Best Weekend Ever

 This weekend was one of the best I have had in Jamaica. It was full of new friends, good food, swimming, and beautiful places-all things that I love dearly! On Friday night I had some of the fellow Porty volunteers over for pizza. It is near impossible to get decent pizza in Jamaica, so why not make it yourself? I made the trusty veggie (black bean, corn, peppers and cheese-Rheas recipe) and also Canadian bacon and fresh pineapple. It turned out good and it was nice to spend time with Jerry and Kathy and Lauren and Greg. I had also made some cookies with the M&M’s that my mom sent me (thanks mom-now I can make more friends). On a side note when I received your package (mom) last week my friend Taylor was over and wanted in on that M&M bag ASAP..

On Saturday Greg and I waited for a break in the rain and grabbed a taxi to Blue Lagoon. Lauren and Raz were thinking of joining us, but decided against it. It did rain a lot, but our clothes and what not was covered by my trusty umbrella. It was a lot of fun, and a beautiful place, even if it wasn’t the most beautiful day. We swam out to this buoy that was placed there for the free diving world record (http://www.apneablue.com/html/david_lee_bio.htm). As we got on the platform we saw this really beautiful large almond tree and I decided to swim to it. About half way there I turned around and asked Greg if he thought there were crocs in the water.. Being a scardy cat I let Greg catch up and swim with me. That tree was the most beautiful tree I have ever seen. There were natural curves that allowed you to sit and pull yourself up on it from the water. We played on the tree for over a hour!

Saturday was also World Cup, USA vs Ghana. By the time I got home and showered and motivated to make it back to town most of the game was over. I met up with another PCV Jess at Ms. Will’s. As soon as I reached the top of her drive way I was in awe. The business of Port Antonio and taxi rides and people trying to get money from me seemed to be miles and miles away. I had only walked up a hill and I entered a different world. Her home was built at the same time as the famous Folly Estate as a home for the caretakers. This home has panoramic views of the ocean, grounds that are manicured and immaculate. The home itself was beautiful, large and old. There was a covered porch with rows of white wooden chairs, wrapped around the entire home. We met Ms. Will who is a 94 year old woman who has been living in this home for 50 years and has stories about old Jamaica and Portland. We also met a man named John who is a Jamerican, an American who has lived in Jamaica for 20+years. He has been living in Negril running a restaurant until recently. We hung out on the porches of his small apartment in the back and on the front porch of Ms. Wills home. John made us Coconut Curry Shrimp-the best meal I have had in a LONG time. It was a lot of fun and very relaxing. Later that evening we met a couple more Jamaicans and hung out at one of their homes that was on the ocean near Blue Lagoon. It was the most beautiful evening to sit next to the ocean under the moon and stars with great company. I am really starting to feel at home here in Port Antonio. Thank you everyone!

The bad news from this weekend, my camera has died. RIP pinky! I will miss you greatly, you have been many places and on many adventures. So.. probably no pictures for a while, unless I steal some from other PCV.