Ackee and calloo but they were out of Ackee. I just had a calloo omelet. Later I ordered a coconut to drink out of which I gulped immediately. She took her break after I ate so I couldn't have her open it for me.





I went back to my room to put the coconut in my room and get a towel for the beach. It was about 10 and the sun was high and bright. I left my sunscreen at airport screening and decided I still could handle some more UV rays so I stayed out of the man made patio covers. I saw the man from Spain, he asked if I had breakfast. He then asked if I was alone and told him yes, he told me its better than traveling with a family. I told him it was the first time I did it and I was enjoying relaxing at my own schedule.





I laid out and another local approached me named Mario. He wanted to know if I wanted to jet ski or kayak. I told him I just ate so I was trying to relax. He then of course asked me if I wanted to smoke. Either I look like a stoner or they ask everyone this in Jamaica. I entered the water for the first time, and as expected it was about as warm as bath water that sat for about 25 minutes. I spent a good deal of time floating and swam maybe 50 feet out.





I laid out in the sun until about 1 when I felt my skin start to get tight. I got back and my shoulders and face were slightly red. Hopefully it's the type of mild burn that goes away when you wake up the next day. Regardless that was enough sun for me. I got the coconut out and had the cook split it. Also bought some small bananas from her and had a small lunch. While I was laying on the beach someone handed me a flier for an all you caveat buffet of seafood, vegetables, and jerk chicken while a reggae drum show went on for $18. Fucking lakers.... I still researched the restaurant, knowing I was going to margaritaville. Maybe I could do both? It started at 7.





I felt a little light headed and caught a 90 minute nap. I walked outside and saw some clouds. I say on the bench for maybe 15 minutes when rain came down. Luckily it was gone in about 20 minutes. Since I was sunned out and rain was a risk I showered up and figured what I was doing for dinner.





I left for margaritaville around 7:30 because I was starving. It was dark out and I decided to walk along the beach. The tide didn't really change much, and the sky was clear as can be filled with stars. It was a 25 minute walk and halfway a local named ron stopped and said "respect homeboy" and gave me a pound. He walked with me just talking about Jamaica, not trying to sell anything. I knew this wasnt for nothing but it was a nice change of pace from walking alone. While we were walking he passed a middle aged white dude named Steve who knew Ron by name. Ron said he loves Americans that take time to talk to Jamaican people. When I got to margaritaville he asked if I could spare anything, even some coins, for him to buy cheap food on the road. I liked his approach so I gave him $500 Jamaican.





Even though I'm a tourist and providing to their economy I still think its important when you are in a sovereign 3rd world nation to respect that they are sacrificing a part of their culture to accommodate tourists on their vacation, so I had no problems feeding Ron.





I get to margaritaville and they had about 8 tvs, half golf half women's softball. I asked if they could put it on the basketball game on TNT. Server was confused but said he would check. I settled in. There were maybe 8 people there, I wasn't sure if I was early or late. Next time were two drunk 30 year old women from new England. They were challenging each other to stay up until 11:30 so they can meet up with some other girls. One face timed her husband, and I heard you say "honey why are you concerned? Karen (her friend) is married with 3 kids, she wouldn't jeopardize that." They got disconnected, after that they started discussing if dry humping in the club was considered cheating. Karen said "Peter jacks off to porn 3 times a day, that's way worse! Those girls are naked!" Later they badgered the server who was 23 about how cute he was and how he should meet up with them when he gets off work. People's lack of will power amazes me, and further helps me decide to never get married.



I ate my steamed fish and realized it was still 40 minutes until the game and they still were struggling to find it. I looked around... I was the only patron left. I asked for my bill and left.





I walked back along the main road this time. Couple of people cooked chicken on the side of the road, I was offered that and of course ganja. One kid pulled up to me on a bicycle and was easily the rudest person yet. First offered ganja, I told him I don't smoke. He asked "why?"





"it's not good for your lungs"





"no not cigarettes, ganja"





"it's still smoke man, I don't do it"





"man you flicking lying"





I said if I wanted it why wouldn't I buy it of him? He finally gave up on that and asked me to empty my pockets and spare anything I could. I didn't like this guy so I refused, told him I spent my last dollar at the restaurant. He again called me liar. I said if l had money I would be taking a cab instead of having to deal with him following me. He kept asking a couple times and I started to ignore him.





He came up with a 3rd sales pitch about getting me "some clean Jamaican pussy." I told him I had my wife waiting in the room and I had just left to watch a basketball game. He again called me a liar, at which point I got pissed off.





"you say I'm lying about everything why do you keep talking to me?"





"cause I know you are"





"so stop asking me questions since you know I'll lie"





He went ahead to pester some old white ladies which I was shocked they were walking alone. I get home at 9:30. I follow the first quarter of the game and knock myself out. I had a snorkeling trip planned and wanted to get as much sleep as possible to let my skin heal.

---