Home › Daily Prompt › #FOWC › JAMAICA, FAREWELL – Marilyn Armstrong

JAMAICA, FAREWELL – Marilyn Armstrong

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FOWC with Fandango — Tropical

Living on the “right coast,” the Caribbean has been our go-to tropical islands. Garry was addicted to Bimini. I didn’t go as often as he did, but I loved St. Martin and later, St. Thomas, Aruba, Antigua … and most particularly, I really loved Jamaica.

Maybe it was the coffee? By the time Garry and I were able to spend time in the Caribbean, I had pretty much given up buying souvenir tee-shirts, but on the other hand, I came back from Jamaica with four pounds of pure Blue Mountain coffee beans. It was the best coffee I ever had in my life and I still dream about it. Well, you know what I mean. Daydream. Not night dreams. My night dreams are way more complicated than coffee.

Also, there was something about that island. When we landed (by cruise ship) in Jamaica, we had already learned to not buy the pre-packaged tours from the ship. Go ashore and find a guy. Because there was always a guy who would pop you into his cab and if he liked you (we were always very likable on cruises), he introduced us to his mother, family, the places at which he really ate. The food was amazing and served in someone’s backyard on an old wooden table with folding chairs.

He showed us where to find the best coffee beans for a couple of dollars a pound, rum so strong no one could drink it — not even Garry and he could really drink! — and the beaches only local people knew about.

We spent two days on Jamaica and when we had to leave, I stood at the railing and watched Jamaica disappear around the curve of the earth. I wanted to go back and never leave.

I still want to go back. Jamaica was the island that called to me.

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Categories: #FOWC, #Photography, Daily Prompt, Holidays, Music, Travel, Vacation

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27 replies

  1. ampycom
    06/07/2018 • 23:02

    I want to go to Jamaica to visit the grave of Noel Coward.

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  2. swo8
    06/07/2018 • 15:24

    Now there’s the place to spend winter.
    Leslie

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  3. Kiki
    06/07/2018 • 13:35

    Ah the blue mountain coffee…. You could actually buy it here from our French coffee provider – but it’s so expensive that I’ve never tried it. I’m a ‘Italian coffee’ (small, hot, strong) drinker and we’re very well served with this company. It’s as expensive as Nespresso but without the alu capsules…. (does terrible things to your health).
    I’ve known one Jamaican only in my life and he was incredibly charming and totally useless in daily life. But he was a great storyteller and only through his tales I have developped a love for this island. The photos always look divine and I can understand that you would only have to buy a one-way ticket to go there forever and ever…. LUckily, we have our dreams, aren’t we blessed?

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    • Marilyn Armstrong
      06/07/2018 • 15:07

      The coffee we brought home from Jamaica was the only time I’ve ever had the real deal coffee. It is so expensive here — and usually mixed with something else — that I have never bought it. We used to boil Moroccan Coffee in Israel. One cup had enough caffeine to keep you up for a weekend. That stuff was STRONG. I don’t think my tummy would like it anymore, but I loved it back then.

      Jamaica is the island of my dreams 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • omniclassic
      06/07/2018 • 16:42

      Jamaicans and Islanders, in general, have a way different outlook on life. Low stress is the objective. I can’t say I disagree, but I was raised in “get-it-done-now-ville” in “relax-later-county.” Actually, I have a bad lazy streak counter-fueled by an even stronger sense of guilt. You have no idea the conflict this creates… 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Fandango
    06/07/2018 • 13:28

    Hmm. Never been to Jamaica, but you make it sound enticing. Of course, I’m on the left coast now, so it would be quite a trek.

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  5. omniclassic
    06/07/2018 • 12:20

    Of course.., Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. Some of the best coffee on the planet but you can’t hardly get the pure stuff here in the states anymore. Some Japanese company bought up all the farms and the beans mostly go to Japan. I used to get it at Zabars in NY for about $6/lb (considered expensive at the time). That’s all changed these days, as, if you can find it, or what is passing for Jam BM, it’s usually mixed with something else, sells for $25/lb and sits so long in the coffee stores (due to the price), that it’s probably stale by the time you buy it. You may, still, be able to get some in Jamaica though? So.., anyone up for a trip to Jamaica for a “Cup-O-Joe?”

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    • Marilyn Armstrong
      06/07/2018 • 12:53

      I wish. This is going to be a very stay at home and busy summer. Garry’s got surgery and appointment follow-ups. With a little luck, by the end of the summer, he will be able to really hear. But we have a ways to go!

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      • omniclassic
        06/07/2018 • 16:31

        Good luck to the Boy because, if successful, I think he will be really happy hearing things he’s been missing. Hope to see you guys later this summer.

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  6. lifelessons
    06/07/2018 • 11:34

    Love thinking of you two there. I almost dedicated my Tropic (topic?) post to you. I know you’ve been having a similar problem.

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