Jo has been in love with One Direction since they were formed on The X Factor. She's lusted after all the boys at some stage but had always fancied the enigmatic Harry Styles.
Jo decides to take off to Jamaica for a holiday as it's always been on h...
The wind blows through my hair as Ngarita negotiates the streets of Kingston. Jacques is pointing out things of interest and I am trying to listen intently but I can hardly hear him so I just smile and nod excitedly. He's such an amazing presence over 6 foot but with the most kindest eyes I have ever seen. Ngarita is oblivious to our convo as she begins to hum a tune as we stop at the lights.
Kingston is bright, bustling and busy and I love it all ready. As we speed to the centre I can see lots of store holders out on the street selling their wares. Rastafari colours are prominent and every second person has dreadlocks. I'm not sure I will be partaking in that particular Jamaican tradition but who knows "when in Rome right"?
We take a sharp turn up a very steep hill on the outskirts of town and I assume we are nearly at the centre. I'm right and we come to a halt in a shower of shingle. Ngarita drives like a crazy person but it's kinda funny. My hair is sticking up in all directions so I pop it up in a messy bun. We are soon greeted by some of the other team who work at the centre. I am welcomed with open arms like and old friend and ushered inside to where food and drink is set up on some small tables.
Jacques and Ngarita know I am Vegetarian and the feast they have put on for me is amazing and made with love. There's Jamaican Spicy Rice, Avocado and Pepper Salad, Curry Lentils, a Vegetarian Version of Jerk Chicken made with Eggplant, Callalo Pizza and loads more delicious things. Jamaican Fruit Punch is poured and its delicious. Jacques informs me that this is Clyde's Family Recipe. Clyde beams at me and pours me a glass "Ere ma girl, tis good for your skin". I take a sip and it nearly knocks me on my backside. I can taste Rum, Coconut Mango, Pineapple and a few other alocholic beverages that I'm not sure of. I must go slow on this brew otherwise I'll be asleep before I know it.
We eat and I drink slowly and am taken on a tour of the Centre. It's amazing but totally under resourced. I'm glad I brought the supplies as they will be needed in the classrooms. I am starting to feel really jaded. Jacques offers to take me to my Hotel and I accept greatly. I have hired a Jeep whilst I am in Jamaica and Jacques takes me to the hire care place then leads me to the Hotel. He leaves me with a massive hug and a very full tummy. I head into the Hotel and check in. It's beautiful.
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The staff are so friendly and can't do enough to make me feel at home. They know I'm going to be staying for a while so I get some special privileges. I'm given free access to the Gym and several vouchers for Spa treatments and also food and beverage vouchers. I'm also given a priority spot at the Pool and I'm thankful for that as I love the water. Justin the lovely Check In guy hands me my key and calls the Concierge over to transport my belongings up to my room. I'm on the Eighth floor and I've got a stunning view over Kingston, I hand the Concierge Marlon a tip and he leaves me alone in my room.
I flop down on the bed and I try and fight the sleepy eyes but I can't. I'm powerless to resist the sleepy eyes and I close the curtains in my room and take a nap.
8.00pm - Kingston
I wake up from the most amazing sleep and look at my watch. Shit! It's 8.00pm and if I sleep much longer its going to totally screw with my body clock and I won't be able to sleep later on. I head into my en-suite and splash cold water on my face and brush my hair. I'm sooo bloody wide awake now that I don't know how I'll sleep tonight. I'm thinking that a dip in the pool might be a good idea so I change into my bikini, grab a towel, my book and head down to the pool.
Justin greets me warmly as I pass through reception on my way to the Pool. "Ahh Miss Jo, did you have a nice nap"? "I did Justin, the bed is very comfortable". "Well dat is good then Miss Jo is dear anyting I can get for you"? That Jamaican accent is sooo broard and I can see myself picking it up if I'm not careful. When I lived in the US it took me a month and I sounded like a drawly red neck from the Carolinas! Not a good look. "No thank you Justin, I'm going to take a dip in the pool to freshen up". "Well you enjoy dat Miss Jo". I head towards the pool and as I walk through the doors can hear the faint sound of Bob Marley and the Wailers "Could You Be Loved" one of the first songs I learned on the Guitar, I can't help but sing along.
There's a few people hanging round the bar area and a few in the pool. It's still a really balmy 30 degrees and I'm loving it. I head over to the bar and grab an OJ as I'm feeling the affects of the punch from earlier and think its best to stay on the non alcoholic stuff. I hand over five Jamaican dollars but am told that OJ is free. Bonus, this is good to know as I'm trying to keep to a strict budget. I do have plenty of money saved but want to be sensible as I'm keen to buy some Steel Drums and Congas. God knows how much they'll cost or how I'll get them home but I've always been intrigued by them.
I find a spot on a sun lounger and lay my towel over it. I slip off my t-shirt and shorts and lay them down on a spot where they won't get wet. I've gone with the Geo Print Bikini as its kind of bright and this setting suits it. I dip my toe into the pool and then dive in. The cool water hits my body and I'm instantly refreshed. I surface on the other side of the pool and take in my surroundings. It's truly beautiful. I think I'm going to like Jamaica very much .
