Wheels Down In JAMAICA!

WOW! What an amazing day!  

Today this post comes to you from a twin bed in cabin on the beach in Negril, Jamaica!  A gentle rain is tapping on the tin roofs, the air is filled with the smell of night blooming jasmine (which only blooms once a year for just a few weeks), and the frogs are peeping outside our door. So many positive things happened today its hard to know where to start!

6:30a- The gang all arrived on time (relatively) and began the process of checking the 14 suitcases full of books and art supplies. Thanks to the amazing packing crew (and the math skills of my husband) none of the bags went over the 50 pound weight restriction!

7:30a- Walked- literally with shoes and belt on- through security with no problems. The 5 pounds of summer sausage I had for lunches triggered a quick look,  but the lady just chuckled and passed us on through.

8:50a- After DEICING THE PLANE! we were wheels up Indy for a quick 40 minute flight to Chicago Ohare.

10a- Wheels up Chicago for a quiet 4 hour ride into Montego Bay. We had a short roller coaster ride as we traveled over Florida when the cold air currents from the Atlantic met up with the warm currents of the Gulf. It is the first time I have ever encountered turbulence that made you feel like you truly were on a roller coaster. It lasted just long enough to be fun and just a little scary.

2:20p  Wheels down in Montego Bay!  The view through the airplane window was incredible! Cerulean blue water, tree covered MOUNTAINS??!!, white sand beaches dotted with resorts and houses. But the view from the ground was even better.  The best part of the day? SUNSHINE and 85 degrees!!

3:30p Walked thru customs without ever opening a suitcase! THANK YOU UNIVERSE!! The customs lady was actually quite funny. She looked at Jenny and said "You got how many with you?" (10) "Ten all by yourself?" (No, there are two other adults.) She asked a few questions about gifts and food then rolled her eyes and said "go on thru."

4p  "Mama Kaye" and driver Merrit met us at the door and the adventure kicked into high gear. Kaye was so excited that she actually cried when we walked out the door.  They drive on the opposite side of the road over here and their major highways are two very narrow lane roads. We have a sweet ride- an air conditioned bus that is quiet, comfortable, and full of big windows. After watching our driver navigate obstacles that ranged from people to other buses to cows on the road Ive decided he is worth every penny we will pay him this week.

The girls were hoping to see the culture and boy did we get a special treat.  About half way to the resort the traffic came to a complete stop. For the next 20 minutes we followed a funeral procession where the casket was carried by hand down the road from the church to the cemetery. It was easily a 3 mile hike and everyone in the town came out to the road to show respect or to follow the casket. Kaye said it was the first time she has ever seen that done.  Her guess was it was a highly respected person in the community for that to be done.

6p Arrived at the Whistling Bird Resort and found out we have the resort ALL TO OURSELVES! We got free upgrades on our rooms and our own personal staff for the week. Our host, James, is treating us like the princesses we would all like to be. We had a toast with our complimentary smoothies and then dinner on the beach.  We filled our bellies with chicken strips with a home made Jamaican dipping sauce, salad, and mashed potatoes.

After dinner the girls went for a swim and the setting sun brought with it the rain showers.



10:15p  We are all tucked into bed with visions of a grand week floating in our heads. The girls are so excited and are taking it all in. The bus was filled with wide eyes and comments galore of "This is so amazing!" "Someone pinch me! This cant be real." "I can't believe we are actually here!"

Tomorrow we head to the Cove School to see the mural site and lay out a game plan. The principal and students are very excited to meet us and want us to eat lunch and play with the kids during their break. We are thrilled to have this opportunity! We were told early on that this school is very strict about visitors and that we may not get to interact with the kids.

We've only been in the country for 8 hours and already so many marvelous things have happened. Tomorrow is a new day full of promise and adventures waiting to be had! We can't wait!

Sweet dreams everyone!