Not pictured here is you… you were behind the camera- I think. Kim and I thought this might be the last picture of us alive…LOL 

So what had happen was… you told us that we had to have an authentic Jamaican experience. So we get off the cruise ship.  Walk through the “gated” tourist section- making our way outside the “gated” tourist section to the street.  Due to the unspoken rules of who can pick up tourist outside of the gate, we had to walk some more in order to meet the driver who said he was in jeans and a white shirt…. HELL, they all had on jeans and a white shirt…LOL!  Kim and I are following you.  We are essentially walking single file because the sidewalk/street was so uneven. I am scared as shit but trying not to be as the men are calling out at us all trying to get our attention.  The women are mean mugging us.  I am rethinking my idea of wearing sandals.  Just as I am getting lost in my thoughts of being kidnapped, we reach our driver. You greet him warmly and he responds in kind.

So back to this picture…. We pass the check-point with a young man holding an AK-47 on the back of the pick-up truck and begin our trip.  Yes… AK-47!  We drive for a bit and stop on the side of the road because you tell us that we just have to try some coconut water.  Kim and I are cool at NOT stopping but you excitedly jump out of the car. So here we are… on the side of the road… in an area with beautiful shaded trees.  The breeze from the water is so refreshing.  There are these beautiful dark chocolate men with machetes sitting by a hug fireJ  (I love a chocolate man- yes!) You never meet a stranger so you talking about this and that.  Kim and I take our coconut and drink up.  Partly because we were afraid not to. We went on to experience Jamaica in ways that I have never done before! 

What we absolutely love about you is your free spirit! We love how you unselfishly share your experiences with others.  I know that you being you opens you up to the criticism of others.  We love how you filter through it and work strive towards always being your true authentic self.  You are truly a Black Woman who rocks!!! 

Ms. Kim and Beau

P.S. – We are looking forward to reading your travel tips book!!!!